Again the early riders were offered winning gaps. Here is how the start looked:
0:00 Colin P, Ian T, Bob E, Daniel, Rob S and Ken E - Limit / Group 3
2:40 Glenn, Allan, Tony, Rodd, Lewis and Jason - Block / Group 2
3:20 Chris, Jeff, Rob H, Frank and Dave J - Scratch / Group 1
A small Scratch Group were set a huge task to get into the contest. Many believed it would not be possible and Limit or Block would take the win easily. The arch rivalry between Jason and Frank was set to remain unresolved.
Limit made a very steady start while all riders clipped in and got themselves rolling. Daniel got away well but couldn't go the full distance, while Rob S had his first ride in some time. Colin P, returning from some major surgery, was ready to pace Limit to victory and set about doing this at a rapid rate causing Ian T to lose contact.
Block went from the gun and were allegedly working hard and moving along well.
Scratch however could just see the Block riders on the horizon and set about making the catch as quickly as possible. Within 2 laps the catch was made and the Mega Cruiser Group formed, ready to roll around for the minor places.
Once some energy returned to the Mega Cruiser Group, the gap to Limit started to slowly decrease. With just over a lap to go the catch was made and the Super Mega Cruiser Group formed and headed to the finish together.
There were a few little gaps that opened up but Jason closed these down. On the final lap Jeff pulled clear to be joined by Dave J. The two riders made an optimistic, yet unsuccessful, bid for victory as the Super Mega Cruiser Group caught them at the bottom of the hill.
Jason lead the early sprint with Tony right behind. Rob H was making good ground and Chris was looking a solid chance for the win before he was blocked by a couple of random riders in the middle of the road.
Rob H charged through the available space to take a massive win followed by Tony and Jason. Chris and Frank followed through for the minor places.
After the session the group stopped for a coffee and some banter. Ian presented Eddie with a soft toy Ibis to remind him of his recent encounter.
Handicap Classic History
In 2017 a new activity was born. The monthly handicap classic. Riders are divided into groups according to perceived ability and set off from a standing start with a time gap in between each group with the goal of seeing who is first across the line. The top 3 in each activity so far are:
2017
Aug – PDC / Tom / Marcel
Sep – Jason / Chris / Dave J
Oct – Dave J / Jason / Rod
Nov – Dave J / Harry / Jason
Dec – Harry / Josh / Rene
2018
Jan – Mark / PDC / Colin
Feb – Tom / Chris / Josh
Mar - Jeff / Glenn / Colin
Apr - Dave J / Jeff / Rod
May - Jason / Rod / Andy
Jun - Harry / Chris / PDC
Jul - Harry / Jason / PDC
Aug - Chris / Dave J / Dave P
Sep - Andy / Jeff / Tom
Oct - Andy / Chris / Jason
Nov - Dave J / Jason / Chris
Dec - Rob S / Jason / Andy
2019
Jan – Andy / Harry / Dave P
Feb - Chris / Jason / Rob V
Mar - Eddie / Frank / Rob S
Apr - Harry / Chris / Jeff
May - Rob S / Tom / Colin
Jun - Rob S / Jason / Chris
Jul - Tom / Jason / Jeff
Aug- Rob S / Harry / Andy
Sep - Dave J / PDC / Chris
Oct - Ken E / Daniel / PDC
Nov - Richard W / Ken E / Rob S
Dec - Dave J / Chris / PDC
2020
Jan – Rob S / Jason / Darren
Feb - Rene / Andy / Eddie
May - Colin / Eddie / Frank
Jun - Andy / Jason / Rod
July - Jeff / Seb / Rod
Aug - Rob V / Jason / Seb
Sep - Chris / Dave J / Glenn
Oct - Andy / Eddie / Frank
Nov - Tony / Eddie / Frank
Dec - Seb / Paul K / Jason
2021
Jan – Ken E / Glenn / Rene
Feb - Dave J / Harry / Paul K
Mar - Jason / Dave J / Eddie
Apr - Seb / Adam / Rod
May - Tom / Rob H / Seb
Jun - Chris / Jeff / Seb
Oct - Rob S / Rob H / Paul K
Dec 2 - Tony / Ken E / Richard W
Dec 21 - Richard F / Seb / Eddie
2022
Jan – Paul K / Rob S / Chris
Aug - Seb / RobS / Jason
Oct 4 - Dave J / Jason / Tom
Oct 27 - Chris / Jason / Dave J
Nov - Rob S / Chris / Jason
Dec - Jason / Dave J / Eddie
2023
Feb 2 (delayed Australia Day) - Chris / Jason / Harry
Feb - Harry / Jason / Rod
Mar - Jason / Seb / Rob H
Apr - Jason / Jeff / Chris
May - Rob S / Paul K / Tony
Jun - Rob H / Jeff / Dave J
Jul - Tom / Jeff / Dave J
Aug - Rob S / Paul K / Rob H
Sep - Seb / Rob S / Paul K
Oct - Chris / Dave J / Eddie
Nov - Dave J / Chris / Paul K
Dec - Paul K / Tom / Rob S
2024
Feb 8 (delayed Australia Day) - Rob S / Seb / Rob H
Feb - Rob S / Tony / Glenn
Apr - Rob H / Tony / Jason