SCUM XC Round 2

Words by: Belinda Althaus

Dawn light in Nowra. Photo: Bel Althaus

SCUM put on another day full of mountain biking fun, holding round 2 of the XC series this time at Butterfly track. 57 competitors all up contended the tight and twisty track, and with perfect weather, the racing was bound to be fast and furious.

Elite men and Elite women started the race first along with other categories completing 4 laps, with the novice and junior categories following. Seven men contended the elite men’s race of 5 laps, however only 4 finished. Callum Carson made great lap times finishing the total race in 1:32:50 sec, however he was chased right to the end with Glen Sinnot coming in only 15 seconds later. Two other riders followed in what were still very respectful times.

The Elite women’s race was held over 4 laps, and started with 3 women. Belinda Althaus came back for the challenge after the 3hr Enduro which was held in March and took out the women’s elite race with consistent lap times. She finished the race in 1 hr 31min 1 sec. Unfortunately the other two elite women pulled out after three laps.

Womans Elite star Bel Althaus. Photo: CrummyMTB

The Expert Men’s race was hotly contested with a line-up of 15 riders. These guys raced furiously over four laps as well, and skilled local Kane Barrett showed some of the younger guys how to race, finishing the race in 1:17:11secs, 29secs ahead of local teenager Liam Dooley. David Bell and Andrew Mein followed in 1:18min, and 1:22min respectively. Great race guys!

Local riders Nicole Fellows and Jennifer Thompson raced for the Expert women’s race over 3 laps, however Jennifer succumbed to a minor fall in the last lap and with other previous injuries couldn’t make up the time against Nicole. Both women raced well, and it’s good to see women out having a go. Masters Males also contended three laps, with Nicholas Smee, Brad stein and David Stuart taking the podium spots, with local fat bike rider Greg Lewis following not far behind. Not bad times for these guys either. 


Super Masters Males had a great turnout with 11 riders, and the racing was tight with little time between finishes. Ross Winley and Anthony Rigney battled it out, with Anthony missing out on first place by 1 sec!! Michael Smith came in third in just under 1 min after the leaders. These guys could give many a run for their money…

Some of the SCUM XC Rnd 2 racers. Photo: SCUM

A few juniors contested the under 13, under 15 and under 17 races. Alastair Urquhart was the only rider in the Under 13 but still did a great job. The Under 15’s completed two laps and the under 17’s completed 3. These young ones had some great times, and it will be interesting to see their development in a few years.
Natalie Sleeman was the only veteran female, but raced well over three laps, and William Brook, Russell Rodrigues and Glen Aldridge raced Veterans men’s over three laps too with impressive lap times that would have contested many of the expert men’s times.
All up it was a superb turnout from the riders on what is a challenging track with plenty of climbing that creeps up on you ever so slowly. A great effort from the team at SCUM, and the race was friendly and fun. Finally the mud-flickers did what the kids do, having fun racing against each other and just getting out there and having a go, great to see!
Next round of the XC series is a youth orientated event, however is open to all ages. This will be held on the 22 June at Coondoo track. Rego from 7.45am with racing starting from 8.45 am for the mud-flickers and 9.15am for all other age groups. Hope to see you there!