Mansfield Tracks & Trails
From the MMBCC Executive Committee
Mansfield Shire Council are doing a ‘Tracks & Trails Strategy’ and are currently doing public consultation until 11 July. It includes a questionnaire and there is plenty of scope to suggest things that would assist cyclists of all types (though it is aimed much more broadly, including walking, cycling, horse riding, etc). There is also the chance to discuss with Council Officers on Tuesday 8 July during the day at the Visitor Centre.
We encourage all members, and the wider cycling public, to have input into this, both via the questionnaire and the face to face session.
Here is the link to the Tracks and Trails Strategy | Engage Mansfield.
Recent racing
By Tim Ross
Despite the cooler weather there are still plenty of opportunities for those wanting to indulge in some racing.
The Shifty Fifty XC series held its final race before a winter hiatus in Castlemaine. Tim and Ben Ross made the trip to be greeted by a rocky and winding course. Unfortunately, only one of them started the actual race, with Tim falling heavily with no apparent excuse on a flat prologue. DNS sounds better than DNF.
Ben produced a great ride, looking resplendent in his new club kit!) in the Shifty Shorty (25km) finishing third in the U19 class.
The final round of the series will be at Blores Hill in Gippsland in September once the worst of the winter weather has gone.
Over the winter, Auscycling run the Vic Junior Road Series over five rounds. Ben Ross had his debut road race, competing in Round 2 at Broadford recently. Held in wintry conditions at the State Motorcycle Track, the round consisted of two 30km road races (about 14 laps of the circuit), sandwiching a 5km time trial (two laps). Ben completed in U15 B grade, placing first and second in the road races and first in the time trial and comfortably took first place overall for the weekend. He and another competitor were well matched, racing head-to-head in the two road races before one or the other pulled ahead close to the finish.
Vic Schools MTB series round 2 was held at Lysterfield last weekend. Two Rosses (Ben and Alastair) and three Mannings (Alex, Wren and Henry) made up the Mansfield contingent. Perfect racing conditions greeted competitors on courses developed for the Commonwealth Games in 2006 (back when Victoria could afford such luxuries!).
Alex placed first in U11 Novice, while Ben (U15 Race) and Wren (U11 Novice) both placed fourth to just miss their podiums. Great riding also by Henry (U9) fifth in a very large field in his first ever race and Alastair (U13 Race) twelfth.
Finally…
Good luck and Bon Voyage to the MMBCC’s Elise Empey, who has overcome injury and an aversion to early morning road rides, and is heading overseas next week to join her new pro team for some downhill racing in Europe and North America.