08/09/2026
What a great weekend for the team at the 24th Hiddenvale Epic.
Saturday the 5th Cathy Milgate started the day with the trail run and got herself on the podium and set the goals for everyone else.
Next up was the 27km AllClear Skroo Loose Chaser.
Lisa and Jacque got 1st and 2nd in female E-bike, I rode as hard as I could (new Max HR) and managed a 2nd in Male E-bikes. Anthony and Lachie were 1st and 2nd overall on normal bikes, Shaun and Ocar got 1st and 2nd in U19 men and Amy 1st in U19 ladies.
Next up was the 11km racers and Ryda got 3rd in U15 and Ira 1st in U13 men. Evie smashed it in U11 ladies and won.
Sunday 6th and it was only 35 degrees and all our riders lifted and rode as hard as they could and the results were amazing.
Anthony in a packed 89km Elite field full of National Champs and previous Epic winners, kept fighting all race, loving the challenge of going handle bar to handle bar with the big guns. He was hoping for a top 5 finish but had to settle for an amazing 2nd place. Eyes now on his next big challenge. Joel Dodds towed the boys for a while as they chased Brent Rees. Anthony did in turn give Joel some of his water during the race, which was the least he could do. The boys were on their limit for a lot of the race.
Special mention Charli who raced in Elite ladies 89km race which destroyed plenty of riders out there. She sat in 3rd for most of the race but kept fighting on her S-works and got 2nd. Elle was too strong on the day. Well-deserved result Charli.
Lachlan, also got to race a former National Champ in the 58km race and came home with 2nd after leading most of the race, about 42k mark he hit the wall but got himself together and finished strongly.
Lisa and Jacque were 1st and 2nd for most of the female 58km e-bike race until Jacque got a flat. I think she was a little upset as she was feeling good and riding well, she called me and told me the bad news, I told her to get it fixed and finish. You know, that’s exactly what Jacque did and finished 3rd. That’s courage.
The U19 boys raced the 58km race and backed up well, with Oscar getting 2nd and Shaun 4th after getting a flat early in the race.
Amy again was amazing and got 1st in 58km U19 ladies.
Nina got 1st after a commanding race in her age group.
Matt Brooks after a couple big weeks where he raced the Grand Fondo in Japan got 2nd in his age group, just missing out on first.
Special mention to Ron Richdale, who’s also part of our little community. He won his age group too in a tough battle.
On a tough weekend for racing Mountain bikes, there was an upbeat positive vibe under the JR tent all weekend, which helps a lot.
These results just don’t happen, there’s a thousand moving parts and we are aways looking at ways to improve. There’s still plenty we can do before our next big challenge in Canberra for the XCM Nationals.
The team looked great in their team kit and a big shout out to Marzia from Life and performance nutrition.
The team at Ipswich City Mechanical and Owen from Ride Mechanic. Your support is appreciated by the whole team
The amazing lady’s pink jerseys are from Bowy and Purple JR race team kit from Society. Thanks, guys, for producing quality gear that makes us look good.
Back at it tomorrow, apparently Ira and Ryder believe that’s enough rest.
Lucky I love it.
Hidden Vale Adventure Park Ipswich Offroad Cyclists Ipswich City Mechanical Ride Mechanic Epic Cycles Wild West XCO Series
