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A road safety ‘experiment’ by the MMBCC - Cycliq cameras
The MMBCC club is looking at getting some Cycliq front and rear cameras for members to use to keep a record of close passes by motor vehicles. The cameras are also a tail light and head light.
We are interested in collecting this information on video so that there is good evidence of the event from which the police could take action, even without Victoria having a minimum passing distance law. The Mansfield Police have been very positive towards collecting this information and taking steps to improve road safety.
Currently, there is little evidence that the trial of driver education is having an impact on improving road safety for vulnerable road users/cyclists. If the club can have some good evidence on what is happening in a regional area (especially one that is being heavily promoted to cyclists,) then maybe we can influence the discussion by Ministers responsible for roads, community safety, tourism and health that more needs to be done.
We need to know if there are club members who might be interested in using the cameras while they ride to collect this information. You will be given support in how they work and the club will keep a record of the incidents and create a database.
If you are interested, please contact Donna Stephenson (Secretary) via email or 0411 112 295.
Another reminder… but there will be more!
This coming Tuesday is the deadline for RSVPs for the MMBCC Xmas Break-up. Have you sent an RSVP to Judi?
Dirt Crits - The Delatite Dash
With many thanks to Ben Annear for his expert timing (again) Dirt Crits was held between Carter’s Road and Mirimbah last Thursday. Consistency was the name of the game, not just being the fast. Winners, pictured below with slightly enthusiastic club President Damian Grundy, were Rachael Grundy in second, Sam Moseley in first and Charlie Dobson was third. Here are the detailed results.
A mountain goat searching for a buck
By Cam Lachal
The 22km race last Thursday starting at the Lords Oval, going out Howes Creek Road and finishing up O'Hanlons Hill was a close and entertaining race.
First out of the gate was Craig Wilson and Micala Jacobs who were doing well until Micala dropped a chain leaving Wil going it alone. With freshly shaved legs, Wil put his head down and was looking good. But he needed to do more than look good because the next group of Jason Parker, Janine Appleton, Dave Jagger and Judi Duke were a well-oiled machine taking turns like a pro team time trialling.
The group after that with Ian Conrick, Steve Flew and Justin Berry were in a bit of disarray with Steve being a no-show; more on that later.
Following them, Andrew Stephenson (AJ), Cam Lachal, and John Lazarov were also doing well.
This only left the ‘Block group of Dave Moore, Lewis Dowie, Steve Duke and Craig Oliver who were flogging themselves like repenting evangelists and banishing Steve Brown to purgatory (Steve left only 30 seconds after Block and could not bridge across.) Steve Brown's only crime was that of being a Unit and he was destined to face the head wind alone.
Oh, I nearly forgot to mention Steve Flew who arrived late and slipped in like the phantom behind Block and did well to stay with them for quite a while. Steve was late because a wallaby took out his daughter Ana (spelt with one n) on the first day of the Great Victorian Bike Ride and then jumped into the Moyne River and was swept out to sea! (The wallaby, not Ana.) She escaped with fractures to the wrist and elbow. She was getting tests done in Melbourne.
Anyway, back to the race!
Block dropped an out of form Lewis who’d covered his face in snot. But the race for the win was going on further up the field
The group of Janine, Jason, Jagger and Judi could see Wil on the final hill and freshly shaved legs was not enough to keep him away; next time it will have to be a Brazilian and Compact Cranks!
Janine, after having a week off the bike was too strong and charged up the hill like a female goat in spring with her Buck at the top (Thanks Jarrod!).
Congratulations Janine on a good win.
She was followed by Cam (suspected of mechanical doping) who made a charge up the hill and, because of a lot of help from AJ earlier, started knocking over riders like Fred Flinsttone knocking over bowling pins on bowling night.
Judi came third with a strong ride despite her hectic training schedule. Then came Jason, AJ, Dave Jagger, Wil and then Dave Moore with fastest time of the night. Well done Dave… that New Zealand training camp really paid off!
Next week is the final race of the year, around the Barwite Loop finishing near the Showgrounds. Entries to the usual SMS number by 8pm Wednesday.
Many thanks to Tony Copland for the pics - here are the results.
