Just a reminder that road racing for season 2016/2017 starts tonight. Hopefully you've already entered with John on 0428 503 437. No entry, no race.
Most importantly... please remember that you need a constant-beam tail light fixed to your seat post or seat stay or you definitely WON'T get a start! Also, if you already have your light, make sure it's re-charged or it has new batteries... it needs to be visible from 200 metres!
See you this evening at the Mansfield Botanic Park at 5.30; then back at the Delatite Hotel afterwards for presentations.
End of the month news
Dirt Crits start Monday
The 2016/2017 Dirt Crits season gets underway for Adults this coming Monday 3 October.
Registration will open at 5.30 with racing starting at 6.00pm. First up it’s a Reverse Time Trial format race… whatever that is!
Kids Dirt Crits start the following week, Monday 10 October.
The full calendar will be published on the website soon.
Please make sure your MTBA membership is valid. The Join Now page has all the membership information you need (some of the pricing information might need updating but we promise we’ll get to it soon) so have a read and renew your membership before it expires.
New number plates
With thanks to All Terrain Cycles and Bike Buller, we have new number plates for Dirt Crits this season. Please take good care of them!
Road racing starts this Thursday 6 October
Just a reminder that road racing starts this coming week with a Handicap Race along the Whitfield Road to Sawpit Gully Road and back. Registration will be open at the Botanic Park at 5.30 with racing starting at 6pm.
Please remember that you’ll need to enter by 8pm Wednesday with our Handicapper, John Eisner, via SMS on 0428 503 437. No entry, no race.
(Apparently there is no truth to the rumour that calling in to see John at the pharmacy this week, complaining of various maladies and contagious diseases, will make the slightest bit of different to your handicap.)
Please also remember that you need to have a valid Cycling Australia RACE membership of the MMBCC to enter. Details can be found here.
We're always after volunteers too! If you have some spare time and would like to be involved, we'd love to see you.
Bunch rides change time
With the calendar changing to October tomorrow, it's time to change the weekend road rides. They'll now all start at 8am from the Botanic Park.
If you're thinking of coming racing, we recommend starting with a few bunch rides first.
Finally...
Go Doggies!
Midweek news - we want you!
We want you - defibrillator training
The club's new defibrillator arrives this week.
It includes a couple of hours of training from St John's so we can use it safely. This will be at the Delatite Hotel from 1pm to 3pm this Saturday 17 September.
We need club members to come along and do the training so we can take delivery of our new defib unit. Please send Paul Fletcher an email and join the list.
Road race calendar updated
The calendar for the first half of the Summer Road Series is now available here.
It includes a brand new course on Howes Creek Road, another race out at Jamieson and the duty roster. In particular, a quick shout out to David Jagger, Kieren Payne, Tom MacMunn, Dave Moore and Rod Manning who are rostered on to one of the first two races. And to Tony Copland, John Eisner, Bruce Halket and Di Condie who are the Commissaires for the first two races.
Please have a good look through and check to see when you're on duty. If you're not there, let Bruce know and he'll include you next time. If you are rostered on but you're not available, this page contains the info you need (scroll down to Race Duty.)
Racing starts on Thursday 6 October.
(If you have a 12-month 2016 road race membership, it's still valid until 31 December.)
Work has also started on the 2017 calendar which will include a Sunday morning series (which won't be part of the usual summer series, but a separate 'climbers' series) plus the Black 'n' Tan as a stand-alone event, also on a Sunday morning. More details as soon as we get the permits.
We want you - Junior Development
The club is after someone to look after development of our junior members. We currently have a strong Junior Dirt Crits scene but want to help kids develop beyond this. We envisage skills clinics for both mtb and road, travel to some other races, perhaps even some track racing.
It's really up to you.
Please contact club President Craig 'Wil' Wilson to discuss.
We want you - Women's Riding
The club is also after someone to help encourage more women to participate in MMBCC events. We want more women to ride, race... just get involved. Cycling Victoria have a plethora of resources to help the club but we'd like someone dedicated to the cause.
Can you help?
Please contact club President Craig 'Wil' Wilson to discuss.
Bunch ride times
As Daylight Savings will begin again shortly, so Saturday and Sunday morning road bunch rides will change too. As of Saturday 1 October, weekend bunch rides will start at 8am.
One more thing...
If you're only getting this via the club Facebook page, you can receive the newsletter direct if you subscribe via MailChimp. Just fill in your info on the right of the home page, underneath our 'the social club with a cycling problem' logo.
Finally...
A little light reading here, here and here.
Sunday news
Club kit orders close shortly
The club kit is for sale again... NOW!
Seight's My Team Shop will be open for MMBCC members to purchase kit until Sunday 4 September. Here is the link you need to go to the My Team Shop page.
Then you need to email Bruce and he'll send you the password with some instructions. Orders will be extended to this coming Tuesday... then THAT'S IT till next year.
Defibrillator training
The club will receive its new defibrillator later this month. It comes with a couple of hours of training from St John's so we can use it safely.
Training will be at the Delatite Hotel from 1pm to 3pm on Saturday 17 September.
We need club members to come along and do the training so we can take delivery of our new defib unit. Please send Paul Fletcher an email and let him know you'll be there!
Off The Bike - next Sunday 11 September 6pm
It's on again... OFF THE BIKE Beyond Blue fundraiser night at the Social Bandit Brewery to talk bikes, watch the MTB world Championships LIVE on the big screen whilst drinking beer, eating pizza and donating money to a good cause.
You know... it's OK to talk.
Racing starts soon... how's your training going?
It's early September... only a month or so till we start racing again; both on- and off-road.
Keep an eye out for newsletters coming up shortly with details of where and when racing kicks off. There'll also be details on duty rosters and officiating.
PLUS... we need to get a few more road Commissaires qualified. It's easier than ever to get qualified now, as the MMBCC has our own Commissaire Assessor in the club - Jodie Batchelor - who has offered to do your assessment here. (Usually you need to travel to another race somewhere else!)
All you need to do is download the workbook, complete the written work, then the club can help you get assessed. Please contact Bruce for details.
A reminder too that weekend bunch rides that currently start at 9am will change back to 8am in October.
Membership renewals
The upcoming race season also means that for many of you, it's time to renew your club membership.
If you're a road member, renewals for 2017 will be available from 1 October. Here's the link you need.
If you're an MTBA member, you need to make sure your rolling, 12-month membership is current for summer - here's the link you need.
Please make sure you nominate Mansfield Mt Buller Cycling Club as your club when you renew online.
Club kit sales available again!
What great looking kit!
The club kit is for sale again. After the first order was delivered last week, we've had a heap of questions about when it will open again. The answer is... NOW!
Seight's My Team Shop will be open for MMBCC members to purchase kit until Sunday 4 September. Here is the link you need to go to the My Team Shop page.
Then you need to email Bruce and he'll send you the password with some instructions. Then you too can look as good as the handsome young chaps in the photo above! (By the way, they both rode to good results in Sunday's Sam Miranda Ned Kelly Road Race in the new kit and said it was extremely comfy!)
Don't get caught out...
AGM reminder
Don't get caught out... like the 6am bunch did a couple of weeks ago when it rained a little more than anyone expected and the ford on Graves Road called for a detour!
Don't forget that the MMBCC Annual General Meeting is this Wednesday night at the Delatite Hotel. Come along for dinner at 6pm; the meeting starts at 7pm.
We'll be after MTB and road committees, junior development, women's rides, executive committee members and more... plus presentations by Hayden Fletcher and Kian Lerch-MacKinnon.
Club kit should arrive tomorrow
If you've ordered some of the new club kit from Seight, it might be worth calling in to All Terrain Cycles on Tuesday to collect your's. It will all be delivered in one package but will be labelled for each order placed. (If you ordered direct dispatch, you should have received your kit at your place today.) If you can't get to ATC, we'll try to bring it along to the Delatite for the AGM.
Defibrillator training
The club will receive its new defibrillator next month. It comes with a couple of hours of training from St John's so we can use it safely.
Training will be at the Delatite from 1pm to 3pm on Saturday 17 September.
We need club members to come along and do the training so we can take delivery of our new defib unit. We'll have a sign-up sheet at the AGM. Of if you can't make it to the AGM, please send Paul Fletcher an email and let him know you'll be there!
MMBCC Annual General Meeting 2016
Mansfield Mt Buller Cycling Club invites everyone to its 2016 Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 17 August at the Delatite Hotel, High St, Mansfield.
Dinner from 6pm, meeting to start at 7pm.
Make a contribution! Nominate someone, or yourself, to get involved and have your say in the running of the club.
Come along and hear from Hayden Fletcher and Kian Lerch-Mackinnon about their recent World Championship exploits.
News reminder - Friday 15 July
RAPHA WOMEN’S 100
Ride all or part of the Rapha Women’s 100 this coming Sunday!
The weather looks perfect, so the ride will commence at 9am at the Mansfield Botanic Park... and we keep going until we have reached our goal. This is not limited to women; men are welcome to join us! Let Jodie know if you’re participating, or even just curious, so she can let you know the details.
MMBCC BUNCH RIDES
For July, August and September the weekend 'fast' bunch ride is leaving the Botanic Park at 9am. We'll change back to 8am in October (or if it's warm in September!)
Sunday News - 10 July
Off the Bike
Riding bikes keeps us fit and healthy and is great way to manage depression and anxiety. But what’s more important is talking about it. This event night is about socialising ‘Off the Bike’ in the name of mental health awareness amongst men in association with Beyond Blue Foundation.
The Social Bandit Brewery is putting on a special Beyond Blue Charity beer. All it will cost you is a donation per pot as you enjoy a delicious pizza. Watch Stage 10 of the Tour de France “LIVE’ on the big screen.
Silent auctions on the night.
Hosted by Shannon Rademaker (ATC Owner) will talk about his story. We hope to you many of you there.
RAPHA WOMEN’S 100
Ride all or part of the Rapha Women’s 100 on 17 July!
Depending on the weather the ride will be outside or indoors at Cycling-Inform’s indoor training studio, or a combination of both.
Riding will commence at 9am and we keep going until we have reached our goal. This is not limited to women; men are welcome to join us! Let Jodie know if you’re participating, or even just curious, so she can let you know the details.
MMBCC BUNCH RIDES
This was posted on the MMBCC Facebook page recently, so it must be true... Heard a rumour that for July, August and September the weekend 'fast' bunch ride is leaving the Botanic Park at 9am. Apparently the 'slow' bunch will still leave at 8; but you'll have to ask someone 'slow' at 8am to confirm that! (Or should you ask someone slowly at 8am? Not sure.)
Friday News - 24 June
What's Hayden Fletcher been up to lately?
Mansfield Mt Buller Cycling Club's BMX racer Hayden Fletcher has just returned from a 10-week international tour, starting with his first ever World Cup Super Cross event in Argentina where he competed against some of the fastest bmx racers on the planet.
With the Rio Olympic games just months away riders were desperate to score points for their right to represent their country at the Games. Hayden is 1 year too young for this year's Olympics, so this race was more an experience-gaining exercise as the 17 year old looks towards the 2020 Games in Tokyo.
Hayden then flew to Illinois in the USA to spend the next 8 weeks training and racing the USABMX National Series with his USA sponsor Ssquared Bicycles. From 5 USABMX Nationals competed, Hayden made 3 finals, with a podium finished in Colorado. The 17 year old then travelled to Colombia for the 2016 UCI World Championships; the track was described by Hayden as scary, fast and fun.
In time trials, 23rd fastest wasn't quite where he wanted to be, but was happy to be in one piece, as this track was eating up some others.
In racing Hayden had qualified 3rd fastest of the riders for his heats, racing the same 7 riders over 3 motos Hayden had a disastrous 1st moto being cut off by another rider on the super technical 2nd straight and finished 6th. With a 5th place in the 2nd moto, Hayden needed to win the last moto to qualify for the finals, the Howqua Inlet teen put his heart and soul into it, but came an agonising 2nd to miss the finals by 1 point. Although gutted to miss out he held his head high and is already back into training for the local racing scene that starts again in August.
Hayden is also starting his bmx coaching accreditation, something that is close to his heart, helping young and older people wanting to get into the sport of BMX racing. Hayden is also super keen to see the BMX track plans for the town come to fruition, after reading the Courier and seeing the $450,000 funds raised for the skate park on his return and after waiting some 8 years, Hayden wants to know what he can do to help raise the $250,000 needed for a National standard BMX track in town.
This just in from Cycling Victoria...
Vote Early So You Don't Miss Out On The Life Cycle 55+ Mansfield
Saturday July 2nd, 2016 - Ride Departs at 11 am from the Mansfield Visitor/Information Centre, in Mansfield
Join Life Cycle 55+ when we ride the remarkable Goulburn River High Country Rail Trail, at 11 am, on Saturday July 2, and take in all the splendours that Victoria’s High Country graciously bestows.
The ride leaves the Mansfield Visitor/Information Centre at 11 am, with parking available at the Visitor/Information Centre. Life Cycle 55+ Ride Leaders will take you on a 40 km ride, stopping in Maindample, on the way to the Bonnie Doon Hotel for lunch. Lunch will be provided to all riders, with vegetarian options for those who prefer a vegetarian lunch.
Enjoy dining on the banks of beautiful Lake Eildon, before hopping back on your bike and enjoying the ride back to Mansfield.
The cost to register is $75. You can register HERE
More information here.
Cycling Victoria’s Life Cycle 55+ program considers this event to be rather special and one that shouldn’t be missed. In fact, we at Cycling Victoria would quietly like to point out that you might like to use the Adventure Ride in Mansfield as the impetus to participate in early voting to enable you to stay away from the polls on Election Day!
Come for a great ride instead and get rolling with the Life Cycle 55+ Adventure Ride in Mansfield.
Club kit order extended
Don't forget, if you need to try on some Seight kit to get the sizing right for your new club kit, the samples are now at All Terrain Cycles.
Orders have been extended a final time to Sunday 26 June and here's the link on the Seight website. Send an email to Bruce for the password.
2016/17 Rider Development Grant
The MMBCC RDG provides financial assistance for talented club members aged 25 and under. It's designed to encourage and support the development of promising young riders at varying levels in their cycling careers.
Please click here to download a copy of the Guidelines for 2016/17.
Applications must reach us before Tuesday 12 July. Details of where to send the application are in the PDF.
Successful applicants will be announced at the AGM at The Produce Store in August.
All Terrain Cycles EOFY Sale
Shannon has a sale starting tomorrow - Saturday 25 June. Massive End of Financial Sale at both Mansfield and Bright Stores. Huge savings! 20%-40% OFF all bikes, clothing, equipment and more. SALE ENDS 30 June.
Friday News
Club Kit Update
Seight Clothing size samples have arrived and are now at All Terrain Cycles; call in and try some on.
If you’d like to purchase, email Bruce for the password. Here’s the link to the MMBCC page on the Seight Custom Clothing website.
The deadline for ordering has now been extended to Friday 24 June - just to give you a few more days to get into ATC and try some on if you need to.
Winter Solstice Ride
Celebrate that fact that the days are only going to start getting longer from now on - TUESDAY 21 JUNE - Inaugural Annual Winter Solstice Ride and Breakfast.
- Meet outside the Mansfield Hotel at 6am for a ride around the Barwite Loop;
- Breakfast from 6:45am at Mansfield Coffee Merchant (partners and kids very welcome to come down for the breakfast); and
- If it’s cold we ride; if it’s wet... just turn up for breakfast!
Even if you can’t bring yourself to ride that early in the morning, come and join us for breakfast.
Cycling and the 2016 election
Australia's national, state and territory bicycle organisations have called for the next Australian government to invest $10 per person nationally to provide the infrastructure needed to create a better environment for everyday cycling in this country. Together we have released a simple position statement that clearly sets out the challenges and benefits addressed by this investment. Read more about it and download the position statement/info graphic here.
You can also find a good explanation on the Bicycle NSW website but it doesn't seem to be on the Bicycle Victoria site...
Half yearly road memberships
Up to 7 months for the price of 6! Cycling Australia is currently offering discounted Race memberships!
Race members who renew this month will effectively be receiving up to SEVEN MONTHS worth of racing and insurance cover for the PRICE OF SIX. Renew online here and you’ll receive your new membership card and gain your range of benefits through to 31 December 2016.
Current Ride members who have ever been tempted to dip a toe into the waters of competitive cycling might also want to take advantage of the half yearly discounts on Race memberships. To investigate further, please call our friendly Membership Team on 03 9998 6810.
2016/17 Rider Development Grant
The Grant provides financial assistance for talented MMBCC cyclists aged 25 and under. It's designed to encourage and support the development of promising young riders at varying levels in their cycling careers.
Please click here to download a copy of the Guidelines for the 2016/17 MMBCC Rider Development Grant.
Applications to reach us before Tuesday 12 early July. Details of where to send the application are in the PDF.
Successful applicants will be announced at the AGM at The Produce Store in August.
Mid June update
2016/17 Rider Development Grant
The Grant provides financial assistance for talented MMBCC cyclists aged 25 and under. It's designed to encourage and support the development of promising young riders at varying levels in their cycling careers.
Please click here to download a copy of the Guidelines for the 2016/17 MMBCC Rider Development Grant.
Applications to reach us before Tuesday 12 early July. Details of where to send the application are in the PDF.
Successful applicants will be announced at the AGM at The Produce Store in August.
Club kit order still open - size samples
After an address mix-up with the Seight size samples, in which they came to Mansfield but then got sent back to Sydney, wtf?!, they're due to arrive Wednesday 15 June. Call into All Terrain Cycles in the afternoon if you'd like to try some on. If this isn't giving you enough time to make a decision, we can extend the sale window.
There's been an update on the casquette design too.
Kian's new website
Kian has started his own website so you can track what he's up to while racing over in Europe in the lead-up to the World Championships. Have a look here.
Riding in winter
Finally, here's a good article on Cycling Tips on what to wear to be seen on the road in winter. Worth a read.
Last thing...
If you haven't already, please subscribe to the club updates via email. It's on the Home page, on the right.
Club Kit order NOW OPEN!
How to order club kit...
To start with, use this link to email Bruce to request the link and password. He'll reply to you with the information and instructions you need.
Click on the link in the email (or copy & paste into your web browser) and put in the password. This will take you to the MMBCC clothing page; just follow the instructions in the email.
You have until Tuesday 21 June to place your order. Once orders close, kit will be delivered 6 - 8 weeks later.
See you on the bike… looking sharp!
Kian leaves today
Good luck to Kian Lerch-MacKinnon who jets off to Europe today with his coach Damian Grundy to tackle a couple of races in the lead-up to the World Championships. (Apparently there'll be an interview on WIN News tonight at 7pm.)
Good luck lads!
Heartbreak for Hayden
Really bad luck for Hayden Fletcher at the BMX World Championships in Colombia last weekend... he missed out on a finals berth by 1 point.
ONE POINT!
Bugger.
Hayden Fletcher World's begins this weekend
Hayden Fletcher starts his World Championship campaign in Medellin, Colombia this Saturday night.
It appears there's only coverage of the finals over the weekend, not any of the motos... which is fairly ordinary. Anyway, here's the link you'll need.
The UCI Competition Guide says finals will start just before 3 in the afternoon local (Colombian) time; so that's should be 6am Monday here.
24 May update - Club kit & RDG
Seight club kit - order about to open
Orders for new club kit will be open on the Seight website from Wednesday 1 June. They'll be open for 3 weeks. All you need to do is visit the Seight website, choose your items, pay with your credit card and they'll be delivered 6-8 weeks after orders close.
The link and the password you need is available from Bruce; so contact him by email from May 29 onwards for the details - more on that next week.
Some more info:
- The orange, green and blue will be printed in a fluoro ink, so they should be bright;
- Road/MTB jerseys and vest can be ordered in either club or race cut. They're basically the same size but 'race' will be really fitted;
- Items available include two types of road/MTB jersey, three types of trail jersey (short, 3/4 or long sleeve,) two types of bib knicks, wind vest, arm warmers, time trial suit, long sleeve jersey and even a casquette! (If you don't know what that is, you probably don't want one);
- Kids sizes are available too;
- Detailed explanation on how to order will be available next week with the link and password; and
- For delivery you can choose the standard $5 delivery (which will be to All Terrain Cycles, so you can pick up your gear during business hours) or you can choose to pay $18 extra and have it delivered directly to you.
We hope to have samples to try on next week.
2016/17 Rider Development Grant
The Grant provides financial assistance for talented MMBCC cyclists aged 25 and under. It's designed to encourage and support the development of promising young riders at varying levels in their cycling careers.
Please click here to download a copy of the Guidelines for the 2016/17 MMBCC Rider Development Grant.
Applications to reach us by early July. Details of where to send the application are in the PDF.
Successful applicants will be announced at the AGM at The Produce Store in August.
One last thing...
Have you subscribed to the club emails yet? It'll be easier to get your club kit order details if you do. Just fill in your details on the right hand side of the Home page, just underneath our "The social club with a cycling problem" logo.
MMBCC News
New Club kit from Seight
Seight Custom Clothing have almost finished off their designs (with thanks to Fresh Impact design here in town) of the new MMBCC club kit.
Here are just a few examples of jerseys, knicks, vest… even a cycling cap. More layouts will be done soon as clothing becomes available for sale. Purchases can be made via the Seight website once designs and pricing have been finalised. We'll let you know…
Mansfield Steiner School Ride for Venilale
Join the Mansfield Steiner School on Saturday 14th May, 2016, for a bike ride from Mansfield to Maindample to celebrate the school’s 30th birthday. It'll be followed by a picnic in the park to raise funds for students at Uai Laco School in Timor Leste.
Registration: 10am
Depart Mansfield: 10.30am, depart Maindample (return ride): 2pm
Start and finish: High Country Information Centre, High St, Mansfield
Destination: Maindample Park along the Great Victorian Rail Trail (13kms)
Entry Fee (in cash please): $10 individual entry, $30 family includes BBQ lunch and drink
Entry forms available from the school, Hoffmans Green Grocer or Orange Safari.
For more info phone 03 5779 1445 or email admin@mansfieldsteiner.vic.edu.au
Giro d'Italia starts this Friday
Follow one of the best road tours of the year by joining one of these tipping competitions:
Le Tipping and Velogames
Finally...
here's a great little piece on last month's-Paris Roubaix.
Presentation night
Many thanks to all of you that attended the Delatite Hotel on Sunday evening to celebrate our summer of cycling. Here are a few pics from the evening...
2015/16 Dirt Crits winners, from left to right: 1st Brett Stevens, 2nd Will Grundy, 3rd Matt Empey.
Summer Road Race Series Champions: 3rd Dave Moore, 1st Tom MacMunn, 2nd Josh Hopwood.
Winner of the Alain Guerin Combined Trophy Dave Moore.
Road Race Women's Trophy winners: 2nd Di Condie, 1st Belinda Cipa, 3rd Louise Hopwood.
All the first place getters with President Craig Wilson.
Winners of the new ATC Good Sports Awards: Jason Parker and Kate Stonnill with Shannon Rademaker from All Terrain Cycles.
Craig Wilson presents Di Condie with MMBCC Life Membership.
Saturday update
Presentations reminder...
Just a quick reminder about the club's summer presentations tomorrow at 5pm at the Delatite Hotel. If you've raced at all over summer, please come along and congratulate the trophy winners, say thank you to our volunteers and bear witness a couple of other surprise presentations!
It'll be worth coming along...
World Championship team selection
Congratulations to both Hayden Fletcher and Kian Lerch-MacKinnon on being selected to race in our national colours in their chosen discipline.
Hayden will head to the BMX World Championships in Medellin, Columbia next month.
Kian has been selected to race the MTB Worlds in Nové Město na Moravě in the Czech Republic in late June.
Ride well guys!
Amstel Gold Race tomorrow night
Don't forget to tune in to SBS tomorrow night from 10.30 for the first of the Ardennes Classics and cheer on the MMBCC's Simon Gerrans.
If you're coming to the club presentations and want to kick on afterwards, Alan and Kay Gerrans have invited us to their place to watch the race. If you're keen, let us know via SMS on 0417 596 288, so we have an idea of numbers.
Summer Presentations...
We have a date!
MMBCC Summer Presentations will be held on Sunday 17 April, 5pm, at the Delatite Hotel (one of our club sponsors.) If you've competed in club races this last summer on the road, on the mtb or on the BMX, you'd better come along as your name might appear on a trophy.
And if you've volunteered or helped out at one of our races, you definitely need to come along because we all want to say thank you.
We'll present the main Series Champion trophies, as well as the Alain Guerin Combined, plus lots of other prizes and presentations. And a few surprises too!
So please come along... everyone is welcome!
Want to keep road racing over winter?
Wangaratta Cycling Club are organising monthly races on a Sunday - the first is on Sunday 17 April at 10am. Check out their facebook page for details.
There's also the Hume Vets if you're old enough. (Speaking of which, congrats to Anthony Plummer on winning the Tungamah Aggregate Cup Handicap on Sunday 3 April!)
Lastly, if you're a Strava user, keep an eye out for some new MMBCC Winter Segments. We're going to trial periodic segment competitions - to give you a bit of time to claim the KOM!
Hell of the North
The third of this year's monuments is on this Sunday night... Paris-Roubaix. SBS are broadcasting it from 8.30pm.
Sunday news
End-of-summer barbecue
A discussion has been started on the club's Facebook page about what and where to hold a 'get-together' to award this summer's trophies. (By the way, the final results for both Dirt Crits and Road Racing are VERY close!)
Please join the discussion and give us your ideas. Alternatively, send Wil a text message with your ideas on 0417 596 288.
Final road race of the season
By John Eisner
Last Thursday saw the final race in the Mansfield Mt Buller Cycling Club’s Summer Series for 2015/6.
In perfect Autumn conditions, Di Condie set off first on the 25km Sawpit Gully return race. Four Minutes later Andrew Clark, John Eisner and David Bock followed with Peter Ellett, Mark Calvert-Jones and Will MacDonald pursuing a minute behind that. Belinda Cipa and Will Calvert-Jones were next with Aaron Peterson, Luke Olver and Dave Moore starting on the eight and a half minute mark. Looking sharp, Bruce Halket, Mauro Brega and Dan Purcell took off followed by Tom MacMunn. Kian Lerch-MacKinnon and Foley Lachal had a few technical difficulties on the start line, leaving Josh Hopwood to start next, until they composed themselves and started last with a 14 minute deficit.
Working well and smoothly, Will MacDonald’s group caught the Bock bunch on the return past the tomato farm and together with Di, the larger group didn’t make things easy for the pursuing bunches.
The groups of Halket and Moore combined just prior to the turnaround with Will Calvert-Jones managing to stay in touch. Josh Managed to catch Tom and together they looked like a chance at the turnaround. With the late start, Kian and Foley resigned themselves to the tail end.
In the closing kilometre, the two bunches combined to make for a large, fast and desperate sprint finish. Dave Moore maintained a solid line knowing the result could alter his season’s overall standing. Bruce pulled off to the left as there was a potential clash of wheels while Will MacDonald made the most of an opening on the right side. In the end Dan “Mark Cavendish” Purcell dug deep and held on to take out a good win with Mauro Brega coming in a well contested second. Mark Calvert-Jones made a run from the back of the pack to place third and Bruce recovered nicely with some tactical lines to place fourth with Dave Moore holding on to fifth.
Further back Josh and Tom just couldn’t bridge the gap but did well to reduce the final gap to twenty seconds. Only slightly further back, Di and Belinda had a light-hearted (but deadly serious) sprint with Belinda getting the edge.
Thanks to our numerous volunteers and to the Delatite Hotel for post race refreshments.
Results can be found here.
Club kit
Two new designs of club kit have been sent to Seight Custom Clothing, both should suit on- and off-road use. Once we get back the final Seight versions of the layouts, we'll have a 'vote' on which one will go into production.
For details on Seight, who produce the prize jerseys for the Mansfield Tour, go to their website.
Defibrillator
With many thanks to Paul Fletcher, who did all the hard work, the club will receive a defibrillator from Sport and Recreation Victoria. (This could prove very handy when some of our older members push themselves a little too hard!)
As part of the grant, we'll receive training on how to use it… for up to 20 members. When we find out when it's being delivered, we'll ask for volunteers who'd like the do the training.
A recent message to the club Facebook page from Matt Aldridge...
G'day
Next year I'm doing a charity bike ride for Soldier On called The Coo Wee Ride. We're venturing up your way. Would you guys like to get involved and ride the Mansfield to Buller and back leg? And if anyone was keen over to Beechworth from Mansfield? Would be great to have you guys involved!
Ronde van Vlaanderen
The Spring Classics continue tonight with the 100th edition of the Tour of Flanders. Brilliant race. SBS will broadcast it tonight from 10.30pm.
Finally…
Some serious reading from the Velominati on making sure you look good on the bike and not taking yourself too seriously, rules and all.