MMBCC News - 17 August 2011 AGM UPDATE

Hi Everyone,

Thanks to all those who attended the AGM on the 11th and for the apologies. We’ve got a good executive committee with a few new faces – Katie Moore as secretary and myself as president with Bruce Halket taking on the vice president’s role, Tim Ross as treasurer, and Di Condie returning to the road handicapper position.

As noted at the AGM, a big thanks to the previous exec and the subcommittees , in particular Bruce, who have enthusiastically steered the club into a healthy position.

It’s my hope that the club will continue to be the vehicle for fun, social, grass roots, cycling events. 

In the next few weeks the subcommittees will be constructing the spring event calendar and we’d welcome any feedback on the proposed events and any thoughts on what the club could be doing. There is a message section below or you can email me at mansfield@guardianpharm.net  or phone 0428 50 34 37. Please also check that you are signed up for the updates feed (on the right of the page) if you want to keep up with late changes/messages etc.

I’ve attached the minutes (Click Here) as well from the AGM  for your reference,

Cheers,

John Eisner.
President
Mansfield Mt Buller Cycling Club Inc.
T : 0428 503 437

e : mansfield@guardianpharm.net
w : www.mmbcc.org.au

_____________________________________________________________________________________

(PREVIOUS UPDATE BELOW - 6 AUGUST 2011)

 

G'day Everyone!

 

Today's 3-hour MTB Enduro POSTPONED

Due to today's inclement weather, the race has been called off and a new date will be announced very soon! 

 

Annual General Meeting

The club's AGM will be held at The Produce Store on Thursday 11 August. 6pm for nibbles and the M2M presentation, followed by dinner and the AGM.

Is there anything you'd like placed on the agenda to be discussed? Let me know - bruce@bikevents.com.au - before Tuesday the 9th please.

 

Want to learn how to make films?

Benj Binks, the local Producer from ABC Open is about to start a project titled On the Ball which looks at Australia's obsession with sport. He is keen to work with sporting communities in Mansfield and give them the skills to create videos, write blogs, and take photos. Participants will learn from Benj in a series of workshops the skills of recording, editing and sharing stories. The theme for the videos is 'local legends', and there are also ways to get involved through photography. We are also looking for people to write blogs about riding in the region.

The first workshop is happening at MACE on Wednesday August 10 from 6-8pm. Please bring along any relevant equipment you have as well as ideas of local legends in the Mansfield bike riding community or footy community who you think would make a good story.

Please register your interest for this project with me on bruce@bikevents.com

 

Road Race next Saturday

Don't forget to get your entry into Di via SMS on 0438 513 355 by 8pm this Friday.

In case you didn't get there, Darren Bakker got up again for his second win of the series! On a windy day which was likely to favour Scratch, Bakks and Tim Ross rode really well to take a comfortable win. There's a rumour going around that Tim put in an awfully big effort to help Darren; he tried so hard that there was a little bit of a spew afterwards. Either that or it was some sort of strange celebration gift for Darren!

 

Wangaratta Spring Series

Really fun series of road races in Wangaratta, starting on Saturday 13 August. As we're an invited club, you can enter with an MMBCC road membership, even if it's not an Open licence. For more details visit - http://www.wangarattacyclingclub.com.au/home/?page_id=12

A Wangaratta rider, Alex Meyland, is shortly going overseas to compete in the World MTB Championships. The WCC committee want to assist Alex with the cost of his travel and have decided to donate the first race of the Spring Series to him, this will mean that all income from entries on the day will be passed to Alex with no prize money paid. The Wang Cycling Club hope that you will support this and wish Alex the very best in his competition and the committee hope to see as many people there as possible either racing or supporting the racing.  

 

Victorian School Cycling Championships update

With many thanks to Fiona Greenway, here are some results from last Tuesday.

In the novice section:

Lachy Opie - 1st

In the racing section:

Kirra Hunter - 1st

Mitch Greenway - 3rd

Racers who finished 1st, 2nd or 3rd qualify to ride in the Crits on Sunday 16th October before the Herald Sun Jayco Tour. So we'll see Lachy, Kirra and Mitch in Melbourne in October! Congratulations!

Good luck to Mitch who is also racing in the VSCC state mountain bike finals on Sunday 28 August!

 

Rail Trail news

Construction Update

It is so exciting to see the new and repaired bridges being worked on along the trail. The bridges through the Yea flood plain and over the Yea River are near completion and look great. This will be a fantastic ride with over 320 metres of rebuilt bridges.

Some people have been wondering if the trail is heading to Yarra Glen from Yea,down the Melba Highway, no it isn’t. The trail follows the original train line which veers left across the Yea River then on to Cheviot Tunnel and Molesworth.

Once the Yea River bridge is finished the construction crew will move onto the Goulburn River bridge then through the flood plain towards Cathkin.

Pavement construction is going well, despite the wet weather, with chert now laid past Cathkin to Eglington Cutting and Yarck. The sub base is in place from Tallarook to Homewood and Eglington to Alexandra but is not yet ready for use as granitic sand is to be placed on top, this will form the final surface.

Although it is tempting to have a ride or walk on the trail it is very much a construction site. It is impossible to isolate the areas that are under construction therefore we would ask everyone to refrain from entering the trail area.

Did you know?

The Tallarook plateau and Strathbogie plateau are the birthplace of the sport of rogaining or 24 hour cross country navigation. With the generous co-operation of many land owners the sport was developed in the 1970s. The sport spread around Australia in the 1980s and is now active in 30 different countries. Neil Phillips and Christine Arnold organized the first rogaining championships in May 1979, centered around the town of Tallarook.

More information about rogaining can be found at www. rogaine.asn.au

 

Tour of Denmark

As I type this, Simon has taken the leaders yellow jersey in Denmark!

 

GreenEdge Cycling

The new Australian WorldTour Team (we hope) this week announced their first signings - http://www.greenedgecycling.com/news/rising-stars-join-greenedge

With HTC HighRoad folding - http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/htc-highroad-disbands-after-failed-sponsor-search - and their riders looking for teams, there's every chance GreenEdge will be a force in year one! It appears the rumour mill is working overtime on who they've already signed - http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/2011/08/green-edge-thread/

 

That's all for now … see you out there. 

Cheers,

Bruce Halket.

 

President

Mansfield Mt Buller Cycling Club Inc.

16 Reynolds Street

Mansfield  Vic  3722

T: 03 5775 1169

M: 0419 533 120

W: www.mmbcc.org.au



MMBCC News 6 August 2011

G'day Everyone!

 

Today's 3-hour MTB Enduro POSTPONED

Due to today's inclement weather, the race has been called off and a new date will be announced very soon! 

 

Annual General Meeting

The club's AGM will be held at The Produce Store on Thursday 11 August. 6pm for nibbles and the M2M presentation, followed by dinner and the AGM.

Is there anything you'd like placed on the agenda to be discussed? Let me know - bruce@bikevents.com.au - before Tuesday the 9th please.

 

Want to learn how to make films?

Benj Binks, the local Producer from ABC Open is about to start a project titled On the Ball which looks at Australia's obsession with sport. He is keen to work with sporting communities in Mansfield and give them the skills to create videos, write blogs, and take photos. Participants will learn from Benj in a series of workshops the skills of recording, editing and sharing stories. The theme for the videos is 'local legends', and there are also ways to get involved through photography. We are also looking for people to write blogs about riding in the region.

The first workshop is happening at MACE on Wednesday August 10 from 6-8pm. Please bring along any relevant equipment you have as well as ideas of local legends in the Mansfield bike riding community or footy community who you think would make a good story.

Please register your interest for this project with me on bruce@bikevents.com

 

Road Race next Saturday

Don't forget to get your entry into Di via SMS on 0438 513 355 by 8pm this Friday.

In case you didn't get there, Darren Bakker got up again for his second win of the series! On a windy day which was likely to favour Scratch, Bakks and Tim Ross rode really well to take a comfortable win. There's a rumour going around that Tim put in an awfully big effort to help Darren; he tried so hard that there was a little bit of a spew afterwards. Either that or it was some sort of strange celebration gift for Darren!

 

Wangaratta Spring Series

Really fun series of road races in Wangaratta, starting on Saturday 13 August. As we're an invited club, you can enter with an MMBCC road membership, even if it's not an Open licence. For more details visit - http://www.wangarattacyclingclub.com.au/home/?page_id=12

A Wangaratta rider, Alex Meyland, is shortly going overseas to compete in the World MTB Championships. The WCC committee want to assist Alex with the cost of his travel and have decided to donate the first race of the Spring Series to him, this will mean that all income from entries on the day will be passed to Alex with no prize money paid. The Wang Cycling Club hope that you will support this and wish Alex the very best in his competition and the committee hope to see as many people there as possible either racing or supporting the racing.  

 

Victorian School Cycling Championships update

With many thanks to Fiona Greenway, here are some results from last Tuesday.

In the novice section:

Lachy Opie - 1st

In the racing section:

Kirra Hunter - 1st

Mitch Greenway - 3rd

Racers who finished 1st, 2nd or 3rd qualify to ride in the Crits on Sunday 16th October before the Herald Sun Jayco Tour. So we'll see Lachy, Kirra and Mitch in Melbourne in October! Congratulations!

Good luck to Mitch who is also racing in the VSCC state mountain bike finals on Sunday 28 August!

 

Rail Trail news

Construction Update

It is so exciting to see the new and repaired bridges being worked on along the trail. The bridges through the Yea flood plain and over the Yea River are near completion and look great. This will be a fantastic ride with over 320 metres of rebuilt bridges.

Some people have been wondering if the trail is heading to Yarra Glen from Yea,down the Melba Highway, no it isn’t. The trail follows the original train line which veers left across the Yea River then on to Cheviot Tunnel and Molesworth.

Once the Yea River bridge is finished the construction crew will move onto the Goulburn River bridge then through the flood plain towards Cathkin.

Pavement construction is going well, despite the wet weather, with chert now laid past Cathkin to Eglington Cutting and Yarck. The sub base is in place from Tallarook to Homewood and Eglington to Alexandra but is not yet ready for use as granitic sand is to be placed on top, this will form the final surface.

Although it is tempting to have a ride or walk on the trail it is very much a construction site. It is impossible to isolate the areas that are under construction therefore we would ask everyone to refrain from entering the trail area.

Did you know?

The Tallarook plateau and Strathbogie plateau are the birthplace of the sport of rogaining or 24 hour cross country navigation. With the generous co-operation of many land owners the sport was developed in the 1970s. The sport spread around Australia in the 1980s and is now active in 30 different countries. Neil Phillips and Christine Arnold organized the first rogaining championships in May 1979, centered around the town of Tallarook.

More information about rogaining can be found at www. rogaine.asn.au

 

Tour of Denmark

As I type this, Simon has taken the leaders yellow jersey in Denmark!

 

GreenEdge Cycling

The new Australian WorldTour Team (we hope) this week announced their first signings - http://www.greenedgecycling.com/news/rising-stars-join-greenedge

With HTC HighRoad folding - http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/htc-highroad-disbands-after-failed-sponsor-search - and their riders looking for teams, there's every chance GreenEdge will be a force in year one! It appears the rumour mill is working overtime on who they've already signed - http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/2011/08/green-edge-thread/

 

That's all for now … see you out there. 

Cheers,

Bruce Halket.

 

President

Mansfield Mt Buller Cycling Club Inc.

16 Reynolds Street

Mansfield  Vic  3722

T: 03 5775 1169

M: 0419 533 120

W: www.mmbcc.org.au

MMBCC MTB News 5.8.11

3 Hour Enduro - Tomorrow!

Entries have closed for the MMBCC 3hr Enduro tomorrow.  Riders have been paired by the handicapper with the aim of having some close racing.  Handicapping was based on results from the Autumn series as well as a little discression - no correspondence will be entered into.

The trail is in fantastic condition and the few showers predicted tomorrow might just help to settle the dust.

The start list is below:

Gez McHugh Kian Lerch-Mackinnon
Andy Setchell Jason Parker





Foley Lachal Mick Durham
Euan Friday Dave Moore





Dan MacMunn Shannon Rademaker
Kirra Hunter Tina McDonell





Jo Wall
Yully Arnold
Katie Moore Garryn Hoffman





Cam Lachal Tom MacMunn
Deb Hunter Ben Annear

 

Registration closes at 12:30 at the Riflebutts Rd Reserve.  Rider briefing at 12:45.  Race Entry is $10.  BBQ afterwards.  Bring a bike, chair, spares, water, food etc.  There will be toilets but no showers.  Please park outside the gate at the reserve entry - we will need the area inside for transition and tents.  Anyone who would like to come up for a look - we would love to see you.

MMBCC MTB News 28.7.2011

Trailwork Afternoon

For those of you not racing in the 4th round of the MMBCC Winter Road Series - 2pm Botanic Park Mansfield, entries by SMS to Di Condie 0438 513 355 by 8.00pm Friday - there is a trailwork afternoon to get the Reserve ready for the MMBCC 3hr Enduro next weekend.

When:  Saturday July 30th – 2:00pm

Where:  Riflebutts Rd Reserve

Why:  So the trail is in tip top shape for the inaugural MMBCC 3hr Enduro

Bring:  Rakehoes and other digging tools, Whippersnippers, Mowers, Bikes (we should get a ride in).

There isn’t that much work to do - a bit of whippersnipping, a little bit of scratching and some marking of the track.   It would be great to get a good crew together so that we can knock it over quickly, plan for next weekend and then go for a ride.

Bocky has been looking at the weather forecast for next week and is concerned about the amount of rain predicted.  There will be a post next Friday night announcing teams and any last minute race information.  If we need to postpone the race due to the weather (and the potential damage to the track) it will happen then.

Entries have started to roll in.  There are some more great prizes added to the list, including a summer lift pass for Mt Buller.  Have a look here on Friday 5th August for start lists for both the kids and adults races (it might be late).

AND...well done Cadel.  Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights were the most compelling sport I have ever seen. 

________________________________________________________________________________

MMBCC MTB News 20 July 2011

1st MMBCC 3 hour Pairs Enduro - Saturday August 6th 2011.

Exciting news - we have the first MMBCC 3 hour Pairs Enduro on Saturday August 6th 2011

Details are on the Mountain Biking tab (in ride & races) on the web site - click here

Riflebutts Road Reserve, Mansfield

Kids race (45 minute duration) – Registration: 11:45am   Race Start: 12:00pm

Adults race – Registration: 1:00  Race Start: 1:30pm

 

Awesome prizes that everyone will have a chance to win, including:

And many more!

 Click on poster or click here for a larger copy

Don’t forget to stay on afterwards for the BBQ too! 4:30pm onwards. More details - Click here

        _____________________________________________________________________

WORKING BEE

On Saturday July 30th there will be a trail working bee at 2:00pm.  We will also need to sit down then and look at what needs to be done to make the race run smoothly (timing, course marshals, tents etc).   Please come along on the 30th.  Katie and Tina and Yully have put heaps of effort into getting this race up and running and we need a bunch of people to help out on the day to make it a success.  If there is anyone who would like to help out then please get in touch with Tom – 0428 327 763. 

        _____________________________________________________________________

 

SIMON GERRANS

Great interview on SBS - follow this link. http://www.sbs.com.au/cyclingcentral/news/31643/Gerrans-driven-for-last-Tour-chances

...and another here. http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/gerrans-eyeing-gap-and-pinerolo-to-stretch-his-legs

 

______________________________________________________________________________________

 

MMBCC News - 14 July 2011



G'day Everyone!


Road Race this Saturday
Don't forget to get your entry into Di via SMS on 0438 513 355 by 8pm Friday.


In case you didn't get The Courier after the last race, here's what happened …
Race two of the Mansfield Mt Buller Cycling Club Winter Road Series saw 10 riders line up at the start line on a sunny afternoon on Saturday the 2nd of July. With a stiff northerly breeze, Scratch was favoured to win the handicap race, held on the Whitfield Road, from the Botanic Park out to Sawpit Gully Road and back.
First away was Tony Morris as the Limit group off 12 minutes. He was followed by Madam Handicapper Di Condie and Tony Williams off 9 minutes; Deb Hunter, Darren Bakker and last minute entry Steve Flew off 6 minutes; Rob Greenway on his own off 3 minutes and Scratch saw Mauro Brega and Bruce Halket joined by Josh Hopwood for his first race since summer.
The big movers early were Hunter, Bakker and Flew. They worked well into the wind and caught the outmarkers early. However, Flew’s recent holiday to Europe and lack of training eventually told and he was dropped near Bridge Creek.
Further back, Scratch knew they were in trouble even before the turnaround. Hunter and Bakker had turned and were well on their way back to town when the groups passed each other. By the time Scratch did get to halfway, they’d only eaten up two minutes of the six minute handicap.
Hunter and Bakker continued to team brilliantly - Hunter doing the hard yards up the hills, Bakker taking the soft option, powering down them.
Power won out over finesse in the end ... Bakker taking the sprint for his first Mansfield win ever!
The race for the last step on the podium rewarded Rob Greenway for a great ride, mostly on his own. He was caught by Scratch at about 3/4 distance, then didn’t miss a turn and won the sprint!
Halket rode fastest time of 42.51. Bakker’s time of 52.17 (corrected to 46.17) showed Bakks and Deb had maintained almost half their initial advantage. A truly great ride!  
Many thanks to our volunteers and officials including Jenni, John and George.
The next race of the Winter Series will start at the Botanic Park on Saturday 16 July at 2pm. Entries to Di via SMS on 0438 513 355 by 8pm Friday 15 July.

Annual General Meeting
The club's AGM will be held at The Produce Store on Thursday 11 August. 6pm for nibbles and the M2M presentation, followed by dinner and the AGM.
Between now and then, please have a think about what you'd like to see the club doing and perhaps even what YOU can do to help.

Wangaratta Spring Series
Really fun series of road races in Wangaratta, starting on Saturday 13 August. As we're an invited club, you can enter with an MMBCC road membership, even if it's not an Open licence. For more details visit - http://www.wangarattacyclingclub.com.au/home/?page_id=12

Relay For Life
Leonie is helping organise the Mansfield Relay for Life. Here are a few details:
October 8th & 9th this year
Sat 12noon to Sunday 12noon at the Mansfield Showgrounds
the event is to raise awareness & support for cancer sufferers & carers, and anyone else effected, plus raise $ for Cancer Research
teams walk/ride horses around a circuit (2 different ones naturally) at the showgrounds for 24 hours
the walkers walk around the inside perimeter of the main showgrounds arena
there will be activities set up around the area as well
for more info on the RLF itself go to www.relayforlife.org.au
She's also come up with some ideas for the bike club:
register a team, and/or:
run a stationary relay in the centre of the main arena, in the middle of the walkers
set up a stationary relay in the area near the entertainment marquee & other activities
set up some cycling-based activities for kids and participants whilst they are not actually walking/riding
any or all of these options in any permutation is possible
it is not absolutely necessary for the teams to do their activity for the entire 24 hours
perhaps some cyclists may want to walk during the night rather than ride, like the horseriders do??
organising a circuit for mountain bikers to ride around might be a challenge due to the horses, however if this is the preferred option for at least some of the time, I am happy to take this to the committee as I think if we separate the 2 groups well enough it could be possible.
If you're interested, email Leonie McLaughlin  or call 0417 598 220.

Tour de France
As I type this, the first day in the Pyrenees has begun. Go Cadel! Go Simon! And … Go Johnny Hoogerland!
Is anyone interested in an evening of TdF viewing on Friday night the 22nd, the night of the final night in the Alps and the climb up Alpe d'Huez? Maybe the club should organise something. Let me know if you're keen.

That's all for now … see you out there.
Cheers,
Bruce Halket.

MMBCC News - 30 June 2011

G'day Everyone!

 

ABC Open in Mansfield

ABC Open is a new initiative with the national broadcaster which will produce, curate and publish local contributions from ABC regional audiences. The Goulburn Valley's Open producer is Benj Binks and working with members of the community, they have contributed to One on One: Change, Now and Then, Portrait of a Stranger, One on One: Goulburn Valley Refugees and My Anzac Day.

Benj is about to start a project titled On the Ball which looks at Australia's obsession with sport. He is keen to work with the Mansfield Mt Buller Cycling Club and the Mansfield Football Netball Club.

There are three projects that club members, team fans and multimedia enthusiasts can get involved in.

1.     The Insider. Members of the clubs write weekly blogs about life in the club. This includes the game, behind the scenes, training and other club relevant news. The blogs will be hosted on Benj's blog.

2.     This is why I love my sport. Submit a photograph that shows why you love your sport. Give it a title and write up to 200 words - it might be simple 'Sunday. 5pm. Mud central' or can explain what's happening in more depth.

3.     Local Legends. Video stories about locals who are icons in your sport. The videos will be 2 - 3 minutes long and will profile individuals.

To create these stories, Benj is seeking people with an interest in creating multimedia stories that incorporate photography, video and audio. Participants will learn from Benj in a series of workshops the skills of recording, editing and sharing stories about sport in Mansfield.

Benj will be giving a presentation to interested people on Tuesday July 12th at the Mansfield Football Clubrooms from 6 - 7pm.

To register your interest, please contact Uschi Steedman on 0427 849 777.

For more information Benj Binks. 03 5420 4008, 0427 185 639, binks.benj@abc.net.au

 

Road Race this Saturday

Don't forget to get your entry into Di via SMS on 0438 513 355 by 8pm Friday.

 

M2M Bingo

The Bingo this coming Monday is off! Not 'going off' but cancelled.

 

Annual General Meeting

The club's AGM will be held at The Produce Store on Thursday 11 August. 6pm for nibbles and the M2M presentation, followed by dinner and the AGM.

Between now and then, please have a think about what you'd like to see the club doing and perhaps even what YOU can do to help.

 

Relay for Life - MMBCC team?

Leonie is helping organise the Mansfield Relay for Life. Here are a few details:

  • October 8th & 9th this year
  • Sat 12noon to Sunday 12noon at the Mansfield Showgrounds
  • the event is to raise awareness & support for cancer sufferers & carers, and anyone else effected, plus raise $ for Cancer Research
  • teams walk/ride horses around a circuit (2 different ones naturally) at the showgrounds for 24 hours
  • the walkers walk around the inside perimeter of the main showgrounds arena
  • there will be activities set up around the area as well
  • for more info on the RLF itself go to www.relayforlife.org.au

She's also come up with some ideas for the bike club:

  • register a team, and/or:
  • run a stationary relay in the centre of the main arena, in the middle of the walkers
  • set up a stationary relay in the area near the entertainment marquee & other activities
  • set up some cycling-based activities for kids and participants whilst they are not actually walking/riding
  • any or all of these options in any permutation is possible
  • it is not absolutely necessary for the teams to do their activity for the entire 24 hours
  • perhaps some cyclists may want to walk during the night rather than ride, like the horseriders do??
  • organising a circuit for mountain bikers to ride around might be a challenge due to the horses, however if this is the preferred option for at least some of the time, I am happy to take this to the committee as I think if we separate the 2 groups well enough it could be possible.
  • If you're interested, email Leonie McLaughlin <wileonie@bigpond.com>  or call 0417 598 220.

 

Road bike for sale

Chris McKnight is a Canadian ski instructor who's back here for the winter. He's selling his road bike.

Giant TCR CO size small; full Dura-Ace, Mavic Kysrium SL (trainers) and 50mm Carbon Tubulars (racers)

If you're interested phone 0419 388 425 or email Chris McKnight <mckchristopher@gmail.com> for the full specs and price.

 

Rail Trail update

Construction Update

Construction is happening everywhere! From Tallarook to Alexandra to Maindample either trail construction or bridge construction is in progress. If you can’t see any evidence of that, well ... maybe there is a toilet being built in one of these sections.

Two different types of surface materials are being used across the trail to allow for shared access with walkers, cyclists and horse riders. Where there is sufficient room for horse riders to ride off the trail, the surface is a black chert which is often mistaken from a distance as bitumen. In areas where there is not enough area to accommodate horses off the trail, the surface will be granitic sand. From Yea to Homewood chert has been laid and most of this section can be seen from the Goulburn Valley Highway. The surface then changes to granitic sand back to Tallarook. Most of the trail heading west from Homewood cannot be seen from the highway as it travels through picturesque farm land skirting the Goulburn River to Tallarook. Most of the bridges have been rebuilt or are being rebuilt through this area including the King Parrot Creek Bridge which will be one of the highest and longest bridges when restored.

Work has commenced on the trail through the Yea flood plain and works on the bridges can be seen from the Melba Highway. Cheviot Tunnel has been sealed and cars will no longer have access to the tunnel, lighting for the tunnel is being investigated.

Wrights Earthmoving is working at Molesworth this week and it is hoped that the wet weather won’t hold up construction through what can be a very wet area.

A new toilet has been finalised at Maindample and several others are in construction including at Cathkin, Koriella, Trawool, Woodfield and Tallarook.

Plans for the Granite underpass are progressing well and works should commence on this beginning early August.

Disappointments

So far the project team has been delighted with the way the project is going “on time and on budget”, but the biggest disappointment is that trail bikes have been sighted on the trail and some damage has occurred in different spots. The rail trail is not and will not be open to motorised vehicles, which includes motor bikes of any description.

Local Laws officers and police will be pursing these riders and heavy penalties will be imposed on those caught.

 

That's all for now … see you out there. 

Cheers,

Bruce Halket.

 

President

Mansfield Mt Buller Cycling Club Inc.

16 Reynolds Street

Mansfield  Vic  3722

T: 03 5775 1169

M: 0419 533 120

W: www.mmbcc.org.au



(If you missed the last newsletter (two days ago!!) you can click on the link above - MMBCC News - 28 June 2011.) Ed.

MMBCC News - 28 June 2011

G'day Everyone!


Winter Road Series - round 1
Here's is the report on the first round of the Winter Series ...
The Mansfield Mt Buller Cycling Club kicked off its Winter Road Series with race one on the Whitfield Road on Saturday 18 June. Only six hardy souls braved the cold due to two late scratchings and an awful lot of soft members!
Handicapper Di Condie was very generous to Shannon Rademaker who started on his own as the Limit group off eight minutes. Four minutes later he was meant to be chased by Euan Friday and Darren Bakker. But Bakker had a ‘chronological malfunction’ and missed his start, meaning Friday had to set off alone. (Bakker finally started about one and a half minutes later.) The Scratch group was made up of Tim Ross, Mauro Brega and Bruce Halket.
This is the part of the article where the details of each rider’s effort is described; whereabouts the different groups came together; where and how the winner made his move. But here is a precis …
Shannon won.
He just rode along on his own and wasn’t see again until after the finish!
Scratch dropped Ross early but eventually caught Bakker at half way and Friday just after that. Brega won the sprint for second (and fastest time) ahead of Bakker and Halket.
Tim Ross’ effort again proved that three hard training rides in the preceding days isn’t the best preparation for a race. His preference for self-flagellation has earned him a new nickname - The Monk - after the mad albino in The DeVinci Code and Tim’s penchant for carrying a birch branch in his back pocket during early morning training rides!
Many thanks to our volunteers and officials including Di, Deb, Judy, Geoff and Tom.
The next race of the Winter Series will start at the Botanic Park on Saturday 2 July at 2pm. Entries to Di via SMS on 0438 513 355 by 8pm Friday the first of July. A random prize draw will be held at the end of the series - the more races you enter, the more tickets you’ll get in the prize draw. One of the many prizes is a full free entry (including jersey and knicks) into the 2012 High Country Cycle Challenge.

Don't forget - second race is this coming Saturday at 2pm! Entries via SMS to Di on 0438 513 355 by 8pm Friday.

M2M Bingo
Mark Ross and Michelle Condie have put their hands up to orgainse the bingo at the Golf Club on the 4th of July on behalf of the Murray to Moyne team.
Mark needs as many of you as possible to turn up and bring some friends otherwise we will not get any money!
Please drop something in to him at work for a hamper for the door and raffle prizes.
This will be our last fundraiser so please let's make the effort and turn up. Bingo starts at 8pm and if you want a meal you need to show up a bit earlier than that. Tell as many people as possible and if you have to drag them by the hair, Mark doesn't care … just get them there!
Contact Rossy on 0427 753 037.

Relay for Life - MMBCC team?
Leonie is helping organise the Mansfield Relay for Life. Here are a few details:
October 8th & 9th this year
Sat 12noon to Sunday 12noon at the Mansfield Showgrounds
the event is to raise awareness & support for cancer sufferers & carers, and anyone else effected, plus raise $ for Cancer Research.
Teams walk/ride horses around a circuit (2 different ones naturally) at the showgrounds for 24 hours.
The walkers walk around the inside perimeter of the main showgrounds arena and there will be activities set up around the area as well.
For more info on the RLF itself go to www.relayforlife.org.au
She's also come up with some ideas for the bike club:
register a team, and/or:
- run a stationary relay in the centre of the main arena, in the middle of the walkers
- set up a stationary relay in the area near the entertainment marquee & other activities
- set up some cycling-based activities for kids and participants whilst they are not actually walking/riding
any or all of these options in any permutation is possible
it is not absolutely necessary for the teams to do their activity for the entire 24 hours
perhaps some cyclists may want to walk during the night rather than ride, like the horseriders do??
organising a circuit for mountain bikers to ride around might be a challenge due to the horses, however if this is the preferred option for at least some of the time, I am happy to take this to the committee as I think if we separate the 2 groups well enough it could be possible.
If you're interested, email Leonie McLaughlin wileonie@bigpond.com  or call 0417 598 220.

Club kit
The new long sleeve winter jerseys, arm warmers and wind vests have arrived from Ventou. Plus we've also got loads of new club knicks in stock too!
If you'd like some club kit, please email Tim Tim.Ross@proactivetax.com.au and organise a 'fitting.' He'll be awake!

Traffic Managers
Traffic Controllers course is booked in for Saturday 20 August. The Shire will get back to me soon with venue (likely to be the Shire offices) and times.

Annual General Meeting
The club's AGM will be held, as usual, at The Produce Store in August. (The actual date will be confirmed soon.)
Between now and then, please have a think about what you'd like to see the club doing and perhaps even what you can do to help!

All Terrain Cycles VIP Sale
Shannon's flyer for his exclusive sale (Wed 29 June) is on the website now. Just click here.

Web Site Update
Don't forget to look at the updated events calendar on the website too. Click here.

That's all for now … see you out there.
Cheers,
Bruce Halket.

www.mmbcc.org.au

MMBCC News - 22 June 2011

G'day All,

Nicole and Tim Ross welcomed Benjamin Michael Ross into the world this morning at 7.30.
As Tim said, "Mother and baby doing well, father feeling faint!"
Congratulations from all the club.

Shannons flyer for his exclusive sale is on the website now (Wed 29 June). Just click on the picture.
Cheers,
Bruce.

________________________________________________________________________________

MMBCC News - 12 June 2011

G'day Everyone!

"Don't take life too seriously. You'll never get out of it alive." Elbert Hubbard


A lot to get through this time … take a deep breath and jump on in!

Winter Road Series

Di has put together a series of road races between this coming Saturday and late August - a series of 6 races; one every fortnight.
In the past, winter races haven't been all that well attended, so we're trying something a bit different to attract entries.
- All races start at 2pm on Saturday afternoon!
- All races start from the Botanic Park, will be about 30km long and will either finish back at the Botanic Park or on Graves Road.
- All races will be Handicapped. Entries to Di Condie via SMS on 0438 513 355 by 8pm Friday.
- If not enough racers enter, Di will SMS a cancellation to those that DO enter and we'll just go for our normal Saturday morning 9am ride. So spread the word!
- Two members have been rostered on for race duty. Check below and on the website - www.mmbcc.org.au - to see when it's your turn. All the normal rules on duty apply - if you can't do it yourself, you need to organise someone to do it for you.
Winter Road Series Duty Roster
June 18 – Deb Cook and Geoff Jones
July 02 – Dick Forrest and Rob Greenway
July 16 – Mauro Brega and Steve Plummer
July 30 – Darren Bakker and Tony Williams
August 13 – Tim Ross and Steve Flew
August 27 – Tom Thoburne and John Eisner
- There will be a random prize draw at the end of the series. If you ride three of the six races, you'll get an entry into the draw. Each extra race after that will earn you an extra ticket - so if you do all six races, you'll get 4 tickets in the draw (thanks to Narelle and 7 Peaks for letting me pinch the idea!) I'll speak to a few sponsors between now and September about prizes but the first one confirmed is free entry (including knicks and jersey) into the High Country Cycle Challenge.
Don't forget - first race is this coming Saturday at 2pm! Entries via SMS to Di on 0438 513 355 by 8pm Friday.

Club kit

The new long sleeve winter jerseys, arm warmers and wind vests have arrived from Ventou. Plus we've also got loads of new club knicks in stock too!
If you'd like some club kit, please email Tim <Tim.Ross@proactivetax.com.au> and organise a 'fitting!'

Last chance - subscribe to website updates

Don't forget, you can now subscribe to the club website and you'll be notified when a new newsletter has been posted.
To do this, go to www.mmbcc.org.au and type your email address in the box on the right and hit the button below it. (The top one is for the Latest News updates, the second one is for other special updates like a last-minute change of time or venue. You'll need to do one, then the other.) This will take you to the Blogtrottr website. They'll send you a message to the email address you entered. When you receive the Blogtrottr email, click on the link within it to confirm your subscription. And that's it!

Traffic Managers

Many thanks to all of you that have put their hands up for the Traffic Managers Course. I still haven't heard back from Deploy Management Services but I expect to hear back very soon about the course in August. So far, we have 16 members signed up. Plus Rotary has reserved six places too!
This should guarantee that the Tour de Flavour Criterium and Road Race can be held next March.

Annual General Meeting

The club's AGM will be held, as usual, at The Produce Store in August. (The actual date will be confirmed soon.)
Between now and then, please have a think about what you'd like to see the club doing and perhaps even what you can do to help!

Amy's Gran Fondo

If you haven't already heard about this, Amy's Gran Fondo will be held on Sunday 18 September along the Great Ocean Road. Sounds like it'll be really great!
http://www.amygillett.org.au/gran-fondo

Australian Masters Games

The 13th Australian Masters Games will be held in Adelaide from 7-16 October 2011 and will include road cycling and mountain biking.
To register or for more information about the Games go to www.AustralianMastersGames.com or call (08) 8409 1900.

Jeff Plant

I got an email from Jeff Plant in Canada the other day - here's what he's been up to with a mate of his; a bloke called Axel Merckx.
http://vimeo.com/24661338 and granfondoaxelmerckx.com
He said to say G'day to everyone in Mansfield!

Cycling Tips

Some of you know I'm a bit of a fan of a Melbourne-based website called Cycling Tips. Apart from the kit (which is just a little too Collingwood for me … anyone want to buy a jersey and wind vest?) it's a great site and has just been upgraded.
A couple of recent articles caught my interest and I thought you might like them too …
Here's an article on Lance's legacy - http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/2011/06/the-armstrong-era/
Here's a very relevant one for Mansfield, on lycra in cafes - http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/2011/06/cafe-etiquette-101/

More on the interwebby!

More rules on cycling (thanks Wil) http://www.cycling-inform.com/bike-skills/136-unwritten-rules-of-cycling-etiquette;
Plus here's a little scenario I suspect a few of you are familiar with … thanks Jock - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZZG-muxPNY

Finnan's Gift Fundraiser

You may have seen a recent episode on "60 Minutes" featuring aerial skier Olympian Alisa Camplin and her husband talking about the recent loss of their young son to congenital heart disease. You can read more about it (and see the episode) on www.finnansgift.com.au
Kate McDougall and Allison Walker (and the Mansfield Farmers' market) are hosting a morning tea to raise money for this foundation which will in turn purchase much needed equipment for the Royal Childrens' Hospital. Please come along on Wednesday 22nd June from 10am for a devonshire tea fundraiser. (Ed - See Other Events tab for more details).

Two in three blame unsafe roads for staying off their bikes

A national survey conducted by the Cycling Promotion Fund (CPF) and the National Heart Foundation of Australia has found more than 62% of Australians want to be able to ride a bike for transport, but road safety fears are keeping bikes in the shed and off the road.
The data released today at the Australian Bicycling Achievement Awards in Canberra found that while more than 60% of Australians have access to a bike, almost 70% were not considering cycling for transport in the near future, even though more than half of those would like to.
According to Stephen Hodge spokesperson for the CPF, the main reasons why people were not riding bikes were unsafe road conditions (46%); speed/ volume of traffic (42%); don’t feel safe riding (41%) and a lack of bicycle lanes/ trails (35%).
"With almost a quarter of all respondents believing that cycling is not a safe form of transport, there’s a lot more that governments can be doing to foster a safe cycling culture in our cities and towns,” said Mr Hodge.
“We want to see existing bike lanes connected to each other, dedicated bike lanes physically separated from motor traffic installed and a comprehensive road users education campaign to raise awareness and make cycling safer.”
Interestingly, of respondents who rode, more than 88% rode alone and less than 1% claimed to ride with more than two people, bucking the general perception that cyclists ride in big groups, taking over the road.
“Being active for transport – walking and cycling – has numerous health benefits for the individual and government. Being active for 30 minutes a day can reduce the incidence of heart disease by as much as half. In addition, it improves air quality and saves costs associated with private transport,” said Dr Lyn Roberts, CEO - National, Heart Foundation.
More than 80% of survey respondents believed that the Federal Government should be doing more to promote a cycle safe culture and 70% agreed that the Government should be doing more to encourage cycling to school.
More than 60% of those surveyed wanted the Government to do more to encourage people to ride a bicycle to work and to offer incentives to get more people to use bikes for transport.

More facts from the survey

Those who ride a bike for transport typically ride on quiet roads (48%) and alone (87%), significantly outweighing those who cycled on busy roads (15%).
The majority of respondents cycle due to health and exercise benefits (90%) obtained from cycling but were also likely to be influenced by the economic (71%) and environmental benefits (68%).
Fast Facts - General
In 2009 1.8 million Australians rode a bike (ERASS Annual Report, 2009)
There was a 33% increase in bike riding between 2001 and 2009 (ERASS Annual Report, 2009)
More than 50% of car trips in Australian cities are under 5km and 30% are less than 3km (Australian National Cycling Strategy, 2005) making cycling a theoretically viable alternative to car use.
Download CPF Media Release: Two in three blame unsafe roads for staying off their bikes,1st June 2011, (PDF, 53kb)
Riding a Bike for Transport 2011 Survey Findings (PDF, 143kb)
For more information please contact
Kirsten Andrews - Heart Foundation - Mobile 0413 777 404 or (02) 9219 2468
Stephen Hodge - Cycling Promotion Fund - Mobile: 0411 149 910

That's all for now … see you out there.
Cheers,
Bruce Halket.


MMBCC MTB Autumn Series Wrap

The final round of the Autumn Series was held at Riflebutts Road Reserve on Sunday.  Thirty one adults and fourteen kids raced the final round.  More than 60 riders raced during what was a fun and competitive 5 race series.  With $500 from ATC, a set of club kit and a pair of 2XU tights from Mansfield Gym on offer for places 1,2 and 3 there was tight competition.

Presentations were held at the Delatite Hotel on Sunday evening with Tom MacMunn, Kian Lerch-MacKinnon and Foley Lachal finishing the series 1, 2 and 3.  It’s great to see the young blokes really keen and riding really well (Kian and Foley did well too).   Full results can be accessed via the results page.

Kids who rode 3 or more races and adults who raced 4 or more times went into the draw for some other great prizes.  Darcy Bowker, Jackson Comben, Bella MacMunn and Ebony McNamara walked away with some great stuff from Shannon at ATC.  Kerren McNamara will be attending the Mansfield Gym over winter, Katie Moore willed her name to be drawn out for Pilates sessions and Dave Empy will have to get out on the road bike to train up for next years High Country Challenge. 

A massive thanks to our sponsors: Shannon at All Terrain Cycles, Bruce from the High Country Challenge, Steve from Mansfield Gym and Uschi from Positive Moves Pilates.  Please support these guys as they have been very generous with their support of the club. 

Thanks also to the trail fairies who have fixed up, adjusted, realigned and cleaned trails in the reserve and Parks Vic who have supported us in that.  We now have a fantastic network of fun, sustainable trails within 5 minutes ride of town.

Watch this space for a winter road series that is coming up soon and also for a one off 3 hour pairs MTB race in a couple of months.  More details to come…now where are those skis.

___________________________________________________________________________________

MMBCC MTB - Presentations

Sunday June 5 - Delatite Hotel 6:30pm

Hi all,

Come and join us for dinner and presos at the Delatite on Sunday.  6:30pm gives us all time to have a shower and frock up - and we couldn't book the room until then.  Everyone is welcome.  If you are a club member but think dirt is dirty - still come along for a feed, a drink and a chat.

Results for Sunday 29th May can still be found on the MTB Results page.

__________________________________________________________________________________

MMBCC MTB - Autumn Riding at it's Best

29/5/2011 race results - on the results page.

What a day for a MTB race.  Great racing and lovely sunshine.  Highlights included Dave's OTB (Over The Bars) whilst trying to get around Bruce on the last corner, Laurie's sensational sprint for the line...on the second last lap and D Grade deciding that lap 1 was a good time to catch up on the weeks gossip.

Next week we are planning to race a few different courses.  D Grade will race the short loop again – 20min, C grade are going to race one lap of the full loop (the one that goes up to the top of the reserve and over the other side) and then one lap of the loop they raced today – 30min.  B and A grade will race the full loop – probably 2 laps for B and 3 laps for A.  See if you can make space in your calendar for a beer and a feed and some presentations at the Delatite Hotel.  Meet there at 4:00 or 4:30.  Have a think about what we want to do about racing over winter/spring and we can have a chat about it at the Delatite.  At this stage next week will be the last MTB race until Monday October 10th 2011.

Now for those of you who are points conscious, Bruce has come up with a way of making the series points fairer.  The points table - a behemoth of a document which can be accessed via the MTB Results page - now makes provision for riders who have been asked to move up a grade during the series.  Riders who are competing in a higher grade have received a 40% loading on their points.  For example because they have both moved up a grade Tina received 29 points for coming 4th today and Yully received 30 points for his 3rd, 2nd, 3rd in last weeks elimination races.  Kerren received 30 points for winning D Grade because she started the series in this grade.  So by my reckoning there are 11 people still in the running for a top 3 finish depending on what happens next week.  Remember if you race 4 or more races you will be in the raffle for the major prizes.

___________________________________________________________________________________

MMBCC MTB News 24th May 2011

Elimination Race Results - on the MTB Results Page.

Thanks to everyone who came and raced on Sunday.  Perfect conditions for the Kids, for D grade, for C grade and...until half way through the B grade race.  A grade raced every lap with eyes closed to keep out the mud.  Maybe the drought had an upside.

Hopefully the storm hasn't frightened too many people away for the next two rounds.  Remember that everyone who competes in at least 4 rounds is in the draw for three great prizes - Pilates with Positive Moves Pilates, Gym Membership with Mansfield Gym and an entry into the High Country Challenge AND your best 4 results will count towards series prizes.  We have done this to help people stay motivated for a few more weeks.  So come out on Sunday and have a race (or just have a look).  Kids at 1:30pm, adults 2:00pm - Riflebutts Reserve.

If anyone has some photos from Sunday send them through to Tom, macmunn@bordernet.com.au and we'll see if we can get a couple up on here. 

MMBCC News 5 May 2011

Mountain Biking and Pilates.

Mountain Biking.

Hello Dirt Critters,

Ok so there has been a few people interested in a MTB skills session. These skills session are available to anyone and all abilities. Each session will run for just over 1 hour before each race of the Autumn Series.

 
MTB Skills Session 1 - Base Fundamentals
When: Sunday 8th May 
Time: 12.00 - 1.15pm
Costs: $10pp
Where: Rifle Butts Reserve
 
MTB Skills Session 2 - Pumping & Rolling
When: Sunday 22nd May
Time: 12.00 -1.15pm
Costs $10pp
Where Rifle Butts Reserve
 
MTB Skills Session 3 - Cornering up & down hill
When: Sunday 29th May
Time: 12.00 -1.15pm
Costs: $10pp
Where: Rifle Butts Reserve
 
MTB Skills Session 4 - Descending & Drops
When: Sunday 5th June
Time: 12.00 -1.15pm
Costs: $10pp
Where: Rifle Butts Reserve
 
Bookings essential please contact Shannon Rademaker on ATC Shop: 03 5775 2724  M: 0409 552 564 or email atc@allterraincycles.com.au
 
Cheers
 
Shannon Rademaker
                                       ______________________________

Pilates


20% discount on pilates classes for MMBCC members.
With the days getting shorter and the weather cooler, why not take the opportunity to boost your core strength via pilates classes with Uschi at Positive Moves Pilates. (Wind, rain and dark are no obstacle when you’re exercising indoors!)
 
MMBCC members purchasing a five class pass in the months of May or June pay only $55 – a 20% discount on the normal price.
 
So what is pilates?... Simply put, it’s an exercise system designed to increase strength, flexibility, balance and body awareness. The exercises target both your bigger ‘mirror muscles’, and the equally important ‘deep stabilisers’ that help to ensure you move safely and freely. While pilates is often thought of as the ‘ab exercise of choice’, it’ll actually give you a great all-body workout... whether you’re a fella or a lady.
With a couple of months of pilates under your belt, you may well find yourself spinning those pedals stronger and for longer by the time spring comes ‘round!
 
Group classes currently run Mondays at 6pm; Wednesdays 5.30pm; and Thursdays 12.30pm.
Make sure to contact Usch on 0427 849 777 to book your spot.
You can also check out all the details at www.positivemovespilates.com.au

MMBCC Mountain Bike News - 2 May 2011

Hi all,

This is a reminder that the information about MTB races is now on the MMBCC website.  I have just sent the information re yesterday to Mark so it should be up soon.

You will need to subscribe to the website to receive updates.  Bruce explains how - below.

 SUBSCRIBE

To do this, go to www.mmbcc.org.au and type your email address in the box on the right and hit the button below it. (The top one is for the Latest News updates, the second one is for other special updates like a last-minute change of time or venue. You'll need to do one, then the other.) This will take you to the Blogtrottr website. They'll send you a message to the email address you entered. When you receive the Blogtrottr email, click on the link within it to confirm your subscription. And that's it!

 AUTUMN SERIES

Thanks everyone for yesterday.  It looked like people had a good time.  Make sure you tell your mates and get them along too.  Let us know if you think of ways to make the races better.  The race loop will change each week and we will try to bunt the course by Sunday morning.  If you are not familiar with the reserve and have a bit of time then try to get there early enough to ride a lap before 2:00pm - after you register of course.

 

This is the last MTB email - from now on you will receive an email from blogtrottr letting you know that the website has been updated.

 

Cheers,

Tom

 



MMBCC News - 29 April 2011. Wedding Day.

G'day Everyone!

“If there was a god, I’d still have both nuts.” Lance Armstrong

 

Club kit

We're about to place an order for wind vests and long sleeve fleece tops. If you want one of them, email Tim <Tim.Ross@proactivetax.com.au> and place your order.

We're also considering ordering some arm warmers if anyone wants a pair. I reckon they're the best arm warmers I own!

 

Second last chance - subscribe to website updates

This is the second last newsletter email you'll get from me. You can now subscribe to the club website and you'll be notified when a new newsletter has been posted.

To do this, go to www.mmbcc.org.au and type your email address in the box on the right and hit the button below it. (The top one is for the Latest News updates, the second one is for other special updates like a last-minute change of time or venue. You'll need to do one, then the other.) This will take you to the Blogtrottr website. They'll send you a message to the email address you entered. When you receive the Blogtrottr email, click on the link within it to confirm your subscription. And that's it!

From then on, you'll receive Latest News and website updates from Blogtrottr. After the next email, you'll only get them from Blogtrottr, not from me. 

 

Traffic Managers

We've made it to 7 … unfortunately, it's still not enough. We need more.

During the recent Tour de Flavour festival road races, we almost didn't have enough 'lollipop people', so the Sunday morning road race was in doubt just a few days beforehand. So for the events to go ahead in 2012 we need you to get qualified.

Mansfield Shire have offered to pay for you to do a one-day course to become a Qualified Traffic Controller. The club needs about 12 of you to get qualified. Once I get the numbers, I'll approach the Shire and find out what dates are available.

To make sure the Criterium and Road Race can be held next March (and to even help out other community groups in case they need it sometimes) please email me - bruce@bikevents.com.au - as soon as you can.

 

That's all for now … see you out there. 

Cheers,

Bruce Halket.



MMBCC Mountain Bike News - 27 April 2011

Hi All,

 

Autumn Series

Kicks off this Sunday.  Shannon and I went for a few laps of the reserve this morning and it is riding really well.  Tell your mates.  The more crew we get up there to race (and watch) the more fun it will be.
 
There have been heaps of mozzies in the reserve over Summer but they seem to not be so bad at the moment.  I will be bringing some repellant for Lani though.
 

Prizes

Hopefully this series will be heaps of fun and just racing in it will be reward enough but as an added incentive there are a bunch of great prizes on offer.  The prizes are almost locked in.  At the moment there is well over $1000 worth with the overall series winner getting $500 to spend at All Terrain Cycles.  Prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd places at the end of the series (more explanation below).  The other prizes (3 substantial ones at this stage) will be randomly drawn from all those who compete in at least 4 of the 5 races.
There may be other prizes given to the person who can find Andy Setchell, get Dave Empy to race or get Bruce Halkett to race in the wet.
 

Points

The points system is attached. Click Here.  Most (3 out of 5) of the races are Graded Scratch Races and winners from each grade will receive 30 points (2nd - 25 points etc).  Because everyone is involved in the handicap timetrial the winner will receive 50 points.  The elimination races require more explanation which might happen on Sunday.  Riders best 4 results will count towards their series points.  If riders are tied then their 5th result will be used to split the tie (if they are still tied we could use something like MTB jousting to decide the winner).
 

Duty

There will be 4 people allocated to duty each week.  We might do this on Sunday so that we can work out who can be there on which weekend.  Those on duty will be able to race.  We will get 2 people from A or B grade and 2 from C or D grade so that when two of the people are on duty the other two can be racing.  I'll explain the process to everyone on Sunday at the end of the races.  If people can rock up a bit early this week and be prepared to help out a bit then we can organise a duty roster from there.
 

Tracks

The plan is to race a slightly different course each week.  We have roughly worked out what these will be so each week we should be able to explain the course for the following week.  Then those who are really keen can practice during the week.  This weekend we will be racing the loop that we have used for the last couple of races.  Kids races will be on the same track each week and kids can choose to ride 2, 3 or 4 laps.
 

Race Length

Scratch Races - C and D Grades - 30min, B Grade - 40 min, A grade - 50min.  We should be able to achieve this by timing the first lap and then working out how many laps will give us the correct time.  This should mean that we finish up at about 3:30 and have time for a beer and a chat (which is what Sunday afternoons are meant for after all).  Elimination race - each grade will race three ten minute races (it will all make sense) so we should finish up not too long after 4pm.  Handicap race will involve everyone at the same time - you should be racing for between 20 and 40 min.  There may be some movement between grades if riders are smashing it or have had too many Easter eggs in the last few weeks.  Just make sure you register by 1:45 or you will be racing A grade.
 
Hmmm...just a short note.
Cheers,
Tom
 


MMBCC Mountain Bike News - 25 April 2011

Hi all,

 

Dirt Crits 2010/11 presentations and movie night

A few weeks back MMBCC Dirt Critters got together to celebrate a season of sweat, mud and fun and to doff our helmuts to the toughest amongst us.

The end of season celebrations were topped off with some good tucker, punch (non-alcoholic of course) and a screening of the stunning mountain-bike flick Life Cycles.

The event raised $465, which will go toward development of the Riflebutts Reserve mountain-bike park.

 An enormous thanks to Steve Plummer who donated all the pizzas on the night (yep – he’s back at ‘Good to Go); Dean & Gill from the Produce Store who also donated nibbles; and All Terrain Cycles (aka Shannon) and the Scody High Country Cycle Challenge (aka Bruce), who donated raffle prizes on the night. Thanks also to the team at the Mansfield Armchair Cinema.

 

As with all of the club’s mountain bike events, the evening was a true family affair with just under 30 adults and 20 kids joining in.

 

And in case you haven’t checked out the 2010/11 season results, here they are...

Open class

1st – Foley Lachal

2nd – Mitch Greenway

3rd– Paula MacMunn

... Looks like there might be some serious competition in coming seasons as the old guard tries to fend off the up-and-coming talent of our younger riders!!

 Kids

1st – Dan Friday

2nd – Jonty Vaivars

3rd– Lily Bakker

 

 

National Solo 24hr Championships

For those of you who know Jo Wall (she came and raced a Dirt Crit with us at the showgrounds and raced Bike Buller) - yesterday she won the National Solo 24hr Championships.  She rode an amazing race, in her first 24hr, made her move at about 2am and ended up winning by about 3 laps. http://www.solo24hour.com.au/results/

 

Autumn Series

Autumn Series starts next Sunday.  Kids races as per summer series. Most of the adults races will be graded scratch. I am still working on series prizes.  If anyone has a good idea/contact for prizes let me know.  Points for the series will be awarded for each race.  You will need to race at least 4 to be eligible.  I will send out more info later in the week.

 For any roadies (or mountain-bikers) who haven’t ever checked out the action at a Dirt Crit event – why not join us. We’re sure it won’t disappoint (even if you’re only there to spectate!).

 

 

Beechworth 6 Hour

It sounds like there are heaps of crew keen for the Beechworth 6 Hour.  http://www.sixhoursinthesaddle.com/

Drop into ATC if you are looking for a team. 

Cheers,

Tom.

(..and a bit of Uschi thrown in too - Ed)



MMBCC News - 20 April 2011

G'day Everyone!

 

Lap the Lake

John Eisner has called to tell me he and Dave Clark are planning to ride around Lake Eildon on Sunday 1 May … and you're welcome to join them.

They'll be leaving town along the Maroondah Highway early on Sunday morning (I think he said 7am) and you can call him on 0428 503 437 to confirm the start time and book your place.

 

Subscribe to website updates

This is the third last newsletter email you'll get from me. From now on, you can subscribe to the club website and you'll be notified when a new newsletter has been posted.

To do this, just type your email address in the box on the right and hit the button below it. (The first one is for the Latest News updates, the second one is for other special updates like a last-minute change of time or venue. You'll need to do one, then the other.) This will take you to the Blogtrottr website. They'll send you a message to the email address you entered. When you receive the Blogtrottr email, click on the link within it to confirm your subscription. And that's it!

From then on, you'll receive Latest News and website updates from Blogtrottr. In two more emails time, you'll only get them from Blogtrottr, not from me. 

So, if you want to keep up to date with what's happening in the club, you'll need to subscribe. (Actually, if you decide you don't want to receive this stuff anymore, just ignore this and after two more emails you'll be free of my nagging!)

Ed – email me if you have difficulty. mark.cj@bigpond.com

 

Website calendar

 

The website has a new calendar. We were concerned that the types of rides (social, mountain biking, road) were all displayed separately and there was no way to display all the club's planned rides at once. Now we can!

With many thanks to Mark Hudson at Mosaic Studios and Mark Calvert-Jones we now have a Google Calendar on our website which will display everything at once.

Go to the 'ride & races' menu above and the calendar is the first of the drop down menus. If you have an event to add, just email Mark C-J. There'll be more events added soon.

 

 

M2M roller derby

Michelle still needs more riders for the bush market in Highett Street this Saturday. Please call her on 0438 042 246 if you have a spare hour. (If she's at work and can't answer her phone, please leave a message.)

 

Traffic Managers

Many thanks to the five members who responded so quickly to my request for traffic controllers. Unfortunately, it's still not enough and we need more.

During the recent road races as part of the Tour de Flavour festival, we almost didn't have enough 'lollipop people', so the Sunday morning road race was in doubt just a few days beforehand. So for the events to go ahead in 2012 we need you to get qualified.

Mansfield Shire have offered to pay for you to do a one-day course to become a Qualified Traffic Controller. The club needs about 12 of you to get qualified.

To make sure the Criterium and Road Race can be held next March (and to even help out other community groups in case they need it sometimes) please email me - bruce@bikevents.com.au - as soon as you can.

 

Fleche Wallone tonight

The second of the Ardennes Classics is on tonight. Podium Cafe should have links available to watch it online if you don't have Pay-TV - go to the Links page to find Podium Cafe. 

If you know someone who has Foxtel, invite yourself around at about 10.30 tonight and tune into Eurosport!

Go Simon!

 

Six Hours In The Saddle

Cam Lachal and I are looking to enter a team of three in the SHITS at Beechworth on Saturday 14 May. We still need one more team member. Please email me if you'll like a fun day at the Beechworth Mountain Bike Park.

 

That's all for now … see you out there. 

Cheers,

Bruce Halket.