Approaching our July 18, 2pm start, a thick fog rolled back in over Moama, threatening to take the fun out of racing for the 19 riders at the start line.
Ray set off from limit, followed by John Jenkins and Dave Oman at 20 mins followed by our version of the Spice Girls with Georgie Jenkins, Mel Smolenaars, Claire Goodman and Kaz Griffiths at 25 mins.
Matt Dobeli, John Brian and Simon Hall at 27 mins were followed at 34 mins by Troy Griffiths, Cam Smith, Matt Grealy and Oliver Hall.
Giving a full lap head start to Ray Hamilton and rounding out the field were Kevin and Neville Laffy with Brad Scott at 38 mins and our scratch group of Nick Woods and George Griffths a further minute back.
After a swashbuckling first lap by Simon and John in the 27-minute group, they'd caught the girls group and the pace continued.
Gaps between groups narrowed throughout the field over the next two laps.
Riding out front was Ray Hamilton, unsighted by most of the field, continuing to push towards the line.
In scenes reminiscent of Tadej Pogacar at the Tour de France he cruised across the line first, well ahead of the field.
In the group behind, Matt took the pace up, unaware that they weren't racing for the win, and he watched the rest of the group ride past in the sprint, with John Brian pipping Simon Hall for second with Mel Smolenaars 4th and Claire in 5th with the rest of the field hitting the line close behind.
1st - Ray Hamilton.
2nd - John Brian.
3rd - Simon Hall.
4th and fastest female - Mel Smolenaars.
5th - Claire Goodman.
Thanks to race director H, handicapper Cam, photographer Richard and a huge shout out to our super marshal Laurie Grealy.
Thanks also to David and the team The Border Inn Hotel for their hospitality.
The fog thickened on Sunday, cancelling the scheduled mid-winter time trial.
7°C