Bungendore Single Speed and Social Society: February 2010

72mm of rain in 90 minutes has created some havoc to some of the trails at Orana Moon.
The 'big rain' caused big run off and created unique rivers through the property.

The leaf litter that gum trees are renowned for, as well as fallen branches, ended up bunched and in some weird and wonderful places, and showed the high tide marks and route of the make-shift rivers.
All of the bridges have been located, and a few hours with a chainsaw and rake should get all the single trail around the front nine rideable again.
It is not all bad though; the down hill trails have been swept clean by the current, and now are buff and smooth; and the natural flow of the rain has been identified so that the trail devastation can be prevented when the next big rain happens; and the dams are full.
Time to drink beer and celebrate I say!

It is only fitting that Single Speeder Andrew Hearne won the annual Australia Day Poker Classic at Orana Moon. Whilst there were penalties issued for gearded riders; bikes with gears were granted permission to ride the day. They were crap, they whinged and complained, and as a result, the kindness granted to them this year may well and truly be revoked next year.

Once the kids race was complete, each rider was sent on the time trial - a single loop of the signature trail "Y&J", to not only earn valuable extra cards for the finale and to decide the ultimate winner, but also to give the handicapper something to base his marks upon for the Cross Country race to follow.

Sydney sider Scott Nolan was first in the time trial followed by Ben McDuff (SS) and Wayne Spratford. All three place getter's were only seconds apart and it was amazing how a 1.5 minute loop can really burn the legs and rip your lungs.

The cross country race was a 2, 3, 3.5 or 4 lap race depending on your perceived ability and experience. It was designed to give all levels a solid ride and a chance to win....good in theory. We don't actually know who really won this race. There were a couple of trail heads that were lacking some distinctive markings, there were a couple of tactical short cuts taken by people on gearded bikes, and there was beer on ice at the finish line! Despite these factors, the tracks flowed sweetly and the obstacles proved a challenge, yet not unrideable.

1st place was given to first time mountain bike Brad Davidson, 2nd place given to the Rock, with single speeder Marty Boyd was awarded 3rd place and dealt 2 cards for the final game.

The final event of the day - "The Skid - Off" was heavily affected by alcohol and the unfamiliar ride of the neutral bike used in this competition. Newcomer Davidson stole the show with his sideways drift, cheeky smile and big arms.The defending Champion Patty Chivers was awarded second place and the favourite with the ladies, The Rock, coming in third.

More beer was drunk, the BBQ was fired up and the cards were dealt! Two pair; Aces and Kings won the day for Andrew Hearne from the South Coast Single Speed Chapter, so we celebrated with more beer; after all, it would be unAustralian not to!