May the Fourth be with... someone

Will the force be with Chris Froome and the rest of the 'Sky' Empire tonight when the Giro starts?

Strategic Plan Discussion

Following on from the first Strategic Plan Discussion last Tuesday, the next meeting - More People Racing / More People Participating in Events - will be held on Tuesday 8 May at 6pm at the Delatite Hotel.
See you there! All members welcome…

ATC Gravel Grinder race 2

Seven starters took to the All Terrain Cycles Gravel Grinder 2.
First away was Craig Wilson and he looked to have a good lead till he got to the cows on the long paddock (it was the gravel of Long Lane, actually) and promptly punctured.
Steve Flew, resplendent with musette bag and still on the club loaner bike, went past the stationary President and was never headed.
AJ Stepenson and Dave Moore filled the other steps of the podium.
Dan Purcell started on his own off Scratch and while he caught Bruce Halket and Tom Macmunn he couldn’t catch any others, despite riding fastest time.
Flew was awarded the ATC voucher for his win and Wil was awarded the Conrick Prize for getting a second puncture!
Results can be found here.

Speaking of Dan…

Good luck this weekend to Dan Purcell who’s racing Mens’ C-Grade at the VRS Tour of the South West in warm, wonderful Warrnambool. Give ‘em heaps Dan!

And more on gravel...

A few more pics have been uploaded from the Two-Up Ride on Anzac Day; scroll down after using this link.

Mansfield Tour

At the Presentation Night we held a discussion on the 2019 Mansfield Tour, particularly about how we plan to split up all the work necessary… so it’s not all left to just one or two.
Here is a first draft of a breakdown of the roles we need filled. Each role has it’s ‘busy period’ at a different time of the year. Most of the work will be computer-based, so you need to be proficient with emails and probably spreadsheets too.
We received a few expressions of interest on the night but this is for those of you who didn’t attend Presentation Night.
If the Tour is to go ahead in 2019, we need more of you involved. Have a read of the roles and then, if you can help, please email Bruce.

Thursday News

This week... news from presentation night, the club's Strategic Plan, our last road race of the season, the Mansfield Tour and details on yesterday's Two Up ride.

Have you subscribed yet?

2017/2018 Presentation Night

Dirt Crits Series winners, from left to right: 2nd Damian Grundy, 1st Daniel Friday, 3rd Bruce Halket.

Summer Road Series Championship, from left to right: 2nd Talia Appleton, 1st Dan Purcell, 3rd, Bruce Halket.

Summer Road Series Womens’ Trophy: 1st Talia Appleton, equal 2nd Judi Duke. (Absent, equal 2nd Jodie Batchelor.)

Alain Guerin Crossover Trophy, from left to right: 3rd Dan Purcell, Alain’s grandson Jett Guerin, Alain’s wife Coral Guerin, 1st Bruce Halket, 2nd Damian Grundy.

The All Terrain Cycles Good Sport Awards were presented to Damian Grundy, for organising and handicapping this season’s Dirt Crits, and will be presented to John Eisner, for handicapping the Summer Road Series (and also because we’ve all decided he desperately needs a pair of knicks that actually fit!)

Strategic Plan Discussion

Following on from the Strategic Plan Discussion at Presentation Night, the first meeting - More People Riding - will be held on Tuesday 1 May at 6pm at the Delatite Hotel.
See you there! And ask any others who might be interested.

All Terrain Cycles Gravel Grinder race 2…

will start this coming Sunday 29 April at 9am from outside Rodwell’s on the Buller Road. Registration will open at 8.30 and presentations of prizes, including the ATC voucher to the winner, will be held afterwards at the Mansfield Coffee Merchant.

Mansfield Tour

At the Presentation Night we held a discussion on the 2019 Mansfield Tour, particularly about how we plan to split up all the work necessary… so it’s not all left to just one or two.
Here is a first draft of a breakdown of the roles we need filled. Each role has it’s ‘busy period’ at a different time of the year. Most of the work will be computer-based, so you need to be proficient with emails and probably spreadsheets too.

We received a few expressions of interest on the night but this is for those of you who didn’t attend Presentation Night.
If the Tour is to go ahead in 2019, we need more of you involved. Have a read of the roles and then, if you can help, please email Bruce.

Two Up Ride

Anzac Day saw the second annual Two Up Ride held. Eleven MMBCC members set off from the Bot Park on a planned route of approximately 85km with plenty of gravel sections, as is tradition.
However, due to too many punctures taking too long to fix (Ian Conrick set a new world record for FIVE punctures in one ride!) this had to be truncated to about 60km.

Sunday update

2018 Black 'n' Tan

Race 1 of the All Terrain Cycles Gravel Grinder Series was held today, Sunday 15 April, on the famous (should that be infamous?) Black 'n' Tan, attracting eleven starters.
The much anticipated 'tan' sections were in perfect condition for racing after rain on Saturday and didn't really have an impact.
The rain then stayed away for Sunday. However, the windy conditions, and Bruce's ordinary handicapping, meant it was a back marker's day.
Dan Purcell and Josh Hopwood powered their way through the field and dropped even the last stragglers on the climb up the dirt on Mt Battery Road. Josh managed to get away at the finish to get the better of Dan.
Bruce was a long way back in third.
Ride of the day was shared by Darren Bakker and David Heatley, who both managed to hang on to Scratch until they accelerated up Mt Battery Road, and held on for 4th and 5th respectively.
Craig Wilson won the 'Sense of Direction Award' by taking a wrong turn onto Hallett's Lane, instead of Sculleys Lane and adding an unnecessary kilometre or two.
Here are the results and below are Alex Green's pics.

Don't forget... Summer Presentations this Thursday at 6pm

This Thursday 19 April the Delatite Hotel will host the MMBCC Summer Presentations at 6pm. Come along and congratulate all the winners!
It’ll be followed by a quick meeting about the Mansfield Tour, then the Strategic Plan discussion.
Why not come down for dinner and a chat...

Amstel Gold tonight... #GoGerro

News of Friday the 13th

Don't forget to subscribe...

Racing this Sunday

From the archive: Steve Flew climbing up Mt Battery Road on his way to wining the 2012 Black 'n' Tan.

The All Terrain Cycles Gravel Grinder series kicks off this Sunday with everyone’s favourite, the good ol’ Black ’n’ Tan. Starting from outside Rodwell's and finishing on Graves Road, registration will start at 8.30; racing starts at 9. Entries on the day.
(We’re short of a few marshals. If anyone has a spare hour to lend a hand, we’ll shout you coffee afterwards at the Merchant.)
On Sunday 29 April we'll be racing on the Long Lane Loop.
Winners of each race will receive a voucher at ATC plus the glory and kudos of a grateful nation.

Summer Presentations

Next Thursday 19 April the Delatite Hotel will host the MMBCC Summer Presentations. Come along and congratulate all the winners!
It’ll be followed by a quick meeting about the Mansfield Tour, then the Strategic Plan.
Why not come down for dinner and a chat?

Upcoming Events

Ride the Ranges next Sunday 22 April - 85km for $45 or 130km for $75, starting and finishing in Euroa.
Wangaratta’s Graham Daws Memorial will be held on Saturday 12 May and is now part of the Riverina Inter Club Racing Series.

Meanwhile in Europe…

This Sunday is the Amstel Gold Race. SBS will show it on Viceland from 10.30. Go Gerro!
And next time you take a drink in the bunch, especially on a wet day, spare a thought for Lawson Craddock, seen in this little ‘incident’ during the Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco.

April Tour of Flanders Fools Day

It's Tour of Flanders Day.
April Fools!
No... really! It's Tour of Flanders Day. One of the best pro races races of the season is on SBS Viceland tonight from 9.30. In the meantime, here's what's been happening at MMBCC Towers, starting with the last two road races. (MTB details to come soon-ish.)

Penultimate Thursday

By Joop Van Hosterberg

Club racing focused on the short sharp climb of the Coombesberg on Old Tolmie Road with a “long tail” to a finish outside the showgrounds on Mt Battery Rd.
At this point of the year it has become very difficult for the fast ones in Scratch and 'Block to catch the outliers in the Limit groups, as they seem to have learned how to ride in a group! Smooth is fast folks!
This being the second last race of the Summer season, intense interest is focused at the top of the leader board and a good result from any of the top three will all but secure the aggregate trophy; Club President Craig “Wil” Wilson now well and truly out of the picture.
Talia Appleton, riding very strongly since her overall win at the Victorian Schools Cycling Competition, was looking to post a strong result as was Dan Purcell, resplendent in his Mansfield Tour ‘Sprint Leader’ jersey. Vice president Bruce, alas, was away for this race and this may prove telling in the final wash-up.
Handicapper Eisner would be happy with the way the race came together in the finish, but not so close that a bunch sprint was required.
The youngsters stayed away, mostly, with the exception of a very strong ride from Cam Dobson, who pulled away from his group to secure his first win.
An avalanche of junior talent followed Cam over the line with Matilda Reeve in second place, Elise Empey rounding out the podium, closely followed by Bella Green for fourth place.
Talia Appleton arrived in 9th place picking up a couple of valuable points in the aggregate race.
In late news the club “raced” up the Col du Tolmielet on Sunday morning in warm but wet conditions.
Damian Grundy prevailed, over Steve Duke and Judi Duke with the rest of the small field in age order, oldest coming in last!
Next Thursday is the last race of the summer series with a finish on Whitfield Road near the Botanic Park, the outcome of this race could determine the names on the coveted “Wooden Crank”.
Thanks to all our volunteers over the season and especially during the Mansfield Tour last weekend.

Down to the wire

By John Eisner

A strong field of thirty three cyclists fronted up for the final Thursday night race of the 2017/18 Mansfield Mt Buller Cycling Club’s Summer Road Series. The stakes were high for several riders with club championship points (and all-important sponsorship contracts) at stake.
Courtney Lynch, Bella Green and Elise Empey led the charge as Limit followed by the smooth and improved bunch of Di Condie, Judi Duke, Kieren Payne, Matilda Reeve, Rod Manning and Dave Bock.
Peter Ellett, John Eisner, Talia Appleton and Craig Wilson were next, followed by Alex Green, Kody and Janine Appleton, Allan Gerrans and the Steves (Flew and Curnow).
Dave Moore, Andrew Stephenson, Rob Skinner and Cam Dobson were next then Jock Brega, Jarrod Appleton, Darren Bakker, Steve Duke and 'rolling start' Aaron Peterson.
Bruce Halket and Damian Grundy made up the Chopping Block while Dan Purcell and Kian Lerch-MacKinnon were off Scratch.
As predicted it was a fast 25km out to Sawpit Gully Road and back. Wilson was energetic and rode off the front of his bunch but was unable to bridge the gap to the well organised Condie group. Similarly, Empey rode well, in her restricted gears, off her bunch to mix it well in the final ten. With lots of hard work most of the faster groups merged by the return to the Barwite hill leaving a few casualties along the way.
Up front Di’s group continued to ride smoothly and in a close finish managed to hold off the pursuing Scratch group by 24 seconds with Di taking out a good win.
Payne placed second with Manning third, Judi Duke fourth and Reeve fifth.
A big thanks over the whole season to our crew of helpers and to the Delatite Hotel.
Speaking of the Delatite, that's where the club will be be hosting the Summer Presentations at 6pm on Thursday 19 April. Winners of the Summer Road Series, Womens’ Road Aggregate, Dirt Crits and the Alain Guerin Combined trophy will all be announced.
Invitations are cordially extended to all members, family, friends and miscellaneous hangers-on.

Summer Presentations and Strategic Plan

As mentioned briefly above, you're all invited to the Summer Presentations at the Delatite Hotel at 6pm on Thursday 19 April to find out who's won.
Also... as mentioned in a previous newsletter, the club is developing a strategic plan and would like members to be involved. Being a small club, the plan will be used promote membership and organise events, communicate to our local community and the broader cycling community and use in conversations with potential sponsors and agencies such as local government and state government.
You’re invited to a meeting at the Delatite Hotel, after the Summer Presentations, to discuss and develop the plan in more detail.

To get in the mood for the Tour of Flanders...

Cycling Tips Preview plus Cycling News Preview and Top 12 Contenders. And, most importantly, here is your invitation to view the race in comfort and style... in Alex's shed.

Hell of the North (cote)

Next weekend is another of the best races of the season, Paris-Roubaix, the Hell of the North.
However, the even better* Melburn-Roobaix, the cobbled cult classic is on Sunday 24 June. All event information for the 13th 'Hell of The Northcote' can be found here.

* This one we can actually ride ourselves!

Don't forget...

We have two more road races left this season! We have our Autumn Gravel Series races (click here and scroll down a bit...) on 15 and 29 April.
Get inspired by the cobbled classics and get into it!

Finally...

This isn't related to our local races, the Tour of Flanders or Paris-Roubaix. It's an interesting little film about Graeme Obree.

Congratulations Dan!

A few words from Dan on the Mansfield Tour...

I just wanted to write a quick few sentences to really thank all the mmbcc members and volunteers for the support over the weekend.
All the cheering from the roadside was a great motivator - not to mention the 'Go Dan' signs and chalk on the road up Mt Buller (AJ, Donna, Steve & Judi you guys are legends!).
From a rider perspective the whole race was incredibly well organised and ran super smooth, I didn't hear a negative comment all weekend. I know the challenges the organising committee faced in planning the race so congratulations Di, Bruce, Wil and everyone involved for pulling it off.
Old Tolmie Rd (Col du Tolmielet - as it is now known) has become famous overnight and is really being talked about through cycling circles. Cycling mates of mine in Melbourne are already asking me "what's this crazy steep berg just out of Mansfield that everyone is talking about?". While I died a thousand deaths up there on Saturday afternoon, I think it was a terrific addition to the race and will no doubt improve Mansfield's status in the cycling tourism industry. If the course remains the same, I look forward to watching Kian and Josh really rip up there at the 2019 Tour. Maybe Kian can take his KOM back? Maybe Bruce will pin a number on and show all the Masters Men how to climb Col du Tolmielet?
Shannon - Just quietly I think the Sprint classification was a great addition too! Thanks for sponsoring it.
What a team effort by the club to deliver this awesome event. Thank you all!

Pre-Tour update

Starting with the latest first this week… more video, results both on- and off-road.

Mansfield Tour

Good luck to Rob Curtis and Dan Purcell (I can hear Matt Keenan now, "Purcell's Baaaack!;) who are racing the Tour this weekend. Race well boys!
All the best too, to everyone else who’s helping out on the Tour - thanks very much for all the time you’re donating and we really hope you enjoy the race and having so many roadies around town this weekend.

Thursday Night Road Race

Ian Conrick is apparently writing an article on Thursday’s race. It hasn’t hit MMBCC Towers inbox yet but we’re sure it will eventually and when it does, it'll appear here.
In the meantime, here are the results (which also includes the cumulative points scores - the last time we'll publish these for the season - just to build the suspense) and below are Tony Copland’s pics.

Dirt Crit results

Gravity Endure night at Dirt Crits last Monday and no surprise to see Dan Friday and Matt Empey with fastest times. But based on differential, Damian took the win with only two seconds difference between his first and second runs.
Here are the results.

Bike Buller MTB Festival

By Kate Empey

Big congrats to Dan Friday who took out 1st in overall ranking in Vet’s Gravity Gods (three races over three days, two Downhill and one Gravity Enduro).
Elise was first in overall U15 Girls and Amateur women’s. Matty and David both finished overall 2nd in their respective categories.
Zac Empey even got a look in with his 3rd in the Kids 10km race (but any disappoint in not winning was soon forgotten because he got a NEW BIKE for his birthday on Friday! Happy Birthday Zac! - Ed.)
Bella Green came 4th in both Downhill and Gravity Enduro. Bella has had a massive improvement over a year and she and Elise competed in their first downhill event.
Kian Lerch-MacKinnon finished 4th in XC and competed in every other event too including Downhill, Gravity Enduro and Super D with his ever present smile!

Public Holiday Update

Fairless follow-up

To start off with this week, this may be of interest to those of you that went to the movie night last week. Here is the YouTube video to watch Steve Fairless win in Denmark in 2015, after just missing out in Slovenia in 2014 (in the movie).

Dirt Crits

While the results are still in the ether somewhere, we do know that Bella Green won followed closely by Ruby Dobson and Dan Friday (junior).
Results link will be here soon... ish.

At least Bella's smiling...

The Handicapper’s eye view of Thursday night.

By John Eisner

Wednesday Night, 8pm; most of the entries have been SMS’d for the Howes Creek/O’Hanlons Hill finish on Thursday. Just after 8, Craig Wilson and a few others receive a reminder, boosting the start numbers to a healthy 33.
Over coffee the next morning the groups are looking good. Josh Hopwood pleads lack of race practice and is placed straight into the formidable looking Scratch group with Bruce Halket and Lewis Dowie.
Jock Brega, Tom MacMunn and Jarrod Appleton looked like a solid Block unit while Matt Empey, Dave Moore and Steve Duke looked good in group three.
Janine Appleton and Mel Green are a bit in no-man’s land but form a dynamic duo questionably helped by the addition of Alex Green.
On recent form, there was no real reason to split the next nine players – Jason Parker, Steve Flew, Ian Conrick, John Eisner, Jodie Batchelor, Peter Ellett, David Jagger, Wilson and Kieren Payne and similarly Di Condie, Rod Manning, David Bock and Donna Stephenson looked good in the penultimate group.
Elise Empey and Bella Green made up the young, Limit bunch but what to do with Talia Appleton? Great recent form, a couple of missed Thursday nights and probably likely to be run over by the Conrick bunch (possibly literally). Thinking Di will be a good mentor.
Thursday night as the race unfolds, Hopwood “menaces” the rest of the backmarker groups who formed one unit, fairly rapidly eventually catching Rob Skinner, AJ Stephenson and Nathan Pelling.
The Conrick group worked like a machine despite its size and finally caught up with the Condie crew to be subsequently caught by Mel and Janine.
With the race coming together at the bottom of the final hill, Talia made the most of her power to weight ratio and according to one observer, “danced off the front” to take a good win.
Acting somewhat like a chromatography experiment, the hill separated out the rest of the bunch with Hopwood putting his fiddle back in its case and crossed the line second. Manning and Donna Stephenson did well to come 3rd and 4th with Bruce Halket 5th.
A big thanks to our crew of helpers and to the Delatite Hotel for another fine dinner.
Here are the top ten results and also the season point scores… it’s close at the top!
Plus... here is the last kilometre or so seen from the Juggernaut's Cycliq headlight/camera.

On board with the Juggernaut in the final.

And here are Tony Copland's pics of the night.

Finally...

Please take a few secs to add your name to an e-petition on the Victorian Government website about vulnerable road users... like us!

Oh! One last thing...

If you've put your hand up for the Mansfield Tour and you haven't spoken to Bruce about your role yet, please give him a call in the next day or two. (You've got his number...)

Sunday Update

With the Mansfield Tour only weeks away, please subscribe so you can stay up-to-date and what you're helping out with. (It's on the Home page, on the right!)

Movie night this coming Wednesday 7 March

Double Bill - Fairless and MAMIL

As long as the DVD arrives in the post in time, first up at 7.30 will be Fairless, which tells the story about Steve Fairless, a rising star of Australian Cycling who gave it away at the age of 26 to return home to his dairy farm and provide for his family. At the age of 50 (over 20 years later), Steve returned to settle some unfinished business. He quickly became one of the best ...
After intermission, MAMIL, a new Australian-produced cycling movie with promises of ‘a light-hearted, yet insightful, look at the secret lives of MAMIL’s in their natural habitat’. Yes, ubiquitous ‘Middle-Aged Men In Lycra’ are thrust front and centre stage in this 98-minute feature film that focusses on personal reflections upon why we ride.
Here’s a review of MAMIL and here’s one of Fairless from when it was first released, with a bit of an interview with the director.
Tickets are $15 each for MMBCC members and friends. Please email Bruce to book your seat.

Dirt Crits Scratch Races

Three grades raced a longish lap at Riflebutts. Six riders rode six laps with Damian Grundy taking the win just ahead of Bruce Halket.
Seven raced over four laps with James Griffin winning a minute ahead of Rachael Grundy.
Talia Appleton and Bella Green raced three laps with Talia taking the win.
Results here.

Individual Time Trial over the Coombesberg

Time Trials are not fun. They are a test of fitness and a riders’ ability to endure suffering. There are next to no tactics involved - just go as hard as you can for as long as you can.
To make matters worse, the MMBCC Individual Time Trial last Thursday 1 March was held on an out-and-back, undulating course over 12km including going up the dreaded Coombesberg and back again to Graves Road. Then the weather chimed in with a gusty, blustering southerly making it even harder!
Not fun.
With handicaps taken into account, the win went to Talia Appleton ahead of Judi Duke and David Bock. The rest of the top ten were Cam Dobson, Bella Green, Rod Manning, Bruce Halket, Damian Grundy, Ian Conrick and Steve Duke.
Bruce Halket rode fastest time of 21.11 proving he’s no fun at all. Lewis Dowie was second fastest with 21.44 just ahead of Damian Grundy on 21.47.
Many thanks to Di, Darren, Rob and Richard for helping out and officiating, to Dave for the flyby and to the Delatite Hotel for presentations and post-race de-brief.
Next week sees O’Hanlons Road rear its ugly head again as the finish line for a handicap race, starting at the Lords’ Ground. Entries the usual way by 8pm Wednesday please.
Speaking of Wednesday, this coming Wednesday 7 March the MAC will host a movie night for all MMBCC members. It’s a double bill featuring a short documentary on Shepparton’s Steve Fairless and another doco called MAMIL. See you at the MAC at 7pm.
Finally, with the Mansfield Tour coming up on March 17 and 18, we can confirm that Sydney Olympic Gold Medallist and Chief Commentator for cycling at the Commonwealth Games on Channel 7, Scott McGrory, will be the commentator for our Tour too.
Here are the results. And they also include the cumulative point scores…

Physics and cycling

Here’s a good article on Cycling Tips which explains the physics behind why you should try a break away.

Finally…

A working bee was meant to be held today to fit signage to the club’s TT start ramp in preparation for the Tour. Press studs have been ordered to easily install the banners on race morning, without the hassle of cable ties as in previous years.
Thankfully, David Jagger did some testing of the press studs we’d bought (like the ones pictured above) and found they’re not strong enough screws to go into the steel frame of the start ramp.
We’ll have to use pop rivet press studs instead.
Because of this, a group SMS was sent around explaining that the working been has been cancelled.
An unnamed member responded that “The club hardly needs more studs!”
A reply stated “Incorrect. The current club studs don’t screw well enough!”

Lazy Sunday afternoon...

Have you subscribed yet?

Double Bill Movie Night - Wednesday 7 March - 7pm

First up will be Fairless, a film that tells the story about Steve Fairless, a rising star of Australian Cycling who gave it away at the age of 26 to return home to his dairy farm and provide for his family. At the age of 50 (over 20 years later), Steve returned to settle some unfinished business. He quickly became one of the best ...
After intermission, MAMIL, a  new Australian-produced cycling movie with promises of ‘a light-hearted, yet insightful, look at the secret lives of MAMIL’s in their natural habitat’. Yes, ubiquitous ‘Middle-Aged Men In Lycra’ are thrust front and centre stage in this 98-minute feature film that focusses on personal reflections upon why we ride.
Tickets are $15 each for MMBCC members and friends. Email Bruce to book your seat.

Mansfield Coffee Merchant Summer Series Race 2

Race two of the Mansfield Coffee Merchant Series again saw Limit ride away on their own - this time it was Bella Green who was never headed. Mum and Dad are very grateful for the win and the prize of a kilogram of coffee from the Merchant!
Here are the results, very detailed results from Dave Jagger.

Up and Down Race

Some strong climbing and even stronger descending saw Ruby Dobson take the overall win from Tom MacMunn and David Jagger.
Complete results here.

The Bakker Plumbing Handicap

By Beau Geste

Riding and Racing in Jamieson is a privilege and a pleasure.Thursday 22 February saw the running of the annual, and much coveted “Bakker Plumbing Handicap”, starting at downtown Jamieson out to Sailor Bills and back to Jamieson for the finish.
31 riders in all raced on Thursday with a great bunch of junior riders and a welcome back to the fold for Mark Ross.
This was always going to be an interesting race to call, as regular scratch riders Kian Lerch-Mackinnon and Dan Purcell were unavailable, leaving the door open for lesser mortals to fill the void.
Big groups were the order of the night with several groups of six or more and very few small groups.
Ben Grundy had an unfortunate accident with a tree which, without warning, leapt onto the road and unseated him from his bike. Those trees down south can be tricky. Thanks to Deb Sala Tenna for offering assistance.
As is the case with all handicap racing the Rabbits, two Bella’s and an Elise, tried to stay away from the groups behind, and the Scratch group of Halket, Brega, Bakker, MacMunn (Senior), Appleton (Senior) and Grundy (Senior) were doing their level best to bring all before them under their control.
In the finish it was a big night out for the handicapper, the group of David Jagger, Di Condie and Wil Wilson rode strongly and collectively to release Wil in the final kilometres to secure the win. President Wil thanked his group for their efforts saying “Cycling is a team sport and our team did well, David and Di gave me their wheels tonight and I am proud and grateful.”  
Second was David Jagger, followed in by Tony Morris (travelling well after his win in the initial 2018 Sunday race), Di Condie was in 4th place and Jodie Batchelor rode strongly for 5th place. Fastest time on the night was recorded by club Vice-President, Bruce Halket.
Thanks as always to our army of volunteers, and special thanks to Wrong Side Brewery for opening their venue for us.
The Club would like to acknowledge Darren and Trish Bakker of Bakker Plumbing for their ongoing support of cycling, and specifically for sponsoring this annual event.
Perhaps your business would like to be named in a race, it’s a great way to be involved, and a great way to “show off“ your business or activity.
Results here and this week it includes the season points tally.
Photos below from Tony Copland.
Next week is an Individual Time Trial, up and over the Coomesberg, and don’t forget, Mansfield Tour, Victorian Road Series Race, run by our Club on March the 17th and 18th. Mountain top finishes on Mt Buller and Old Tolmie Road with the promise of some hard and fast racing.

Finally...

MMBCC members will be contacted in the coming week regarding duty for the Mansfield Tour on March 17 and 18. You might have noticed the flags are already up in the centre of the main roundabout! But there's still plenty to do to get ready.
Details of the race are here, including the new Stage 2.
Scott McGrory, Sydney 2000 Olympics gold medallist and chief Channel 7 commentator for the cycling at the Commonwealth Games has been confirmed as our commentator too!
It's going to be a great weekend.

The Barnaby Joyce issue

It’s been a huge week of MMBCC cycling!

Sunday
It started on February 11 with the first Mansfield Coffee Merchant Sunday Series race.
In a first for the MMBCC, it was a Handicap race but held on a small-ish circuit of 6km, along Ogilivies, Jamieson, Buller Roads and Crosbys Lane; four laps for a total race distance of 24km.
Tony Morris was first to start off Limit and had finished his first lap before half the field had started; Dan Purcell starting alone off Scratch had a huge job ahead of him.
Morris was never headed and won 3kg of Coffee Merchant coffee for a great ride.

Monday
Dirt Crits on Monday was an Irish Handicap at Riflebutts MTB Park.
The night started badly for Dan Purcell who fell during warm up and withdrew before the start after injuring his arm. Bruce Halket also fell before the end of lap one, injuring his ego.
James Griffin rode smoothly to win ahead of Jason Parker, David Jagger, Andrew Wettenhall and Dan Friday (the younger).
Here are the results.

Thursday
Thursday's road race were Graded Scratch Races to the top of the Coombesberg for A, B and C grades. Here are the descriptions from each of the winners...

A-Grade by Lewis Dowie

A-Grade were first to start from the Mansfield Botanic Park. Calls were made to disqualify Jarrod Appleton for a rolling start, having had to repair a flat tyre at the last minute, he made it just in time. Luckily for him, it wasn’t a fast start, because the neutral zone (which allows the old riders to get their heart rate up) extended until the Barwite Road turnoff. Here the pace picked up. Darren Bakker made an early break but the main bunch, riding strongly together, quickly reeled him in.
Damian Grundy made a break before the turn around at Sawpit Gully Road. The main bunch letting him go, knowing that the longer he was out front, the less chance he would have of making a break at the finish.
Lewis Dowie decided to put on an acrobatics show for the marshals at the turnaround. He came in a bit too fast and hit the brakes a bit too hard trying to avoid the rider in front and went over the handlebars. Lessons learnt: 1. Be careful with disc brakes; 2. Jock always turns right on the line; and 3. stay on the outside. The rest of the bunch took pity on his ineptitude and slowed to allow him to get back to them before the chase of Grundy began.
Various tactics were in play the rest of the race with no-one willing to be left out on the front.
Grundy and Dowie led up the Coombesberg, but there was a surge from the riders behind, pushing them out the back as the bunch came over the crest.
The race ended with a bunch sprint to the finish line. Dowie managed to find a clear run up the outside and pulled ahead to beat Bruce Halket by a wheel, with Appleton in third.

B-Grade by Dave Moore

Eight riders started in B grade and it was clear from early on that Rob Skinner, Steve Duke and Anthony Plummer were going to be the main aggressors. All of their (many) accelerations were nullified fairly quickly and all eight starters made it to the bottom of the 'Coomesberg' in one bunch.
Duke, who had spent a considerable time at the front all night, took the bull by the horns and set off up the climb at a rate of knots, with riders dropping off as the gradient increased and the speed didn't seem to decrease. Young Kody Appleton made a strong acceleration with about 1km to go, and only Dave Moore was able to follow.
After briefly catching his breathe, Moore put his nose in the wind for the second time all night and managed to push on to the finish in the lead, closely followed by Appleton and Duke.

C-Grade by Steve Curnow

C grade took it easy until the Barwite Road and then things heated up a bit with people being in front but not wanting to be.
Jodie Batchelor and Di Condie kept the bunch honest with two sprints, one before the Broken and one after. Steve Curnow and Big Wil wheeled them in, and the rest came along.
Steve Flew and John Eisner did their share of leading with Curnow offering to give them a break from time to time.
The big break was at Long Lane on the return. Eisner led, followed by Flew, Curnow, Dave Jagger, Batchelor and Kieren Payne. It worked! Jodie made sure that the front group maintained the lead, encouraging them to push on.
Once again Flew gallantly took the lead and then onto Old Tolmie Road with Coombesberg looming large. Half way up Flew made a dash only to succumb to a cramp, but he had set the ball rolling for the terrible sprint up to the finish line.
Eisner looked good, but Batchelor got the better of him and Curnow decided to give it his all, overtook Payne, Eisner and Batchelor to take out a convincing win. Condie also received a very prestigious award, leaving no doubt she had given it her all. 

Pics below by Tony Copland and here are the results.

This week's road race...

The Bakker Plumbing Handicap will be held this coming Thursday 22 Feb, starting and finishing in Jamieson (late start - 6pm for a 6.30 start).
Presentations and dinner afterwards will be at The Wrong Side Brewery. Mmmmm...
Marshals: 1. Luke Olver; 2. Lewis Dowie; 3. Courtney Lynch.

Don't forget too that race two of the Mansfield Coffee Merchant Summer Series will be held on the Ogilivies Road Loop again next Sunday; but we'll start a bit earlier... 8am rego for a start at 8.30. (And we'll try not to be late starting this time!)
Marshals: 1. David Jagger; 2. Mauro Brega; 3. Tom Macmunn; 4. Dave Moore.

Club Strategic Plan

The club is developing a strategic plan and would like members to be involved in the development of it. Being a small club, the plan will be used promote membership and organise events, communicate to our local community and a broader cycling community and use in conversations with potential sponsors and agencies such as local government and state government.

The club would appreciate your involvement in the development of the strategic plan. To assist the process, MMBCC has developed a one page draft, above, that is based on information from the website and Cycling Victoria's plan. We value your input and would firstly like to invite members to a meeting on Thursday 19 April 2018 after Summer Presentations.
Could you please email Bruce to let us know if you are interested, so that we can book a venue.

Kian to MTB Nationals at Armidale

Good luck to Kian Lerch-MacKinnon who’ll travel to Armidale in norther NSW for next weekends’ Australian MTB Championships. Keep in mind that Armidale is Barnaby Joyce territory… hopefully Kian will stay out of THAT kind of trouble.

Friday news

Hot one tomorrow so bunch ride at 7... plus it's Tolmie Sports Day. So it’s a good day to be off the roads a little earlier than usual.

Summer Sunday Series starts this week

Don't forget... road race Sunday morning, starting on Ogilivies Road (near Dundas Court) at 9am - rego at 8.30 and we'll do the handicapping on the day.
If you're racing, or even if you're not, please bring a friend. We need a few more corner marshals than usual. And we'll be doing four (perhaps five) laps, so you'll get a good view of the race from that corner!

Dirt Crits

A relatively small list of entries saw a race over two long laps with a ‘secret’ handicap.
Turns out there was a ’win’ up for grabs for the fastest lap, and another for the two laps closest in time.
Bruce won both, being first back after two laps and with only four seconds difference between his laps.
Realistically however, for Bruce to be able to win, a number of his competitors needed to suffer from problems. They duly delivered. There were two punctures, a number of navigational issues with guide dogs and some found it difficult to keep their white sticks out of their spokes!
Here are the results.

Debbie does disappearing

By John Eisner

Despite the heat and the prospect of a cruel hill finish, plenty of riders put up their hands for the weekly Mansfield Mt Buller Cycling Club race last Thursday.
Kian Lerch-MacKinnon and Dan Purcell once again had the tough assignment of chasing down the rest of the field with two and a half minutes to the next, harshly handicapped pair of Bruce Halket and Rob Curtis.
At the Limit end Deb Sala Tenna had to fend off the remaining twenty odd competitors.
The groups worked well together and at the turnaround it was looking close but with the quick run home Dave Jagger's bunch didn't catch Bocky and Judi Duke until the final bend. A bunch of riders also caught up shortly thereafter and all had Deb in their sights at the bottom of the O'Hanlon's Road hill.
Luke Olver leapt off the front and in a strong finish was able to overtake all the group in front. But he still didn't catch Deb who had disappeared up the road long ago. After riding the whole race on her own, Deb stayed away to take a very well-deserved win.
Dan and Kian ripped through everyone as well but had to settle for third and fourth respectively, Dan also taking fastest time.
Lewis Dowie made a late charge from the 'Block end and placed a good 6th just behind Steve Duke who rode smoothly up the final pitch. The rest of the field was not far behind with more than a few wondering if this hill finish was really Halket's idea of fun!
Thanks to our crew of helpers and the Delatite Hotel for a tasty dinner.
Here are the results and below some pics from Tony Copland.

ASIO let us publish an update!

This week:
- recent road races;
- a bit on dirt crits;
- some upcoming events; and
- volunteers still needed for the BikeBuller MTB Fest.

Thank you!

To all the MMBCC volunteers at the Mt Buller round of the Victorian DownHill Series... a huge thank you very much for all your time and effort. The event ran really well due to plenty of work by Ben Annear (many thanks to you too Benny!) and all of you!

Juniors Juniors Juniors

By Jarrod Appleton

Mansfield Mt Buller Cycling Club has had an unprecedented increase in juniors taking up road cycling and participating in racing on Thursday evenings. In particular, the junior female division has burgeoned. Juniors now make up a quarter of the field and they are not just there to make up numbers. They are getting great results regularly taking home the prize money. Their rapid progress is due to the support of all the senior members of the club. Every bunch training ride or race is a coaching session with senior riders giving advice on all aspects of riding from pedalling technique and bunch etiquette, to race tactics. This generous support has also extended to the provision of bikes and equipment. The club is so keen to help juniors into the sport it has acquired a good supply of loan bikes over recent years. It is committed to provide a bike suitable for any kid wanting to give it a go.
Mansfield is rapidly becoming a cycling Mecca for road cyclists from all over the state. They are drawn here by Mansfield’s growing reputation of quiet scenic roads and magnificent climbs. This is complimented by the polite and careful driving of motorists in the district allowing cyclist to relax and enjoy the ride.
Despite the heat and humidity, two races have been run in the last fortnight. A 10km hill climb handicap from Sawpit Gully Road up to Spring Creek Road along the Whitfield Road was dominated by the juniors. Cycling Australia rules have juniors racing on restricted gearing. This means on down hills and fast flat roads they run out of gears. Since this race only went up hill, gearing played no part in the results. Four of the top five places were filled by juniors. Kody Appleton was delighted with his first win in his second season of racing, not to mention the $30 prize money. Good earnings for a 14 year old for twenty nine minutes of very hard work. Following him over the line in second place was his sister Talia. Another sibling duo, Elise and Matt Empey, took third and fifth place respectively. And breaking the junior clean sweep was Craig Wilson in 4th.
Last Thursday’s race was on the longest course used by the club. 32km out to the turn around at Sawpit Gully on the Whitfield Road, then around the Barwite loop and finishing in Graves Road. The results indicate a classic tortoise versus hare scenario. Scratch riders Dan Purcell and Kian Lerch-Mackinnon devoured almost the entire field finishing only 34 seconds behind the winner Craig Wilson and 20 seconds behind Dick Forrest in second place and Rod Manning in third place. Dick and Rod were the limit riders, starting first, 21 minutes prior to Dan and Kian.
Many thanks again to all our volunteer marshals and the courteous drivers north of town. Next week sees racing on the western edge of Mansfield, finishing atop the intimidating hill on O’Hanlons Road.
Here are Tony Copland's pics of the Hillclimb Handicap on Thursday 25 January.
And here are the results.

and the long 32km Handicap last on Thursday 1 February. And the results.

Dirt Crits

The last two Monday evenings have been oppressively hot so Dirt Crits have had to be cancelled. But surely we'll get to race this week!
Next up on Monday 5 Feb it's the first kids race for 2018 and an Irish Handicap for the big kids.

Some upcoming events

A visit by cycling author Jeremy Scott to Mansfield Library...

and the Tolland Cycling Club's Open Handicap at Wagga Wagga in early March.

BikeBuller MTB Fest

The MMBCC has been offered money if we can get a few club members to help marshal at Mt Buller on the Labour Day long weekend.
If you have some spare time on that weekend, please drop Wil a line.

Is this the future of road bikes?

The 3T Strada of Herald Sun Tour leader Lasse Norman Hansen has proper brakes (yes, discs) and only one chainring. It's almost a mountain bike!

Finally...

Beware of kangaroos out on the road and good luck this weekend to Kian Lerch-MacKinnon racing in the Victorian XCO Championships at Falls Creek on Sunday (plus round 5 of the series at Mt Beauty on Saturday!)

Monday Update

This week... first road race of 2018; next weekend at Buller; results from last weekend; yesterday's Gravel Grind and tonight's Dirt Crits.

Hot Boogie Nights for Mansfield Bike Racing

by Protra Pedina (guest Spanish cycling enthusiast from Club Rocacorba, Girona)

Thursday night Stump Hill Classic
Some may remember that I visited Mansfield last year and was impressed with the quality of riding. Well here we are in 2018 and as luck would have it I am back for another year and found myself on the roads as part of Mansfield Mount Buller Cycling Club Summer Road Racing Series.
Thursday 18 January event was supported by Jenny and Dick Forrest from “Stump Hill” on the Midland Highway. The race presented riders with several challenges even before starting. The handicapping, prepared each week by John Eisner, was based on a race length of 25km, but the Marshalls set a course closer to 22km in length. A difference of this amount can throw the handicapping out, and Mr Eisner was quoted as saying at the sign-on for riders “I’ve been a very naughty boy”. As he also was Commissaire for the day, and having ultimate control of the race, no one was willing to contradict him. In the end it was of little consequence and the efforts of setting the handicaps have been well judged throughout the season.

The bigger challenge for riders was the very hot conditions of the day with the temperature not quite reaching the maximum temperature before racing is cancelled. With the temperature hovering in the high 30’s at 6pm the conditions suited some riders, but most were just looking for shade until called to the start line. Ian Conrick was heard to comment “Geez its hot!”
Eighteen riders started from Limit rider Elise Empey, to Scratch riders of Dan Purcell and Kian Lerch-MacKinnon. Kian went on to post fastest time for the night, after showing no nerves on the start line and a morning that included strength work on the bike as part of his training regime for the national Mountain Bike Championships.
A group of Steve Flew, Nathan Pelling, Melanie Green and Alex Green rode well throughout, working well on the rolling terrain. At the turning point on the Benalla Road, Steve Flew started to flag before losing contact with the group on a sharp pinch. At a post race interview Mr. Flew’s only comment was “I didn’t see that coming.”
The group of Bruce Halket, Ross Hopkins, Dave Empey and Darren Bakker also rode consistently throughout, but with little luck in making contact with the leaders. They joined late in the race with Luke Olver and Mark McDowell to roll in together and conclude it really was too hot to have any chance at a win.  When asked about when the group realised the chase was not going to work Bruce Halket responded “It’s not easy. In the last five kilometres I said to the guys, ‘It’s already done. It’s gone.’ After, guys are changing at the front after I tried to go in the breakaway, after Bakker tried to close… and after in the end it came for a slow roll to the finish. It’s unbelievable. Yeah!”
The business end of the race came from two groups of Ian Conrick, Jodie Batchelor, Judi Duke and Keiren Payne. Despite a strong and sustained effort Conrick and Batchelor could not chase down Kieren Payne for the win and Judi Duke for a well earned second.  At the race presentations Keiren spoke about the thrill of his win. “Ah, it’s something special for sure. Yeah. It doesn’t change the world or anything but for me it’s something very nice. Yeah.”
Keiren went on to say ““I have to say thank you for Judi and her strong second and also some friends in the group – I have some friends still in the group, and I’m very happy for that.” When asked if he would consider the upcoming club ride from Swanpool to Tolmie that included sections of gravel he made his intentions clear by claiming “Road bikes are called ‘road’ bikes for a reason!” Mr. Payne and his family were seen celebrating late in to the evening with dinner at Delatite Hotel, a long term and great supporter of everything  cycling in Mansfield.
As with the race last year I reported on a big thanks to all volunteer and marshall's, without their support the events could not happen. Margaretanne Hood again taking out Best on Ground for her work as the lead car, but it was a close run decision with Will MacDonald looking dangerous for 2018.
Next race 25 January 2018, a hill climb from Sawpit Gully Road to Spring Creek Road.

Volunteers still needed

Please... please... please... if you have some spare time this coming weekend we still need a few more marshals to help out at the VDHS on Buller.
Please contact Ben Annear on 0424 453 789 as soon as you get this to help us deliver one of the biggest events our club will host all year!
We need your help.

Weekend results

Congratulations to the Empeys, Elise, Matthew and Dave, who all got on the podium in each of their classes at Round 2 of the Victorian Enduro Tour at Mt Beauty on the weekend.
Elise came third in Under 15 Women, Matt got third in Under 17 Men and Dave finished second in Super Masters Men.
Results here.
Congrats too to Kian Lerch-MacKinnon who won both Victorian MTB Series races he entered on the weekend: Saturday at Silvan and Sunday at Lysterfield Lake. Results can be found for each round through this link.

Come to where the flavour is... Marchfly Country

Sunday 21 January saw the first All Terrain Cycles/MMBCC gravel grind. Damian's idea was to ride from Swanpool to Mansfield, via Tolmie, with a bit over 20 km (of a total of around 80km) on gravel.
It's a great ride! The roads around Swanpool, Tatong and the Tolmie-Tatong Road were stupidly quiet - we probably saw two cars. The climb along side Hollands Creek was really lovely and shaded and even once it turned to dirt remained gradual and pleasant.

The only drawback was the march flies! If you didn't climb fast enough, it felt like you'd either be bitten to death or picked up and taken away.
But once we started descending again the flies couldn't keep up and the descent down from Tolmie was over before we knew it.
We'll do this ride again in Autumn, once the flies have disappeared. Don't miss it!

Dirt Crits Cancelled

Unfortunately, tonight's Dirt Crits have had to be cancelled. So racing will start next Monday 29 January at Riflebutts with an Irish Handicap.

Monday Night update

Why haven't you subscribed yet?

This week... a reminder for roadies, an offer from Cycling-Inform, Sunday's gravel grind and more!

Road Race Reminder

Road racing starts again this week with the first Stump Hill Classic for a few years. And there’s loads of cash on offer too!
This is a reminder that, as usual, entries need to be in to John Eisner via SMS on 0428 503 437 by 8pm on Wednesday.
Then, on Thursday morning, we’ll be downloading the most recent members list from Cycling Australia. If you’re name is not on the list for a RACE membership, you’re not racing! Please bring your receipt with your to prove that you've renewed your membership.
Here’s the link to renew. Or go to our Join Now page to read more about it.
But please don’t turn up to race without a valid Cycling Australia RACE membership.
Also, it’s forecast to be a hot one on Thursday. If it’s too hot to race, the Commissaire will make the call on the night.

Bright Boot Camp offer

Cycling-Inform are offering four places on the February 2018 Bright Boot Camp to MMBCC members FREE (waiver of camp fee $697). Only stipulation is that you stay at Bright Chalet where the camp is based, which is $110 per night which includes three meals a day.
Camp dates are Friday 16 Feb through Tuesday 20 Feb. For more information click here.
Please contact Jodie on 0417 598 817 if you want to secure a place.

Sunday’s gravel ride

There are now only four spots available in the ATC bus for Sunday’s gravel ride from Swanpool to Mansfield via Tatong and Tolmie.
Email Bruce at ATC to reserve your spot.

A couple of reminders…

There are a few bikes still available on the For Sale page.
We still need volunteers for the Victorian Downhill Series race at Mt Buller. Plus there’s also the Bike Buller MTB Fest and the Mansfield Tour.
More details here and you can email Ben here about volunteering for the VDHS.

Finally...

Congratulations to Kian Lerch-Mackinnon who rode to an impressive 6th place in Elite Men at the Nerrang round of the national mtb series on the weekend.

The Craig McLachlan update

Gravel Road Ride - Swanpool to Mansfield via Tolmie - Sunday 21 Jan

In the spirit of all things inappropriate, ATC is helping the club host a gravel road ride on the morning of Sunday 21 January (said by some to be an inappropriate use of a road bike. Nonsense we say!)
You’ll start as a passenger in the ATC Joy Rider bus from the shop in High Street, at 7.30am, to Swanpool… because we’re not keen on riding along the Midland Highway.
From Swanpool you’ll ride across to Tatong, then turn right to Tolmie along the gravel. Then it’s another right turn and the Whitfield Road descent to Mansfield to finish with coffee/brunch at the Merchant.
The club and ATC are helping with the cost of the bus… so it will only cost $10 each for a lift to Swanpool.
All up the ride is about 76km, on nice, quiet roads with a bit under 30km of dirt. Here is the proposed route.
Please email ATC to reserve one of the ten seats available, or phone 5775 2724.
If you still want to come but you’re not one of the first 10, you’ll have to organise your own transport to Swanpool.
And a warning that the inappropriate use of chamois cream during this ride will be deeply frowned upon.

Sponsored road races

The Stump Hill Classic is back!
After a break of a couple of years, the Stump Hill Classic on the Benalla Road is on again as our first race of 2018. With thanks to Jenny and Dick Forrest, there’ll be extra prize money on offer!
The Bakker Plumbing Handicap is on again too!
This will be on the Jamieson course on Thursday 22 February, with extra prize money for placegetters, the threat of medals and dinner at The Wrong Side brewery afterwards.
Check out the calendar regularly as there are rumours of more sponsored races over the rest of the summer.
Speaking of the road race calendar…

Updated road race calendar

The road race calendar has now been updated with the duty roster. Already we’ve had to make a few small changes so please check carefully for when you’re on duty.

NEW YEAR NEWS

Welcome to 2018! Have you decided on your cycling-related New Year's resolution?
First up for the year we have news on race calendars, the road duty roster, membership renewals, a very nice Scott for sale and... we still want you!

Updated race calendar

The updated race calendars for both road and mtb racing are now available.

Road race duty roster

The road races don’t yet have a duty roster but this will be completed in the next few days. So now is your chance to make a request.
If there’s a particular race date that you know you can’t do duty that day, let Bruce know and he won’t roster you on for that day. Or if there’s a particular course you don’t like and you DO want to be rostered on, contact Bruce and let him know.
Otherwise, check the road race calendar again soon to see when you’re rostered on for race duty.

Membership renewals

Roadies… don’t forget that you now need a 2018 membership to keep racing. Here’s the link to the Join Now page. Use the information here to click through to Cycling Australia and renew your MMBCC membership.
Racing starts again on Thursday 18 January. Remember - no licence, no race start!

For Sale

Allan's selling his Orica Scott Addict.

And don’t forget… we still want you!

VDHS – 26-28 January 2018
The MMBCC is again hosting a round of the Victorian Downhill Series at Mt Buller in January. We need YOU to volunteer and make this event just as good as the last few years. In fact, let’s make it even better!
Volunteers are needed for:
- Friday 26 January - Course setting - we require 4-6 people for half a day to complete;
- Saturday 27 January - Track and parking marshals (7:00am till 4:30pm) - we require 12-14 people for a full day, allowing for relief personal. Lunch pack provided for full day volunteers; and - Sunday 28 January - Track and parking marshals (7:00am till 4:30pm or will event finish) - we require 12-14 people for a full day, allowing for relief personnel. Lunch pack provided for full day volunteers.
NEW IN 2018!
We can offer anyone who volunteers for both Saturday and Sunday two nights accommodation (Fri & Sat nights) on mountain at Mt Buller. Places are limited to first come first served and room configuration, etc! This hopefully will encourage you to volunteer for two days, save on travel time, enjoy a weekend in the hills and hopefully get a ride on our trails at some point.
Please email Ben Annear or contact him via 0424 453 789. We’d really like to have volunteers signed up prior to Christmas and the New Year (wishful thinking I know)

BikeBuller MTB Fest – 11-13 March 2018
RAISE MONEY FOR YOUR CLUB BY BEING A PART OF BIKE BULLER
The Bike Buller MTB Festival is a 3-day festival of mountain biking races and events on Mt Buller and surrounds. Rapid Ascent Pty Ltd, the event organiser is seeking volunteers to help at the event.
Rapid Ascent are happy to make a donation to your club based on how many volunteers your group provides. We will pay $50/half day or $90/full day per person. There is no minimum or maximum number of people required.
Roles: We have a variety of roles/tasks ranging from course marshalling, manning water/fruit points, competitor registration and administration roles, logistics, competitor services etc.
This is a great opportunity for clubs to raise funds with no behind-the-scenes work or pre-planning. Turn up with your members and your group receives the money.
This is also a great chance for clubs to have a fun weekend or day out with your mates while helping other to have a fun weekend. Volunteers receive an event T-shirt and lunch.
For further information please email John Jacoby or call him on 0408 035 261.

Mansfield Tour – 17-18 March 2018
The MMBCC will host the Mansfield Tour again in March and will again require YOU as manpower. We’ll need volunteers for course set-up on Saturday morning for the Individual Time Trial, then drivers for lead and trail cars for Saturday afternoon’s road race to Jamieson and back, and for Sunday morning’s road race to Mt Buller. We’ll also need people for the registration desk, first aiders plus more.
Unlike previous years when we've used an ‘opt-in’ system, this summer Bruce has adopted an ‘opt-out’ roster. If you are NOT available to volunteer for both Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 March, you’d better email Bruce and let him know, in writing.
Otherwise, you're in! For both days.
You’ve been warned.

Salbutamol Update

When you've finally stopped puffing on your inhaler, here's this week's update:
- Final stage of the Tour de Dirt;
- Thursday's last road race of 2017; and
- Reminder about when we need you in 2018.

Tour de Dirt

Monday saw the third and final stage of the Tour de Dirt with an Irish Handicap.
Talia Appleton took the Women's event overall after taking out stage 3. She was joined on the podium by Elise Empey and Bella Green.
The Men's overall was won by Dan Friday who proved the most consistent over the three stages. Bruce Halket was second ahead of Damian Grundy and Tom Macmunn to tied for third.
Here are the results.
The Delatite Dash on Monday is the last night of Dirt Crits for 2017. After racing we'll 'reconvene' at the Hunt Club in Merrijig for dinner.

Jamieson handicap

The final race before the summer break for the Mansfield Mt Buller Cycling Club was held last Thursday on the picturesque road between Jamieson and Sailor Bills Creek.
Deb Salatenna was first off followed by Courtney Lynch and after a few minutes the dynamic duo of Di Condie and Craig Wilson.
Steve Curnow, Ian Conrick, Will Grundy, Dave Jagger and John Eisner were up next followed by Chris Taylor, Tim Hall, Mel Green and Belinda Cipa.
Dave Moore, Damian Grundy, Andrew Stephenson, Steve Duke and Luke Olver made up the next group while Aaron Peterson, Darren Bakker and Anthony Plummer followed one minute later.
Bruce Halket, Jock Brega and Ross Hopkins made up the Block group and with recent success, Dan Purcell, Kian Lerch-Mackinnon and Rob Curtis were set a challenging four and a half minute gap at the pointy end off Scratch.
Will and Di worked well and managed to hold off the smooth tuning Jagger bunch until just after the turnaround. On the fast return trip, Will Grundy made three impressive moves off the front of the bunch but was reeled in on each occasion.
In a very rare event, Scratch didn’t catch Block. Even though they rode the fastest time, Dan Purcell in a blistering 41.15, they didn’t feature in the top ten for the first time in ages!
With four hundred meters to go, most of the groups merged with Anthony dropping off having done a big effort with his group.
Just up ahead, Lynch put in one final effort to hang in for a good win. Will Grundy made a fourth and final break and was rewarded by a solid second place. With years of tactical experience, Bruce outmanoeuvred the bunch to come in third, closely followed by eleven others.
Presentations (and a few very enjoyable few drinks with pizza) were held after at The Wrong Side brewery who sponsored the night. If you haven't been to The Wrong Side, you should. It's terrific!
Thanks to our team of marshals, to the crew at The Wrong Side brewery and to the Delatite Hotel for supporting the club this season.
Here are the results.

Volunteers wanted

Please don't forget that there are three huge events coming up and we need your help with them. Here are the details of the events... the VDHS round on Mt Buller in January, the Bike Buller MTB Fest in early March and the Mansfield Tour in mid-March.

Friday Facts - no fake news

Tour de Dirt

Monday’s Dirt Crits saw stage 1 and 2 of the Tour de Dirt.
Stage 1 was the Hillclimb; entrants were handicapped by completing a different number of smaller laps, then finishing off with a climb up to the ‘top’ of Riflebutts Reserve.
Dan Purcell was first to the top, closely followed by Tom Macmunn and Kian Lerch-Mackinnon.
Stage 2 was a downhill from the finish of the hill climb to the main finish area.
After handicaps based on previous results, James Griffin took the win; Dan Friday and Dave Moore tied for 2nd.
With one stage to go this coming Monday, Tom Macmunn leads the general classification ahead of Dan Friday and Damian Grundy.
Here are the detailed results.

Road Racing update

Thursday night’s Team Time Trial had to be cancelled due to an administrative issue between VicRoads in Benalla, Victoria Police Event Planning Unit in Melbourne and the MMBCC road race sub-committee chair regarding Public Liability insurance.
The result was proof that the Event Planning Unit and the MMBCC vice-president can’t read! It’s now been resolved and the permit for our final race on Thursday 14 December will be issued early next week.
Our final race will be a handicap at Jamieson (with a late start, 6pm rego for a 6.30 start) with presentation and dinner afterwards at The Wrong Side Brewery (the old Jamieson Brewery). The Wrong Side will be awarding a t-shirt and 6-pack to the winner and rumour has it the road race sub-committee has asked for a little more prize money than usual.
To decide on your prize, check out The Wrong Side.

Thai Yoga Massage discount offer for MMBCC members
... so you can do more miles with ease

Uschi Steedman is offering all MMBCC members a discount on Thai Yoga Massages until the end of January. Simply mention the bike club deal when you book and you'll get the following discounts
    •    1.5 hour treatment for $110 (usually $125)
    •    2 hour treatment for $130 (usually $160)
Thai Yoga Massage is very effective for fascial release and relieving tightness that can arise due to repetitive movements and postures (like sitting on your bike and using the same muscles for hours!)... and it's brilliantly relaxing!
Treatments involve facilitated movement and stretches, as well as more traditional massage using hands, feet and elbows. Uschi can also give you yoga and pilates exercises to take home with you after the treatment.
Interested? For more details and testimonials click here.
To book call Uschi on 0484 540 362.
Christmas Gift Vouchers are also available for the same price (massages must be booked and received before the end of February).

We want you! Volunteers needed.

VDHS – 26-28 January 2018

The MMBCC is again hosting a round of the Victorian Downhill Series at Mt Buller in January.
We need YOU to volunteer and make this event just as good as the last few years. In fact, let’s make it even better!
Volunteers are needed for:
- Friday 26 January - Course setting - we require 4-6 people for half a day to complete;
- Saturday 27 January - Track and parking marshals (7:00am till 4:30pm) - we require 12 -14 people for a full day, allowing for relief personal. Lunch pack provided for full day volunteers; and
- Sunday 28 January - Track and parking marshals (7:00am till 4:30pm or will event finish) - we require 12 -14 people for a full day, allowing for relief personel. Lunch pack provided for full day volunteers.
NEW IN 2018!
We can offer anyone who volunteers for both Saturday and Sunday two nights accommodation (Fri & Sat nights) on mountain at Mt Buller. Places are limited to first come first served and room configuration, etc! This hopefully will encourage you to volunteer for two days, save on travel time, enjoy a weekend in the hills and hopefully get a ride on our trails at some point.
Please email Ben Annear or contact him via 0424 453 789.
We’d really like to have volunteers signed up prior to Christmas and the New Year (wishful thinking I know)

BikeBuller MTB Fest – 11-13 March 2018

RAISE MONEY FOR YOUR CLUB BY BEING A PART OF BIKE BULLER
The Bike Buller MTB Festival is a 3-day festival of mountain biking races and events on Mt Buller and surrounds.
Rapid Ascent Pty Ltd, the event organiser is seeking volunteers to help at the event.
Rapid Ascent are happy to make a donation to your club based on how many volunteers your group provides. We will pay $50/half day or $90/full day per person. There is no minimum or maximum number of people required.
Roles: We have a variety of roles/tasks ranging from course marshalling, manning water/fruit points, competitor registration and administration roles, logistics, competitor services etc.
This is a great opportunity for clubs to raise funds with no behind-the-scenes work or pre-planning. Turn up with your members and your group receives the money. This is also a great chance for clubs to have a fun weekend or day out with your mates while helping other to have a fun weekend.
Volunteers receive an event T-shirt and lunch.
For further information please email John Jacoby or call him on 0408 035 261

Mansfield Tour – 17-18 March 2018

The MMBCC will host the Mansfield Tour again in March and will again require YOU as manpower.
(In case you haven’t heard, last weekend’s Tour of Bright had to be cancelled because of the bad weather. Hopefully, all those entrants who weren’t able to ride in Bright will now come to Mansfield next year. If that does happen, the bigger field will need even more volunteers than previous years.)
We’ll need volunteers for course set-up on Saturday morning for the Individual Time Trial, then drivers for lead and trail cars for Saturday afternoon’s road race to Jamieson and back, and for Sunday morning’s road race to Mt Buller. We’ll also need people for the registration desk, first aiders plus more.
Unlike previous years when we've used an ‘opt-in’ system, this summer Bruce has adopted an ‘opt-out’ roster. If you are NOT available to volunteer for both Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 March, you’d better email Bruce, or contact him on 0419 533 120, before Christmas and let him know, in writing. Otherwise, you're in! For both days.
You’ve been warned.