Howes Creek Ramble
The scene for the Howes Creek Rd Ramble was set in near perfect conditions on a still autumn evening with barley a breath of wind to bother the gathering field of riders. A few easy laps of the Lords Reserve oval got the legs pumping before kick-off with Dave Bock rolling out with a 14.30min head start.
Craig Wilson dressed in his brightest red jersey (The Red Beacon) was off next riding solo followed up by the hairy legged Tim Hall, Alex Green and John Findlay. Steve Curnow and Janine ‘She’s Apples’ Appleton took off representing the female contingent of the field. Rob Skinner and Mike Pearce had their work cut out for them with a 3.15min gap to chase down before the clubs Crack Sprint Squad of Ant Bateup and Darren Bakker fired up their engines. Finally, with a sizable 14.30min deficit the Scratch squad rolled out, fortunately the Wolf Pack was back for first time in many races with Dave Moore, Steven Brown, Bruce ‘The Don’ Halket and Chris Miller.
Brownie the big diesel led the Scratch crew out at a blistering pace as the rest of the Wolf Pack fought for who would have the great man’s wheel for the rolling turns. After the first roll Bruce ‘The Don’ was heard to muffle at speed something like “%#$@ that’s fast!!”. Before we knew it, we were approaching the Howes Creek Rd intersection and had to ease off the pace to safely navigate the corner. Thanks to the safety marshals for advising the local traffic of our presence.
The Wolf Pack were motoring along nicely remembering to look up and admire the great views of the lake and magic glowing sunset. Our spiritual leader for the night with Dave Moore celebrating is heritage roots of Irelands St Patricks Day (17th March) by sporting a suitable very Irish green flying jersey. He must have been channelling his ancestral spirits as he continued to put in huge turns on the front.
Before we knew it, we were at the turn around point a Cummins Rd and had sighted the field. Bakker and Bateup quickly joined the bunch and made some great turns on the front and we tackled the challenging hills of the return. Skinner and Pearce joined the growing group and it bridged the gap to Currnow and ‘She’s Apples’ who were holding a great pace. The large group stayed together well supporting each other during the final hilly half while merging with Findlay, Green and Hall.
For some reason I thought that we had caught all riders with 2kms to go and I could relax however out there on the distant horizon, up the road, was the great Red Beacon of Craig Wilson who was riding in outstanding form and had managed to hold off the entire field during the race. With the few remaining rolling hills to go it took all the nous of the Wolf Pack and or spiritual leader Moore to hunt down the Red Beacon. It was only on the final hill with a lead out and direct instructions from Bruce ‘The Don’ to hold his wheel as he led me onto the final climb. It slung shot me on to the hill and digging deep I managed to hold the high tempo and to just catch the Red Beacon Wilson on the crest before maintaining to the momentum to the finishing line and taking my first win of the season.
All members congratulated each other on a great race and slowly rolled back our spiritual gathering place of The Mansfield Hotel for a celebratory Irish Guinness – “Sláinte!!”
Thanks again to the fantastic work of the Commissaires, marshals and volunteers for this week’s race.
