Avanti Plus Bike Shop, Whangarei, Northland

Kia ora everyone

A good mix of ages and abilities arrived at the Kokopu School to race a choice of two course lengths - Pipiwai Road and back twice (37km) or once (18.5km). A generally flattish course with a few rises to test the climbing legs and a bit of a wind to toughen it up. 

The race was a mass start with the winners decided on a sealed handicap to keep all riders trying to the end. There was a small prize donated by Clarence Street Cyclery in Sydney for the club member who won on handicap.

The mass start gave everyone a real buzz for the first 500m before Ben Evans decided to crank up the pace. A few canny young riders tried very hard to stay on for as long as possible. Young Ben Johnstone successfully managed to hold a high pace on his restricted gears and this gave him the edge to win the one lap race on handicap and take out fastest time. New U17 rider Matthew Markby did well to finish second a minute behind.

The two lappers split quickly under pressure from Ben E, Elliot Frizelle and Mathew Zenovich. These three stayed in front until the final sprint with Elliott out sprinting Mat by 2 seconds.

Club racing is a good way to iron out mechanical problems that often appear when racing under pressure, before a major event. Ben E found his handle bars twisting sideways and a chain jumping in the final few 100m and Steve Parker managed to break a cleat on the start line.

Thanks to Lee and Jonathan for riding ‘soft’ and giving coaching advice on the road and Catherine, John and Grant for timekeeping and marshalling.

Next Club Race – Saturday August 29th – Whatatiri Hall, SH14 end Whatatiri Road .