Brunswick Cycling Club

Meredith greeted us with a wet and chilly 12 degrees with westerlies gusting to 30 knots. A full complement of 7 Rapido riders rolled out after drawing 5th position on the start line. The first 7km were controlled, but controlling the speed of 100 riders down the 10% gorge was terrifying. The wet road combined with a spewy light made the surface glisten as if we were on an ice skating rink. My front brake lever was about .5mm off being on full lock on the descent. Amazingly no one crashed.

As we turned right towards Sheoaks, the red flag was pulled into the car and the hammer went down. The howling wind was on our right and we were in the gutter. It was hard and fast with 6 laps to complete. Take no prisoners was the declared mission. After helping Pete, Aaron yielded to the tough and lumpy Steiglitz Rd section. I stayed with him to see if we could organise a counter-chase but I soon felt that familiar dougheness in the front wheel that means only one thing. A flat. A quick gas cylinder change but it was all over red rover.

Sean was out fighting in the wind, ensuring Pete was protected but the westerlies eventually claimed another scalp. Nathan was riding really well but on the treacherous Steiglitz descent, just before the first KOM, had a mechanical problem and lost contact with the field. Ben and Jason soldiered on but were unable to match the speed of some of the full-time cyclists and regrouped to ride their own race. On the 4th lap, a breakaway of two from the front field of 17 riders stayed away and the race was taken out by James Langedyk into a tough head wind finish. Pete used his experience all day and was perfectly positioned in the biggest finishing bunch of 10 riders. When they were about 100m out, in the form that people call cycling a beautiful sport, Pete launched his attack but just got pipped on the line. He settled for a very credible tenth.

Meanwhile, after Jas and Ben kept each other company for the final 2 laps of the race, Jas hit a flat spot and ordered Ben to continue. Jas pushed on and used all of his reserves to cement an overall mid field 9th position for the team and importantly; in the money! The dedication that Jas applied to the race took its toll as he became severely dehydrated and collapsed off his bike in the streets of Meredith. Fortunately St John Ambulance were on hand to re-hydrate him and get him back on his feet. A great effort by the team for a race that had a 70% attrition rate. To finish this race was a huge achievement. A big thanks to Sophie and John (handlers extraordinaire) and to Rapido Cycles for sponsoring both the race and the team.

Meanwhile, at the Grafton to Inverell which was held on the same day, fellow Rapido rider Stuey managed a 33rd in one of the toughest one day races Australia has on offer. Well done Stuey. The first one is an eye opener and designed to subliminally get you addicted.

Pick up the 7.30 Bundoora ride and do a big one next Sunday. Probably Broadford or Glenburn (160km) the following fortnight.

This entry was posted by M. Sparke on Monday, September 22nd, 2008 at 11:21 am and is filed under Reports, Road.