Nukara to N.W.C. Highway & Return

On our way out to the Nukara Farm, Burch made the comment that the race may have been cancelled due to the heavy rain that morning.  It had been discussed that at previous meets the rain wasn’t a factor.  Having said that, we wondered how many riders would be competing. It soon became evident that some people were participating after we passed the old fella (aka Paul Dodson), Eddie Muller and Johnny Barber riding out.  “Well, there will be three anyway”.

On arriving there was a few more getting ready, so no doubt there would be a race.  By 9am we had 19 riders and absolutely beautiful weather (apart from the little friendlies looking for a home up your nose, in your eyes…..).

Welcome to  few new riders, Garry Potter, Sara Armitage and some 2^nd timers Rhonda Bradley and Gus Ruiz.

Burch and I sorted out the handicaps , created 4 groups separated by 5 min except for the scratchers who requested a smaller gap of 4 min?  The old man requested an earlier start group as there were hills and these don’t apparently agree with him (this wasn’t all he had to worry about as glass didn’t do his tyres much good, twice!).

The course went from Nukara farm gate, to NWCH and return, measuring 27km with 4 hills on the way out and guess what…4 hills on the way back.  Apologies, I shouldn’t keep bringing up the hills.

59min 58sec after the start John Barber and Eddie Muller were 1^st and 2^nd over the line followed by the powerhouse Firth and one of the new boys on the track Gus Ruiz with his new Giant (very nice if I can say so) with Simon Mulligan arriving in fifth position.

With adjusted times the order changed, with Simon Mulligan finishing in a fairly unassisted time of 48 min 19sec (good riding big fella).  Second and third to Jonny Barber and Eddie Muller with 49.58 and Julie Firth in 51.11 sec followed in fifth @ 51min 21sec Gus Ruiz (that will cost you a bit of handicapping next time Gus), beating some more fancied riders Reg Solomon and Mr Wild West…..Paul Matthews.

A couple of old timers in Tom (Gravel) Thuijs, John Andrews and Gary Porter (also on a very nice new Giant) held off the up and coming junior of the club Jonti Calder.  Jenny Haste had just under 90 sec on Barb (I never win anything) Glenister who got over the line in front of another new Giant (which developed brake issues metres away from the finish line????), of Andrew Toovey.  Peter Burchill was next after assuming a few teaching positions along the way and in front of Paul Dodson who had the misfortune of two flats and due to his experience changing tyres, on reflection, his time wasn’t too bad.  Patrick Bettridge came in just after a fast finishing Dodson.  A  little way back Sara Armitage rolled in front of Rhonda Bradley, also on a new Giant.  I think Rhonda was a lot happier on her roadie compared to the last meeting on her MTB.

The weather held out to be cool - warmish conditions minus a few flies and low to mild winds.  Standing at the finish line was great listening to the bikes come down the hill at a rate of knots, there is something to be said about the whirring of gears, chains and tyres on the bitumen.  A good turn out to be involved in this a great race - can’t wait to have a go next year.

Many thanks to Paul Baldock and Cameron Dawson for officiating and to Peter Burchell for event coordinating.

Results - Nukara to N.W.C Highway & Return

Nabawa to Northampton and Return

A change of course……………

Due to grain cartage starting early the scheduled Spokes event for Sunday 23rd October 2011 was re-routed to the Nabawa Northampton Road, removing the Chapman Valley and Morrell Roads from the route.  Our decision to change the race was vindicated when we passed 6 grain trucks on the way out to the race.

16 riders faced the start on a calm, warm morning, welcoming a new rider Rhonda Bradley on her mountain bike.  Two juniors Jonty Calder and Cameron Napper, started with Rhonda and Peter Burchell.  The juniors left their elders behind and rode strongly throughout the circuit.

The next group to ride off was made up of experienced riders Tim Glenister, Mort Harslett, Julie Firth, Jon Tamm, Mike Reymond and Reg Salmon.  Julie and Reg lead the riders out and maintained their turns on the front for most of the race.  Mort hung on behind with Jon Tamm who eventually fell off the pace and Mike Reymond moved between leading the group up the hills and joining the centre of the peleton.   This group maintained a strong pace and caught Rhonda and Peter just before the turnaround point at the Northampton Wheat Bins and set sail for Jonty and Cameron who they passed on the long climb out of Northampton.

The final group to set off, with the daunting task of catching the others, was made up of the “big boys” Mike Paxman, Peter Johnson, Richard Quinlan, Johnny barber, Andrew Outhwaite and Simon Mulligan.  The group set a fast pace and pulled in first group.  Andrew’s flat tyre took he and Johnny Barber out of the contention. 

Tim Glenister with Mike Reymond, Mort and Julie hot on his heels burst around the bend to the last 200 metres.  Tim managed to hold the sprint and crossed the line first.  Julie rode strongly and it was disappointing for Reg and Julie to be pipped at the post.  This group finished the race in 1:23:30

Eight minutes later Mike Paxman, Johnno, Richard and Simon sprinted across the line in a final time of 1:15:20.  A strong ride, that would have been even faster if they’d had a sniff of the second group who they were chasing down.

Jonty and Cameron dashed across the finish line in a fine time of 1:45:44.  Jon Tamm came across the line on his own with Andrew and Johnny 5 minutes behind.

Rhonda and Peter came in finishing strongly.  It was delightful that Rhonda rode her longest ride supported so well by Peter.

The consensus of the riders was that this is a route to be repeated in 2012 with enough challenge for all ability levels.

Corrected times have Mike Paxman, Richard Quinlan and Peter Johnson as fasted in a blistering 1:15:20 with average speed of 37.4km/hr.  Full results are below.

Many thanks to Tim and Barb Glenister and Reggie Richardson for putting out the signs, marshalling and timekeeping.

Results - Nabawa to Northampton Return

Wild West Bike Tour - Results

This is a link to a short movie of the race to King Of The Mountain.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4WlguNw3W4

Introduction To Wild West

Course gets the thumbs up…………….

The Spokes Cycle Club Introduction to Wild West on Sunday 28th August 2011 was ridden by five teams and one solo rider who just wanted to 'check out the course'.  The Club was thrilled to see a junior team compete and the combination of Lucas Meyer, Bryce Meyer, Cameron Draper, Jonty Calder and Jacob Lee set off at a rapid pace which they managed to retain for the whole 100km, despite their restrictive gears. This team finished in an impressive time of 3:36:20 averaging 27.7km/hr.

Club stalwarts Tim and Barb Glenister were joined by friends Paula Purcher and Reggie Richardson as the next team to depart with Tim looking quite pleased to be surrounded by ladies for his ride into the countryside.  Peter Johnson rode as a solo and set off some 6 minutes after the Junior men's team.  He cycled well to catch them and then rode with the team to the finish line supporting them across some of the more interesting terrain.

Spokes welcomed the team of Matthew Johanson, Chris Worthington, Ken Smith and Steve Kang to their first Cycle Club event and it was evident that this team had been training hard for the upcoming WWBT in September.  The gentleman rode well and used the event to hone their tactics and gain valuable course knowledge.

Andrew Outhwaite, Johny Barber and Reg Salmon were led by Julie Firth and with a 12 minute handicap this team showed their strength by catching all those in front of them whilst also staving off a fast finishing run by Paul Matthews, Megan Dunphy, Dave Rakuscek, Paul Burkinshaw and Jarrod Bell. Just 47 seconds separated the two teams across the line, however on corrected time Matthews' team were just over two minutes ahead.

All cyclists agreed that the course is fantastic and it bodes well for Stage 1 of the WWBT in September.  The unsealed sections of the course provided a challenge for each team and offered variety to the event.

A full list of results is below.

Many thanks to Ian Andrews, Andrew Toovey, Mike Reymond and Eddie Muller for their event management.

Spokes next event is a Teams Ride from Binnu to Giles Park - this is another excellent opportunity for teams to train and work on their combinations and strategies.

Results - Introduction to Wild West