A shower of rain greeted the start, leaving puddles on the track, and a stiff breeze kept the day cool for riders. Despite these conditions records still fell.

Due to course restraints and in anticipation of the World Championships in August this year, a 400m sprint was chosen over the regular 1km time trial. Records for the 10km race were broken by reigning champions in the men and women’s divisions – Alan Stewart bettered his time by 37 seconds and Sharon Simmons improved her performance by 24. And young Ali Hassan blasted his previous 5km record by almost 2 minutes.

The day’s results:

Female 400m sprint – Open
Sharon Simmons – 53.48secs
Karen Toll – 1min 09.43secs

Female 400m Sprint – Vet
Lyn Armstrong – 1min 03.72secs

Male 400m Sprint – Cadet
Ali Hassan – 1min 02.97secs

Male 400m Sprint – Open
Alan Stewart – 47.07secs (also 1st place in Vet Division)
Bruce Cook – 52.66secs

Male 5km – Cadet
Ali Hassan – 14min 0.63secs

Female 10km – Open
Sharon Simmons – 25min 35.36secs
Karen Toll – 33min 56.14secs

Male 10km – Open
Alan Stewart – 22min 54.14secs (also 1st place in Vet Division)
Bruce Cook – 24min 51.97secs

Thanks to family and friends for their support on the day.

The fog was so thick at Victoria Point that the ride was delayed by 17 minutes.

After a message from the organisers and a short welcoming speech from the Mayor of The Redlands, the 75km ride began. And 10 minues later the 45km riders took off.

The 75km and 45km courses featured more up hill than down hill terrain, with a few heart breakers through the Alexander Hills section… which we’ve decided to rename Alexander Mountains. 

With cut off times on the course, Footbiking was represented by Lyn Armstrong on the 45km route, and Bruce Cook, Alan Stewart and Deb Stewart on the 75km course.

The Footbikers went out at a more than respectable pace, covering the first 10kms in 23 mins. Unfortunately, the course was determined not to allow them to continue this pace with its constant barrage of challenging ascents, wind, open roads with traffic, no road closures and a fair share of traffic lights.

Despite the course’s challenges, the footbikers were content with their times.

Alan Stewart came through with 3hrs 9mins, Bruce Cook around 3hrs 20mins and Deb Stewart in 3hrs 33mins for the 75km course.

The SES who worked as marshalls on the day were a complete delight, cheering and clapping the riders on. The event was a success, raising monies for the Leukemia Foundation and the Matthew Stanley Foundation to stop violence.

The Redlands Classic Ride is the only official bike ride of The Redlands and attracted riders from as far away as Western Australia. This was the second year of the ride and the participating numbers doubled from last year. There would have been more riders but the event clashed with the Brisbane Marathon which was also held on the same day.

Thank you to the Rotary Club for organising the event, and all of the volunteers who made the day possible.

The next footbike race organised by the Australian Footbike Association will take place:

When: 20th September 2009

Where: Criterion Bike Track, Albert Bishop Park, Hedley Avenue, Nundah.

Races include 200m (adults only), 500m (children), 1km, 5km (Cadets and Juniors), and a 10km time trial.

Times:
On-the-day registration from 12.00pm to 12.30pm
Racing commences 1pm

Pre-registration:
Pre-register with bruce [at] kickbike [dot] com [dot] au by Wednesday 16th Sept 2009.

For more details and a registration form visit: Footbike Racing for September 2009

The Wilson HTM Brisbane to the Gold Coast Cycle Challenge offers two rides:

• 100km starting at South Brisbane from 5.15am to 6.45am
• 60km starting at Albert River Park, Beenleigh at 8am

Both rides finish at Southport.

When: Sunday 11 October 2009

If entering please do your best to help with fundraising as it supports the Heart Foundation and Diabetes Australia (Qld).

Organised by Bicycle Qld, the sponsors include Wilson HTM Investment Group, Gold Coast City Council, Logan City Council, Mercedes-Benz of Brisbane, BDS People, KPMG, Tom Wallace Cycles, Epic Cycles, Arkhefield Architects, Inspire Personal Training, JSA Design, McInnes Wilson Lawyers, Budget Care and Truck Rental.

This is a very popular event and we hope to see you there. For registration details please visit the Bicycle Queensland website.

Despite gusts which buffeted riders on the winding criterium track, a number of new records were set. Sharon Simmons, in the open women’s division, broke two of her previous records – the 1km Sprint and the 5km race. Ali Hassan blasted all three of his records in the 1km Sprint, 200m Sprint and 5km race for Juniors. Lyn Armstrong also set a new record for the Women’s Veteran Division for 5km. And Patricia Simmons, only recently a footbiking convert, set three records in the Novice Division.

Great work!!!

It’s great to see the number of footbike competitors growing. The number of female athletes has doubled, and Ali Hassan had some competition this race with the arrival of a ‘new kid on the footbike kicking around the block’, Alex Garrahy-Hodgkiss. Alex did well in his first races, and even after taking a fall, jumped back on his Kickbike to finish the race. Hope the knees are okay today, Alex – you’re a champ – not a complaint from the lips of our newest Junior athelete. After a quick patch up from the First Aid area, Alex was seen later riding around the track, working on his technique.

We did miss a few of our regular competitors. Alex “the Rabbit” Heta was out of circulation with an injury from playing League… we wish you a speedy recovery Alex! We missed your cheeky grin and quick wit. And we do need you present to calm down Megan and Alan’s congratulatory exhibits!!! Brendan Purcell was also out of action with the flu… Brendan, get better soon and join us back on the track. Graham Jenner sadly was unable to attend… and we hope to catch up Graham soon. And David McKinnon – unable to race on the day – still attended to cheer fellow footbikers on.

Results for 200m Sprints:
 
Open Mens 200m Sprint
1st – Alan Stewart – 24.40sec
2nd – Rob Darley – 26.97sec
3rd – Graeme Walker – 29.09sec

Veteran Mens 200m Sprint
1st – Alan Stewart – 24.40sec
2nd – Bruce Cook – 26.14sec

Junior 200m Sprint
1st – Ali Hassan – 31.84sec
2nd – Alex Garrahy-Hodgkiss – 58.08sec

Open Women’s 200m Sprint
1st – Sharon Simmons – 27.79sec
2nd – Kerri Lathopolous – 28.55sec
3rd – Deb Stewart – 31.16sec

Veteran Women’s 200m Sprint
1st – Lyn Armstrong – 32.34sec
2nd – Suzanne Moule – 37.27sec

Novice Women’s 200m Sprint
1st – Patricia Simmons – 39.97sec

Results for 1km Sprints:

Open Men’s 1km Sprint
1st – Alan Stewart – 2min 9.16sec
2nd – Rob Darley – 2min 25.95sec
3rd – Graeme Walker -  2min 33.14sec

Veteran Men’s 1km Sprint
1st – Alan Stewart – 2min 9.16sec
2nd – Bruce Cook – 2min 33.50sec

Junior 1km Sprint
1st – Ali Hassan – 3min 22.60sec
2nd – Alex Garraghy-Hodgkiss – 4min 16.35sec

Open Womens 1km Sprint
1st – Sharon Simmons – 2min 34.55sec
2nd – Kerrie Lathopolous – 2min 39.03sec
3rd – Deb Stewart – 2min 42.92sec

Veteran Women’s 1km Sprint
1st – Lyn Armstrong – 2min 54.46sec
2nd – Suzanne Moule – 3min 24.09sec

Novice Women’s 1km Sprint
1st – Patricia Simmons – 3mins 59.08sec

Results for 5km Time Trial:

Open Mens 5km Time Trial
1st – Rob Darley – 12min 43.19sec
2nd – Graeme Walker – 12min 46.63sec
 
Veteran Men’s 5km Time Trial
1st – Alan Stewart – 12min 46.16sec

Junior 5km Time Trial
1st – Ali Hassan – 18min 21.99sec

Open Womens 5km Time Trial
1st – Sharon Simmons – 12min 59.00sec
2nd – Kerrie Lathopolous – 13min 39.08sec
3rd – Deb Stewart – 14min 12.36sec

Veteran Women’s 5km Time Trial
1st – Lyn Armstrong – 15min 30.34sec
2nd – Suzanne Moule – 16min 12.65sec

Novice Women’s 5km Time Trial
1st – Patricia Simmons – 19min 05.51sec

As always, the support from spectators and other footbikers was exceptional. Special thanks to:

• Megan Heta – our intrepid time keeper – with the quickest timing thumb in Australasia. Thanks Megan, you’re a gem! Not only for your accurate time-keeping, also for your support – and especially for putting up with Alan during the awards ceremony!  
• David McKinnon for helping out at the starting lines and making sure no naughty kickbikes poked their noses over the line before he gave us the ‘go’ call.
• Suzanne Moule for reprimanding the Speed Skaters who jumped on the criterium track during a race. Sue’s ‘take no prisoners’ approach has earned her the latest “don’t mess with this Footbiker” award.

And of course, warmest thanks to Bruce Cook and Lyn Armstrong for making the day possible.

Thank you to everyone who competed and we hope to see you at the next short course races in September.

Join us for the 2009 Ipswich 100 Ride on Sunday the 5th of April starting and finishing at the University of Queensland, Ipswich Campus.

There are 3 events this year:

• The Haggarty Group Ipswich 100km
• Blue Ribbon Motors 50km
• St Andrew’s Hospital 10km

Please note that the 100km ride has a cut-off time of 5 hours. Out of respect for the organisers of the event, and future relations between AFA and the event organisers we request that if you are unable to complete the course within 5 hours (ie. average a minimum of 20km/h) please opt for a shorter event.

Please note: If you wish any of your times to be recognized by the AFA you must contact an Australian Footbike Association Official to let them know in advance that you will be participating. All times are start to finish times (including breaks) – not just actual ’ride time’.

Official sponsors for the event are Ipswich City Council, The Haggarty Centre, Blue Ribbon Motors, St Andrews Private Hospital and Avanti Cycles. Please support them as you can. Volunteers for the day are the SES Ipswich, fellow Lions Clubs, Boy Scouts, Epilepsy Qld and Zoe’s Place. Thank you – as we all know, the volunteers are the backbone of any successful cycling event. There will also be physiotherapists in attendance to look after any tight muscles, aching backs or limbs.

There will be a hospitality tent open from 6.30am serving muffins, coffee and tea.

There will be a large time clock on the start/finish line for both the 100 and 50km rides. These will be activated with the starter’s gun so that you can check your times when you return.

Upon finishing you can exchange your armband for a free sausage, bun and drink, or alternatively a muffin and cup of coffee or tea.

The event organisers of the 2009 Ipswich 100 are putting on a well-planned event, and have chosen a route with very little traffic and only a handful of traffic lights, and we wish to thank them for the opportunity for Kickbikes and Scooters to take part.

For more information on the ride and to register please visit the Ipswich 100 website.

Why not join us for the Footbike Short Course Races? Distances are building up for National Championhips to help determine who will represent Australia at the World Championships in 2010.

• 200m
• 1km
• 5km

Where: Criterion Bike track – Albert Bishop Park – Hedley Ave – Nundah (not Hendra, but Nundah)

When: Sunday 31st May racing starts at 1.30pm

Timings:
Please pre-register by emailing bruce @ kickbike dot com dot au by the close of business on Thursday 28th May.
On-the-day registration accepted from 12.00pm to 12.30pm. (No registrations accepted after 12.30pm)
Bike track available for warm-up from 12.30pm
Competitors Briefing: 1.00pm all entrants must attend
Racing commences 1.30pm.
Race format will be in line with International event format which will be explained at race briefing.
Prize giving commences 20 minutes after the last race. Plans to finish prior to 5pm.
For more details please contact Bruce at Kickbike Australia.

Previously known as the Mall 2 Mall Ride, in 2009 this popular ride sports the new name of the Brisbane 2 Ipswich Challenge, and forms an integral part of the annual Ipswich Festival which is held each April.

The Challenge usually attracts around 1000 participants, and this year will begin at the Moorlands Park in Toowong and then head out to Ipswich to finish in Queens Park, covering 50km.

The purpose of the ride is not only to spread a message of goodwill and encourage greater links and cooperation between the Ipswich and Brisbane communities, it is also about encouraging people to get out and exercise, as well as raise monies for the Ipswich Hospital Foundation and the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation.

When: Sunday 26 April 2009 at 7.00am

Where: Moorlands Park, Toowong

After the ride enjoy the BBQ in Queens Park with other weathered cyclists, or check out the other activities that are part of the Ipswich Festival.

Find out more from the Mall 2 Mall Challenge Website.

Join in the fun at the Freeway Bike Hire Ride in PERTH in the following distances:

• 10km
• 30km
• 60km

For mor information visit the Freeway Bike Hire Website.