Anzac Day Criterium

Crit Action and Anzac Biscuits

Anzac Day started early for a few of the Crit riders, with some attending the dawn service and then venturing out to Rich Maslen Drive for the fast and furious laps.  

Paul Baldock briefed the riders on the mass start with Juniors, Women's and Men's all being set off at same time.  Spectators were treated to fantastic sights as Max Nowrojee exploded from the line to move out to a lead, followed by Julie Firth and the rest of the group.  Andre Eastough and Darryl Sheilds allowed first lap to complete and riders to settle before increasing speed and moving through the pack.  Bec Swan waited for this move and joined Eastough and Sheilds on the chase for Nowrojee.  Eastough and Nowrojee both announced at the start line their intentions to 'smash themselves' and that did appear to be the theme for their ride.

Eastough and Swan soon caught Nowrojee and the fast pace continued - Eastough easily holding 40km/hr into the turns.  Sheilds led the chasing group guiding Reggie Richardson, Johny Barber, Reg Salmon and Julie Firth on the course.  Richardson and Firth lost touch, with Firth riding much of the time as a solo and Richardson pairing with Tom Thuijs for a number of laps.  New rider to Spokes and neighbour to Julie and JB, Asgar brought out his 'Arc de Triomphe' bike and rode a consistent pace for the whole event - he will be one to watch in the future. 

Junior riders Jonty Calder, Cameron Napper and Mitchell Crabb rode hard and Calder's training became evident as he powered away from the group.  Cameron Napper and Mitchell Crabb were both riding their first Crit and discovered the benefits of knowing when and where to take the tight turns, and obtaining a 'sit' to stay out of the wind.  Sheilds sat up from his race to assist Napper and this saw him peg Calder back as time went on. At the front of the group Eastough was riding like a man on a mission with Swan hanging on to his wheel and Nowrojee working to stay in touch.  Salmon and Barber traded turns to keep the pace lively and Firth, Thuijs and Richardson remained at constant speed and distance to each other.

Jonty Calder was the first to get the bell in the Junior event and he took line honours ahead of Cameron Napper and Mitchell Crabb.  Julie Firth won the Women's event, finishing just a couple of bike lengths ahead of a fast finishing Reggie Richardson.

In the Men's event, Andre Eastough was too strong for Max Nowrojee averaging around 50seconds per lap throughout.  Johny Barber was third with Reg Salmon, Tom Thuijs and Asgar close behind.

Cheers to Paul Baldock for Event Coordinating, Marshalling and Timekeeping and to Vicky Sheilds for the delicious Anzac Biscuits, which it seemed were especially enjoyed by the non riding Roger Swan.

Spokes next event is the Waggrakine/Park Falls 5-stage tour and is on Sunday 6 May 2012.  This will see time trial combined with road race and King and Queen of the mountain events - something for everyone!

The Picasa Photostream has also been updated with pictures from todays event.

Lavender Farm Mountain Bike Tour

Bikes, a baby and banoffie pie

A gorgeous Sunday morning dawned with the promise of subtle temperature and no wind - perfect for a ride at the Lavender Farm.  Keen cyclists Rhonda Bradley, Darryl Sheilds, Paul Dodson and Deb Carlyon warmed up by riding from town out through the rolling countryside to meet Vicky Sheilds, Richo, Rog and Bec, and Eric and Marissa Drummond who had baby James in the bike seat and ready to go.

After a short ride on bitumen the group turned off onto Urch Road and began the meander across Chapman Valley.  The roads proved a challenge at times with stretches of corrugations and there were enough hills to keep it interesting and ensure everyone had a decent work out and earned the much promised cake at the end of the ride.

Deb, Darryl and Rog brought their 29er's out for the adventure and seemed to be eating up the km's with ease.  Dodo was reminiscing of travels on his touring bike and Richo seemed to be enjoying his ride on the borrowed Anthem and perhaps thinking up ways he could keep it without Rog noticing!  Vicky and Rhonda chatted through the ride and moved across the group to keep conversation lively.

James was a real trooper and put up with mum Marissa and 'Aunty Bec' taking him on a much longer adventure than what he was used to.  A few pit stops to keep him watered and fed and he was happily taking it all in - and it only took all 25km of the ride to get him to sleep!

Lavender Farm was a welcome sight for all and the many home cooked delights were happily enjoyed.  Fantastic location and another visit is already being planned.