Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club

Hi all,

Is anyone interested in the Keegan Downes Sundowner Handicap and Gunnedah to Tamworth scratch this year? It's a bit of a trek but from memory when I started this thread last year Adrian spoke glowingly of the race and I think that's going to be good enough for me this year - I'm in.

Best,
Mr State Champion (since Simon's coined this honorific I've grown quite attached to it. If you could all use it when addressing me on the forum and in person I'd appreciate it. Thanks!)

Well Mr State Champion,

Ill be at the race and beating you the whole way.

Mr State Champion,

I spoke of this at the Cafe on Sunday and was told it was flat, boring and not worth it. Confirm/deny?

flat= boring?! who have you been talking to?!!! i say it the other way around

Mr state champion, i dont think im in forit, im having a bit of a break from road racing

This is working well!

Not sure about the flat/boring bit Victoria, I've not raced it before. Alex, driving the lead car are you?

Mr State Champion,

It's fairly flat, though there are some things that some may call hills, though really nothing big, and definitely smaller than the climbs at Coota.

I do like this race, but I wasn't planning to go for a number of reasons.... race entries are rather expensive ($75 which includes some dinner that i'd rather skip and $60), You have to travel there on the Friday, and lastly you will need a driver as the start and finish are a cycle race apart.

Dear Mr State Champion,

Nothing really on the race - just wanted to give the honorific a whirl

thats is all, carry on.

Oh crap, I just realised I saw Mr State Champion this morning and did not address him as requested. How rude of me.

Entries close this weekend. Is anyone doing it?

I really like the sound of a flat race...

I've just entered. I believe Alex was planning to and James was a maybe, maybe.

Mr State Champion,
Saturday's handicap is a bit like the Dinnerville but longer with more rolling hills. Given your handicap you probably won't see the sprint or the KOM. Front bunches tend to come together with 20km to go then string out on some of the bigger hills coming into Gunnedah. There is a fast descent and a really big 90 degree left-hand turn coming into town about 2-3km from the finish. Thats where I got dropped last time as the pace was explosive and its easy to fall behind on the cnrs. Sunday's scratch race was a lot more relaxed.... generallly very flat. There is a long climb around 10km to go then a long desent towards the finish on a false flat. The finish can sneak up on you as its in the middle of no-where on a quiet country road, so keep an eye out for the finish as its not obvious where the actual finish line is.
Have a great time.

Ive just recieved some bad news that Mat was involved in a crash yesterday. He is relatively ok, but apprently the bike is not so lucky. Ill let him fill you in on all the details.

Matt Wallman on the front page of the "Northern Dailey Leader"

http://www.northerndailyleader.com.au/n ... 69689.aspx


http://covers.ruralpress.com/frontpages/70/37306.pdf

Thanks for the links Paul. Its always terrible when these sort of things happen. I was meant to be in that race as well but I couldnt find a driver for the stage. If I had of been riding chances are I would of been on Mat's wheel....

I was going to put something together on this but I don't think it's a good idea at the moment. I'm really upset about the circumstances of this crash, which hasn't cost me physically what it's cost others but emotionally and financially it's costing me a bit.

I'll say one thing though - bizarrely (and generously) among the many people helping out at the scene was Mr Shane Kelly OAM. I'm not sure whether he's familiar with my legendary accomplishment mentioned earlier in the thread but he knows a class machine when he sees it and he must be a Campagnolo fan - he said later he almost cried when he saw what had happened to my bike.

As i said previously, if you need anything Mat im just around the corner and am happy to help.

That sucks so much - really sorry to hear about this Matt. Hope the police find the guy - I'm surprised he got away given the article mentions him overtaking a police car..

Dam idiot. Surely they will catch the guy, they must of got the number plate.

I hear you need a new frame

This sucks!

Let me know if you need any bits and pieces. I've almost got enough spares to put a whole bike together if needed, but i'm just lacking a few things.

Sorry to hear about the accident Matt.

Reading the news reports I find it odd that they're still looking for the driver of the black van. With a police escort, presumably witnessing the moment of madness, you'd have thought they would have identified the number plate.

Hi Matt, I'm really sorry to hear this news, especially after I encouraged you to do this race. I can't imagine how angry you must feel by this situation and what it has cost you. I hope there is justice and they find the driver of the van.

Thanks for your thoughts all. I've uncurled from the foetal position and am starting to come out of my colossal funk. I've taken a few pics of the damage in case anything comes of the accident. There's selected lowlights below. I think the frame is okay at this stage but the fork steerer and seatpost are definately due for further examination given what's happened to the bits that were on the end of them.

Can anyone spot anything wrong here besides the overly-subtle branding of the modern bicycle?

I built this only 7 weeks ago!

Food for thought for those carbon frame owners who don't have replaceable derailleur hangers - mine has been wrapped so far around by the impact that the 11 tooth cog has actually cut through the hanger.

I think this rear rim might have seen its last brake pad...

mmm... you no longer comply with one of the rules "The bikes carried on top of the car shall exceed the value the car"

The rim is pretty obvious, what is the other damage?

mmm... you no longer comply with one of the rules "The bikes carried on top of the car shall exceed the value the car"

The rim is pretty obvious, what is the other damage?

Looks like saddle is completely bent. Bars and shifters are obviously toast. Bottle cages have been pushed through the frame - hope this hasn't cracked any of the mounts.

Did the front wheel survive?

So sad Matt, I didn't even get to see the bike. What size frame is that - 56?

In relation to your comment about the derailleur hanger, when I purchased my new bike, that was pretty much number 1 priority, having a replaceable derailleur hanger. I haven't had to replace it yet, but at least it is a (relatively) cheap part compared to either a new frame.

James

Looks like saddle is completely bent. Bars and shifters are obviously toast. Bottle cages have been pushed through the frame - hope this hasn't cracked any of the mounts.

Did the front wheel survive?

So sad Matt, I didn't even get to see the bike. What size frame is that - 56?

It's a 61. The front wheel's fine.