2020 Road Season Wk 12
Week 12
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October 3rd ITT & Hard & Fast Racing – (Course 7)
THE LONG WEEKEND
The long weekend – to have or not have racing – that was the question? In the committee’s quest to give you as much racing as they could to “c…atch up” we held our breath and went for it unsure of entry numbers that would come and volunteers availability. We also then decided to really mix it up in case numbers were way down and have two races an ITT and a shorten road race that was a scratch or handicap dependent on numbers, running over the same course. Muz had control of the day with rick Liz mazz and Ted (coffs) helping.
The ITT was a two lap screamer of the regular hotdog course. Today we set out faster to slower times. Will went out first set a cracking pace and recorded the fastest time of the day 18.01.85 followed by Asher 19:15.03 riding U17 gearing and Lleyton in third 20:11.97.
These times gave our budding handicappers a chance to “try” and create two even races – A/B and C/D.
After the last rider completed the ITT and a short 15 minute break C/D set off first to race a three lap handicap over the same course. Lachlan, Rachael and Gareth were the outer markers- with a second group Iain, Paul and Wade chasing hard- the outer markers stayed together until somewhere on the last lap were they started to separate, the initial time gap was too big and Lachlan held on for the win, Gareth and Rachel filling the minor placings- the second group made up nearly Four minutes but just needed 1 more lap to possibly close the gap.
A/B headed out for another 4 laps Alani/ Monty were the limit markers with Will chasing from zero. Barnaby and Lleyton off next followed by Asher and nick. Asher Nick and Will also needed one more lap to close the gaps – with Will virtually completing another ITT to try and close the gap on his own. The out markers sat up and waited for Barnaby and Lleyton and once caught they rode together for a while – but at the line Lleyton crossed first followed closely by Monty a little further back Barnaby and Alani , Asher took line honours from Nick who dropped his chain just as they were sprinting to the line. Will who ITT’ ‘d all day wasn’t too far behind and again had the fastest time of the day. The roads were extra quiet and numbers were down but there was some great racing. So worth the effort – we may need to consider it again next year!
Next week is our delayed club champs. Again 2 races in one day – early start of 1pm.
All entries through Buncheur and conditions and descriptions are there as well. Everyone is welcome to race but only PMCC members are eligible. See you next week – one last hit out before our juniors head off to State Titles.
Being out on traffic control and pack up I didn’t see any of the riders post race but The feedback I heard was that everyone seemed happy afterwards even if we didn’t quite get the handicapping right.
It’s nice to stand out in the sun and fresh air each week enabling members to race but Volunteers are thin on the ground and we do need more of you to help out – don’t rely on these current volunteers always being there for you to just race!!!
A huge shout out to Rick who sets up each week the signage is fantastic – the number of signs and the adaptations you have made to them to make it easier. I’m sure the signs have had babies there seems to be so many of them. Also to muz and rick our only active Coms at the moment thank goodness for COVID because they both live to travel and have had to stay put in town – if they aren’t available we can’t race, to Liz who wants to race but has traffic controlled all but one week – and mazz who has worn the yellow COVID vest each week and takes all the photos I get to post. To Paul who sets the race schedule and normally handicaps and Libby that volunteers to be first aid and traffic controls. Jan helps out even when her family aren’t racing as much as she can – and always controls “jans corner”! Thanks to those that help to pack up Each week as well and Rob who doesn’t ride at the moment but still comes and controls traffic when he can. Shout out to Iain and Christy who also volunteer when we are desperate but prefer to race.
Criterium season is only a week away and there aren’t as many volunteers needed – but some of your regulars aren’t available, so if you want to race on a Tuesday and next year on the roads we need help.
Bree McDonald
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