Summer Edition 2014 The Mountain Trail Official Newsletter of Team Mount Beauty PO Box 295 Mt Beauty Vic 3699 www.tmb. org.au info@tmb.org.au Evan Franzke leads the field, Mitta to Mt Beauty 2014 Pic: Ken Bell The Team Mount Beauty Committee 2014 President: Jenny Kromar president@tmb.org.au Vice President: Ian Franzke Treasurer: Kim McKeown Secretary: Turi Berg Equipment: David Panozzo - equipmentofficer@tmb.org.au Membership: Michelle Forrer - membershipofficer@tmb.org.au General committee members: Sam Catt, Tina Cook,, Liam Panozzo, Gerry van der Ploeg, Daniel van der Ploeg, Mat Shreiber, Matt Spencer, Michael Whipps.
2014 Australian Solo 24 Hour Mountain Bike Titles Tory Thomas, the 2003 & 2004 Australian Solo 24 Hour Champion has returned straight onto the top step of the podium. She had a battle on her way to the title, with 2013 Australian Champion Liz Smith (NSW) on the same lap for almost the entire race. This morning I felt this is it - the next lap she (Smith) will catch me. I turned myself inside out and I actually felt better after that - my back, shoulders and my knees were hurting and going hard gave me something else to think about. Thomas spoke of her happiness to win again and her history in the sport. It's great! I guess my 24hr career ended against my choice in 2005, I was hit by a car and so I took up cross-country racing but I just wanted one more crack. Congratulations on another well earned title Tory. Tory with Mens 24 hour champion, Jason English (NSW) 2
Mitta to Mt Beauty 2014! The sun was out and people travelled from far and wide to get to the Mitta Mitta Caravan Park for the annual Mitta to Mt Beauty MTB race, with the idea to get to Mt Beauty as quickly as they can. For some its a race, for some its all about the challenge of trying something different and for others its just about survival! At 9:45am we were marshalled, entertained by Dave A as the official starter momentarily, and then at 10am we were off. A neutral start followed the lead car out of Mitta Mitta until a left hand turn onto Scrubby Creek road. It was then game on. Evan Franzke made the first move going off the front almost immediately. The bunch was happy to let him go at first, but as the gap grew I was getting a little nervous, especially knowing just how strong Evan is. I tried to make a few moves to see if anyone was willing to come and help bring him back in a little. No one was really prepared to help out so I closed the gap on my own, just enough to feel comfortable. Before we new it we were crossing the cattle grid and onto the gravel. The first climb has a long and steady beginning, which strung out the field and it was at the stage that the group pulled Evan back. We were all together again. Before there was time to rest and relax, the always- strong John Kent came around the pack and was on the front, picking up the pace again. Initially the only riders able to follow were Evan Franzke and Jon Houston. The pace was high and so was the heart rate up the first climb. So when I got to the top I was happy knowing the first descent was pretty smooth and was going to give me a little breather. At this point there were four of us in my little group. At the start of the second climb (which is the longer and harder of the two) we had a little chat and made a plan to climb together and hopefully be at the bottom at Mountain Creek campground (where the gravel ends and your back on the tarmac) together to help each other home. Heading up the second climb Kris Meyland set a great tempo, working hard and really moving us up the hill. When I had a quick look over my shoulder I noticed that our group had dropped from four down to three, but up ahead I saw another rider. We kept up a good tempo and picked up Jon Houston almost at the top, where the track swings hard left and many where many people think they re at the top. But really the track undulates for another 4-5km before actually dropping down to Mt. Creek. The second and last major climb was really tough and the temperature was picking up, so we were all pretty happy to be dropping downhill. As we tipped downwards I noticed that again our group was down to four, somewhere during the undulating section we lost Jon. What lay ahead for us was some fast, loose and borderline out of control riding. The track was rough, rutted and had big loose rocks all over the place. Gerry VDP even went as far a saying that the track condition probably made the race 3-4 minutes slower than it could have been. Thanks Gerry, I ll take that! Arriving at Mt. Creek the three of us still together were happy to work together and team time trial it back towards town, but not until we all concurred that the descent we had just finished was awesome fun. There is nothing like going fast and holding on for your life! Along the tarmac it was full gas, the three of us swapping off turns, trying hard to bring back the little rabbit we could see way up the road (turning out to be Evan Franzke). But for me the fun was yet to come. Everyone thinks that when you get to tarmac the hard stuff is all done. But I kid you not, the hill up to the Kiewa Valley Hwy (Arby s) and then Chooky s Hill up to the Bright Gap turnoff made me suffer so bad! Cramps in both legs, eyeballs popping out, gritting of the teeth and just telling myself to enjoy the pain were all called upon. There were also some timely words of support from Tory, Tim and Kelly. 3 I managed to hang on up and over the final climbs and then it was flat out again down into town.
second wheel. We turned into the final straight and I had just enough left in the legs to sprint in for 3 rd place, about 1min 30sec behind John Kent and about 30sec behind Evan. The Mitta, as it s affectionately known, is a great event. I love and I hate it all at the same time. But at the end of it, a swim in the river and a cold beer is all I need to be keen as to do it all over again (in 12 months time)! So if you haven t ever participated then make sure you get along in 2015. Cheers, Quinny 4 Pics courtesy of Ken Bell
OUT OF THE SADDLE 5 minutes with Sam Catt Most memorable bike ride ever. Mawson Trail in the Flinders Ranges, 2 weeks of outback cycle touring. Spectacular views and abundant wildlife. (2 weeks of dehydrated food and no showers.) Also last year riding Alpe d Huex the day before the Tour de France with thousands of spectators lining the road cheering us on. 21 switch backs and a breathtaking vista all the way up. What bike/s do you currently ride? Scott spark 30 such a handsome bike, I love it. Roadie is a trek and my touring bike is a custom made Thorogood bike. Funniest biking memory Cycle touring in Spain and ended up in a little town having a festival of the home grown red wine! They were trying to crown us King and Queen of the festival! Favourite bike trails? (Before moving to Mt Beauty!!) Love Sparrow Hill in Kowen State Forest, Canberra. Also Mogo and Wingello state forests. Fun sweeping single tracks. Favourite reading material? Wellbeing and Flow Who would you most like to go for a ride with? Anyone with a sense of adventure and fun and who is happy with a coffee stop after! 5
Tawonga gap Christmas handicap & end of year BBQ Thursday December 18 th Ride a bike that you would not normally ride up the gap. A steel fixie, singlespeed, your daughters Huffy, someone elses fat bike etc. Start: Suspension bridge, Tawonga South. First riders away at 6pm Followed by a BBQ at the Mount Beauty pondage/park (Lakeside Ave) from 7.30pm Meat/salad/sauce/bread supplied. BYO booze, chair/rug, plates etc 6
The first ever ALPINE CYCLING CLUB JUNIOR MTB RACE SERIES For riders 4 16 years of age It doesn t matter if you go fast or go slow, you should come and try racing in a fun no stress environment everybody is welcome. Attend one or two or all of the races, but make sure you are there for the Season Final 3 best results will make up your series score - prizes for the riders with the most points in each category. For each race you will earn: 1 st - 5 points 2 nd 4 points 3 rd 3 points Participation 2 points What do I need to race? o A good attitude o Alpine Cycling Club membership o Current MTBA membership (bring your card!) o A mountain bike in good working order o Wear an approved helmet Bring your cheering voices and bells to support all the racers. Age Groups Boys Mixed Under 7 Born 2008 2010 12 + Born 1999-2002 Under 10 Born 2006 2007 Girls Under 12 Born 2005-2003 Under 12 Born before 2003 How do I enter? Cost $5 per race or $20 for the series Register online at https://www.registernow.com.au/secure/register.aspx?e=14807 or complete a registration form and hand it to Vanessa on Tuesday Club ride with your entry fee. Dates: Saturday 20 th December (Enduro) Saturday 10 th January (Gravity) Saturday 24 th January (Pump Loop) Saturday 7 th February (Final race) 7
Isaac and Harry are all smiles at the first Bright kids race. They teamed up to win the Under 10 boys Enduro.
Kids Clinics The kids clinics have almost wound up for Christmas. The last session will be on December 12th with a fun Christmas break- up activity and icy poles. They will run again in term one next year once it is not so hot (March- April). This year we have 40 kids registered. A skills program has seen us focus on a different skill or topic each week. So far the kids have learnt about: - body positioning - gearing and braking - cornering - steep ups and downs - tackling obstacles - jumps/bunny hops - racing As well as learning, there is also been time for putting it all together, just riding and having fun. Last week the 3:45pm group consolidated their skills with a fun ride on Survey Track. Judging by the smiles on the kids faces, this was the favourite session so far. The kids have also been enjoying the brand new kids loop from the carpark built by Bernie and Greg over winter. This has been great for getting the younger kids onto singletrack from the carpark without it being too steep. Three Team Mt Beauty members, Isaac Richardson, Harri and Tommi Silvester, competed recently in the inaugural Alpine Cycling Club junior mountain bike race held in Bright. All three won their categories and now can t wait to compete again! The Alpine Cycling Club are running the race series and have welcomed Team Mt Beauty juniors to also join in the fun races. A number of instructors recently attended an instructor's clinic on 'how to teach mountain biking' run by the club's Jarrod Quinn, a qualified trainer. We learnt a lot of great tips on how to teach mountain bike skills, progression of skills and drills to practise. A big thank you to all the instructors and parent helpers who made the clinics possible, they wouldn t happen without you. The kids and I also hope to see Bernie and Gerry back healthy soon. Jonah Cosgriff showing great style and skill. 9
Tour of Bright Report by Francesca Wellington The 24 th annual Tour of Bright was held on December 5th- 7 th 2014 and again this year was a three part stage race over three days, finishing with the challenging ascent of Mount Hotham in trying conditions. Mt Beauty locals Aaron Knight and Jon Houston took part in the battle for Masters A royalty and Michal Trnka and Shawn Power raced for Masters C glory. In the Stage 1 ITT at Porepunkah, I volunteered my time as a corner marshall and was in the ideal position to watch every rider speed past on the long straight section of the course as well as tackle the tricky downhill corner on the way back from the turnaround point at the tip, which was certainly a spot prone to a bit of excitement. Aaron raced under ominously stormy skies that eventually gave way to rain, averaging just under 40 km/hr in a classy field of riders known for their time trialing prowess, including Shane Millar. Jon must have seen the storm brewing over Porepunkah as he did his ITT and hurried to get it done before the rain hit, averaging over 43km/hr and finished inside the top 10. In the Masters C classification, Michal made it inside the top 30 in a field of over ninety riders, averaging just under 40km/hr also. Shawn managed to place inside the top 40 in his ITT, despite having a bit of bad luck with a puncture. The stage two gaps loop over was Aaron s day to shine. He put in a dominant performance, taking sprint points out the front of Boynton s Winery and crossed the line at the Rosewhite gap KOM first. Aaron beat the rest of the Masters A field up Tawonga gap to take the victorious stage win. The KOM points Aaron won on this stage also earnt him the honor of runner up in the KOM classification, making it two visits to podium for him this tour. John finished inside the top 20, also in Masters A. Michal also had a good day on Tawonga gap, finishing inside the top 10 and Shawn also put in a strong performance, beating 24 of his competitors up the hill by up to 25minutes! The stage three ascent of Hotham was shortened due to poor visibility, persistent rain and strong wind on the mountain. Riders who even completed the stage should be proud of their efforts as the conditions were very trying. I was driving a lead car for the day and there was plenty of competition for the seats in my car and spaces on the roof racks at completion of racing! When I arrived at the finish line in the Women s A lead car the rain and fog was already quite significant and this was only the second race to finish. By the time Aaron crossed the finish line in 14 th place the rain was quite heavy and Jon arrived soon after, making it just inside the top 20. This was also Jon s day to shine in the Sprint King classification. He won both sprints for the stage at the Big Shed and at Harrietville, and that evening at final presentations was crowned the Masters A Sprint King. Michal and Shawn also deserve credit for their performances on the day, with Shawn riding through a torrential mountain downpour to place 15 th and Michal only seconds outside the top 20. Tour of Bright was a great event to be part of, on or off the bike and I m sure riders will look forward in anticipation to next years event. 10
NEWS FREE 8 week trial MTBA membership Available for any non-member in the last 3 years (only available once per person) Go to: http://www.mtba.asn.au/join/ The new MT Buller EPIC Trail is OPEN The Australian Alpine Epic Trail is the first IMBA accredited Epic trail in the Southern Hemisphere, offering a 24 mile ride that descends over 3,608 vertical feet from the top of Mt Buller (one of the most popular alpine resorts in the country) down into the surrounding valley. Tough and exhilarating, it takes riders on a truly unique journey travelling through snowgum woodlands that exist nowhere else in the world, to treeless alpine summits, dropping off into cool ferny glades surrounded by granite monoliths, and finishing alongside a crystal clear mountain stream. Aside from the stunning scenery, trail features include the ability to break the trip up into sections that can be tackled either as a whole or individually - supported by 3-5 star accommodation at Mt Buller, or mountain huts along the way and the thrilling 4 mile descent at the end of the ride that offers the perfect way to finish this gruelling 4-8 hour journey. Check it out at: http://bike.mtbuller.com.au/epic_launch.php 11