Armidale Cycling Club

The first outing on Long Swamp Road for 2009 took place on Saturday 27 June, with a small field braving the wet conditions. The race was a handicap featuring two full laps of the course, a distance of just under 32km.

Kenny McDonald showed hist best hill climbing form to take an early lead which he maintained until three-quarter race distance. By that stage the scratch riders had overhauled the rest of the field, forming a bunch of about 10 riders in the race back to the finish.

Three riders were unhitched up the steep hill from Powers Creek, with the remaining riders settling into a good rhythm approaching the last hill.

After strategically conserving his energy at the back of the pack, Andrew Kirk was too strong on the uphill finish, winning the race from Dan Creagan and John Scott-Hamilton. Mick Hoult was 4th, Col Maciver 5th, and Lachie McPhie rode very well to finish a close 6th place.

Starting off scratch, Kirkie also recorded the fastest time of 57:12.

The move to Long Swamp was a popular choice among the riders who enjoyed the change of course.