Kurth Kiln - FTF Winter Series #1

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)