Enduro – Report
For the sixth year running, the Rocky Riders delivered a ripper of a day for the Cycle Concepts Castlemaine 6-Hour Enduro.
A slighty more subdued Saturday night still saw around 80 or so campers enjoying the bush surrounds and Big Ted’s bonfire work. The 16-inches were out again, with lazarus Al Farley taking the coin for the second time in his 16-inch career.
Greeted by perfect conditions Sunday, around 300 riders took to the track. A huge pack of dirtmasters assembled under the Scott/Avanti arch for the 20 minute crit around the paddock. Some short cutting was observed, but no protests lodged, and all went home with some loot.
In the big peoples race, there were some dinky die battles between riders and the rocks, as well as between competing riders. Both the male and female solo winners, Adrian Jackson and Peta Mullens, had their opposition under control all day. AJ even pulled into transition to fix a puncture on lap two and didn’t loose his lead. David Rusden rode a calculated race to take the lead about 5 hours in to take the 40+ male solo category. Great to see Troy Bailey back with a race number on taking 3rd in the 40+ behind Tim Jamieson. Search2Retain smashed the opposition in the Male Pairs, even with Jack rolling into transition ready to hit the trail until his teammate Luke Fetch (who dominated the fastest lap leaderboard) pointed out Jack was sans helmet!
There was some hot to trot racing in the other teams categories. Melissa Anset and Erica Gurner closely chased KingFisher all day, while FitzMix’s Duncan & Amity took the mixed pairs by going out for an extra lap just before the 6 hour mark. The Men’s triples was a top battle between two local teams. The rocky rider team of Al “Lazarus” Farley, Darren “Boxer” Kruger and Jack “really, i’m only 15″ Nettleton held off Marty “Jubber” Dzioba and his woodend mates.
The fully riged 29er types slogged away all day, but will likely leave them at home and utilise the great advancement of gears and suspension next time round. Cam Winn may have no choice after his downtube sheared in half.
A huge thank-you to our sponsors, Cycle Concepts Castlemaine, Theatre Royal, Goldfields Track, Vaughan Springs Vineyard, Plaistow Homestead B&B, Henry of Harcourt, Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa and Scott/Avanti/Kenda.
Also a big thank-you to all the volunteers who gave up their weekend to make it happen, including MC Tim Sheedy who made the trek up from Northcote High t “Northcote North” for the sixth consecutive year.
Results are here.
Some photos from our marshalls can be found here and here.
Next round of the Goldcross Victorian Enduro Series is being hosted by the Dirtriders at Beaconsfield on Sunday 25th of September. Details available on the VES page.
