Chloe's Getting Dirty Again

This series continues the timeline from "Riding With Dirty Girls," and Chloe's other five cycling series'. You can probably get something out of the sex scenes in isolation, but for some background context, you should read (at least) "Riding With Dirty Girls" before this.

This is a work of fiction. A figment of the author's imagination. It is not meant to be big on realism. It's a fantasy. The culture around world-class women's cycling probably isn't a hotbed of lesbian lust, but wouldn't it be fun if it were?

All characters are fictitious, and any that are involved in sexual activities are over 18.

***

Chloe's Getting Dirty Again Pt. 09

'An unfriendly sport? What's she on about?'

'That's what she said.'

I was on the phone to Maisie, who had become a team mate of Femke van Veen when she signed with Alcon-Sika. You may recall that Femke had climbed off her bike at the Koppenbergcross in slightly odd circumstances, and had not raced since.

The general rumour had been that she had some mystery illness, but now she'd announced that she was putting her career on hold indefinitely. She had terminated her new contract without finishing a single race, and had put out a statement citing 'exhaustion.'

Speculation on social media and in the cycling press was that it was an example of "burnout," because Femke had been hailed as a prodigy -- even more than me -- and had won the Elite world title at just 20 years old; something unprecedented.

In a private conversation with Maisie, though, she'd said she was quitting because she found it an unwelcoming and unfriendly sport, which was not my experience at all.

'So, she won't be trying to get her world title back in February,' said Maisie, knowing that Femke would have been one of my main rivals for the rainbows.

'Yeh, but there won't be any shortage of people wanting to take the title from me, that's for sure, including you!'

'Ha! That's a bit of a stretch, Chloe. I doubt I'll even get a sniff of the podium. A top 10 would do for me.'

I was still calling Maisie for a chat from time to time (I love a chat with Maisie) but our phone sex seemed a thing of the past, now she was with Sabina. A shame, but I still had Licia, and I knew that Lucy, too, was quite partial to a bit of telecom titillation. I had thought of introducing Maddy to it, but we lived so close, if we got each other horny, we'd probably just jump in the car and drive over for some REAL sex.

As soon as I got off the phone with Maisie, I called Licia.

'Hey babe, I've just been talking with Maisie. Have you heard about Femke?'

'Yeh, I hear she's packing it in.'

'Yep. Career "paused indefinitely." Maisie says she's fallen out with the sport because it's unfriendly, but I've never found that.'

'Mm, but that's because everyone likes you, Chloe. Whereas Femke isn't really all that popular.

'But that's about behaviours, isn't it? I find, if you approach people the right way, you'll get the right response. Femke is dour and standoffish, that's why people don't warm to her. And some of her finish-line celebrations are a bit... arrogant, or disrespectful. That doesn't make you popular.'

'Mm, true. I remember struggling a bit when I first joined Trek-Schwalbe though. Kat was the first to make me feel welcome.'

'Yeah, but that didn't last, did it? Femke's had a long time to make friends, but she doesn't seem capable. I feel sorry for her really.

'Yeh, well, she's gone for now, so that's one less rival at the worlds, eh?'

'Guess so.'

I took no pleasure from it. I would've been quite happy to go up against Femke again. I never took to her, but it seemed a shame she had left cyclocross unhappy. Especially when the sport brings me so much joy. I guess we're just made differently.

I needed to change the subject.

'So what about the orgy in the circular bedroom at Trib Towers that Tif talked about? Do you think it will happen?'

She chuckled. 'If we want it to. Why not? It would be fun.'

'I've never had a six-way, have you?'

'No, but I'd give it a try. I bet it gets pretty chaotic... five bodies... I'd be spoiled for choice.'

'Mm, SO many combinations...'

I went into a bit of a daydream, thinking about the fantasy Mari had mentioned; tribbing with Tif while eating pussy. It was a tantalising thought.

'Do you like tribbing, Liss?' I asked. 'We haven't really done it much, have we?'

'Yeah, it's OK... It seems to lack something for me though. Not sure what.'

'Maybe someone sitting on your face at the same time...'

'She chuckled, 'Yeh, that could be it.'

'Anyway... are you ready for Sunday?'

"Sunday" was the British Cyclocross Championships, where Licia was going to be defending her title against the likes of Nikki Cray, Zandi James, and... maybe MaddyMac. I wasn't doing it because I was already World Champion. I didn't feel the need to contest the British.

So, Licia would start as favourite, but she was well-aware that others would be snapping at her heels.

'Yeh, I feel good. I think my level has gone up, but I guess others will have improved as well. If I can avoid a comedy show like last year, I should have a good chance.'

'Ah, you'll smash it. You were just 4th in a World Cup, remember?

'Oh yeh, I was wasn't I?' I could almost see her beaming grin.

I'd been back home almost a week, and the British champs were now just a couple of days away, on Jan 14th. We'd stayed on in Belgium until the 6th so that I could do the world cup race at Zonhoven.

Our New Year celebrations had been a little bit muted because I was planning to do two races on the 2nd and 3rd, an Exact Cross race at Mol -- the Zilvermeercross -- and a Superprestige round at Gullegem, the latter only 20 minutes from Molly's house, but that little plan had been knocked on the head when those races were cancelled due to a massive snowstorm, which swept across the whole of northern Europe.

The blizzard lasted for almost two days; roads were closed, trains were stranded, and almost all flights were cancelled, so we "battened down the hatches," cranked up the heating, and spent three days, eating, relaxing, and enjoying each other's company.

We had some beautiful three-way sex during those three days - days of delicious carnal indulgence - and I decided that, on balance, I was glad those races had been cancelled.

There was some doubt about the Zonhoven race too. The organisers had posted a video on Facebook on the Wednesday, showing the snowbound course and saying it was "impassable" but, as the weekend approached, the temperature rose and there was a little bit of rain, which is THE most effective way to get rid of snow.

By the Friday, a lot of snow had melted and it was announced that the race would go ahead after all, but Friday and Saturday were sunny and extremely cold, turning much of the melted snow to ice and making the course fiendishly slippery. On the course recon, I was wishing for the metal-studded tyres I had in my garage in Scotland, which are brilliant on ice but, of course, they are banned in cyclocross.

I knew it was going to be difficult just staying on the bike, but it would be the same for everyone, and I knew my bike-handling was up there with the best so I thought, 'hey ho, here we go.'

The Zonhoven course has lots of features, like off-cambers, steep little climbs, tree roots, tight corners etc, but it's most famous for De Kuil ("the pit") - a huge disused sand quarry. The whole event is designed around it.

De Kuil forms a kind of bowl-shaped amphitheatre where the biggest crowds gather, and the course contrives to descend into it, and climb out of it, twice per lap. The descents are on extremely steep, rutted sand and provide an entertaining spectacle for the crowd, since people often lose control and crash. There have been some spectacular howlers over the years, but perhaps none to match ours...

On the first lap, I was leading from Lucy and Carmen. We had successfully negotiated the first drop into De Kuil, and we'd all managed to stay on our bikes so far, despite the treacherously slippery ice elsewhere, but the second dive into the pit -- perhaps even steeper than the first -- was our undoing.

Immediately after coming over the edge of the drop, I got my front wheel awkwardly in a rut and went straight over the bars. Lucy managed to avoid me, but her descent was too reckless and halfway down, she also went AOT (arse over tit). Her bike somersaulted into the path of Carmen who, in her attempt to avoid it, ploughed into the barrier and flipped over it, to be caught by spectators.

Meanwhile, Annamiek, who was in 4th, threaded a perfect line between the three of us and went into the lead.

Amazingly, we and our bikes were completely undamaged and we were soon up and chasing, but this set the tone for the rest of the race.

I fought my way back into the lead, but then lost the front wheel on a glassy corner and had it all to do again.

We all went down more than once, and the lead changed hands a number of times. It was no doubt very entertaining for the spectators, but impossible to predict who was going to win, or what might happen next.

On the last lap, Annamiek was fading, and Lucy was chasing back after another fall and a bike change. Carmen and I were together at the front, and I decided it was time to make a decisive move.

The conditions weren't suitable for an all-out attack, but on an uphill stretch, I put in a little dig and noticed that a gap opened immediately. I saw my chance and pressed on even harder, quickly increasing my advantage. Carmen was clearly at her limit.

I was riding away to victory, but the race had one final twist in store. With just a couple of corners left, I got a little too enthusiastic and almost skidded out on a corner. I managed to correct the slide, but in doing so I unclipped, ran wide, collided with the barrier and dropped my chain.

As I was fiddling to put it back on, Carmen swept by and on to victory. There was no time to fight back. I'd blown it.

I was not a happy bunny as I crossed the line, but I didn't begrudge Carmen the win. She deserved it. It was a race decided by errors, and she had simply made fewer.

So, my Christmas and New Year campaign was a mixed bag really, and I began to wonder if I was losing a bit of focus.

I decided to set myself some proper targets, and the first of them would be the Benidorm World Cup, just over a week away.

You might recall that I lost the race the previous year due to a cruel puncture, just after passing the pits on the final lap, and that loss still chafed, so it was a ghost I wanted to lay to rest. There'd be no Femke this time, but Lucy would be there, and Carmen also seemed to be on good form. Plus, she'd have home advantage.

First though, I was going to support Licia at the national champs which, to my great delight, were being held near Newcastle upon Tyne, in the north-east of England, and only a couple of hours drive from my house.

It occurred to me that Maddy would be doing the race, too, and she'd be passing close to my house on the way there. Maybe she'd pick me up and we could travel together?

Before I suggested it though, I realised that I needed to OK it with Licia. I was aware that she might be feeling a little insecure about Maddy, especially since we lived so close together and how "cosy" that was.

I gave her a call and asked if she would be OK with me travelling to the race with Maddy. Her reply was surprising.

'Yeh, OK, as long as you don't forget to pick me up at the airport.'

I laughed. 'Of course not. I'm already dying to see you!'

'You don't need to worry about Maddy, babe. I've got my head straight about her. I don't see her as a threat, I see her as an opportunity. It's a bit like Lisa, or Sian, when you come here. I see Maddy the same way. A golden opportunity for us to have some free girly fun.'

I grinned. 'You're a marvel, do you know that? In fact, I think you might be girlfriend material...'

'Sod off, and don't forget to pick me up on Sunday morning. 10:30 am'

'Yes, ma'am. See you then.'

I was right though. She is a marvel.

***

The British Champs

Sunday morning 8 am. I heard a car engine and peered out of the window. Yep, it was Maddy. I was already breakfasted and had all my stuff, wellies, kit bag, waterproofs, in the hallway, ready to go. I had the door open before she got to it, and I stepped out with a big grin and clasped her in a hug.

She seemed a bit taken aback. 'Oo, Chloe... Nice to see you too. Happy New Year.'

'Same to you ' We shared continental-style cheek kisses and then she helped me take my stuff to her car.

Maddy's car is one of those van-like things. It has windows and rear seats and everything, but it has sliding doors and looks like a small van. It's a practical thing though, with lots of space. When I remarked on it, she said 'Yeh, loads of room for gear, bike wheels etc. And you can even sleep in it at a pinch. It's perfect for a cyclist.'

I could see what she meant, but I had never felt the need for something like it. I was lucky enough to have Molly and the Lyonmobile, or even a team bus in the big road races.

For the nationals, Maddy would obviously have full team support, but I understood why she needed to be a bit more self-sufficient for some of the low-key races she did.

We set off south and chatted about the race, her rivals, how she was feeling, and then a bit more about her other likes and dislikes. She told me she enjoyed taking trips into the Highlands for rides, on road bike or mountain bike, and that was another scenario where the van was handy. She was a bit of a solo adventurer, by the sound of it.

'You should join me sometime. You'd enjoy it.'

'Yeh, that would be good, as long as we don't have to sleep in the van.' I looked at her and she just smiled.

I leaned over to turn the heater up a bit and she noticed my gold ring and said, 'Is that a wedding ring, Chloe?'

'Er, no. Licia got it for me, for Christmas. We have one each. They're just a symbol of our commitment to each other.'

'So, like a wedding ring then?'

'I guess so, but there was no wedding...'

'Well there kind of was, really. Just putting them on each other was a kind of wedding.'

She'd completely thrown me now. I definitely hadn't thought of it like that, until now, but she was right. The exchange of rings was significant. No other ceremony was needed.

'I suppose that's true...' I looked at the ring and thought of Licia.

'It's lovely.'

I toyed with the ring and said, 'It's just a plain gold band. Nothing fancy.'

'No, I meant doing that for each other. It's a powerful symbol.'

'Yeah, I guess it is...' Suddenly, I yearned for Licia and, simultaneously, wanted to hug Maddy, but I couldn't because she was driving.

'Thanks, Maddy. I hadn't really thought about it so clearly.'

I looked at her, pensively, suddenly realising she was quite a sagacious person.

We were quiet for a little while -- thinking -- as we cruised through the rolling hills of Northumberland, and I decided that, even though we couldn't be a couple, I wanted her to always be in my life.

As we got closer to the airport, a certain apprehension started growing in me. This would be the first time that Licia and Maddy had met since "the turning," and I didn't really know how they'd react to each other. Of course, they knew each other from previous races, but only enough to say hello to. Now, the situation was quite different.

We stood in Arrivals, Maddy looking radiant in her buff and green team fleece, and me shuffling my feet nervously, and we watched a stream of dull grey people, trooping in from baggage claim. Suddenly, there she was, wearing her thin black fleece with a bright blue gilet over it, her customary baggy snowboard trousers, and a black Trek cap with yellow trim.

I needn't have worried. She was grinning her dazzling mischievous grin, which always puts a little zing into my chest, and she grabbed me for her usual breath-taking squeeze before turning to Maddy.

They greeted each other a little archly, but they were both smiling. There was no animosity, and the only sign of frostiness was the almost formal brevity of their hug. Well, it was their first.

'Well, helloo Maddy. How are you liking being on the light side, the bright side, right side?' asked Licia, but she didn't wait for an answer. 'You're Chloe's latest "turning," she has a string of them behind her, you know. Just can't help herself.'

Quick as a flash, Maddy replied, 'Or maybe it's the straight women who can't help themselves. She is pretty special.'

'Yeh, I think she casts a witchy spell or somethin.' They both cackled.

'Hey, you know I'm standing here, don't you?' I huffed.

'Ah, you love it, babe. I bet you keep a log of all the straight women you've turned, don't you?'

She was being deliberately mischievous and provocative -- all for Maddy's benefit, of course -- and I was becoming a little irked.

We set off to walk to the car, and Maddy changed the vibe slightly when she said, 'Actually, in my case, Chloe can't be blamed. I was already turning. She was my target, rather than the other way around.'

'See?' I said, holding my palms up in a gesture of innocence, 'Absolutely nothing to do with me.'

'Yeah, right,' smirked Licia, 'but you were quick to seize the opportunity, weren't you?'

'Of course. I'm not stupid.'

We arrived at Maddy's car, and Licia dumped her bags in the ample boot space. She slid the side door open and jumped in the back seat, saying 'Hey, this is alright, innit? Loads of room,' then she rubbed her hands together. 'Fookin hell, that wind's flaying. Long sleeves and bottoms today I think.'

'Definitely,' said Maddy.

***

The Race

The venue was a sports ground in a windswept location, right on the coast, and completely exposed to the "flaying" North Sea winds. It was cold, bleak, and muddy, and typically British in atmosphere.

The facilities were basic, and the course was marked out by white tapes, which were fluttering violently in the wind. There were none of the full-depth barriers, emblazoned with advertising, that you see on the continent.

It reminded me of some of my early races: Austere and amateurish. With a typically British grey sky and murky winter light, it was as if someone had turned the brightness down.

Maddy handed me her car keys and she and Licia went off to the clubhouse/changing rooms to get their kit on and rendezvous with their teams, leaving me rooting in my bag in the back of the car, looking for extra warmwear.

Nikki Cray came past and spotted me. 'Oh, hiya Chloe. I didn't know you were coming. I guess we know where the stripes are going now, eh?'

'Hi Nikki, no, I'm not riding, I'm just here supporting Licia.'

'Ah, OK. Isn't that MaddyMac's car?'

'Er, yeh. We travelled together... I guess I'm supporting Maddy too.'

'Divided loyalties, eh?' she smirked.

'Not really,' I grinned, 'I can support both. They're not really rivals.'

'Maybe not, but you never know. This game can be unpredictable.'

'True... Good luck to you, anyway.'

'Thanks. See you later.'

I put on all my extra layers, my rainsuit (it wasn't actually raining, but I wanted its extra protection from the wind) my short studded wellies, and I borrowed Licia's woolly chullo hat, which has ear flaps. I was ready for the Andes... or the north-east of England on a wintry day.

I locked the car and went off to look at the course, which was horrible. The Under 23 men were racing and they were not having an easy time of it.

The course was properly muddy and had fiendish obstacles; numerous off-camber sections, an amazing number of twists turns and double-backs, a waterlogged sandpit, and multiple steep little climbs that were borderline rideable. Like Zonhoven, it could be a race decided by mistakes. I really hoped Licia would have a better race than she'd had the previous year.