Non-official Publications!

Thanks to the following bloggers who have made their posts available to us. Hope you enjoy them - official photo's coming out, soon.

Cameron Parlevliet (BikesDeVer/ BBN) had an eventful Memorial. An altercation with a car (no injuries sustained, thankfully) and a near-miss with a local 'Roo on the Skyline descent. All captured on footage. Mens A/B bunch, Eildon...

Cameron Finishing.
Photo by Charmion Phillips
(AeonPhoto.com.au)

True grit, from Grace. 

Photo by Charmion Phillips
(AeonPhoto.com.au)

Grace Phang (SKCC/Giant), our Women's A Grade 3rd placegetter, has written a terrific summary of her weekends racing (including the #DMcDMem). Check out what it takes to race, and the rewards in store, for those who dare.
Well done, Grace....

Grace Phang - Cycling Dreams

Photo by Charmion Phillips
(AeonPhoto.com.au)

Andy Christie (bikebug.com/ BBN) spent the entire morning in Eildon in the A Grade 'break. Just like the day before! Here's Andy's write-up of his experiences getting his team extra exposure and a chance at break-away success, including a little (220km) Time Trial training on his blog....

Andy Christie - Seeing How Things Transpire

Tony (l) with race director Richard Stringer after the race.
Photo by Charmion Phillips
(AeonPhoto.com.au)

Tony Reeckman (Wangaratta CC) joined many riders and support staff at the Golden Trout on the Saturday night. This enabled the keen photographer to indulge both his passions, starting early on Sunday morning. Read about his experience in the C Grade Men's race on his website.
Tony Reeckman Photography - Tony's Blog

SUN IS SHINING, WEATHER IS SWEET

Well, like last year, our order for perfect weather has been fulfilled. The forecast is below.
You've gotta love a Spring Race in Eildon!

2011 Damian McDonald Memorial, Mens Podium 
Chris Winn (CCCC) 1st (right)
Jason Spencer (BBN) 2nd (left), Ashley Baines (WNG) 3rd (ctr)

We've just posted a page detailing the Race-day Program, so print it out, it'll be helpful.

Remember to support those who support us, as the community and Council of Murrindindi and the Upper Goulburn Valley will appreciate our custom:

• Cafe's in Thornton are going to be open from 7am, for those riders driving through. Hot breakfasts and good coffee has been assured.
• The Golden Trout Hotel Motel is RaceHQ for this years' Memorial. Registration, Entertainment, Cafe, Lunch Menu & Presentations are all being hosted by David Duncan and his team.
  They've promised a great value Cyclists' Lunch Menu for you to enjoy while sharing stories about your race, prior to the Presentations at 1.30pm.
• Our naming rights sponsor Cyclelink Bayswater have provided plenty of prizemoney for riders, and we hope you'll take advantage of their excellent in-store customer service, and new online web store.

Eildon Forecast for Sunday, September 23
12am		Mostly clear	9°C	5%	26%		NNE 16km/h	6°C	80%
3am		Mostly clear	9°C	5%	28%		NNE 18km/h	5°C	78%
6am		Mostly clear	9°C	10%	32%		N 18km/h	6°C	77%
9am		Mostly clear	11°C	24%	48%		NNW 15km/h	7°C	74%
12pm		Mostly clear	13°C	18%	40%		WNW 18km/h	7°C	70%
3pm		Mostly cloudy	12°C	16%	52%		W 19km/h	5°C	60%
6pm		Mostly cloudy	10°C	5%	53%		W 20km/h	4°C	67%

Start-Line Marquee's & Priority Parking

We've had a great response from riders and their teams / sponsors to create a village atmosphere;

These Teams will have special privileges on race-day, with extra access for vehicles:

Cyclelink Bayswater (our Primary Sponsor)

6amers Racing Team

Croydon Cycleworks

Blackburn Cycling Club

Wangaratta Cycling Club

START LIST IS PUBLISHED

All the entries are in, counted, allocated and graded.  The start list has been published.  To view the full list click here, or just click on the Start List tab!

All the plans are coming together, we just need to put our order in for good weather, to round off what is shaping to be a great day of racing!

ENTRIES CLOSED!

With all entries in, and riders being finalised into their grades, we'll soon be publishing the Entry lists and Bunches.

Check out all the info on the site, so you know all the where's, what's, why's and where-fore's before you head up.

Check the cyclingprofiles map and profile of the course, and review you're race distances (all found on the RACE INFO menu).

Our volunteers should be receiving instructions in the next 24 hours regarding their roles, so keep an eye out.

And riders, don't forget to thank the Vollies - they make it possible for you to race, and race safely with Blackburn & Wangaratta Cycling Clubs!

Here's a photo of the bling which is up for grabs...

Perpetual Shield, Damian McDonald Memorial Trophy and Damian's Race Trophy.
Medals for placegetters.

Damian's Race, Perpetual Trophy for Juniors.

Entries Extended 'til midnight Tuesday

After a hectic weekend of racing, we know a few of you missed the cut-off.

Fields in the MensA and MensB grades are strong, so there'll be a good hitout - suiting your preparation for Bright, the Warrnie and Stratford-to-Dargo.

The juniors are responding well and will enjoy their competition.

Other Grades (Womens, Mens C & D) still have plenty of room.

So, ENTER NOW!

The seven day forecasts are out, and Eildon looks like it gonna turn it on for your racing pleasure - a Spring hitout with a bit of everything - sunshine, a possible shower, fresh mountain air, and snow in the surrounding mountains!

Graphic produced from weatherzone.com.au....

Eildon 7-day Weather Forecast

Summary	Mon Sep 17		Tue Sep 18		Wed Sep 19		Thu Sep 20		Fri Sep 21		Sat Sep 22		Sun Sep 23
	Possible shower		Possible shower		Possible shower		Possible shower		Rain		Possible shower		Possible shower
Maximum	13°C		12°C		15°C		17°C		13°C		15°C		15°C
Minimum	5°C		5°C		5°C		7°C		9°C		6°C		7°C
Chance of Rain	70%		80%		70%		90%		90%		70%		90%
Rain Amount	1-5mm		5-10mm		1-5mm		5-10mm		1-5mm		< 1mm		1-5mm
UV Index	Moderate		Moderate		Moderate		Moderate		Moderate		Moderate
Frost Risk	Nil		Nil		Nil		Nil		Nil		Nil		Nil
	9am	3pm	9am	3pm	9am	3pm	9am	3pm	9am	3pm	9am	3pm	9am	3pm
Wind Speed	5 km/h	7 km/h	8 km/h	10 km/h	8 km/h	9 km/h	10 km/h	12 km/h	9 km/h	16 km/h	6 km/h	8 km/h	14 km/h	19 km/h

Accommodation Packages

Eildon Pondage, looking SouthEast from Hotel Deck.

Stay a night in Eildon, and wake up refreshed on Sunday morning. Walk or ride to registration, race and chill out afterwards while enjoying this view. Take advantage of your late check-out from The Golden Trout without rushing to pack your gear up, and drive home Sunday afternoon in time for dinner at home in the evening.
SOUND GOOD? Read on...

 We know its a helluva weekend of racing in Victoria on the 22-23 September, particularly on the Saturday....

• Carnegie Caufield CC are hosting their own and Blackburn's Club Road Champs on the hilly Modella circuit;
• Footscray CC are holding the Tas Johnson Memorial Midlands Tour (presented by bikebug,com);
• The Northern Combine are running their Italo Australian Trophy Race in Newham;
• The Hume Vets are putting on the George Goodwin Memorial Open up near the border around Cobram.
• And the Southern Vets have races in Somers.
• Why not take advantage of all this quality racing, and do both Saturday and Sunday's racing?

David Duncan, owner of the Golden Trout Hotel Motel has accommodation and breakfast packages for all those connected to the race. He's also making facilities available to the Race Organisation for registrations, information, entertainment, respite (!), refreshments and podium presentations afterwards.

If you're thinking of staying in Eildon, make a booking at The Golden Trout....

Golden Trout Hotel Motel Package Deal Flyer - link.

Pondage View Rooms abound.

Spring is here...

The BOM have predicted warmer night- and day-time temperatures than the long-term medians in Victoria this Spring....

http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/ahead/temp.seaus.shtml


Not only that, but the Long-Range rainfall pattern predicts strong rain-bands hitting Victoria prior to 20 Sept and after 25th Sept...


http://www.weatherzone.com.au/long-range-forecast/28-day-rain/vic/north-east


What does this mean for riders? Eildon will be a great place to race on 23rd September!

UPDATED FLYER NOW AVAILABLE

Our in-house team have now finished the flyer, so keep an eye for it in your favorite LBS's.

You'll find a downloadable version on the blog.

Recognising our great sponsors who'll make this years race one to remember, the poster includes all the info you'll need to track down the details of the race.

Pop Quiz!
The prominent image of a cyclist battling a climb features on the poster.
Who is it?
You'll find a weekly hint on our facebook & twitter feed until entries close on Sunday 16th. A prize for the first BBN and first non-BBN member who guesses it.
(Please note, anyone connected with the organising committee are ineligible to win this prize!!)

Top-age Under 17 Riders ride UP!

You heard it right...

All you top-age Under 17 men and women who'll graduate to Under19 with the bigger roll-outs in October will ride up in the Senior Men's and Women's Grades at the 2012 Damian McDonald Memorial!

We hope this prepares you for all those great Open road-events which you'll qualify for as the 2013 season progresses - Tour of Bright, Melb-Warrnambool, Stratford to Dargo etc...

This leaves all bottom-age Mens Under 17 riders to battle it out for Damian's Race - with the winners name immortalised on the Perpetual Shield, with a trophy & generous prizes to take home with you.

Who will win Damian's Race...?

Maybe Wangaratta's Tomarsh Loki, Blackburn's Kurt Santagada, or CCCC's Caiden Hull (out of Ararat)? Whoever it is, it'll signal the new guard of upcoming stars of the U17 category.

Entries close Sunday night prior to the race, so there are no entries on the day - don't delay.

Click ENTER NOW! on the blog, and share your entry on Facebook to let friends know you're into it!