I learnt something on the weekend. "Prickly pear stings". But apart from that it was smiles all round after Sunday's race out at Kerribee Station. For those of you who don't know where Kerribee is. It is on the way to Euston from Mildura. It's is private property and the course is on the side of a hill which means descending and climbing. Huey put on a beautiful day for us to enjoy and the race committee had prepared a tricky technical course. The course used the deep gullies and washaways that drop down toward the bush. There were berms, drop offs, tight corners and a few of climbs. The laps were shorter than usual, but we did more of them. A shade under 2.5 km but they were a real test of the technical ability of riders. With drop-offs, rabbit burrows and prickly pear to contend with, concentration as well as a practice lap before the race was the key.
The field was started with a thirty second gap between classes to avoid the inevitable congestion in the tight course. Expert class started first and the field let Ian Beruldsen lead them out as he had intimate knowledge of the course layout. However, Ian would find that he would have stiff competition and after the first lap visiting rider, Steve Kelly from Broken Hill lead the field. Ben Nicholson who raced with the roadies on Saturday was running a little late and missed the opportunity for a practice lap. So he sat behind the others on the first lap. Then he really cranked up his pace and worked his way through the field to take the lead on lap three. His blistering lap times (quickest at 7.44) saw him street the field and finish five minutes ahead of Steve in second and eight minutes in front of Ian who finished third. Errol Schmidt and Nathan "Flo-rida" Floramo just off the pace.
Sport class saw a mix of local and visiting Broken Hill riders taking on the track. Ross Pedersen, who had dropped back a class was never headed. The other riders in Sport grappled with the tricky terrain and were dogged by falls, mechanical problems and illness. Big brother Leon took second and Mark Lenton, who discovered you can run tubeless but not tyre-less on his last lap finished third thanks to the kind donation of a front wheel from wife Jo-ann. Jo and Grant decided to pack it in early and watch the fun from the spectator area.
Alex Drysdale's continued to dominate in the junior class and once again he had the wood over the Barnden brothers. Sam managed to account for Angus but both boys rode really well. The three boys have been clocking up the Km's riding to school and their riding ability and race fitness are steadily improving. The jumps training sure came in handy. "Girl-power" was represented by the Lenton sisters, Alexis and Kirstie from Broken Hill. Both girls gave it a red-hot go and took on the challenge of Kerribee.
Race winner Ben Nicholson was impressed by the course layout and the vast contrast to the terrain at Coomealla course. "It was great fun. It was good to use all your mountain biking skills and not just relying on fitness. Once I was used to the track I was able to really work on my lines and the best way to hit the drops and turns. Can't wait for the next race here!"
The general consensus is that Kerribee is a top place to race. You can't ride here and not improve your skills. It is so different to racing out at Coomealla. Hopefully we will be able to race again out there in July so pencil it in.
Thanks to the timers and helpers.
Thank you to the Maynard family for the access and use of their property. The next club race will be on Sunday 18 May back at Coomealla.
Keep em turning!
Brooksy
The field was started with a thirty second gap between classes to avoid the inevitable congestion in the tight course. Expert class started first and the field let Ian Beruldsen lead them out as he had intimate knowledge of the course layout. However, Ian would find that he would have stiff competition and after the first lap visiting rider, Steve Kelly from Broken Hill lead the field. Ben Nicholson who raced with the roadies on Saturday was running a little late and missed the opportunity for a practice lap. So he sat behind the others on the first lap. Then he really cranked up his pace and worked his way through the field to take the lead on lap three. His blistering lap times (quickest at 7.44) saw him street the field and finish five minutes ahead of Steve in second and eight minutes in front of Ian who finished third. Errol Schmidt and Nathan "Flo-rida" Floramo just off the pace.
Sport class saw a mix of local and visiting Broken Hill riders taking on the track. Ross Pedersen, who had dropped back a class was never headed. The other riders in Sport grappled with the tricky terrain and were dogged by falls, mechanical problems and illness. Big brother Leon took second and Mark Lenton, who discovered you can run tubeless but not tyre-less on his last lap finished third thanks to the kind donation of a front wheel from wife Jo-ann. Jo and Grant decided to pack it in early and watch the fun from the spectator area.
Alex Drysdale's continued to dominate in the junior class and once again he had the wood over the Barnden brothers. Sam managed to account for Angus but both boys rode really well. The three boys have been clocking up the Km's riding to school and their riding ability and race fitness are steadily improving. The jumps training sure came in handy. "Girl-power" was represented by the Lenton sisters, Alexis and Kirstie from Broken Hill. Both girls gave it a red-hot go and took on the challenge of Kerribee.
Race winner Ben Nicholson was impressed by the course layout and the vast contrast to the terrain at Coomealla course. "It was great fun. It was good to use all your mountain biking skills and not just relying on fitness. Once I was used to the track I was able to really work on my lines and the best way to hit the drops and turns. Can't wait for the next race here!"
The general consensus is that Kerribee is a top place to race. You can't ride here and not improve your skills. It is so different to racing out at Coomealla. Hopefully we will be able to race again out there in July so pencil it in.
Thanks to the timers and helpers.
Thank you to the Maynard family for the access and use of their property. The next club race will be on Sunday 18 May back at Coomealla.
Keep em turning!
Brooksy
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