The mercury hit a sizzling 32°C and 14 brave souls lined up at the start, wondering if they were about to race or roast.
Ray Grant, ever the enigmatic racer, started the stopwatch and disappeared into the distance, not to be seen again until two-thirds of the way through the race. By then, the other riders were considering whether Grant had set off for a casual lunch break or was simply trying to out-sunbathe the competition.
Either way, he did eventually show up, and by that time, the second and third limit groups were hot on his heels, ready to keep rolling.
The 50km course was a real treat — undulating terrain, hot winds and temperatures that could roast marshmallows on your handlebars.
Riders were pushing through the heat and heart rates were climbing higher than a cyclist’s hopes at the start of a flat race. But when life hands you a headwind, some riders turn it into an opportunity.
Enter Jake Lay, who assessed the situation around the halfway mark and thought, “this looks like a good time to leave the group behind and pretend I’m in the Tour de France”.
Ever the tactician, Lay launched himself off the back and started reeling in the front crew. He zoomed past Hender, Thompson, Bender and Rilen like they were taking a coffee break — which, at times, they probably were.
As if on cue, Aaron Christienson also decided it was time to make his move and within the final 5km he joined the front of the race, just in time for the real fireworks.
With three riders vying for the podium, it became clear this was a race of attrition. In the end, Lay sealed victory and fastest time with a blistering one hour, 17 minutes and 32 seconds, narrowly beating Christienson in second, with James Hender securing third.
Let’s be real, Grant was probably still trying to figure out if his stopwatch had given him the right start time.
Upcoming events:
• Saturday, November 23: Mitchelton Northwood Rd – 44 km circuit
Entry boss registration at 1.30pm, meet at Burgess Signs for your chance to get your “race face” on.
• Twilight racing: Tuesdays at Palm World
Registration at 5.30pm, with racing kicking off at 6pm. It’s a great way to pretend you’re winning the Olympics at dusk.
Stay cool, stay hydrated, and remember: it’s not about how fast you go, it’s about how good your tan looks afterwards!
20°C