Preparations were well under way this morning for the Cyclo-cross North East (CXNE) league event at the Sheepmount in Carlisle.
Hundreds of marker posts and thousands of metres of plastic tape littered the frozen grass areas surrounding the stadium complex when I took a walk earlier this morning.
All the work was for round 12 of the CXNE event organised by the Beacon Wheelers Cycle Club. Featuring entrants from all ages races were due to start around 11am.
Cyclo-cross is a form of off road cycling that is even older than the more familiar mountain biking.
Courses often feature obstacles such as hurdles and sand pits, forcing riders to dismount and carry or run with their bikes.
More information can be found on the British Cycling website.
Freezing temperatures
With temperatures not much above freezing it was great to be able to crunch through the grass leaving paw prints behind me.
The low morning dappled sun provided some great light for dads photographs as long shadows were cast by nearby trees.
Nearby the River Eden flowed swiftly on it’s way towards the Solway. It is hard to think that almost 10 years ago it caused so much damage to the City in the floods of 2005.
Happy New Year to all my readers and thank you for also following me on Twitter and via Facebook.
Until next time
Licks and Wags
Charlie