47 keen riders rocked up to give the 4.5 km course a crack, the magic time to get under was 10 minutes for the run from a mix of backgrounds, we had the whippet all terrain crew as well as the non vertically challenged.  The ride started quick, big chain ring, head down, bum up down the side of Millers Road.  Enter the bush, the dirt had changed, now we have rocks, pea gravel and trees, keeping the front wheel glued to the tack was the biggest issue, a few drifties and ‘oh sh*t’ moments keep the rider on edge.  Slamming the bike through narrow track was awesome fun, launching of the bridge into the creek crossing was the highlight for this rider.  Through some techy terrain, the hardest part of the run was to come.  Legs full of lactic, big ring, powering through the flats and uphill pinches to the finish line, rider’s where unable to blow a candle out by the time the finished… signs of a good trail!

Out of the five ladies to tackle the course, it was our own National Champ DH champ, Leonie Picton to take the bikkies with a time of 10.35 on her first run, with Sharon Dilly and Jacinta Nelsson in 2nd and 3rd.

The juniors set a red hot pace, with Mac West-Moore finishing 6th overall to take out the U19 win in a time of 9.51 and Spencer Morris runner-up with Ben Broome coming in third.  Jay Smijewski took the XC win for the day in the U17 in 10.59, narrowly pipping Jackson Armitage of the DH brigade by 5 seconds.  In the U15 catergory, we had Louis Armitage record the quickest time in 11.55, with Caleb McRae in second.  It was impressive to see so many juniors at the event, keep up the good work!

Out of the ‘big boys,’ we had DH’ers take the podium, a very impressive time of 9.21 by Karl Peel was exceptional, he must’ve been on the edge all the way down, I wonder how he got those wide handlebars through those trees at that speed! Michael Watt was hot on Karl’s heels, only 6 seconds behind in 2nd and Nathan Murphy in 3rd.

A great day out, thank to the landowners – the Gunter’s for the generous use of their land for the day, DSE for access to the tracks and of course, the organisers, trail fairies, timers and marshals.  Most of all, thanks to the riders for making a great friendly atmosphere.

See you next time and Colquhuon for the 4 hour, get out there!!