I raced my first cyclo-cross race at 40, and now I'm a convert

I decided to take on my very first cyclo-cross race at the age of 40, and now I'm a believer in the sport. The warning from my buddy Ellis about the importance of a strong start echoed in my mind as I awkwardly tried to clip in during the race's kickoff. I faltered again, watching helplessly as the other racers flew ahead. At 40 years old, I had just taken the starting line of my maiden cyclo-cross race.

After pondering why clipping in was so challenging during tense moments, my next major question was: how had I gotten to this point? Until recently, cyclo-cross had remained an unfamiliar sport to me. I knew next to nothing beyond the fact that it was a winter discipline, involved a lot of mud, and consisted of races ranging from the World Championships to local leagues.

Little did I know, the local leagues were often organized and run by volunteers, covering parks and green spaces throughout autumn and winter. The courses zig-zagged across mixed terrain, with obstacles that required riders to dismount or allowed seasoned racers to showcase their impressive bunny-hopping skills. The experience of my first cyclo-cross race began with some guidance from two friends - Ellis from Bristol Grit and Laura.

After attending an informal skills-sharing session organized by Ellis, we both decided to sign up for the first race in our local season, prompted by a casual conversation over a pint. On a chilly Sunday morning, I found myself at Round One of the Western League in Pittville Park, Cheltenham, nervously handing over £25 for a race number.

The volunteer at the sign-up table assured me that racing was a "good bit of fun," and she was also entering the race. As I arrived, I was reminded of the under-10 children racing, which gave me a sense of comfort and a hint of embarrassment about being there to race myself. Children raced first to ensure they had the easiest ride, with mud churned up by adults in subsequent categories.

The women's category followed the children, while the men's category, more popular, was divided into separate age groups. After pinning my race number on and adjusting my tire pressure, the atmosphere became more tense. I crossed the car park to find the leisure center toilets, which doubled as the preparation zone for serious riders.

The sight of team kits, nice bikes, and competitors warming up on rollers made me realize that I had entered a competitive environment. Before long, I found my friends and fellow competitors, and the course opened for a "sighting lap," where racers could familiarize themselves with the route before racing. With approximately 20 minutes until the women's start, I could choose to ride multiple laps to get a better feel for the course or conserve energy for the race.

I opted to ride for 40 minutes at full capacity, learning valuable lessons about self-awareness of my skill level and the importance of clear communication between riders.