National Round 3 - Thredbo 14 Feb 2010

Ian and the boys headed to Thredbo for some practice on Friday while Mum went off to work (lucky Mum). Turns out it wasn't such a bad idea for Mum to go to work as it rained most of the day and the boys got really muddy and Dad had to deal with the clean up in the afternoon. Luckily they were staying in Maggs' lodge and it is well equipped to deal with cleaning of muddy bikes, clothes and kids.

Practice for Group B on Saturday morning till 12pm, again in the rain. Boys finished practice and went back to the lodge for a shower and change of clothes. Luckily Mum arrived about lunch time and spent the next few hours washing dirty clothes while the crew headed back to watch the seeding runs for Group A.

Sunday race day arrived and it had been raining pretty much all night so when the boys got to the lift, they were told they could only do one practice run (just to try and save the track a bit) as by now there were huge ruts in the track and it was really sloppy. After practice both boys went back to the lodge for a shower and to put on a nice clean kit.

Race time approaching and the boys kitted up in their lovely plastic poncho's to ride up the lift in to try and keep a bit dry. Seems we started a trend and most of their mates did the same thing (will have to remember to stock back up on poncho's).

Thomas was first of Team Crimmins to start his race run. Even though he was equal 2nd in U17's and he got a better place at the last race than David, for some reason he was still third off at the start. Not that it made too much difference. Anyway, Connor came down in a time of 7:59.23 which we though was a fairly decent time considering the conditions. Next we were expecting David to come flying out of the trees, but no, it was Thomas next, flying out of the trees into the home run, pedaling as much as he could and still managing to stay on track. Wow, he crosses the finish line in a time of 7:43.88, we knew that would be a hard time to beat. After all 30 riders crossed the line, Thomas had won by 16 seconds. This puts Thomas into outright 2nd in the Series, with one race remaining.

Next was Andrew's turn. He was the first to start in U15's as series leader so we watched most of his time on the timer and it kept going up and up. We started to think something might have happened but next thing he comes out of the trees, still pedaling and with his goggles around his hand. He crossed the line in a time of 9:33.93. We didn't think this would be good enough for the win and as it turns out that time placed him 3rd out of 10 riders. Well done to Maggsie for his first Nationals win. It was still a great effort for Andrew to come 3rd as it turned out he crashed in race run and his front wheel seized up and wouldn't turn properly which made it a real struggle to have any momentum especially in those conditions. We thought he must have got mud in his axle but when we got home Ian pulled the whole bike apart and found that he had creased his front brake casing which would have caused his brake to be on the whole time. Anyway, he still holds the Series lead so is looking forward to doing well at Mt Stromlo in 4 weeks time.

Thanks to Nicho for the use of his (waterproof) Morewood tent for the weekend, it was a real saviour in the rain.

National Round 2 - Shepparton 24 Jan 2010

Finally made it home after our epic road trip which took us to Adelaide and then on to Shepparton for Round 2 of the National Series. After a very successful Champs in Adelaide, Team Crimmins headed to Shepparton with 2 days to fill in before we were due on Thursday before race. We drove to Swan Hill and stayed there overnight and drove the rest of the way on Wednesday which saw us there a day early. As we couldn't book into our cabin until the Thursday, we had to then find a motel for the night. This was harder than expected as not only was the race on, there was an International Dairy Festival on as well. We mananged to find what I think must have been the last motel room in the whole of Shepp.

After departing our Motel, we couldn't book into the cabin until 2pm so we headed to the track to walk it in the morning and then had shuttles in the arvo (in 45deg heat). Having seen footage of the track we weren't expecting much, and we weren't disappointed. But after walking the track, it was actually a lot harder than first thought with most of the track being off camber with a really snotty rock shoot and a few rock drops. Speed was going to be hard to maintain if you wanted to stay on the track. The dirt was red like you would imagine on Mars. You just had to stand on the side of the track and you would go home with what looked like a really bad fake tan.

Friday was a full day of practice. Thomas was getting the hang of the track and actually started to enjoy it. Andrew, not so much. He was struggling with the rock shute (he wasn't the only one, let me tell you) and had numerous offs in that section but luckily none involved injury. Practice over with and back to the cabin to do some washing and get ready for the next day.

Saturday practice for Group B started at 8:30am so we were out and about very early (who said we were on holidays?). Practiced well with Thomas saying that it is like learning a new track every day as it changes so much. The boys hung around for Group A seeding in the afternoon as Mum headed back to get dinner ready and do more washing (gotta love that red dust).

Sunday race day and we were at the track early with Group B practice again at 8:30am till 10:30am then Group A and then racing at 12:30pm. Had a look at the start list and Thomas was 3rd off in U17's and due to start at 12:47pm and Andrew first off in U15's with a start time of 1:07pm (not that it ever starts on time anyway). A few categories came down in their race runs and then it was the U17's. Connor came down first in a very fast time of 1:59.48, next was David who finished in a time of 2:05.26, then we could see Thomas coming down (as the hill was so small and there were no trees, your could see virtually the whole race run except just the first little bit). We were all yelling him over the finish line and he came in at a fantastic time of 2:03.51, provisionally into 2nd position. As there were at least another 40 riders to come, we were still on the edge of our seats to see if he could hold onto it. All riders in U17 over the line and it was official, Thomas was 2nd. Good work Son!!!

Next it was the U15's turn. We watched the whole of Andrew's race run and just held our breath that he would hold it together, especially after Adelaide. Luckily he had a really good practice on Sunday morning with no stacks in the rock shute and he was feeling really good about the track now. As we yelled him over the finish line, he posted an excellent time of 2:13.97 which saw him sitting in the hot seat. As the rest of the field finished, Andrew managed to sit in the hot seat for the whole of the U15's division. It was official, he won, with the closest rider coming over in a 2:21.98. We were all very happy for Andrew with Adelaide now a distant memory. Well done Team.

2010 National Championships - Adelaide 17/1/10

Here we are in sunny Adelaide for the 2010 National Champs. Mum & Dad arrived on Tuesday before race weekend after driving through heat wave conditions all day Monday and staying in Ouyen, some small country town in the middle of nowhere on Monday night. Cooler temps for Tuesday's 4 hour drive with a fair bit of rain along the way. Settled into our nice little cabin in Mitcham and then headed to town to get some supplies before heading to the airport to pick the boys up from their nice, easy 1.5 hour flight.

Headed to the track on Wednesday morning to walk the track and then start practice in the afternoon. Thursday all day practice then Friday and Saturday morning practice with the afternoons free although stayed to watch Group A seeding on Saturday arvo. All practice sessions went without a hitch, only a couple of flat tyres which are easy to fix. The track was pretty short so Mum & Dad walked it quite a few times and got lots of photo's and video's.

Early night on Saturday as we had to be at the track for practice at 7:30am on Sunday. Yuck! Got to the track at 7:30 with a few showers of rain on the way and also when we got to the track. Practice was late starting by nearly an hour, not real happy with that as all the riders were standing in the rain waiting for the track to open. No announcements made as to what was going on either. Not happy.

Finally on track and practiced till 9:30 with racing due to start at 10am. The U17's were the 2nd last division of Group B to come down for their race run with the U15's the last division.

Boys headed to the top of the hill, Mum headed to the bottom near finish line and Dad headed to the race village to watch on the big screen. There were 5 camera's on course so you could watch pretty much the whole race run on the big screen. Just happened that as it was "only Group B" there was no timing or commentary there so Dad decided to head to the bottom section also.

U17's on course. Thomas 3rd rider off as that's where he was ranked after the first National Round in Hobart. First 2 riders came down in really quick times, then we could see Thomas in the distance, coming out of the trees into the bottom open section, watching the time, we knew it would be close. Over the finish line and was in provisional 2nd place but with still another 40 riders to come, still watching the clock. All riders down and it was official, Thomas placed 2nd in U17 National Champs. Final results were Conor: 1:58.12, Thomas: 2:01.95, David: 2:04.66. Would have placed 5th in U19's. Very happy with that.

U15's up next with Andrew off first as he won in Hobart. He comes out of the trees, we look at the time and know he's having a really good run as his time is very fast. Next thing, round the corner, down the drop into the berm and comes off the bike in the berm. Oh no, takes at least 10 seconds to get back on the bike and then has an uphill to pedal before more downhill and into the bottom jumps. Andrew was absolutely devo. Final result: Max: 2:20.66, Joel: 2.21.01, Andrew 2:21.99. There is no doubt that if Andrew didn't crash, he would have posted a bloody fast time but hey, that's racing. Funny thing is, Sam Hill (best rider in OZ) comes down in his race run in the Elite Men doing a screaming time and just metres from the finish line, he loses it in the loose gravel and comes off. Took him from 1st into 5th. As we said to Andrew, see, it can happen to the best of them! Haha.

Looking forward to Shepparton next weekend.

National Round 1 - Hobart 13/12/09

After much planning and organising, the day finally arrived for us to head to Hobart for Round 1 of the 2009/10 National Series to be held at Glenorchy MTB Park. Mum & Dad headed off in the car on the Wednesday to drive to Melbourne to catch the Spirit of Tasmania across Bass Strait. We contended with 3.5 mtr swells in our "luxurious" recliner chairs to arrive at Devonport to then drive 4 hrs to Hobart airport to pick the boys up off their 1.5hr flight from Canberra with 15mins to spare. Phewwww!! Thanks to the Smith's for hosting the boys on Wednesday night and ensuring their timely arrival at the airport and onto the flight bound for Hobart. Which as it happened was loaded up with Canberra mountain bikers.

We then headed from the airport straight to the track with the boys keen to walk the course to see what they had to contend with for the weekend. Discussions that night held the track as technical, fast with big jumps, possibly one of the hardest on the circuit this year.

Friday morning arrived with overcast skies and threatening rain. Shuttles were slow with the boys doing a bit of sectioning and M & D walking the track trying to get some shots. Our crew holding their own with Glen & Stu doing shuttles and Ian chief mechanic (as we seemed to have the only toolbox in the car park). Late in practice, Thomas turned up riding one handed and informed us he had stacked and injured his right wrist. Practice over for the day, dropped Mum & Andrew back at base camp and spent the next 5 hours at the hospital waiting for an X-Ray. X-Ray done and no major damage.

Saturday dawned after a night of rain and howling wind. Off to the track again for early practice, shuttles much faster than yesterday. All going well with boys hitting more lines each run. The boys and their mates were all getting more confident after each run and feeling good about their preparation. Andrew hitting all major A lines. Thanks to our new mate Peter for strapping Thomas' wrist pre-practice which kept him going for the day, although still pretty sore.


Sunday race day and another early start with group B having first practice. The boys punched out their usual 3 runs and were feeling as though they had the track pretty dialed even though it was getting pretty blown out. As U17's & U15's were due to race pretty early in the order, both boys headed up in the shuttle buses to wait for their runs. Clouds threatening to open up just before race runs commenced but luckily only a few drops in it.

Thomas, racing his first year in U17's at National level, came down mid field really holding his own against the older top riders, missing out on 2nd position by .24 of a second but holding out 3rd place by 11 seconds in a field of 32 riders. Bloody good effort to get on the podium.


Andrew is racing his first full National Series in U15's and at 12 years of age, is one of the younger riders in this field. Andrew was 4th on the start list and came out of the trees right on another riders tail, who it ends up he followed like that for the whole bottom part of the track. His race time blitzed the U15's field by a massive 13 seconds and secured his first place, and Series leader. Go Andrew!!!


The after party consisted of Pizza and drinks at community house with lots of laughs and chilling after a stressful few days.

Very happy with the weekend's effort, we packed up the ute and headed, no, not to do touristy things, but to Mt Wellington so the boys could do some 15min downhill runs with their mates. Yay.
Had lunch at Hobart wharf with mates and then headed off for the drive to Devonport to get on the boat. Luckily Mum had upgraded to a cabin for the trip home as it was not a pleasant sleep in those recliners. Arrived back at Melbourne at 6:30am all ready for the drive back home. It was a struggle but we made it home safe and a great weekend was had by all. Watch this space for more updates for the rest of the Series and Champs coming up next in mid January.

CORC Round 8 - Thredbo 6/12/09

The whole team went to Thredbo for the weekend for Round 8 of the CORC Series. Practice on Saturday and race day on Sunday. Thank you to the Maggs' for hosting us in their lodge for the Saturday night.

Practice went well on the Saturday, weather was lovely and got in lots of runs. Not so much about practicing as it is about riding with mates. Sunday race day arrived and Mum and Dad headed up the mountain to do some marshaling. Both boys were held up in their first race runs but you expect that in a Clubbie at Thredbo. After first race run, Thomas was comfortably sitting in 2nd position overall.

Final result for the day was Thomas finished 1st overall out of a field of 92 riders and Andrew finished 7th overall (and 1st in U15's). Another great weekend had by all.

CORC Round 7 - Kowen Forest 15/11/09

As Ian was at his annual fishing comp at Tuross, three quarters of Team Crimmins headed to Kowen Forest out the back of Qbn for Round 7 on the weekend of 14/15 Nov. After Lachie arrived at Bredbo, we headed off to pick up Matt and have some practice runs on Saturday morning to try and beat the heat. Practice went well and Andrew's knee held up really well as this was his first go at downhilling since getting his brace off 3 1/2 weeks earlier. Headed home for a swim to cool off.

Sunday morning we left home early to get in some practice runs before it got too hot. The push up at Kowen is up a very steep fire road in the full sun. Those poor kids did it tough all day. Practice done and everyone headed up to the start. Andrew was racing U15's and Thomas U17's. After first race run, Thomas was sitting in first place overall out of 94 riders. Pretty impressive. Andrew was sitting 2 seconds behind first place in U15's. Gotta be happy with that for his comeback race.

Second run saw both boys do a faster time than their first run but Thomas ended up 2nd in U17's and 4th overall. Andrew ended up 1st in U15's by 0.06sec. Well done team. Off to Thredbo next weekend for the opening. Can't wait!

CORC Round 6 - Majura 25/10/09

Another late posting but as they say 'better late than never'. Round 6 of the CORC Series was held on a new track at Majura. Thomas had his mate Cookie stay over for the weekend so he could race on Sunday. Cookie hasn't raced much over winter as he is a pro skier and has been skiing for the winter (snow is melting so it's back on the bike). Thomas and Cookie got picked up by some mates from Cooma on Saturday to head down for a bit of practice. Practice went well and got home after a big day.

Sunday morning up early and Ian cooked everyone brekkie, ready for a big day of racing. Andrew still in the leg brace and on crutches but had to come with us for the day as presso for the 08/09 Series were being held in between runs. Lucky for us, Glen came down with a key to the gate and let us in so Andrew didn't have to walk on crutches all the way to the race.

Another good day of racing with Dad marshaling, Mum helping with the bbq, Andrew's first race watching from the sidelines and Thomas racing. All good and Thomas ended up 1st in U17's, Cookie also did really well placing 5th in U15's. Good work Cookie!

Presentations were also held for the 2008/09 Series with Thomas taking out 1st in U15's and Andrew taking out 1st in U13/s. Well done boys. (Will post photo's up soon).
Edit: Andrew had his last appointment at the fracture clinic the following Thursday. His knee has healed and now he needs to build up his quad muscles and he'll be as good as new in no time. Dr says best thing to build up the muscle is cycling (who would have thought?) no rough stuff just yet though.