Rnd 17 – Tidbinbilla – Graded scratch road dace

Date/Time
Date(s) - 30/08/2014
9:00 am - 12:30 pm

Location
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve

Location: This course uses the roads between along Tidbinbilla Road (starting near the Tidbinbilla Reserve entrance), though Flints Crossing, theTracking Station and approaching the Point Hut intersection

Timing: Course set up will commence at 9:00am with racing to commence at 10.00am. Racing is expected to conclude at approx. 12.00pm and pack up completed by 12.30pm.

Start/Finish The start and finish for this race is near the entrance to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, Riders proceed north along Paddys River Road to the turn at Flints Reserve Crossing (approx. 4.3kms north of the Discovery Drive intersection) before proceeding back along Paddys River Road. The riders will left into Discovery Drive and on to the Tracking Station, and returning along Discovery drive to turn left onto Paddys River Road. Riders will continue to the turnaround just before the descent into the Point Hut intersection (approx. 1km from the intersection) and return to the start/finish.

The loop is approximately 41.4 kms.  Riders will complete 1 or 2 laps depending on their grade.

Car Parking: Competitors will park at the Tidbinbilla Reserve Visitor Centre.

Please note that the start/finish is incorrectly marked. It will occur on Tidbinbilla Road near the entrance to the Reserve The Round 17 Tidbinbilla scratch race was held on a crisp, sunny morning with a light breeze. This taste of spring enticed 63 riders to the start line to tackle the undulating course. Commencing at Tidbinbilla, the course was set over the rolling hills between the Point Hut Crossing Road and Flints Reserve Crossing. Within this 27km lap, there are no stopper climbs but the distinct lack of flat terrain guarantees tired legs by the final sprint.

All grades rolled away without mishap and due to the light winds, the groups managed to stay together for the most part. Men’s A saw numerous attempts at breakaways, the most notable of which was Sam Moorby who pulled out a gallant time trial after the first lap. In Men’s B, Oliver Murray was more often than not off the front of the bunch, forcing the chasers to maintain plenty ofspeed. Men’s C was the largest field of the day with 23 starters.

In Men’s D, Edward Hood was the first to cross the line with a convincing gap. Stuart Roesler and Greg Collis crossed the line in gentlemanly fashion for 2nd Women’s B ahead of Kim Smith after they each did a mountain of work within grupettos. Men’s E and Women’s C rolled in together with Robert Vanderkley taking the honours from George Nelson and Jamie Nicholls (ME), and Lyn Vasudeva finished ahead of Amy Woods and Samantha Nicholls (WC).

In the Men’s A finish, Jordan Lewis demonstrated that he had plenty in the tank by getting the jump on Nick Wilson and Charles Nicoll in a close sprint for the line. Oliver Murray demonstrated that a morning of solo efforts didn’t dull the legs too much by pulling off one last breakaway across the line to win Men’s B. Andrew McCosker kicked like a mule to take the bunch sprint ahead of Brandon Bardsley to round out the Men’s B podium. Men’s C did not disappoint by ending in the closest sprint of the day. An exciting final run into the line ended with Tim Keith powering to the win. Michael Taylor and Paul Frankcom rounded out the minor placings.

As always, the event was possible due to the time and efforts of volunteers. Thanks go to ANUCC for hosting the event, the first aid officer (Brad McDonald – thankfully not required) and the traffic controllers. Volunteers included Luke Connors, Gerry Elias, Ian Hutchings, Andrew Kennedy, Lizzie Nicholls and Tim Sloan-Gardner. Special thanks go to Peter Gough who made sure the whole thing went off without a hitch. See you all next time!

Race Director – Tristan Webber

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