The Annual Barcaldine XC attracted the cream of the West Coast
off roaders. The storm damage had been cleared to recover the
natural, technical single tracks. The Deer Path stage 1 and 2
with side slopes, roots, rocks, sludge and now root ball craters,
the Green Mile chopping through the trees and the legendary Tony's
Trail from the top of the course back to the dam at insane angles
are what they came for. Old hand Ruari Watt gave up first position
to Ben Thompson with a flat also letting through Liam Moinihan
and three NACC riders Bossard, Bell and Smith. Right behind them
was the first Junior Lachlan Blair. Marian Austen was challenged
only by the course to win the ladies. In the team competition
NACC just clinched it.
Plucky independent Bikefix recently returned to Oban has joined
forces with Nevis cycles to open a new Oban superstore. Nevis
Cycles, now officially a chainstore, have supported Fort William
and Oban cyclists over many years. Proprietors old and new Maggie,
John and Ben Thompson are the living legends of cycling on the
West Coast.. The store will be run by well known cycle magnate
(and legend) Kevin Whitehead. Opening night is scheduled for
Sat 15th October.
NACCattack on Podium
Niterider
Relentless the event with no midges guaranteed is familar ground
for the four riders of team NaccAttack. Nothing could have prepared
them however for the conditions laid on by evil organiser Fraser
Coupland. Rain was the order of the day and after getting a lap
each out of the way and establishing third position, manager Mike
Bossard imposed a two lap strategy to keep the laundry to a minimum.
The team battled on through the night with the wet, gritty course
taking its toll on the bikes. Nevis Cycle's Dougie was a regular
vistor with brake pads for all and for Mike's last laps it was
all we could do to scrape one working bike together. All smiles
at the finish and third place was held all the way for a spot
on the podium.
Niterider
Relentless the event with no midges guaranteed is familar ground
for the four riders of team NaccAttack. Nothing could have prepared
them however for the conditions laid on by evil organiser Fraser
Coupland. Rain was the order of the day and after getting a lap
each out of the way and establishing third position, manager Mike
Bossard imposed a two lap strategy to keep the laundry to a minimum.
The team battled on through the night with the wet, gritty course
taking its toll on the bikes. Nevis Cycle's Dougie was a regular
vistor with brake pads for all and for Mike's last laps it was
all we could do to scrape one working bike together. All smiles
at the finish and third place was held all the way for a spot
on the podium.