Gallery
Tackling the hills in Cyclo-cross event in Ipswich in 1980
Some riders would resort to carrying their bike up the hill in order to complete the race - Credit: Archant
Landseer Park was well known for hosting BMX racing from the 1980s, but it was Holywells Park that played host to a different kind of cycling - Cyclo-cross.
Racing on mud would often lead to a fall - Credit: Archant
What makes it so different is the use of road bikes, modified slightly to aid navigating the off-road course, which are put on to dirt and muddy tracks to create a high speed and challenging form of racing.
Racing on mud would often lead to a fall - Credit: Archant
These pictures, taken in Holywells Park in Ipswich, show the different terrains that riders would have to tackle.
Racing on mud would often lead to a fall - Credit: Archant
Courses would often include steep muddy hills, which saw some riders resort to picking up or pushing their bikes to the top. Events were open to people of all ages.
Racing on mud would often lead to a fall - Credit: Archant
There are still races held in East Anglia, with the Eastern Cyclo-Cross League, which normally runs between September until the end of January, racing on many different tracks including in Trinity Park and Chantry Park in Ipswich and across the UK.
Racing on mud would often lead to a fall - Credit: Archant
Some riders would resort to carrying their bike up the hill in order to complete the race - Credit: Archant
