Port Macquarie Cycle Club

Chief com rick rolled the dice early at twelve and announced we would race and it paid off. We did get rain just before we started as we thought we might but then the mosquitoes came out and sun shone and the weather was beautiful.

Michael was confident and told us to trust him he is a real estate agent ! – that the down pour we copped at 1.45pm  right as riders were arriving would clear and we would be good for the rest of the afternoon – and he was spot on ! There was a brief discussion about a course change but rick decided all was good and off we went.

At both ends of the scale we had two very excited riders – James in E grade on the course by himself for the first time and Brandon returning to racing for the first time since his accident arriving to make sure he was definitely warmed up!

We managed to make it though the event nearly without incident – 2 minor mishaps early  in warmup were overcome – after we pulled our hearts from our mouth’s. Thanks to Libby and rob for patch ups and some bike mechanics.

We welcome Paul G for the first time and Rachael G back after a season off with an injury –

Paul N, Cam T and Christy J were back on their bikes too.

We saw TRS join us – Will, Wade, Daniel, Bo, Codie from Inverell

Also welcoming Ivor MVCC, Joel CHCC ( who had ridden from Coffs and arrive in the nick of time ) Andrew HDCC,

Emma from Manly-W  was also back!

Groups were blown apart early on in all grades, there were mechanicals and retirements – Today saw the club race graded scratch.  Course 4 a 11 km loop – Out to the freeway back to the turn at Sapling then out to the end of the dam road and back – some tough hills there.

A grade had 9 riders with Kev a late injury withdrawal they rode 55 kms and set a cracking pace to welcome Brandon back – the pace was on and riders were attacking it was like and elastic band  though and riders were dropping / mechanicals Brandon included – somehow though he found the strength to get back on the lead group Brandon will and Beau – after a little cat and mouse will and Brandon broke away with will just getting across the line in front of Brandon- what a return to racing !!! Welcome back Brandon . We look forward to watching you regain your form.

B grade had 6 riders with Lleyton a late withdrawal  – again a cracking pace over 44 kms. Andrew Emma ( women’s A GRADE winner) and Monty broke away and crossed the line in that order with Al picking up third.

C grade had 9 riders racing 33 kms – Paul Wade iain Steve slowly dropped everyone and after a discussion with some cones at the dam corner Iain lost contact too.

D/E combined 2 and 1 lap completed

Rachel who was back for her first race and on a new bike had been for a run this morning too – took line honours Christy dropped a chain and the kids went flying past her . James and jazz completed one lap James grabbed the honours and after a discussion at the finish they thought they had a bit more in the tank and out they went to complete a hotdog lap – jazz won this time – Well done kids !!

Congratulations to:

–     1st Emma

–     1st Will 2nd Brandon and 3rd Beau

 –    1st Andy 2nd Monty 3rd Al

 –    1st Paul N 2nd Steve 3rd Wade

–     1st Rachel

–     1st Jazz

–     1st James

Again another big shout out to all  who volunteered to make this race possible Rick Marian Jan Liz Julz and Rob who setup were traffic controllers road sweepers  lap counters  Covid officers Commissaries photographers and first aid.

We would also like to thank our riders who are all wrapping their heads around our COVID Safety Plan and making our COVID officers  job a little easier just a reminder  as soon as we are finished we need to clear the road and then social distance again.

Don’t forget next week after entering the race on Buncheur to go to your profile select future races select this weeks race and follow sign on

Volunteers and spectators we now have a q code so it’s easy to sign on … this is at registration at the clubhouse

The committee continues to encourage all riders to have lights front and rear to help increase rider safety

Well done everyone it was great to have racing.

Club members we haven’t seen yet please don’t be shy please know the committee is doing everything it can to make your racing at the club a safe experience. We look forward to seeing you all again soon.

We will be making an announcement re junior racing for the next few weeks and a exciting north coast Bragging rights race at the end of the month.