Over the weekend, a bunch of Blackchrome’s crew made the journey out to Lobethal to “enjoy” the Fox Creek Road Race, put on by Adelaide Hills Cycling Club.
On first glance it was clear this would be a tough race – after all, Fox Creek Road is a savage climb. Depending on grade, it would be climbed up to four times over a 60km race – that thought alone is a bit scary.
What the first glance didn’t reveal was a quick left after the top of Fox Creek Road, which led to even more vertical meters – effectively extending the climb. And after a quick descent, there was more climbing to the finish line. Add in a few tough pinches in the back streets of Lobethal, you’re back at Cudlee Creek Road, and climbing again. Are you sensing a theme here?
All in all – for the 60km version of the race, you’re tallying over 1200m in ascent, while those lucky enough to only have to travel four laps were still in for over 900m.
With that in mind, this was clearly destined to be a race of attrition – if you could hang in, you were in with a chance.
Jimmy Wade and Adam Bowey were racing in B grade against a strong field with plenty of depth. Jimmy managed to make the ‘race winning’ move and was able to take third for a place on the podium, while Adam impressed taking fourth in his first B grade race.
In C grade, Ian Routledge was unfortunately a DNF as he assisted a fallen rider. Chapeau Ian!
In D1, Blackchrome took second and third place – with Luke Dingley and Alison Skinner floating up the climb.
And finally in D2, Michael Tozer dug super deep to take sixth.
All in all, a very successful day for the group – while it might be a stretch to describe the day’s racing as “enjoyable”, it certainly was a satisfying day of racing.
It is also worth noting that several of the team acted in a volunteer capacity to put the race on – with Simon Veitch acting as race referee for the higher grades and Paul Pearce was mobile first aid around the course.
Thanks to Blackchrome team members Paul Pearce and Adam Spry for their photographic contribution – much appreciated lads.
From here, we’re looking forward to both Round Four of the Super Series (October 9th) and AHCC’s Bradbury Road Race (October 10th). See you on the road.
