This week was the first of the Handicapped Road Races for the season. Also up for grabs tonight was the John Chesmar Memorial Trophy, awarded to the winner of the race, no matter which handicap group they started in.  John Chesmar was a bit of a character –nicknamed Mad dog – but well loved and respected amongst our members. John had a few things he was passionate about – his family, his Morris Minors, and his cycling. John was a seriously competitive racer who knew how to hold a wheel and excelled when it came to the sprint. He was also well known for constructing ‘funny bikes’ that many people played with over the years. At the same time, we would probably regard him as one of the most social members of our club. It is fitting therefore to hold this race in memory and honour of him.

As is usual with Handicapped races everyone was set off in groups starting with ‘limit’, then 3 break groups and finally scratch – the big boys – were let loose 14 minutes later. The goal for each of the groups is to overtake all the riders in front of you whilst not getting caught by the groups charging up behind you. When the handicapper gets it absolutely right, every group will arrive together to contest the sprint finish. 

The grading processing is an ongoing process, especially this early in the season. This particular circuit offers a few little challenges along the way. First there is the climb up through Gladstone, past the pub and on into a persistent headwind. Once the riders reached Carter’s Line, and the change of direction, the wind became a crosscutter which was the second test for the night, as if you drop a wheel at this point there is no way back! The third test is always the short but punchy climb after the Parkvale Hall, followed by another section of crosswind before turning to start the Millers Road Climb. 

Tonight a few riders demonstrated considerably more strength and speed than others in their group through this series of tests. It is probable that these riders will find themselves re-graded upwards for the next outing. Some of the scratch bunch got very close to lapping the whole field but didn’t succeed in catching absolutely everyone. Better luck next time…. maybe.

In the end congratulations go to Neil Henderson who crossed the line in first place and is therefore tonight’s winner and will be the recipient of the John Chesmar Memorial Trophy. Congratulations to Donna Burkhart who was second and also the first woman across the finish line. Congratulations also go to Tom McCallum the fastest man on the night. Similarly, congratulations to Emily Lutyens the fastest woman tonight.

For the junior members of the club their race took them south from Gladstone Church to Millers Road where they turned and raced back towards the Church. Their tests come in the form of false flat on the first half of the race and head-cross wind on the return journey. Congratulations tonight go toKate Speedy who won the junior race and was also the first junior girl. Jono Didsbury finished in second place and was the first junior boy.

As always very many thanks to the team who manage the race and keep us all safe. Next week is another Handicapped Road race around the Francis Line – Hughes Line circuit.

Full results:

A new cycle race season is finally under way. Chance once again to test the legs, and heart and lungs, not to mention the race tactics, and determination. All those things that have been put on hold during the winter. Even though the season is just starting there are some very fit cyclists out there – namely those competing in the North Island Team Series – whilst for others their fitness and early season training has yet to kick in. 

After the cancellation of the first grading race last week, the weather was much kinder this week so allowing the second grading-race to proceed as planned. This 27 km Mass Start Road Race began at the bottom of the Rangitumai bluff racing towards Mauriceville and then returning to finish 2 kms past the bluff on Rangitumai Road.

In mass start racing, as the name suggests, the race starts with everyone together at the same time. This means the vast majority of the field then trying their best to ‘hang on’ to the wheels in front of them, whilst those who fancy their chances, attack as hard and fast as they can to create gaps and a breakaway. Predictably, within a few kms of the start, Mark Langlands along with Tom McCallum executed the perfect attack to create their breakaway. A head-cross-cutter wind probably assisted with breaking the elastic to the chase group.  The main chase group once formed, worked together to try to bring back the breakaway. In doing so, many other riders found themselves distanced and strung out along the road. These riders then formed smaller groups to work with each other.

Unfortunately, Tom was unable to stay with Mark and dropped out of the breakaway to be reeled back in by the chase bunch. At the turnaround, Mark was solo and had a gap of about a minute back to the chase group. This gap was reduced somewhat with the assistance of the tail-crosscutter wind on the return leg of the race, but not by enough to close the gap completely. In the end Mark had a solo win with a margin of 43 seconds. Dominic Green showed a clean pair of heels to the rest of the chase group to cross the line in second place, with Tom McCallum sprinting to third.

The next group back on the road contained the top woman contender, Belinda Fuller, followed 32 seconds later by Emily Lutyens. A little further back Kirsten Goodin outsprinted Julie Millar to be third woman home. 

Chocolate fish story tonight goes to John Murray who punctured before the turnaround. Congratulations to everyone who raced and thanks to all our race officials and marshalls.

Next week is one for the hill-climbers with an A and B-Graded race starting in Watson’s Road, heading out to Wainiouru and finishing at the top of Limeworks hill.

Full results are: