It's twenty years now since the Panther began her journey with us at The Lakes, nearby. Our association with Leschenaultia actually goes back a few more years.

Guy was in a hurry to celebrate a birthday so he started early, rode very fast and finished well clear of the field. Two had started even earlier–fifteen or so minutes before the official start and actually finished ahead of Guy. One of these was David Equid who wanted to have two cracks at the four laps, the second to try out his new CX bike. David, in fact had already done some extra laps of the course much, much earlier as he, Carolyn, Troy and Campbell had been at the Lake since early this morning putting out extra signage. He did at least one more lap at the end checking all added signs had been recovered; Annie Bramley and Emma Molloy had made sure they were, of course. The fastest two girls today, each with a PB, they had done an extra lap to tidy up; Emma was also celebrating her FIFTIETH ride with ATTA. We reckon that's a milestone worth achieving.

Stu Helm on his MTB was right up amongst the CX mob again this year, at the pointy end of the field; with a PB and so, another course record for MTBs–this time, shaved by a hefty 1min45. It must be time we separated the categories and began presenting a new trophy, one specifically for CX with The Panther retaining her MTB roots? 40% of the field this time were riding CX bikes; they first made an appearance four years ago.

The slot Guy took for his start had been vacated by Peter Vaughan who was injured but came to help out on the desk–assisted in his turn by Campbell Coulthard. Carolyn kept things in order at the timing bench while, not far away Greg Swensen called the numbers of approaching riders for us. Lorraine was in her customary starter's position. Troy and Campbell also had to leave before the finish so Wayne Flanagan was left with the trailer duties. THANKS, all of you; well done!

It was a good sized field, the biggest we've seen for this event; Troy had made sure of this too. Almost a quarter of the riders today were 'new faces'; we hope they'll have found something worth coming back for.