The NSW MTBO champs unveiled a brilliant new map on Sydney's southwestern fringe and heralded the end of the 2018 bush season.
Wedderburn (south of Campbelltown and just east of Appin) has an aerodrome, and the sight of small planes flying low overhead was a tad surreal as 60-plus riders battled it out for honours in an otherwise secluded bush area.
Both days featured tough courses matched by difficult riding conditions (mud, ruts, roots, puddles etc) where the purists prevailed while still managing 4 minutes per km.
We had 13 New Zealand guests doubling up after last weekend's ACT MTBO champs, a young couple from the UK, and riders from ACT, Queensland and Victoria.
And what a weekend of contrasts it was: 30C, stifling humidity, and a 5km ride to the start (and back from the finish) for Saturday's Middle Distance event, then temps in the teens on Sunday morning for the Long. Thankfully the threat of storms and heavy rain did not eventuate.
This map covers a massive area and the western fringes of Saturday's map included our SHOO club's Appin Foot O map.
Congratulations to our NSW Middle champs: M12 Nat Carroll (SH), W20 Rhiannon Prentice (NC), M40 Ant Nolan (UR), W40 Carolyn Haupt (GO), W50 Carolyn Matthews (NC) and M60 Eoin Rothery (BF).
Congratulations to our NSW Long champs: M12 Nat Carroll (SH), W20 Rhiannon Prentice (NC), M40 Tim Giles (BF), M50 Andrew Power (NC), W50 Carolyn Matthews (NC) and M60 Rob Vincent (NC).
Also coming out on top in non-champs categories on both days were Martyn Carroll (SH, Recreational) and Greg Bacon (NC, eBike).
A big thank you to setters (Ori Gudes and Hamish Mackie), the controllers, results people, and the Uringa and Big Foot clubs for a great weekend in trying weather conditions.
If you're hanging out for more MTBO, check out Newcastle's BOSS series of monthly rides starting on Nov 3. And a reminder that next year's NSW MTBO champs are on April 6-7 in the Newcastle area.
