RACE REPORT
With the first attempt postponed because of a weather forecast resembling a rabid pit-bull on a rampage, the inaugural running of the ACC’s Gravel Gauntlet, a 23.6 kilometre time trial on good, wholesome, brown dirt took place last Saturday.
The gently undulating course was just damp enough to throw a little mud in riders’ faces if they were careless enough to drop a wheel in it, the odd minor pothole, an occasional section of gently rippled corrugations, but nothing to remove the fillings, and in between, smooth, fast gravel.
The twelve riders set off at one-minute intervals with the goal, as always in time trials, try and catch those in front of you without being caught by those behind; a challenging task given the human rockets starting at the back of the field.
Jill Bascombe, the only competitor on a mountain bike, led the field away and rode a steady race, recording a solid time. Behind her, everyone else was on gravel bikes. Paul Gibson and Paul Terry also rode well finishing with good times. Just ahead of them Jacob Greenwood and Liz Cooper battled for ascendency, with Greenwood winning that battle, completing the course in 49.25 to be the fastest junior. Cooper was the fastest female rider and also found every bit of mud there was on the course. In the middle of the field, the two Denmark riders Paul Clifton and David Beckwith battled for town boasting rights; Clifton prevailing by 7 seconds.
At the pointy end of the field, the question was whether Colin Rose or Michael Gardner would be able to challenge Vince Bascombe for fastest time honours. Challenge they did, but Bascombe prevailed, recording the only sub-40 minute time of the day, finishing in 38.55 minutes at an average speed of over 36kmh. Colin Rose took second, with Gardner third.
The ride might have been hard, but the post-race made up for it with plenty of animated debate on tyre pressures initially and then which of the carrot cake, the ginger bickies or the shortbread was the real winner on the day. Thanks also to Taxi Stand for the coffee to wash down tasty treats.
Thanks as ever to our volunteers for setting out and collecting the signs, manning the start finish and the turn and ensuring that all the racers were safe on course.