Howes Creek under stormy skies.
Racing took place under threatening skies on Thursday 5 Nov, when a field of 23 riders took to the Howes Creek Road course.
Dave Clark started the racing off, followed by Tony Morris and then a large group of Geoff Jones, Di Condie, Cherie Worthington Will Grundy and Lucy Clapham; this group was always going to be hard to beat if they became organised, and organised they were. By the Turn around at Cummins Rd three groups were one and riding strongly.
Will Grundy suffered a mechanical on the home leg and was out of the running; the chasing group of Craig (Wil) Wilson, Belinda Cipa and Rod Manning were working well together to chase down the limit bunch... and they came close to achieving this.
At the finish Geoff Jones spoiled the party for women riders in this Melbourne Cup week and came away with the win. Second went to Lucy Clapham and a close run thing to third for Cherie Worthington.
Dave Clark found the pace a little willing on the return leg. However we are confident that his form will improve significantly after his annual training pilgrimage to the Great Victorian Bike Ride in the coming weeks.
Fastest time on the night was ridden by Josh Hopwood with a blistering 38.20.
Next Thursday is the inaugural “Alain Guerin Memorial Handicap” race, this being the first anniversary of Alain’s death. We hope that this will be a flagship event for the club and invite all riders to come and race, or perhaps join us for a ride after the race finish. The race will commence at the Botanic Park in Mansfield and finish on Graves Rd at about 7pm. (Day Licenses are available for those wishing to race and the club has some bikes available for loan to licensed riders.)
Bike riders of all types will then join together to ride out to Alain’s bike on Buller Road and back into town to raise a glass for Alain at the Delatite Hotel. All bike riders and friends are invited to join Alain’s family and the club on the ride and/or at the Hotel.
Thank you to our volunteers for their support… and see you on your bike!
Bunch Rides this weekend.
With Targa High Country held this weekend, it's probably sensible to change courses for this weekend. Here are some details on roads to be used for Targa for the weekend. Leg 2 will be held on Saturday on the Whitfield Road. Leg 3 will be on the Jamieson Road on Sunday.
So… bunch rides should be the other way around - Jamieson Road on Saturday and Whitfield Road on Sunday.
Upcoming rides and races.
Barjarg round of the state downhill series - Sat 7 & Sun 8 Nov
Ride to the Divide - Sunday 8 Nov
They're also running a crit with 5 grades and a fair bit of prize money
Whittlesea Challenge - Sunday 15 Nov
River and Ranges Winery Ride - Sunday 22 Nov