The organisers of the Alpenflow Epic, Rocky Trail Entertainment, are looking for volunteers to help with their new event on the Labour Day long weekend. They’re happy to offer free entry for anyone that wishes to help and race across the event, otherwise general vollies will be looked after with food and merchandise.
Roles they need support with:
Fri 5 March – Rocky trail Academy (school event)
Roving marshall x 1
Race starters x 2 (8.30 to 1.30pm)
Sat 6 March
Pre sweep ride of all Super Flow tracks prior to 9am
Race starters x 2 (8.30 to 4.00pm)
Roving Marshalls x 3
Sweep rider
Sun 7 March
Pre sweep ride of all Super Flow tracks prior to 9am
Race starters x 2 (8.30 to 4.00pm)
Roving marshalls x 3
Sweep rider
Mon 8 March
Pre sweep ride of all Super Flow tracks prior to 9am
Race starters x 2 (8.30 to 1.00pm)
Roving marshalls x 2
Sweep rider
If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact Jo Parker, the Event Manager, via email or mobile 0424 955 332.
Mansfield Hotel Tour first aid
We need qualified first aiders to help Leonie during the Mansfield Tour… someone with HLTAID011 or HLTAID003 certificates, what used to be called Level 2 First Aid.
You’ll also need to be able to drive your own car.
Is that you?
Or… are you keen to do a First Aid course before the Tour with support from the club?
Here’s the deal… if you volunteer for the Tour and can drive, we’ll pay for your first aid course! You’ll also then be able to help out with first aid for our local road races and Dirt Crits, etc. Here are the upcoming course options:
Northeast Training have two dates for between now and the tour - 23 February or 9 March - $155.
St John Ambulance have options, including virtual. Courses range from $195 to $245 (virtual) and there are many options for dates.
If you’re interested, please contact Jason. If you’re already working at the Tour and have been allocated a job, we’ll move people around to free you up for first aid.
Dirt Crits is back!
After a week’s lockdown holiday, Dirt Crits is back this week with another Gravity Enduro.
Please make sure you have renewed your membership, as we’ll need to check licences this week. So please print your receipt, or have your membership details on your phone, and have it with you on Tuesday.
No license, no start!
Bakker Plumbing Handicap
By Ewyn Carter and Bruce Halket
A short drive from Mansfield saw the start of the 2021 Bakker Plumbing Handicap. The quaint valley town of Jamieson hosted the club for the out and back course along the Jamieson-Woods Point Road. 14.5 kilometres of rolling incline and 14.5 kilometres of rolling decline. The brainchild of club stalwart and unofficial mayor of Jamieson, Darren Bakker, the race entices participants with prizes and medals on offer at the Jamieson Brewery to conclude the evening.
The first group moved off the line to start the contest for the silverware; John Eisner, Tony Morris and Dave Jagger. (Kudos to Jagger for using gaffer tape to ‘repair’ his cycling shoes after they fell apart before the start!) The last began 15.5 minutes later, Josh Hopwood on his own. Regular subscribers to this print would be aware of the pedigree of the last to leave. If you don't subscribe, Hopwood was capable of steamrolling all before him for the biscuits. Nonetheless, the participants in all groups were enthusiastic with their chances because the course winds its way through Kevington … plenty of bends to hide from those chasing.
The danger group was Bruce Halket, Ewyn Carter, Dave Moore, Chris Miller and the returning William Calvert-Jones. With the numerical supremacy of the night and an experienced number of race days combined, if they rallied together consistently and collaboratively, then the race would be close.
At the turn, club president and marshal Mauro Brega was making friends with some locals whilst directing each group safely and efficiently, multitasking 1.0.1. The handicap was accurate with minimal catches between groups and a good spread on the road leading into the still difficult descent back to Jamieson.
The danger group had a sniff though.
Lockdown version 3.0 was over in Melbourne and the returning hordes of campers staking their claims along the Jamieson-Woodspoint Road were treated to some live sport in real time definition. Race sponsor Bakker, Jarrod Appleton and previous week's champion Tom MacMunn were swept up by the danger group to make eight. Justin Berry and reigning club champion Janine Appleton were next to form 10!
A formidable pace line resulted and was driving to collect the rest. Meanwhile Hopwood was on a good day, recording some impressive individual numbers behind in contention still for the win, but still chasing alone.
The final catch of the danger group snowball occurred two kilometres from the technical uphill-downhill chute finish and all riders were still in with a chance. Hopwood losing some ground, still alone. But the race wasn't over.
With one kilometre remaining the impetus of the leading pack, "knowing" Hopwood wouldn't make the catch, reduced its collaborative speed. Riders began to shuffle and stir on their saddles knowing a large bunch sprint finish would decide the Bakker Plumbing Champion of 2021. The large club member crowd that had formed in Jamieson was mulling. The unofficial mayor himself was in with a shot in his own race.
Halket pulled a big turn to the bottom of the final climb and dropped J-rod off with 500 metres to go. Appleton flicked through knowing the finish was too far a stretch to sprint with 400 metres remaining and put Carter onto the front trying to dull the sprinters legs, forcing him to pedal.
The uphill part of the finish began at speed with Carter breaking out and Bakker next inline for the roll over win on the downhill chute. But with heavy legs and a high heart rate his dream was shot and Chris Miller was all of a sudden in with a chance at 50 metres to go. With Carter fading, hampered by his safety-pinned skinsuit, the finish line came just a little too quickly for Miller. Finishing order: Carter, Miller, Bakker.
The festivities continued at the Jamieson Brewery with the local crowd being drawn into the presentations for the evening. All in attendance exclaimed their fascination with the way the race played out from a pacing perspective and exclaimed their general delight at the course itself.
Darren is passionate about Jamieson and its terrific to be a part of his love for this space. His organisation of trophies and sponsorship for the race is quite special and really makes the night worth the short trip out after the working day. The club once again thanks Darren for his enthusiasm on this now traditional summers evening. Again thanks also to the many volunteers (no them, no us) Jamieson Brewery for their hospitality and regular club sponsor the Mansfield Hotel for their continued support.
Here are the results and the point scores.
