Alpine Cycling Club Junior Series
By Tim Ross and Luke Vivash
Time for me to encourage (hassle?) you all to be a part of the Alpine Cycling Club Junior MTB race series.
The next race is in Bright on Saturday week (Sat 15th November).
Lots of reasons to get involved, including:
This is a really easy-going and relaxed race series, with the emphasis on participation. There is no better way to give your kids a taste of MTB racing;
The series caters for the full range of kids, from U5 thru to 15+ with the biggest participation in the U9, U11 and U13 categories;
Bright is quite a nice place to spend a Saturday morning; and
Racing now starts a bit later (from 9:30am onward) meaning not such an early start for Mansfield people.
Details about the series can be found here and details and registrations for Bright here.
Contact us at Dirt Crits on Tuesday, or email us for more details.
A reminder that Mansfield will be staging a race in this series in early February; we look forward to hosting riders from across the North-East then.
Time Trial, the Race of Truth
By Beau Geste
Last Thursday, 6th November, under an overcast sky and prevailing nor’easter 15 riders faced the ultimate challenge in cycling… “The Time Trial”. No assistance, no drafting, just rider and machine against the clock.
Chapel Hill Road was the venue, with riders travelling 11km alongside lush green pasture, contrasting poetically with content Angus cattle.
First to leave, and predicted to be fastest, was Andy Garret (the speedster from “over the hill”) followed by Bruce “from the bike shop” Halket and then, the aptly named Ryder Chadd. Ryder will need to watch his form closely as he was joined in this race for the first time by his younger brother Micah.
Andy completed the course in the fastest time of the evening at 16 minutes and 10 seconds, however when times were adjusted for handicaps, the extended podium was as follows. John Eisner 5th, Steven Duke 4th, Mark Ruttiman 3rd, Wil Wilson 2nd and first place was “secured” with a spectacular ride by David Bock.
Welcome to Micah at his first road race and we hope we will see more of the “grandparent” cheer squad.
Thanks to all the volunteers and Commissaires on the night. Here are the results and many thanks to Tony for his images.
Next week will be the Alain Guerin Memorial Handicap. The Memorial is a signature race for the club and we are hoping for a large turnout.
As always presentations and rehydration was at The Mansfield, proud club sponsor.
Club kit
By Bruce Halket
An admin error at Ventou means the Club Kit Portal is still open for purchases. It was meant to have closed but it will close this Monday night.
However, so far there aren’t enough pieces to meet the minimum requirements for production.
A few people have mentioned wanting some club kit, or updating their current old stuff. (We’re all still looking at you John!) Now is the time…
Email Bruce for the code, then click here to see and order the kit.
Vic Champ Series Rounds 1 and 2
By Bruce Halket
Five MMBCC members headed to Avoca on the weekend for rounds one and two of the Victorian XC Championship Series. Now in its 10th year, the series is a tough but fun series for those who don’t mind using their own power to get up hills.
Round 1 on Saturday saw Alistair Ross, Ryder Chadd and Ruby Dobson all finish 2nd in their respective classes. Ben Ross had a mechanical and had to withdraw after 3 of 4 laps.
Round 2 on Sunday was run in the opposite direction on a longer lap and our three podiums placegetters from Saturday repeated their results.
Ben and Bruce both finished strongly but didn’t bring home any chocolates.
The only serious negative to the weekend was Ruby’s Subaru breaking down on her way home.
The next two rounds are at the end of the month at Haunted HIlls MTB Park near Moe.
Finally…
Club road photographer Tony Copland sent Andy Garrett his photo after the ITT on Thursday. Andy then sent it to a mate, who promptly sent the following after running the pic through ChatGPT!
