Brunswick Cycling Club

Take one local pub, add a handfull of bicycle nuts, sprinkle with the regular barflys and you get:

9 riders stepped up to the platform to contest this month’s round of roller racing, held at the East Brunswick Club – fast becoming the new Brunswick Wheelman’s local.

In the first round of competition, absolute speed was the goal as each rider was timed over a flying 200m. Phil Philthy Bushell set the fastest time once again this month with a not-too-shabby 8.42, followed closely by Chris Hickey and Aaron Hemmingway.

In the second round, riders were matched on qualifying time for a 1 lap sprint. With the riders facing the crowd there was no backing off, both had to give it 100% for the full lap and there were some thrilling finishes as a result.

In round 2, riders were handicapped for a one lap sprint. Handicaps were assigned based on both qualifying and the match sprint, so the finishes were again close across the range of riders. Upsets for the round included Stu Weir who, finding his roller confidence build was able to demolish the Homestar Ramirez from a 90m head start.

Round 3 saw the return of the infamous "Nonie Carr" roller Madison time trial. Riders were paired up and then had to complete 3 laps of the dial in a relay fashion. As the needles crossed, a whistle would sound – signalling a switch between riders. Luckily, there were no clerical errors and each pairing got the changes spot-on. The fastest pair of Chris Hickey and Nick Cee took the round by only 1 hundredth of a second over the 2nd fastest pair Aaron Hemmingway and Stu Weir.

Following the roller madison, points were awarded to riders for each round to determine finalists. The handicappers then worked furiously to average and weight times taken on each run to determine positions for the 2 lap finals.

In the ride-off for Bronze, Aaron Hemmingway held his handicap and beat Chris Hickey for the podium position as Chris’ wheel rubbed the roller platform and slowed him to a crawl at a crucial point in the race.

In the gold/silver ride off, Stu Weir also maintained his handicapped lead. Both riders slowed dramatically over the second painful lap, but Stu held on enough to clinch the win.

Final result for the first roller race of 2009: Two first-timers and a non-member on the podium, and smiles all round. Thanks to our event supporters Cycle Underground and the East Brunswick Club. Thanks also to Dave Morgan, cheif commissaire and Phil Bushell for their invaluable help running the night. Keep your eye on the web site for the next round – to be held at the East Brunswick Club late February.

Links:

• Full Results
• Photos from Omar
• Photos from Blakey
• Event Information

This entry was posted by N. Fraser on Thursday, January 22nd, 2009 at 2:06 pm and is filed under Reports, Social.