Winter series Round 3 Harkaway August 15th
Monday, July 26, 2010

Report: Round 2 Chum Creek Sunday 20th June
Friday, June 18, 2010

It was the event dubbed as "are you tough enough"? The question was soon answered by those who braved the wintery conditions to venture out. Chum Creek lived up to its potential with a technical, slippery and muddy course for the taking. Needless to say there were a few very soft "riders" who strategically did not bring out the bike. Winners today are anyone who rode or slid their way around, with Peter Kutchera taking out A grade.

Thanks to Rob Amos for the use of his land and the extensive track clearing work that he has undertaken with the re-growth of the forest. Apologies for the muddy ruts leading out of the gate. It was a tad wet...

Details here

Results below:

Downloads:
· (PDF - 21 Kb)
· Chum Creek Results (PDF - 21 Kb)

Kurth Kiln - FTF Winter Series #1
Sunday, May 16, 2010

Huddled in amongst the fog a keen bunch of MTB’ers gathered. Memories of racing above the snowline at this venue came flooding back with temperatures hovering around the 3 degree mark. Our time keepers Jen and Andrew came well prepared with winter warmers, and were not to be misled by the perfect sunny morning down the mountain.

It was a very un-formal start of “let’s ride” and so we took off venturing into the fog at a leisurely pace. Up the front it was a very social affair with any sign of intensity quickly voiced and shut down. This was quite appreciated by those who had done some heavy k’s the day before to slowly warm up the legs.

The course climbed steadily for the first 8km, bringing us out of the fog and into some glorious sunshine and warmth. I was thankful I had ditched the jacket at the last minute otherwise I would be quite toasty by now. B graders Anthony Natoli and Nick Carter started stirring up the pace with little surges to shake a few riders, and bring some intensity into the lead group.

We finally crested the climb and started the descent. A few undulations here or there but predominantly down hill from here to home. Ooops I forgot about that steep pinch in the middle of nowhere!

Rohin Adams led us on merry guided tour of the motorbike trails, carefully keeping us out of the deep puddles, and trying to set up a competition for two wheel drifting. A bit of course knowledge from setting up surely helps, but we thank their efforts nonetheless.

The last section of trail saw a few logs and some steel bars to hop or dismount and jump over. A bit like that cyclocross event at the Warburton bike festival. The section would prove to be the make or break for some, with valuable meters gained by those adapt to the skill. With a fast downhill straight to the finish a smooth clean run was required.

The A and B graders headed out for a double, whilst C and D graders sprinted for the finish line with the winner of C only a few minutes down on the lead bunch. Upfront the gentlemen’s agreement has ceased, and Adams and Peacock set about lifting the pace and making a break. Whilst Adams was climbing better and had made a small gap it was all brought back together on the flatter undulations. In a show of power both decided to attack on the steep pinch, each thwarting the others plan and neither benefitting from the move.

It would come down to the motor bike trail, the cyclocross section and the final sprint to the line. It was youthful exuberance over racing wisdom than won out with Peacock edging out Adams by a wheel. Peter Kutschera in for third.

Meanwhile Natoli, Carter and McClean were fighting it out in B grade. A relaxing of the pace on lap 1 had seen McClean and Groves join back up with the lead bunch and create more work for the pair. Another close finish with placing as listed.

Thanks to our road marshals, volunteers out on course, and those contributing to the event.

For those interested some history of Kurth Kiln can found at http://home.vicnet.net.au/~fofkk/

Results from today listed below. Dubbed are you “tough enough” the next round of the winter series will take place on June 20^th at Chum Creek.

Downloads:
· KurthKiln20100516 (PDF - 20 Kb)

Winter series dates amended
Thursday, April 29, 2010

A change to the first round of the winter series, which will be held on Sunday 16th May (not on the saturday as previously advertised)

Series dates here

More info to come

2010 Police & Emergency Services MTB Games
Friday, March 26, 2010

It was a perfect day for getting out of the office, station or simply taking a day off work. Whilst there may have been some F1 thing happening downtown it was the MTB round of the 2010 Police & Emergency Service Games where all the action was.

A field of 75 riders took to a Joel Read special 10km loop of the Lysterfield National Park. Courtesy of recent rain riders took off into a sketchy, gravel, sandy com games course,  before opening up into a more of a "choose your own adventure" of redgum trail. The trail here descends slowly weaving in and out of the gum trees with multiple paths and terrain to pick from. For the record the dirt is much quicker!

Turning right onto Lamberts track the course opened up allowing riders to catch their breath before tackling the famous buckle trail out towards Wellington Rd. A few intermediate climbs, plenty of roots, logs, jumps and all things MTB'ing. Those with a bit of weekend adventure under their belts would have found this section quite enjoyable, whilst those a bit green, but no less enthusiastic hopefully found these section a good challenge. No matter what you are racing for I always say you should go out trying to master the course. Tackle those logs, hold those lines, find cleaner, smoother, or faster ways to ride stuff. And if all else fails simply put a smile on your face for giving it a go!

A few steeper hills were found on middle trail, before sweeping down the hill on some long twisting singletrack. The open section on Lamberts track was a good chance to rest some weary hands, or backsides and put some pain into the quad muscles. Long straight gradual inclines are mentally challenging as it always appear you are going no where fast. You have to love the fact that corners and singletrack actually make it feel you are going faster.

A quick sprint around the bottom section of the com games course and riders were back at the start to tackle it all over again! Those a little smarter rode quicker, or strategically stopped to sample some of the blue berry scones, and other delicacies kindly organised for hungry finishers. Top show!

Some handy medallions were given out to the place getters including a 60+ and 70+ category. Hope I am still going around when I get there! Courtesy of the "FTF garage of prizes" and some industry contacts a random draw of spot prizes had tyres, helmets and gadgets going to the masses.

Thanks to Joel Read (CFA) for organising all the permits, entries and coordinating the day. He is champ both on and off the bike!

Results and lap times below. Enjoy!

Downloads:
· 2010Police&EmergencyGames (PDF - 38 Kb)

Winter series dates confirmed
Friday, March 19, 2010

Our winter series dates are confirmed. We are running three very different format races which will be a lot of fun to participate in. Details here
More info to come soon.

AGM trailride and BBQ report
Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Our annual general meeting and trailride was well attended with many new faces joining those familiar ones for some great riding through the dandenongs. Riders split into three groups according to ability and explored the Silvan area sweating on the climbs, speeding along fireroads, and carving up the singletrack. Evergreen club president Rob Eva's voice could be heard loud and clear throughout the hills warning any walkers or other trail users of our approach!
On our return to Lilydale lake hungry stomachs were well catered for by the DH committee chefs , before the serious matter of club elections began. As usual, the incumbents returned unnaposed, so the main positions remain unchanged. Rob Eva as Executive president, Shane Currie as DH president, Joel Reid as XC president, Hans Werner as treasurer and Steven van Dyke as secretary. Not to mention a long list of committee members and volunteers. We should all be grateful for the time these people commit to the club.

Merry Christmas to all mountain bikers out there!

FTF 6 Hour 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009

Fat Tyre Flyers would like to thank the following sponsors for the donation of prizes and their support:

Croydon Cycleworks

Rollin Cycles

Sram

BikeCorp – Maxxis

We would also like to extend our thanks to the Officer Scout Association, Ken & Frog for First Aid, team Wheezers for donating their time to assist with timing duties – it was much appreciated. John Sleeman  for assistance with rego, the setup crew and the volunteers that assisted so favorable with the pack up of the course.

A technical and challenging course was set using the best trails the camp site has to offer. We left lots of climbing in, otherwise that would not be “Officer” but took the liberty to remove the fence line climb, gun barrel climb, and heartbreak hill became heart broken. It was good to see riders tackle the short pinch with vigor knowing they were going to be rewarded with an easier climb shortly after.

It was not all about the climbing with Clacker’s drop, the Death Chute and Sanelli’s “SS” al making a welcome return to complement “the berms”. The welcoming site of a full dam also made riding the dam wall that little bit more interesting knowing there was no B line, and the bail out option meant taking a swim!

Honors today went to Phillip Orr and Jo Wall, with Phil completing a staggering 16 laps with his slowest a mere 24m20. I myself went out at XCO race pace and was shocked to find a trio of Solo riders riding back onto my wheel at the 5 lap mark. I think someone forgot to adjust the throttle screw for these guys! 10 laps in and there is Phil still tapping out the laps, with all of his competition gone by the way side, including Joel Read who is known for riding people into the ground. I was content to eat dust on my last in awe of a guy who could hold that pace for the full 6 hours.

Line honors went to team Digby comprising of Rowan Smith, and Duncan Murray. Not to be overshadowed by the feats of Phil above but in their own right stamped their authority on the race, leaving the rest of us to read it and weep.

As the dust now settles we hope that all riders enjoyed their race and look forward to the next events ahead. Stay tuned for our AGM.

 Thanks to Steve Rowe pictures from the days event will be found at: http://mtb-images.com.au/ 

Results can be found below, with state series results also not too far away.

Downloads:
· Fastest Male Laps (PDF - 60 Kb)
· Fastest Female Laps (PDF - 44 Kb)
· FTF 6 Hour 2009 Results (PDF - 97 Kb)

2010 MTBA Australian Marathon Champs Media Release
Monday, October 5, 2009

Downloads:
· 2010 Marathon Champs - media release (MSWORD - 1431 Kb)

Officer: 3 Creeks, 1 River?
Monday, September 28, 2009

And so the rain continued to fall over the weekend, turning some harmless puddles into raging creeks. Race organisers were left with some serious questions, would these "puddles" be even rideable? Would the juniors be swallowed up never to be seen again? The trusty stick was called upon measuring a depth gauge below BB and axle height. All fears were abeited, the race was still on for those brave souls.

The wet and the mud attract a committed lot, keen to ride in all conditions, or desperate for a few extra points to claim the series win. Whatever their motivation they took to a fun course with the proclaimed "longest flowing decent ever" for an Officer course. The track held up well for the first few laps, giving riders a chance to adapt to winter series racing. Off cambre descents became a fun challenge trying to keep the bike upright, the front wheel pointing forward, and enough brake pressure to pull the bike up without locking up the wheels. Other descents it was a case of lining up a tree knowing this was your only way of making the corner as your brake pads sung out their high tunes, or screeched away to that metal on metal sound. That was one way of wearing in/out a set of brake pads.

As the course detiorated the quandry arose: Should a MTB'er attempt to ride everything, or concede defeat and run because it is faster? I chose the former, dropping the chain into a small ring, content to spin the cranks over in a desperate attempt to find traction and negotiate a path up the slight incline. Inch by inch the bike moved forward, certainly not the fastest way up, but nonetheless I was not going to be defeated by this course.

The showers and bike wash at the end of event was a welcome relief, for those confused about what color of bike they thought they rode, or colours they proudly wore. Thanks to our local scouting group for use of their venue and facilities. Thanks also to Rob for helping out with timing today.

Check out photos from the day at:

http://mtb-images.com.au/  - thanks to Stephen Rowe.

Race results and 2009 winter series results can be found below.

Downloads:
· Officer 2009_09_27 (PDF - 20 Kb)
· 2009 Winter Series Results (PDF - 48 Kb)

Victorian Marathon Championships – 3rd Oct
Friday, August 21, 2009

Flyer attached.

Downloads:
· Vic Marathon Champs (PDF - 920 Kb)

Chum Creek Results & Photos
Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Results from the weekend can be found below.

Also check out photos at:

http://mtb-images.com.au/  - thanks to Stephen Rowe.

Downloads:
· Chum Creek Results (PDF - 20 Kb)

Harkaway Results & Photos
Monday, July 13, 2009

Results from the weekends MTB race at Harkaway below.

Also check out photos at:

http://mtb-images.com.au/  - big thank you to Stephen Rowe.

Downloads:
· Harkaway Race No 1 (PDF - 23 Kb)
· Harkaway Race No 2 (PDF - 22 Kb)
· Harkaway Combined Score (PDF - 36 Kb)

Looking for a group ride?
Wednesday, July 1, 2009

http://www.bunchridefinder.com.au/