63 KM MARYBOROUGH TO AVOCA LOOP
Words by Michael McTigue
The 2007 annual ride for the Maryborough HPV Enthusiasts was once again held on the Australia day weekend of January. Bendigo Youth Racing flew across the course in record time, but the highlight for most was the opportunity to meet other HPV enthusiasts.
Teams travelled from across Victoria to participate in the 63 km Time Trial, and the social riding events.
This yearÕs theme (as always) was recumbents versus upright bicycles, with the objective to prove one or the other has superior speed and endurance.
Only one young rider had the courage to ride his upright, and must be commended on his efforts. [Well done Paul]
The somewhat sparse field contained:
– An open trike, ridden by BallaratsÕ Braden Shanker,
– A head-out faired trike, Phantom P3, ridden by Tim Corbett of Deakin University;
– A faired trike ridden by Aaron of Maryborough Education Centre;
– And finally, ÔBendigo Youth Racing in a revised version of their 2006 trike Ð ÔBY-06:MKIIÕ.
”
The morning came across overcast and slightly windy, with a few spits of rain every now and then – but this did little to dampen the enthusiasm of the teams and riders.
The first two riders Braden Shanker and Paul McTigue, were out early, and tried to keep up a consistent pace and stay ahead of the rest.
The third rider out was Local boy Aaron, racing an Energy Breakthrough trike that was re-conditioned the night before.
Fourth off were BYR and with ÔMick Micallef at the helm, he set about an astonishing pace. He passed the whole field and crossed the line first 20 minutes ahead of the previous record. MichaelÕs completed stage time was 1hr and 12mins.
The next rider home was Aaron from Maryborough, who also beat last years record by a handful of seconds.
This was a really good effort by this youngster who is only 16 years old.
Tim Corbett, the defending record holder from the previous year, also managed to better his time by more than a minute, which must be commended.
Then (following a delay finding a spare tire) at around 11.40am, Rowan Nankervis jumped into Ð ÔBY-06:MKIIÕ.
This kid is absolutely phenomenal. He managed to complete the 63km course in an incredible 1hr and 5mins! (Average speed – 59.1km/h, Top Speed- 96km/h).
‘That was really fun. I was doing 96km/h just outside of Avoca at one stage! I didnÕt think IÕd enjoy an event like this, but it was just as exciting as a 24hr I think.” Rowan said later.
Rowan also enjoyed the awards presentations Ð taking home the $100 dollar prize for the rider to beat last years record.
Final Placings:
First overall – Rowan Nankervis
Second overall – Mick Micallef
Third overall – Tim Corbett
Most innovative – Ken Houghton
Best junior – Aaron
Éand BYR topped off a great day with Daryl King winning the raffle!
A word from the organisers:
ÒThank you to everyone that came and gave the event a go, and hopefully next year there will be a large number of people that will come and try the event out.Ó
– Michael McTigue ( MHPVE treasurer)
