Lots on this week…
Mansfield Tour volunteers
With the Tour fast approaching, and with so many sponsors getting involved, now’s the time to lock you in!
If you were involved in 2018 and you’re happy to repeat your role, please email Wil and let him know.
If you’d prefer a new role or you’re NOT available this year, email Wil and let him know.
New Tour Souvenir Jersey
Speaking of the Mansfield Subaru Tour, we’re offering a souvenir jersey to club members.
As they have in previous years, our club kit supplier Seight Sports will produce the prize jerseys for the winners of the Mansfield Subaru GC and All Terrain Cycles Sprint prizes.
But for 2019, they’ve also agreed to offer a one-off, limited edition souvenir jersey. This will also be a bit of a fund-raiser for the club
These will be available at the reduced price of just $65 for Juniors and $80 for Adults. If you’d like one, contact Jarrod Appleton.
Moore hangs on by half a length
A strong, gusty southerly greeted entrants of the MMBCC Handicap Race on the Whitfield Road, out to Sawpit Gully Road and back, on Thursday 31 January.
Twenty riders started with a strong tail wind, beginning with Dave Bock as the lone Limit rider, back to Bruce Halket, Lewis Dowie, Tom Macmunn, Damian Grundy and Dave Moore 11 minutes later off Scratch.
The outward leg made everyone fast! The tail wind meant speeds were high, groups didn’t get caught as easily as usual, and Strava personal records were falling like flies.
However, after the turnaround, the headwind brought a reality check.
Most of the groups came together just after Long Lane with the remaining Block riders, Darren Bakker, Anthony Plummer and Steve Duke riding strongly.
Scratch had other ideas and Grundy lead the catch 1.5km from home. After a couple of questionable tactical decisions behind him, a group of five formed with Dowie and Halket leading out.
In a jaw-dropping move, Plummer used the momentum gained from the descent into town to blast past the lead five and head for home.
After finally closing their mouths, the leaders gave chase and Moore started his sprint from a long, long, 350 metres out.
The crafty Bakker responded and if not for a broken spoke in his rear wheel, may well have taken the chocolates. Moore managed to hang on by half a length from Bakker, with Halket third ahead of Dowie, Grundy, Macmunn and the scarily fast Plummer.
A few seconds later Steve Duke was followed in by Ruby Dobson and Talia Appleton to round out the top ten.
Dave Moore rode fastest time of 39.10.
Many thanks to all our official and volunteers for helping us race safely in the breezy conditions.
Next week sees the club race on Howes Creek Road, starting at the Lords Ground. For next week only, entries to Di via SMS on 0438 513 355.
Here are the results and thanks again to Tony Copland for the pics.
If you’re wondering how to make it easier to work out who’s won in a close finish, take a look at John’s little slo-mo phone video from last night.
Dirt Crits start again Tuesday
Don’t forget, with school going back we’re back off-road this coming Tuesday at Riflebutts MTB Park. Here’s the calendar.
Raise Money for the club by Volunteering at the Bike Buller MTB Festival
Event organisers Rapid Ascent are offering the MMBCC the opportunity to raise money for the club by volunteering at this year's Bike Buller MTB Festival.
Bike Buller MTB Festival is a 2 day festival of mountain biking races and events taking place at Mt Buller and surrounds over the Labour Day weekend on 9 and 10 March 2019.
Rapid Ascent will make a donation of $50/half day or $90/full day to your organisation based on how many volunteers your group provides. There is no minimum or maximum number of people required.
Roles include course marshalling, manning water/fruit points, competitor registration and administration roles, logistics and competitor services.
This is a great opportunity to raise funds with no behind the scenes work or pre-planning. All you need to do is turn up and the club receives the money. The event is also a great chance for club members to have a fun weekend or day out with mates while helping others to have a fun weekend in our backyard.
All volunteers will receive an event t-shirt and lunch.
For further information please contact John Jacoby via email or on 0408 035 261.
Finally
When you've got time on your hands and need to improve your bike handling skills, you can be the next Matthew Empey.