Dirt Critters Update
By Luke Vivash (and Damian Grundy)
Entries are now open for the Mansfield round of the ACC Junior MTB Race Series here in Mansfield on the morning of Saturday 7 February. Entries are available by clicking on this link.
The race will be held at 'Blue Range', a private property about 2km south along Rifle Butts Road. We hope that most of our Dirt Critters will choose to participate in the race and show off our local MTB scene to visitors from Bright, Beechworth, etc.
We will need some help on the morning to run the event, mainly for roles like track marshalls, so please let us know if you’re able to help.
In the meantime, there are opportunities for the kids to ride the track over the holidays.
During January some bike club members will be riding there and Dirt Critters (all ages) are welcome to join them.
To participate, meet at Rifle Butts Reserve at 5pm this Tuesday, and/or 9:30am the next two Sundays… and we'll travel to the new MTB track together.
We should be able to arrange a lift / shuttle for any Dirt Critters who don't have one. Parents should turn up at Rifle Butts and negotiate arrangements/ give permission with either Luke or with Damian Grundy.
I should mention that even on hot days it is significantly cooler at the new MTB track so don't let warm weather put you off!
In the meantime, I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays and getting a chance to do some riding.
Two in a row for MacDonald
By Oliver Hall
On Thursday evening the Mansfield Mt Buller Cycling Club held their weekly road race. The course started at the Mansfield Botanic Gardens, riding out the Mansfield-Whitfield Rd before turning at Long Lane. On the return, the course turned onto the Barwite Road, turning at its end, before returning to the Mansfield-Whitfield Rd to conclude the race at the showgrounds. This presented an undulating course, with an uphill sprint finish.
The race started with the handicapper releasing riders predominantly in groups of 2 or 3 riders. John Eisner started first, followed 5 minutes behind by Tim Hall and David Bock. The riders at the rear were Darren Bakker, Simon Hall and Heath Hammond together 12 minutes behind Eisner and Ryder Chadd by himself at 13 minutes.
It was a windy night, with a southerly wind providing a tail wind for the start of the race. This allowed the bunches to make good time, with them slowly coming closer together. This was unfortunate for Ryder who lost ground early on.
After the U-turn at Long Lane, the head wind allowed the front and rear bunches to combine, leaving Janine Appleton and Oliver Hall between them. Shortly after his bunch caught Tim and David B, David MacDonald attacked on his own.
Halfway along Barwite Road, the rear bunch caught Janine and Oliver who joined with them for the remainder of the race. On the return along Barwite Road, this large bunch caught the front bunch, positioning themselves second behind David M. His large lead kept him safe and allowing him to finish first.
Oliver attacked as the bunch started the short climb to the finish, finishing 8 seconds behind David M.
He was followed by Darren B (who got Fastest Time), Simon Hall and Steve Duke.
A big thank you, as always, goes to the MMBCC volunteers and committee for running an excellent race and to Tony for his images.
Next week it’s Howes Creek Road, hopefully it’s not too hot. And at presentations at the Mansfield Hotel next week, we’ll be looking for volunteers for the Junior MTB race on Saturday 7 February.
