By JARROD POTTER
A HOT Rock Hop had mountain bikers in a fry instead of a sty as riders took to Dallas Brooks Park on Sunday for the Dirtriders’ annual event.
The testing seven-point-six kilometre main course involved all the big challenges Dallas Brooks Park has to offer, including the gruelling, near-vertical rise out of the valley that proved the obstacle of the day – which ran from 10am to 4pm for the bravest among the riders.
Knocking in 12 laps in baking hot conditions were Peter Kutschera and Brad Clarke, with Kutschera claiming the overall solo men six-hour title, Brett Murray in third 10 laps ahead of Jonathon Almond.
The three solo women game (or mad) enough to take on the six hour even were Karen Hill (eight laps in 5.49.39 hours), April McDonough (seven laps. 6.25.13) and Jo Murphy (two laps, 1.34.43).
Michael Brill (six-hour solo men 40+) was the other solo category winner in the six-hour event, with 11 laps to his name in 6.21.08 hours.
The six-hour men’s teams was won by Apollo Bikes PB/Ozriders.com.au on 14 laps ahead of Kian and Forey and Bicycle Superstore JDT 1. The six-hour mixed was claimed by Don’t Tell Ben (12 laps) and the six-hour mixed open team 40+ by Carbon Fibre Footprint with 11 laps.
In the more frenetic three-hour challenge – run from 1 to 4pm – Murray Spink scorched six fiery laps around the park in 3.03.06 ahead of Tom Ovens on six laps and Chris Hamilton with five.
Peta Mullens, all-round cycling dynamo on flat terrain or mountains, rattled off five laps to win the three-hour solo women ahead of Sarah Riley and Caroline Jackson, with Dora Bettridge also finishing on the lead lap.
‘Young Guns’ claimed the three-hour junior pairs.
Dirtriders Mountain Bike Club’s next event is on 15 December with its Xmas Race.
More information on the club is available on its website – www.dirtridersmtb.com
