Despite inclement weather more than a dozen cyclists raced in the Byron Bay Cycle Club’s fifth criterium race of its Spring Carnival last Sunday in the Arts and Industry estate.
‘Competitors took the risk of travelling from Brisbane, Tweed and Ballina and were fortunate the rain held off until the end of the race,’ according to BBCC member Deborah Fuller.
‘While there was a smaller representation of racers due to the weather and another major racing event, riders from Grades B and C made the most of it and had lots of fun.’
‘On clear days, Byron Bay races can attract well over 50 riders,’ she said.
Aaron Pickett Heaps (Logan Cycling Club) and Ian Matthews BBCC took the honours in B-grade, while Denise Bennett (BBCC), Deborah Fuller (BBCC) and Steve Slee (BBCC) took the top places in C-grade.
Deborah surprised herself with her second placing.
In the final stretch she and Denise were leading, but when they turned a corner and hit the wind they expected to be reeled in by the male riders. ‘But they had already burned out,’ she said.
The club can trace its local roots back to 1929 and has roughly 100 members including elites and juniors.
Besides organising race days the club supports two graded training rides on each weekday, and a longer more social and coffee-focused ride on Saturday mornings.
‘There are plenty of beautiful rides through the hinterland,’ she said.
The club is concentrating on expanding and is planning on doing more with the Northern Rivers Cycling Club based in Ballina.
The final criterium race for the BBCC spring series will be held at 7am on Sunday October 23, at Centennial Circuit in the industrial estate. Roads are closed for the duration of the race.
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