The latest round of the Bendigo Mountain Bike Club winter series was at held at the first time venue known as Kettle Park. Local bike enthusiast Max Kettle has spent many hours toiling on his 20 acre property to create a unique riding experience. Its a total single track layout that has your mind and legs engaged the entire way around each 6km lap. A number of techincally challenging hazards more than make up for any lack of climbing and high speed sections. Ever tried a 27ft long barrel ride, how about a rock garden with its own berm or a single plank crossing of a creek bed? There's even an A Frame fence crossing and a 10 metre see-saw however they were off limits for the club race just to make sure that all the club members made it home safely.
Quite a few SMC members made it out to Kettle Park for the race and the ride of the day was put together by Roz Bradley who put her love of tight twisting track to good use coming in second overall for the day. Tony, Jake and me finished close together with a fast finishing Jake just failing to overtake Tony in the last 50 metres.
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| Jake getting some air! |
A few SMC regulars were out injured on the day, Phil was suffering from a groin problem but still managed to fulfill his handicapping duties (watch out Roz), Steve a bad back and Mel was unwell ( self inflicted was the word from the track) and Brett was on photography duties but we havent seen any photos yet! The only ones available so far are from the $68 special that doesnt like moving subjects.
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| Tony chasing scaring a small child |
All in all it was a great day and everyone cant wait till next year's Kettle Park event.
