Be careful on the road this weekend!
Seeing as it's a holiday weekend, you need to remember that some drivers have their brain in neutral when away from home, as the driver of YUA-835 proves in this image. The image above is a still from a video Josh Hopwood shot - here's the link to the video on Facebook - on his Fly12 headlight/camera. The red lines are added by the camera and show very clearly that the driver gets too close.
If you see this Nissan driver... steer clear!
Speaking of road riding this weekend, there'll be a road ride leaving the Botanic Park at 8am on Cup Day as long as the weather plays along. And a reminder that there are no Dirt Crits this week.
Senior Dirt Crits Race 3 - 24 October 2016
It was amazing to arrive for the Senior event and see many smiling faces at the Junior event, and many of them brand new faces.
An Irish Handicap was on the agenda for this week’s senior event at Dirt Crits. Jason had the timing down to the second as a bit of a trial. Ollie MacDonald led off the field followed by Adam Baker 23 seconds later. Will MacDonald rode off on 1min with Warwick Bottrall a further minute back. Damian Grundy, feigning lack of fitness, started off with Anthony Plummer on 2mins 25sec. on 2mins 59 was Ethan Lee, Jem Davies and Alex Green. Bruce Halket left the line at 5mins 54sec, a mere 3 seconds ahead of Matty Empey and Charlie Jones. David Bock was off at 6mins 3 sec and Dan Friday (Snr) a further 32 seconds back. Brett Steven rode off at the 7mins 22sec mark and Mike Davies at the 7mins 36sec mark. Bella Green, James Griffin and Dan Friday all left on 8 mins.
It was great to see the race coming together, particularly on the last lap as the rabbits tried to stay away from the foxes! There were a few mechanicals and incidents which slowed down Anthony Plummer, Ethan Lee and Charlie Jones.
Of the 2 lappers, James Griffin was 1st in 20.08, Bella Green 2nd in 28.51 and Dan Friday (Jnr) rounded out the top 3 in 30.54
Damian Grundy came across the line first with the 3 or more lappers, followed closely by David Bock and Mike Davies rounded out the top 3.
There was a technical issue with the timer, so if you can see any errors with the timing or places, let me know and I’ll adjust the results - click here for results.
There’ll be a break over the Melbourne Cup long weekend and racing will resume on Monday 7th November.
Cheers, Jason.
All Terrain Cycles - GreenEDGE Winery Ride
In the first of a series of recreational road rides that All Terrain Cycles is getting involved in this summer, the ATC bus will be heading to Nagambie for the Orica-BikeExchange Winery Ride on Sunday 20 November. Cost is $10. There are 12 seats available and a trailer to take all the bikes.
Here's the link to enter the ride.
Call 5775 2724 or email All Terrain Cycles to book your place on the bus; first in - best dressed.
(Tour of Jamieson is the following weekend. More details soon.)
Handicap Road Race, Thursday 27 Oct
A big field of cyclists assembled for the 25km Whitfield road handicap last Thursday night. First off were Di Condie and Tony Morris followed closely by Craig Wilson, Kieren Payne, Rod Manning and Janine Appleton. Next was the big bunch of Ian Conrick, Jodie Batchelor, David Jagger, David Bock, John Eisner, Tim Hall and Steve Curnow. Mel Green, Allan Gerrans, Gus Muscara and Jason Parker followed with Christine Hopkins and Will MacDonald chasing them. Arron Peterson, Dave Moore, Luke Olver, Jarrod Appleton and Anthony Plummer were off the two and a half minute mark with Dan Purcell, Bruce Halket, Mauro Brega and Darren Bakker off block. With a minute handicap, Josh Hopwood was the sole Scratch rider. Kody Appleton and Bella MacMunn started at the 20km mark.
Still early in the season, some found the pressure was on from the start. Out the front Di and Tony were riding smoothly and it took until Long Lane for them to be caught by the chasing groups despite a timing anomaly.
With three groups merging at the Broken River, Allan Gerrans and Tim Hall did most of the legwork out the front with most of the rest of the bunch struggling to keep up and stay organised. Similarly the heat was on at the faster end with Block managing to eventually catch Jarrod, Luke and Aaron. Josh almost caught Block but was unfortunately held up at the turnaround.
Meanwhile, Tim and Allan continued to form a fast turning bunch on the return trip leaving casualties on the way. Mel, Craig, Jodie, Ian, Janine, Dave J, Rod, Kody and John kept up despite two tiger snake encounters. Bella hung in until the Barwite hill claimed her and Craig.
With two Ks to go Tim boldly rode off the front and it looked for some time that no-one was going to challenge until the bunch sorted itself at Dead Horse Lane and chased him down.
In a fast sprint finish, Jodie Batchelor got up closely over Janine Appleton with Allan Gerrans a wheel back in third. David, Mel, Rod, Tim and John made up the rest of the finishing group with Dan Purcell and the rest of the scratchish bunch just twenty seconds behind.
Josh recorded the fastest time at 39’21”. Presentations, rehydration and race dissection continued at the Delatite Hotel thereafter.
Thanks again to our crew of volunteers and marshals. Results here.
Next week is the new and challenging course on Howes Creek Road (and there have already been quite a few members spotted doing secret Ks inspecting it!) Entries must be in by 8pm Wednesday.