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To read reports from this season's races go to www.eadt.co.uk/sport and search for 'cyclo'.

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News

14 Aug 08: Added this year's league registration form and latest list of riders.

14 Aug 08: Adam Keer will be riding the Foxhall course on Monday 18 Aug 2008 at 6pm. Riders are welcome to join him for a preview of the 13 Sep 2008 race course.

14 Aug 08: The Association has two cyclo cross bikes available for loan on an occasional basis (e.g. for someone who wants to try 'cross before committing to purchasing a bike, or as a spare for an important race). Contact the secretary, David Triggs, on david@dtriggs.wanadoo.co.uk to book.

14 Aug 08: There is a new prize structure in place for 2008-9 to reflect participation levels, in line with what was agreed at the AGM. We've increased the number of prizes for women and juniors and added prizes for the 50+ and 60+ age groups. The senior prizes have been replaced by an "open" category to avoid the situation where (e.g.) the 3rd junior might finish above the 6th senior but be denied a prize. The one prize per rider rule remains.

14 Aug 08: Corrected race entry fees. Standard fees are £12 for seniors, vets and women (£10 for league members); £10 for juniors (£8 for league members); £7 for youths (£5 for league members).

15 Jun 08: Ipswich has been successful in its bid to secure the 2012 European Cyclo Cross Championships. Organisers Steve Grimwood and Carl Thompson wish to offer a big thanks to all of you who have helped out at Ipswich Cyclo Cross events over the years to get us here. They hope that you will all want to be a part of this event and the events they will be hosting in the lead up to 2012.

Please take a look at British Cycling for a report on how the bid was announced. Keep up to date on all the latest news on the Ipswich Cyclo Cross plans at www.ip-cross.com.

15 Jun 08: Next season's fixture list has now been confirmed.

22 Mar 08: Added more info about the Tour of the Cornfields Cyclo-Cross Sportive.

12 Mar 08: the Tour of the Cornfields Cyclo-Cross Sportive will be on Sunday 31st August this year. There will be a new HQ at Bassingbourn. The route retains the fabulous drag strip by-way from Ashwell to Bassingbourn but there will be a couple of new sections to add to last years favourites. If the summer’s weather is reasonable the infamous Porter’s Way will be a feature this year. The off-road signage is being improved for this year’s event.

You can enter on-line at www.riderhq.com or email Mark Wyer for an entry form. There will be no entry on the day this year and there will be a maximum of 175 riders.

Meanwhile, you can whet your appetite by reading about last year's event.

23 Feb 08: To raise further funds for the EC-CA we have linked up with Parent Pages to provide cash back from Internet Shopping. If you purchase items from the relevant suppliers through Parent Pages, up to 5% of the value of your purchases comes back to the EC-CA. Click here to find out more or use the Shopping link at the left.

23 Feb 08: Organisers and prospective organisers can find a number of useful links and documents on the British Cycling web site.

23 Feb 08: It's a bit late to be mentioning this, but the BC Cyclo-Cross Commission Conference agenda is available on the BC web site.

16 Feb 08: Minutes from the recent AGM are posted.

10 Feb 08: Results of the end of season MADison are posted. This was followed by the league prizegiving, which brought the season to a close. Thanks to Dom Castle and Tim Butler for presenting the prizes, and Mildenhall CC for hosting the event.

10 Feb 08: We're looking for people who are willing to help with scoring on an occasional basis, ready for next season. Full training will be given. Please email the webmaster with your contact details if you can help. Thanks.

7 Feb 08: Senior rider Ian Newby, who crashed at Sunday's race, has asked us to pass on this message: "I think my head and neck took the main impact (I will let you make the jokes). I think I got off lightly, with just bruising to my left shoulder, left hip, right knee and right wrist. Thanks to Nathan Miller and Robert Hunt who both took time out during the race to help, and a big thanks to the Newsteads who tried to patch me after the race (if only to get my top off). Seriously, it's good to know these people are out there. Thanks again."

4 Feb 08: Added sub-categories to veteran league placings.

3 Feb 08: Results are posted for the final League round 15 at Hillyfields, together with final league placings. Medal winners are summarised here.

3 Feb 08: A wooly hat was found after today's race. To claim, please contact Tim Butler on 01473 414546 or tim.butler1@ntlworld.com.

2 Feb 08: Don't forget the Association AGM at 3pm after tomorrow's race. Please come along to share your views on the running of the League. Click here for the AGM agenda and here for the 2007 AGM minutes.

2 Feb 08: We'll be collecting League numbers after the final race tomorrow. If you're not racing, please arrange to get your number to the Tim Butler, the league adminstrator. Thanks.

29 Jan 08: Recalculated league placings. With round 14 being cancelled, the "60%" rule means that the league is now best 8 counting rides.

22 Jan 08: League round 14 at Eccles Hall School on 27 Jan 2008 is CANCELLED. Organiser Darrel Glover explains that the landowners wish the event to be cancelled due to the course being waterlogged.

21 Jan 08: The Association AGM agenda is now finalised. The AGM will take place after the race at Hillyfields on 3 Feb 2008. Click here for the 2007 AGM minutes.

21 Jan 08: Corrected under-12 league placings - two riders had been missed.

20 Jan 08: There will be a celebration of Ron Hunt's life at 1pm on Thursday 24 Jan 2008 at St. Mary’s Church Yaxley, Nr Eye, following a family funeral. Everybody and then some are welcome to come along to give him a fantastic send off and any cycling friends and colleagues are more than welcome if they see fit to arrive by bike in cycling gear. Donations are to be made to the Stroke Association or to the Rotary charities, as it has been requested for family flowers only.

20 Jan 08: Results are posted for League round 13 at Mistley.

17 Jan 08: Proposals are invited for the Association AGM, which will take place after the race at Hillyfields on 3 Feb 2008. Proposals must be received by the League Secretary by Sunday, 20 Jan 2008. Click here for the 2007 AGM minutes.

12 Jan 08: Ron Hunt, MBE 1930-2008. It is with great sadness that we report the death of Ron Hunt. Ron died peacefully on January 11th, at his nursing home, following a short chest infection. Ron was the League's press officer until he suffered a serious stroke in December 2006. He was an enthusiastic supporter of all cycling but especially cyclo-cross, possibly due to the high standard of cakes usually on offer. Ron would be seen at most races cheering on the riders and marshalling, often with his wife, Joan. Our thoughts are with Joan, Robert and the rest of Ron's family.

30 Dec 07: Posted results for Gateway's League round 12 at Grays.

17 Nov 07: Mark Cozens has uploaded photos from Broome Heath to www.mphotography.co.uk.

17 Nov 07: Geoff Bores would like to thank everyone who managed to avoid him and his bike when he crashed at the start of the Broome Heath Race. Geoff says, "I'm pleased to report that both rider and bike (miraculously) unscathed. I promise to try not to do it again."

17 Nov 07: It's time to start thinking about proposals for the League AGM. If you have any ideas about how the League could be improved, please submit them to the League Secretary. The date and location of the AGM are still to be finalised but we'll publish them as soon as we have them.

16 Dec 07: Posted results for League round 11 at Broome Heath.

8 Dec 07: Posted results for League round 10 at Redgrave.

8 Dec 07: We have a number of items of clothing that were found after today's race. Please email the webmaster if you think they may be yours.

4 Dec 07: Photos from the Regional Championships are available on www.mphotography.co.uk.

4 Dec 07: Added the missing under-12 league placings from the weekend.

2 Dec 07: Posted results for the Regional Championships at Hempton.

28 Nov 07: Posted start lists for the Regional Championships at Hempton. Entries are now closed, of course, except for under-12s who can enter on the day.

28 Nov 07: Fixed an error in veteran league placings regarding Paul Moss and Paul Harris.

25 Nov 07: Results are posted for League round 8 at Hillyfields.

17 Nov 07: Good news: League round 10 at Redgrave is not affected by avian flu. Organiser Bob Hayward has met with DEFRA and other relevant authorities. All parties are keen for the cyclo cross to go ahead as planned.

11 Nov 07: Results are posted for League round 7 at Mistley.

9 Nov 07: Added report on the Inter-Area Championships.

8 Nov 07: Retraction: it seems I jumped the gun with the announcement regarding parents following under-12 riders. The issue will be discussed by the Eastern Cyclo Cross committee at their next meeting. Until then, the situation remains as it was previously.

8 Nov 07: Updated league placings with the results from League round 6 and the Inter-Area Championships.

5 Nov 07: Notice is hereby given that in future, sign-on for Eastern League events will close 15 minutes before the start of each race.

5 Nov 07: Mark Cozens has uploaded photos from Eccles Hall to www.mphotography.co.uk.

4 Nov 07: Results are posted for today's race at Eccles Hall. League points will be calculated later - we're unable to do it until we get results from the Inter-Area Championships.

4 Nov 07: Apologies to anyone who was not gridded in their correct place today. Some riders placed a tick after their name on the sign-on sheet, which meant that their numbers were not transferred to the PDAs. We will have a new system in place next week to ensure that this problem does not reoccur.

4 Nov 07: Following an incident at Eccles Hall today, parents will no longer be allowed to follow under 12 riders who are racing. This applies whether parents are cycling or on foot. This is to ensure a safe environment for all riders.

3 Nov 07: Norwich City College Extreme Sports Physiotherapy department will be in attendance with their sports event marquee at the Eccles Hall race tomorrow. This is a unit set up in the last year to provide a free physio and sports therapy service at sporting events around East Anglia. It provides realtime work experience for fully qualified recently graduated students whilst promoting the college and assisting local athletes. So come along and see them for pre or post race massage or repair. It is all free although donations are gratefully received.

3 Nov 07: Good luck to all our riders who are representing the region at the Inter-Area Team Championships in Lutterworth tomorrow. Remember that top League points will go to those selected riders. Riders at Eccles Hall wil get points following on from those. This applies to the senior, junior, women and youth categories.

3 Nov 07: Mark Cozens also has photos from the Ipswich National Trophy race on www.mphotography.co.uk.

22 Oct 07: Mark Cozens has uploaded photos from Chantry Park to www.mphotography.co.uk.

21 Oct 07: Results are posted for today's League Round 5 at Chantry Park. It was good to see Trevor Holmes at the race, though he won't be riding for a little while. His injury turned out to be a dislocation of the shoulder with torn tendons. Get well soon, Trevor.

21 Oct 07: Pete Whelan (on behalf of Suffolk CTC) wishes to thank all the cyclo cross riders who supported last week's Rough Stuff ride. Next year's ride will be on 12 Oct 2008, with maybe a later start to encourage potential riders who have to travel. Some lost property was found: if you are missing a helmet, with a pair of glasses and mitts inside it, please contact the organiser, Paul Remblance or email Pete on pete.whelan@talk21.com.

20 Oct 07: Don't forget that you must enter in advance if you want to ride the Regional Championships at Hempton. Click here for an entry form. The race also counts towards the Eastern League. The official closing date is 12 Nov 2007.

10 Oct 07: Parking arrangements will be different at this year's Chantry 'cross. In order to keep cars away from the pavillion, we will be using the main London Road entrance, which is on the same road as last year but about 500m closer to Ipswich centre. This is the gate that was used as the exit at last year's National Trophy event.

10 Oct 07: Carl Thomson is looking for helpers for his Chantry 'cross. XRT is a small team, so if you or a travelling companion can spare some time to help with course set-up, marshalling or packing away, he would be very grateful. Contact Carl on carl@xrt-uk.com or 01473 422407.

10 Oct 07: Added team placings from Saturday's Welwyn race.

8 Oct 07: Results are posted for Saturday's League Round 4 at Welwyn. Commiserations to Trevor Holmes of Diss CC who fractured or dislocated (we're not sure which at the moment) his collarbone during warm-up.

5 Oct 07: The EC-CA has appointed Shaun Aldous to manage the region's women's cyclo-cross squad. In addition to selecting and managing the EC-CA Women's team for the Inter-Areas, Shaun will use his expertise to guide and develop the region's women riders. Shaun will be organising women's training sessions and providing pre and post race guidance at league events. Any Eastern Region women interested in representing the EC-CA should contact Shaun. Shaun Aldous is an experienced Cyclo-Cross competitor and rides for Interbike RT. He is a prolific winner of Eastern Cyclo-Cross events including winning the South East and Eastern Cyclo-Cross Championships and has twice been winner of the Eastern Senior Cyclo-Cross League.

Carl Thompson has been appointed to jointly manage the EC-CA youth and junior squads. Like Shaun, Carl has been a top class cyclo-cross rider, winner of the Eastern Region Champs and past member of the National Junior Squad. He will be spectating at a number of league events this season and will pass on his advice and ideas to youth riders. Carl will be working with Mark Wyer who is trying to expand the scope of the EC-CA squad system. Mark said “I am delighted that two such experienced and enthusiastic riders are prepared to put so much back into the sport.”

5 Oct 07: This year’s Inter-Area Team Championships are on the 4th November at Lutterworth. The EC-CA is intending to enter two youth teams to follow up last years 4th and 5th places overall. In addition a third team will be entered if there are enough youth interested. This third team will have to pay their own entry fees. All youth riders interested in riding should contact Mark Wyer on markwyer@ntlworld.com.

5 Oct 07: Entry forms are available for download for the CTC Rough Stuff Sunday ride.

5 Oct 07: Advance apologies: results for League Round 4 at Welwyn will probably not be on the web until Monday evening.

1 Oct 07: Mark Wyer will be running Cyclo-Cross training sessions at Gosling Sports Park, Stanborough Road, Welwyn Garden City (here) on Wednesday evenings from 7pm until around 8.15pm. The first session will be Wednesday 3rd October. Bring trainers to warm up in as well as bike kit. The cost is £2 for youth riders and £3 for seniors. The sessions will cover both skills and fitness. Meet at top of the Cycling Track. For more details, email Mark on markwyer@ntlworld.com.

30 Sep 07: Results are posted from today's League Round 3 at Brickwall Farm.

28 Sep 07: The Annual CTC Rough Stuff Rides, suitable for MTB, cyclo-cross bikes and even good touring bikes with sensible tyres take place on the weekend of 13th/14th October. Saturday 13th October sees the introduction of a new event at Knettishall Heath, covering 25 miles of tracks and bridleways, entirely self guided (information controls not marshals).

Sunday, 14th October is the 'normal' rough ride of 25 miles, with the optional extra 5 mile challenge loop. Start time of 9:30am to 10am. New this year is a 10 miles beginners challenge in one hour (or thereabouts), starting at 10:30am. The HQ for the Sunday is Butley village hall. Doors open at 9am. Refreshments available. Entry fee £2. Just turn up on the day, fill in a form and ride. Further details from Paul Remblance p.remblance@btopenworld.com.

23 Sep 07: Results are posted from the fast and furious League Round 2 at Hempton. Photos from Mark Cozens will soon be on www.mphotography.co.uk.

21 Sep 07: The HQ for this Sunday's race at Hempton is 100 yards past the original venue at the Fakenham Horse Racing course. This is a new venue that the organiser wants to try as it will provide camping facilities for the regional championships. It will be signed posted and there should also be showers.

21 Sep 07: Dominic Castle asked us to pass on the following: "Many thanks for the calls and messages after my mishap at Stevenage on Saturday. The damage was a confined to a broken knuckle and the re-separating of my partially repaired collar bone - and the loss of another race jersey. Thanks to those who stopped and helped and waited with me; sorry about the squawking! Cheers, Dom."

21 Sep 07: Read the EADT report of the Stevenage race on our sponsor's site at www.eadt.co.uk/sport under the headline "Fireman Bell answers the call". Paul Douglas has photos from the event for sale at www.photoboxgallery.com.

21 Sep 07: Updated the list of people who have joined the 2007-8 League.

19 Sep 07: The 2007-8 season is now under way, with many London riders joining us for the first race at Stevenage. Results are now posted. Commiserations to Dominic Castle, who ended up in hospital.

19 Sep 07: Sorry for the delay in getting this week's results posted - your webmaster was away racing in Cornwall with no internet access. There will likely be a similar delay after round 2 but then normal service should be resumed.

14 Sep 07: Updated the list of people who have joined the 2007-8 League.

5 Sep 07: Added results for the Tour of the Cornfields.

31 Aug 07: Updated the list of people who have joined the 2007-8 League.

27 Aug 07: Added a page explaining how Eastern League races work for those who are new to cyclo-cross.

27 Aug 07: Added a list of people who have joined the 2007-8 League.

27 Aug 07: The organisers of the Tour of the Cornfields are delighted to announce a deal with TORQ Fitness Consultancy to supply the refreshment products for the ride. TORQ will be supplying their TORQ bars in Tangy Apricot, Sun dried Banana, Raspberry and Apple and Pineapple and Ginger flavours. In addition TORQ energy carbohydrate drink will be available for thirsty riders.

Ride organiser Mark Wyer said, “We are delighted that TORQ are supporting the ride and hope this will be the start of a long partnership between TORQ and the Tour of the Cornfields.” For more information about TORQ products, visit www.torq.ltd.uk.

27 Aug 07: The EC-CA is one again running a youth development squad for the 2007-08 season. There will be between 8 – 12 places for Under 16 and Under 14 aged riders. To qualify for the squad riders must have been born in the years 1992 – 95 and must be eligible to compete for the Eastern Region.

Riders on the squad will be provided with a support package including squad training sessions, race feedback, discount on TORQ energy products and use of squad warm up jacket. In return, riders will be expected to compete regularly in EC-CA league events, compete in National Trophy/National Champs/Regional Champs and be available to represent the region at the Inter-Area Champs on Sun 4th Nov.

Squad selection will be based on performance at the pre-season training session and in the first 3 races of the EC-CA league.

Pre-season training will be on Saturday 8th Sept, venue TBC but probably Highams Park School in East London. Riders who cannot make this training session but wish to be considered for selection should contact markwyer@ntlworld.com. Novice ‘cross riders are welcome, you don’t have to have a ‘cross bike, a MTB is fine. We are especially keen to attract promising girls to become members of the squad.

23 July 07: The fixture list for 2007-8 is available.

23 July 07: League round 6 at Eccles Hall is on the same day as the Inter-Area Team Championships. The Area wishes to send a team to the Championships without penalising riders in the Eastern League. So, on this day, League points wil be allocated firstly to the riders in the championships and then to riders in the local event. For example, if four senior riders finish in the championships, they will receive the normal 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th position league points, respectively. The first rider in the local event would receive the normal 5th position league points, and so on. Riders will be selected for the championships based on average points in League events.

14 July 07: We have a new event on the calendar this year: the pre-season Tour of the Corn Fields cyclo-cross sportive on 2nd September. It's just the thing to get you warmed up and in the mood for the competitive stuff.

14 July 07: The calendar for the coming season is shaping up. Stay tuned for the full announcement with dates, etc. Meanwhile you can now join the League for 2007-8.

11 Feb 07: The season is well and truly over now with the results posted from the MADison. Thanks to Carol Jeckell and Dominic Castle for presenting the League prizes after today's event. And thanks to Mandy Cook and Mildenhall CC for hosting it.

6 Feb 07: The Association AGM minutes are posted. Thanks to all those who attended.

6 Feb 07: A couple of corrections to the final league placings: Bruce Robinson in the Veterans and Interbike in the Team categories were missing their points from Mistley.

4 Feb 07: Results are available from the last race of the season, League round 14 at Mistley. The final League placings have been posted, including medal winners. The team prize was given to Ipswich Bicycle Club - although Diss & District CC had the same number of points and the same number of wins in their best 8 races, Ipswich BC had scored points in a greater number of races overall.

4 Feb 07: Found at Mistley today: a tool bag and a grey cycling jacket. To claim, please contact Tim Butler on 01473 414546 or tim.butler1@ntlworld.com. Tim still has the thermal cap and a Nike hat that were found last week at Eccles Hall.

2 Feb 07: The Association AGM will follow Sunday's race at Mistley at 3pm, not 3:30 as previously announced. Click here for the AGM agenda.

31 Jan 07: Please note that unlike previous years, we will be collecting League race numbers at the end of the season. If you're racing at Mistley or coming to the Madison you can hand yours in then. Otherwise, please send to the League administrator: Tim Butler, 340 Felixstowe Road, Ipswich, IP3 9AA.

31 Jan 07: A team of 8 riders were selected to ride the Youth Inter-Area Championships in 2007 on Sunday 21st January... Read more here.

31 Jan 07: A thermal cap was found after the race at Eccles Hall on Sunday. To claim, please contact Tim Butler on 01473 414546 or tim.butler1@ntlworld.com.

28 Jan 07: Results are posted for today's Norwich ABC Eccles Hall Cross. Mark Cozens was snapping away and photos will soon be on www.mphotography.co.uk.

28 Jan 07: Next week's race at Mistley will be followed by Eastern Cyclo Cross Association AGM. Please stay around after the race to join in the discussion on proposals that will affect the League in the future. The AGM will start at 3:30.

28 Jan 07: The League has vacancies for a number of posts: a Secretary (or possibly Assistant Secretary), someone to erect the start and finish banners at races and PDA operators at the finish line. If you think you could help with any of these or you know someone who could, please contact League Chairman Chris Gooch on goochiec@btinternet.com or 01473 311955.

28 Jan 07: Details have been announced for the End of Season Madison which will be followed by the overall League Prize Presentation.

Older news can be found here:   2006   2005   2003-4