Mark Shannon hooked a trailer to a pick-up truck and set around North America for a couple of months to race there after the Irish road scene ended; pictured riding night time cyclocross in The Night Weasels Cometh, Shrewsbury, Massachusetts.
Irish domestic rider, Mark Shannon has completed a remarkable journey all over North America taking part in some of the country’s toughest cyclocross races.
The 28-year-old VisitNenagh.ie rider, who rode the An Post Rás this year, opted to continue racing when the domestic season drew to a close around mid-September.
And that saw him clock up thousands of miles - both air and road - not to mention a few very good results too.
The Clare man, who was based in Canada, raced with the SeaSucker-Unovelo CX Team.
Advertisement
What a road trip: Shannon's truck and trailer that facilitated his travelling across North America, keeping the costs down and giving him complete freedom.
He rode in New England predominantly; a region in north east America that consists of six states. He picked up three top-10 finishes including a win.
Shannon first got the idea to race in the US from the owner of UnoVelo bicycles, Scott Gerrie, a Canadian who provides the Clare native with equipment.
“We got talking in February and again in August and Scott said that I could come and stay with him in America if I wanted to race,” he said.
“So I couldn't turn down an opportunity like that and I booked my flights.
Wrapped up against the elements and looking focussed at Goddard Memorial State Park, Rhode Island.
“The races were hard but that was mainly down to my lack of experience in cross,” he added.
“Before the races there, riders are called up for staging and all the riders with UCI points are called up first.
“They fill up to four rows of the starting grid and then it's a random draw for everyone else.
"They start out very fast and with everyone trying to move up in the bunch.
On the front of the group during a dry and dusty race at the Rapha Super Cross Gloucester in New England in September just after he arrived.
Related News
“It never really settles down with the races only being an hour long.
“I found some of the courses very challenging with flyovers, sand pits and steep run-ups but it was brilliant racing,” he added.
Shannon’s team was comprised of riders mainly from the US. They travelled up to 800 kilometres at a time to race and it was an experience he loved.
“It was brilliant;, the team was great and we didn’t want for a thing,” he said.
Grub's up: Shannon was self sufficient on the road, looking after himself in a manner that enabled him see as much of the place as he possibly could.
“Scott gave me his truck, with these amazing SeaSucker racks that are used to transport the bikes.
“And I had the use of a camping trailer from one of his former teammates and that helped me save a fortune on hotels.
"I was also given a spare bike, coaching advice, support at the races.
“And they assisted me with race entries and travel expenses as well. And without all that I couldn’t have done it.”
How he normally looks; Mark Shannon riding on home roads in the colours of VisitNenagh.ie
He believes the trip has made him a lot stronger.
“I definitely think this will stand to me. The cross is great for bike handling.
“You’re not as afraid to fall and the standard is so high that it can only improve me.
“But I got stuck in, and seemed to improve as the events went on. I took my first win in October which was a brilliant feeling. It wasn’t a UCI race but it was still a good level.”
It was a far cry from the glorious Irish summer, with Shannon kitted out for Baltic conditions as he warms up for a night race in the US.
Topics
