Contact: Leigh Thompson Secretary BRCC
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (preferred contact)
Phone: 03 5157 9321 (leave message if unanswered)
Mobile: 0439 033 099 (SMS preferred)
Postal: 250 Clifton West Road, Bairnsdale, VIC 3875

GIPPSLAND ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS - update
The Gippsland Road Championships, scheduled for Sunday June 3rd, will not run as advertised. The Club has been advised, by the race organisers, that one of the roads to be used will have works happening beside the road which involves lane closure and traffic lights. The road in question is likely to be affected for all of June and possibly into July. Options being considered by the race organisers include finding a later date and possibly a different venue - updates will be posted here when they are made available.

2012 RACING SEASON - RACE 11
Flaggy Creek Classic
The previous 3 Peaks race will seem like an entree ride compared to the menu to be served up for this new classic race. Starting at the Wy Yung Hall riders head west along Wy Yung-Calulu Rd taking in the lumps and bumps before turning right at the T-intersection and tackling the challenging Rodericks Rd climb (some say it touches 15+%) before turning right on Flaggy Creek Rd for the drop down the hill to the timber bridge (dismount at bridge), up the rise and continuing right at the Flaggy Creek cross-roads for a short 3 km downhill respite. By now the legs should be warmed up, so instead of turning left and heading back to the Wy Yung Hall, riders will turn right and repeat the end section of Wy Yung-Calulu Rd, Rodericks Rd and Flaggy Creek. After the repeat offering, riders will eventually turn left and head east back along Wy Yung-Calulu Rd and yes, up Counihans hill for one last dose of climbing before finishing at the Wy Yung Hall. In all, about 45 kms of hard racing and about 900m of vertical climbing. Linc, James and Damian are likely to have their handicaps closely scrutinised before rolling out. This course (without the repeat loop) is considered Marc Bouten's favourite training course and in true Marc style should only be ridden in the big chain ring (or least Stuart suggested that those who resort to the little chain ring may be not be eligible for a podium place).

2012 RACING SEASON - RACE 10
3 Peaks Classic
A windy day, sunshine and a few hills greeted riders. The annual BRCC 3 Peaks Classic handicap event certainly provided a test for all riders.  Marc said 3 peaks, many thought there were more, Leigh decided that two was enough for him.The course was the traditional route taking in the climbs along Mt Lookout Rd and Bullumwall Rd (to the end of the seal) then onto Boyds Rd for a dose of downhill speed followed a slow grind uphill into the wind ending with the return dips and hills back to Wy Yung. Unofficial results are as follows:

1st   Linc Kelly (scratch)
2nd   James Brownlie (12 mins)
3rd   Damian Crozier (18 mins)
4th   Ross Wembridge (18 mins), Warren Meade (7 mins)
followed in by (not necessarily in finishing order) Ashley Higman, Ryan Cross, Stuart Derham, Dave McLean, Gary Jackson, Rohan Cook, Simone Spykers

Leigh Thompson was the official winner of the unofficial 2 peaks race. Unfortunately Katrina East was a forced retirement from the race due to breathing difficulties - thanks to Dave for assisting.

Thanks to Marc Bouten for Race Director and corner marshal duties, Linc Kelly for signs and Asher Kelly for timing duties. Special thanks also to Gaye and Leigh Thompson who kindly opened their home to a small number of appreciative riders for a delicious batch of scones and a warming cup of tea / coffee and a quick tour of the Clifton Creek Gorge.

NEW TRAILER
Anzac Day saw the brand spanking new trailer used for the first time (Rowley Handicap at Briagolong the second time).  It is intended to also keep the trailer around at Eric's office.  Warren has offered to house the old yellow peril until its fate is decided.  In the meantime, it will be kept in secure storage at Stuart's "office". The trailer hasn't been fitted out yet (did I hear you say where is the coffee machine?), but I don’t think there is any hurry and we should get it right.  If anybody is interested in designing the layout of the internal bike fittings, please contact Stuart. At the moment we have a wooden floor (in two sections) to which four front axle clamps & velcro straps will be installed (to keep the rear wheels in place).  Overall there will be plenty of room for everything and using it when it is fully finished will be great.  According to Stuart, it tows really well, there is good visiblility whilst driving and it is easy to maneuver.  So when you are next on trailer duty, USE THE TRAILER!

Remember that the trailer is owned by the club and club members are encouraged to use it...that's your race entry fees getting put to good use (imagine what we would have if we charged $10). The trailer is owned by the Club and we should make good use of it. Obviously if there is a race on, or a CSV event on with BRCC members involved, it should be used. We will finalise how trailer usage is to be administered, as well as sign writing/advertising options at the next Club meeting.

One consideration to bear in mind is that although the trailer is fully insured (Danny Redenbach from CGU/Bairnsdale Insurance Agents has sponsored the insurance in return for a sign! Thanks Danny), your bikes in the trailer ARE NOT COVERED.  According to Danny, the easiest way to get good cover for your bike is to add it to your house & contents insurance.  Your cycling australia insurance also does not cover your bike.  Please be aware of this.

CYCLOCROSS RACE
Saturday 5th May - West Bairnsdale Oval
Last Saturday saw the running of the first ever BRCC cyclocross race. Gary Jackson did a fantastic job organising the event/course which included a bit of fun, a bunch of kids (both little and not-so-little) having a blast, sizzling sausages, a touch of Flanders and a guest appearance by a superhero (although his race pace appeared severely hampered by kryptonite lodged in the derailleur). There were even a couple of cyclocross races, or perhaps more aptly, torture on wheel (fun style). The only ingredient missing was two inches of rain on Friday night to really muddy things up....maybe next time.

Now for the real race report, courtesy of race director Gary Jackson...

Great weather greeted twenty cyclists for the Bairnsdale and Riviera Cycling Club’s first ever cyclocross race. For those unfamiliar with this branch of the sport. It was started around 100 years ago by a French army private by the name of Daniel Gousseau who would accompany his horse-riding General through the French forests on his bike. He found it so enjoyable that he started to invite friends. Once a gathering of cyclists comes together, of course, the competitive juices start flowing, and cyclocross racing was born. Traditionally held during European winters, ‘cross has developed into a popular cycle sport in the US and has finally spread to Australia. This year will see the first ever ‘cross national series here, and the first official running of a Victorian Championship.

With a venue like the West Bairnsdale Oval, ‘cross racing can be held away from public roads and therefore be a great introduction to the fun, speed and skills of bicycle racing for children. Ten eager youngsters started the 15minute-plus one lap unofficial fun race showing great speed and talent. While initially a little intimidated by the off-camber sections of the first hill, after a couple of laps they were riding with confidence. Tom Fisher was the run-away winner, showing that there is a second generation of cycling talent in the Fisher family, but a special mention to Lucy Dellar for second place and a very strong ride.

With spectators climbing the highest vantage point to heckle riders, ringing cowbells and waving the flag of Flanders, the anticipation of the seniors race was growing, but who would win was anyone’s guess. We all know Brad Fisher is fast off-road, he has Gippsland MTB Club Championships to prove it. However Tom Deller is fast and keen and has youth on his side. What about Stu Derham? He owns a ‘cross bike and has great fitness coming off his efforts at the Melbourne Ironman Triathlon. Or maybe the dark horse would be Dave MacLean, who tried to throw his competitors off by being the only rider to wear a superhero cape.

The 40 minute-plus a lap race started very fast with Tom getting away to a blinding start, closely followed by Brad and Gary Jackson. With Tom getting to an early lead of around 30 meters, it was Gary and Brad locked together for a lap, before Gary’s backyard barrier practice enabled him to get a 10 meter gap at each of the two hurdles. Meanwhile, 18 year old Nagle student, Chris Standfield of Lakes Entrance was lapping well, not far from the leaders and surprising a few on his recycled Shogun converted to a ‘cross bike. Tim Boote was enjoying himself, getting air on some jumps for the cameras. Stu Derham was initially a little cautious over the barriers but was soon, literally, flying over them.

The last lap bell couldn’t come soon enough for most of the gasping competitors, but across the line first despite a couple of barrier and corner slips, was Tom, also on a 20 year old recycled and converted Shogun bike, that consistently pulled out 10 meters per lap on second placed Gary, with Brad Fisher third. All riders finished with smiles and the most common comment afterwards was that it was much harder than it looked. The grass sections sapping the energy, and the steep hill run, preceeded by a barrier, seemed to get longer and steeper with each lap.

Some positive comments since show that ‘cross racing could become a semi-regular event, and that having an off-street venue, in the heart of town, made it particularly appealing to introducing kids to racing as well as a great fun workout for the adults. Big thanks to Tom Dellar, who came out at 7am and did a great job helping set out the course, and to all the helpers who packed up the course afterwards. Also, thanks to Stuart for organising the nice fat sausages and BBQ.

It took a while to get here, but long may cyclocross continue! Check out some of the action here.

2012 RACING SEASON - RACE 9
KEITH & MAX ROWLEY MEMORIAL HANDICAP
Eight BRCC members headed down to the busy metropolis of Briagolong last Sunday for the Keith & Max Rowley Memorial Race - a handicap event over 65km on a figure eight course around the town. Riders were grouped into small bunches and set off at various times - the most generous being 23 mins then 18 mins. at Briagolong. In typical handicap fashion, the racing from the gun was fast and furious with few passengers being carried over the entire length of the course (some were carried over half the course, right James?), with most bunches working consistently together. By the last turn, the scratch and second scratch bunches came together about 11 kms from the finish, minus Stuart who took advantage of Tom's unfortunate puncture to hitch a ride in the comfort of WCC President Kevin Read's fourby (after sportingly swapping bikes). By the end, the second limit bunch were also swept up and with the stronger guys putting the hammer down in the closing stages the speed was on to catch the limit guys. But they never did and Gary Cotterill of WCC greeted the judge first with Leigh Thompson and Ross Wembridge the bridesmaids. Linc Kelly led home the main bunch and in doing so collected fastest time for the day. Full results can be found on the Wellington CC website.

Presentations were made in front of the pub with members of the Rowley family in attendance. A perpetual trophy was awarded to Gary along with small trophies for Ross & Leigh, in addition to generous prizemoney amounts to the top 6 (or was that 7?) and fast time for Linc. This race is set to be become an annual classic event with Grant Smith of WCC confirming that the race will be permanent first Sunday of May event, the Race Committee needs to make allowance for this fantastic event on next year's race calendar. Judith Dove once again did a great job with photography - you can see here pictures on her Actionpactpix website along with her blog report of the day's event.

In a side note to the event, there was also a bit of a race-within-a-race of engineer vs engineer (aka the boss versus the employee) and the young engineer had a win.  Stuart suggested that the young engineer might need to look out as the old engineer will be looking for some revenge - as long as he still has his job, all is well. The old engineer crowed about fastest time, but the young engineer replied that in a handicap only fastest time matters not 20-something(th) time and it is the sprint at the end and the respective positions on the white line that counts. Unfortunately the old engineer was not even in the frame at the white line (Judith's photos proves that).

The trailer worked a treat with its new bindings and there certainly was much interest again in its presence - see also Stuart's comments above regarding use of the trailer.

2012 RACING SEASON - RACE 8
ANZAC DAY CLASSIC - SALE to BAIRNSDALE (via Bengworden)

A-grade
1st : Brenton Jones   (Warragul CC)
2nd : Sam Beveridge   (LCCC)
3rd : Jarryd Jones    (Warragul CC)

B-grade
1st : Peter Finlayson (Warragul CC)
2nd : Aaron Wain      (WCC)
3rd : Geoff Thompson  (Warragul CC)

C-grade
1st : Andrew Nicholls (Warragul CC)
2nd : Alan Rankin     (WCC)
3rd : Paul Makepeace  (LCCC)

D-grade
1st : Damian Crozier  (BRCC)
2nd : James Brownlie  (BRCC)
3rd : Andrew Gordon   (Warragul CC)

FULL RESULTS NOW AVAILABLE - go to "Latest Race Results" for full details.
Judith Dove has taken some great photos of the event and written a brief blog of the day's event.
Read Judith's musings here accompanied by a small selection of photos.
A full screening of all her photos can be found on Judith's Actionpactpix website.

A message from the President, Staurt Derham:
"Thanks to everybody who helped yesterday.  The forecast wasn't ideal but the actual conditions were fine, the crosswinds were nasty but the tailwinds were generous. So, all in all a successful day, albeit slightly fewer numbers than expected.  Great job in particular to the corner marshalls & lead drivers. Well done to all of our (BRCC) riders who acquitted themselves very well.  It was great to have 4 A grade riders, two in the main bunch & Tom who led the second bunch home.  We were always going to do well in D grade but to get 1st and 2nd was terrific.  Great job boys.  I saw Linc's computer afterwards showing an average of 43km/h!  Obviously we need to work on Saturday morning rides, clearly they have become too casual..."

NEW SPONSOR
The Club is proud to announce a generous sponsorship of $2,000 by the Bairnsdale Club. In acknowledgement of this offer, all future Club meetings and functions will held in the function room of the Bairnsdale Club, starting with the 2011 Presentation Night, as announced above. All members of BRCC are encouraged to become members of the Bairnsdale Club. An application form for membership can be downloaded here.