Club Races
Meg Keeps it in the Family
Lake Lonsdale Handicap
Sunday 4th July 2010

	Meg Parnaby

Keeping the winner’s mantle in the family, Grampians Vets cyclist Meg Parnaby backed up husband Peter’s win the previous week by taking out the tough 60 kilometre Lake Lonsdale handicap last Sunday.

Racing over two laps of the Lake Lonsdale circuit, Meg, along with fellow limit rider John McIntyre, made the most of their 19 minute start and the perfectly still conditions.

After the first lap, they still held a commanding six minute lead over the ten and a half minute riders Tony Lloyd, Damian Rabl and Peter Mayo. Not far behind them, the 6 minute riders Peter Parnaby, Gerard O’Brien and Alan Barnett were gaining fast, but the scratch riders Frank Kean, Dean Hayward, Drew Heard and driving force Shane Clark, were also really motoring.

At this point the final lap looked like it was set to be a close finish. However, the six minute riders started to fade, failing to catch the 10 minute riders until the 49 kilometre mark. They picked up Tony Lloyd as they passed, but did not have the firepower to keep the scratch riders charge at bay, and all the chasing bunches united with 8 kilometres to go.

Setting out after the two limit riders, the pace was high, but the limit riders had done the work early to stay well clear, and were crossing the line as the chasing bunch crested the final hill.

In the battle for line honours, Meg Parnaby had the fitness advantage and was too strong for the exhausted McIntyre, taking out the event, with Drew Heard leading the chasing riders home to take third and also fastest time of the day.