Cycling Southland’s road racers descended on Mabel Bush on Saturday for an 81 kilometre Handicap race around the Woodstock circuit.
Kylie Young was able to hold off Tony Raggett over the final 500 metres to snatch a deserved victory with Mike Matheson in the points again in third ahead of a fast finishing bunch. Garth Cooper was the first scratch rider home in sixth place overall to also claim the fastest time of the day, 2 hours 6 minutes and 30 seconds.
Three weeks in to the new season and our Points Series leaders are Robert Huisman (A Grade), Ray Robinson (B Grade) and Mike Matheson (C Grade).
Given the rather chilly conditions and the absence of our Junior riders who were in camp in Heriot for the weekend, numbers were again strong and included a great group of recreational riders. It was great to be part of that bunch on Saturday and I can now speak from experience when I say this Recreational Ride is the perfect way to get into cycling. We had some experienced heads to guide us in Nick Harris, Graeme Irvine and Neil Jamieson and they even offered a tow up the hills if required (although I’m still waiting for mine).
As someone who hasn’t done any competitive cycling in my life it was great fun and proved to me yet again what a great recreational activity cycling is. The bunch travelled at the speed of the slowest rider, you could have a chat along the way and an hour later you were off the bike and watching the competitive cyclists hammer their way around the circuit to the finish line. The best news is you don’t wreck your body in the process. Even I woke up the next day feeling fresh ... a minor miracle.
The recreational ride has quickly become an important part of our Club activities. I’d encourage you to contact the Cycling Southland office for details on how you can join the ride on Saturday afternoons and try road cycling in a fun, safe and supportive environment.
This weekend we host our annual Memorial Weekend.
This is unquestionably one of our Club’s most important weekends. It provides the chance to remember and recognise the contributions made by our cycling forebears. The 100 kilometre handicapped race follows the course of the old Glengarry 100 Club Classic. A Grade competes for the McLeay Memorial, B Grade for the Bunty Hewitt Memorial, C Grade for the Martin Verbeek Memorial and the Juniors race for the Curtis Dunn Memorial.
Each has a special place in our Club’s history and identity and this weekend offers the chance to salute their memory is the most appropriate fashion possible – by going out and racing hard.
This year we are also fortunate to have close to a full complement of the McLeay family in town to either ride or support the event. We are very appreciative of their personal effort to be part of our Memorial event on Saturday.