Friday Night News
Change for next Thursday
We had planned a road race next Thursday, Australia Day, but we’ve decided to cancel. The roads around here are a bit too busy during ‘holidays’ - so we’re doing a bunch ride instead!
Meet at the Botanic Park at 8, ride around the Merinda Way loop, then along Ogilivies Road and Jamo Road out onto the Barwite Loop then to wherever you want - Old Tolmie Road, Whitfield Road or back to Mansfield.
The plan is to be back at the Botanic Park…
Official council Oz Day celebrations start at the Botanic Park from 8:30am with free barbecue breakfast courtesy of Rotary Club and a coffee from Jan Forrest until 10:30. See you there!
First race of 2023
By Mick Pearce
The first road race back after the Xmas break saw numbers down a little, to 14 legends, as there’s a few in Adelaide to watch the Tour Down Under and a few still recovering from a massive downhill MTB event on Mt Buller last weekend.
Those that did race who knew the wind was going to be a nuisance on the return leg after the turnaround at Sawpit Gully Road.
There were six groups - Tony Morris off first solo, not a great course to be on your own but well done on a good ride Tony. Next group was Dave Bock and John Eisner; then Tim Hall and Steve Curnow all keen to get going.
My group was next Rob Skinner, Bruce Halket and Tim Ross; then Steve Duke and Chris Miller were the ‘Block group. The Scratch group of Talia Appleton, Andrew Garret and Juke Lay were looking very confident.
The outward leg, with the roaring southerly was fast but didn’t see many positional changes, except our group dropped Skinner - sorry mate.
At the three quarter distance mark, things started getting interesting. (Seriously, the wind was a shocker but knowing Scratch was catching we just pushed on.) Halket blew a phoopha valve and dropped off just after we caught Hall and Eisner near MacLeods Lane. Then Ross dropped off near the new estates. Then Eisner near Dead Horse Lane.
At the last corner in Mt Battery Road it was just Tim Hall and myself left to battle out up to the finish line at the Showgrounds. Well done to Tim Hall for sprinting past me for the win.
Appleton came from seemingly nowhere to snatch third and fastest time of 39.11. Although she did pay for her effort, stopping shortly after the line to deposit the contents of her tummy by the side of the road, earning herself the first Bakker-Ross Award for 2023.
Then came Miller, Duke, the Seymour boys Garrett and Lay 6th and 7th followed by Ross, Halket (first race back after a long spell, good effort) and Eisner rounded out the top ten. Here are the results.
The rest were very close behind, showing the handicapper, Dave Moore, is doing his job well.
Thanks to the officials, marshals and volunteers for a well-organised, safe race and a really fun night.
The post-mortems began even before we got back to the pub for presentations. Image: Bruce Halket.
Mansfield Tour 4 & 5 March
The Mansfield Tour is just around the corner. As usual, Bruce is pleading for volunteers to make sure the event runs as smoothly as usual. If you were involved in 2022, thanks very much and we’ll put you on the list for the same job in 2023, if that’s ok. Mel Green will confirm it all soon.
There’s a big change this year - a new Time Trial course for Stage 1. Click on the Tour page for more details.
Another change is… polo shirts are coming. They look a bit more professional than t-shirts. And you can turn the collar up to protect your neck from the sun.
All volunteers to the Tour will receive a new cotton club polo, produced by Ventou.
Dirt Crits is back!
Next Tuesday 31 January will be the first night of Dirt Crits of 2023.
It’s a Cross Country night at Rifle Butts MTB Park.
Hello MMBCC members,
I’m reaching out for volunteers to help with the Victorian Enduro Tour @ Highline, 28-29 January 2023.
The event is at Highline MTB Park, off Riflebutts Rd, Mansfield.
We desperately need help to deliver the event safely with track marshals on the course on Saturday and Sunday.
Track marshaling is simply keeping an eye on the riders as they ride the course, being a touch point for the public, and informing me via radio if riders need any assistance.
You don’t need any special skills, just comfortable shoes, a big hat, and a mobile phone.
Lunch is provided to track marshals and you will be placed in a draw for some awesome prizes!
We have other roles available and signing up for any shift will help us immensely 😊
Please sign up at this link. Your contribution will make a huge difference to your local community!
Thanks in advance,
Jules Hill, Highline Volunteer Manager. Phone: 0428 030 011
Tour de Trail might be looking for you
The Friends of the Great Victorian Rail Trail are organising the Tour de Trail on Sunday 12 March (Labour Day Long Weekend).
They are looking for a first aider, preferably one who can ride a motorbike to help cover the rail trail more easily. If that’s you, please call Ross Vaughan on 5775 1332.