Hello Vets,
In the Bleat this week;
- Vets Out and About
- Racing this Week
- Track Practice Session
- Gunning 2 Day Event
Please send me your contributions at: TheBleat@actvets.cc
Ian Morton
Vets Out and About
The National Capital Tour was held over the weekend on a very interest non-Canberraesque course. Vets riders were represented in nearly every grade. See results here: http://my1.raceresult.com/82809/results?lang=en.
It was a good feeling to know that barring disaster it was be possible to be with the bunch until the final climb, and not be shelled on the first hill like in the old Canberra Tour. The D grade race started before it got hot and windy, resulting in good conditions to speed down to the old Masters building at the airport and then back up to the foot of Mt Majura. Chris Nolan and Heath Chester launched many attacks on the downward leg but nobody had the strength to push on back up the road. After the third lap we took an unwelcome left turn onto the Mt Majura road. I thought there’d be a bit of jostling of positions on the narrow road but actually things settled quickly as everyone found their own level of purgatory and tried to stick at it for nearly 3km at 8%. D grade was mainly a race among older riders but there was one young bean pole who got a 30-second gap by the top. Dave Mullens was best of the vets at 1:40 back. The view from the top was spectacular and could be appreciated eventually.
The kermesse was only 20 mins but it was very hard going battling the wind on the return legs of course. So tactical was one of the sprints we slowed to 22km/h, as going to the front was instant suicide. In the charge for the line on the second lap Dave Mullens jumped first and maintained the gap to the end with me third.
Day 2 involved a 30-minute criterium at Stromlo. Once again the wind was strong and blowing down the course so breakaways were quickly nullified. With one lap to go and one rider with a good 50m gap ahead, it was a very tactical ride up the hill on the back straight. I jumped before Dave this time and nearly mowed down the Illawarra guy in front to come second. The various time bonuses didn’t help my GC standings much but Dave get third on GC. Then came:
8th Rob Langridge
10th Dom Rideaux
16th Chris Nolan
17th Heath Chester
20th Mark Taylor
C grade
5th Marc Vroomans
8th Matt Hinchcliffe
14th Sean Ifland
B grade
10th Paul Frankcom (might move his Vets handicap up from B grade)
A grade
2nd Nic Stewart
Women’s A grade
10th Laura Darlington
Rob Langridge
RACING THIS WEEK:
Racing has concluded for the 2017 Winter Season. The next race will be the first Summer Criterium on the 3rd of October.
Upcoming Marshall Roster
The nominated marshals for upcoming events are;
– 3/10- Stromlo Crit: Sue Duckett
– 10/10- Stromlo Crit: Simon Johnston
NARRABUNDAH TRACK PRACTICE SESSION – WEDNESDAY 4 OCTOBER 6.00 PM
Daylight saving will soon be with us, and that means TRACK RACING!!!!!
The track racing season will kick off with a Practice Session starting at 6.00pm on Wednesday 4 October. There will be no racing. All interested riders are invited – particularly new riders and track novices. It is a great opportunity to give track a try!
Please note that Narrabundah Track is a high-banked, oval track suitable only for conventional fixed gear track bikes with a high bottom bracket. We are unable to accommodate road bikes on this track.
Note:
+ Narrabundah track is located off Goyder Street in Narrabundah;
+ We welcome riders to try a high-banked track for the first time;
+ New riders can get practical advice on gearing, bunch riding & track etiquette;
+ Interested riders can try out a track bike (bring your own pedals and shoes);
+ Experienced riders can tune up the machinery & motor;
+ All riders can express their preference for events & races;
+ The practice session will be around 1hr 30 mins starting at 6.00pm;
+ There is no formal structure to the practice. We can assist with introductory training, if requested;
+ You can do your own thing, if you prefer.
A few basics on track etiquette for the practice session:
+ Use the designated track positions for cruising, tempo or fast pacing;
(The faster you ride the higher you should be positioned on track. Overtake outside other riders)
+ Hold your line – don’t make changes of speed or position unless you are clear of other riders;
+ Be very careful if you are crossing or moving on / off the track.
(It is your responsibility not to impede other riders in this situation);
+ Start from the fence and be aware of riders approaching;
+ It is best to wear clear or light tinted goggles;
(the shaded portions of track have very low visibility with regular sunnies);
+ All riders will need to be cautious, as there will be novice riders at the practice session.
Regular track racing will start on Wednesday 11 October.
Last year was a great season and we had a dedicated bunch, with 37 riders participating over the season. However, why should they have all the fun. If you have thought about it, come a give it a try, as we would like to have at least another ten regulars.
Graeme O’Neill
Gunning 2 Day Event
Your chance to race 154km over two days! (or 104km for E, F, G, Tandem) and Lunch – all for a measly $35.
The club’s signature event, the Gunning two day race, is on over the weekend of the 14/15 October. Saturday starts at 10:00 am with a 4km uphill Prologue just to make it interesting!
For those that groaned at an uphill prologue, we’ve decided to make it interesting by throwing in bonus time on Stage 1! Again, for stage 2, time bonuses will be on offer so a good strategy will be key!
Marshals
Bill Frost has kindly volunteered to be the Race referee for the two days. In order to run the event, he requires the assistance of Marshals, Escort Drivers and General Helpers to assist.
Payment of $30 per day is available to offset petrol costs and other expenses.
If you are willing to help, please contact Bill at: billfrost@bigpond.com
Portaloo
A Portaloo has been booked. We are looking for a volunteer to help with towing duties. If someone is staying in Gunning on Saturday evening and would be able to tow it back to their accommodation overnight, that would save having to tow it back to Canberra.
Please contact Ian McVay imcvay@grapevine.com.au Ph 62317523 if you can assist.
Requirements
The cost will be $35 for the race and you must be a current member of the club within the AVCC. Please note that we do not have day licences available.
Riders will need to bring their helmet to the registration desk for inspection. Please note that it is an AVCC requirement that all riders must wear a helmet which meets Australian Standards.
Riders must have started the previous stage to compete the next stage. (i.e. if you don’t ride Saturday then you cannot start on Sunday)
Registration
ALL REGISTRATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED ON THE IMG WEBSITE BY 5:00PM FRIDAY 13th OCTOBER. NO REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON THE DAY.
To register go to;
https://eventdesq.sportstg.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=main&EventDesqID=24762&OrgID=10345
Click on;
Click Here To Register
Select either;
Individual
Tandem
Select the $35 entry fee then click;
Next
Enter your username and password and click.
Login
Note that this is the username and password that you received when you first registered for the IMG system. If you cannot find your site login, go to the site login page; https://memberdesq.sportstg.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=login&OrgID=10244 and click the ‘Forgot your Password?‘ Button. Enter your Email address (the one you used to register) and a new password will be sent to you.
One you have logged in, the system will show your membership details. Click;
Next
Confirm that you are entering as an Individual or Tandem then click;
Next
Click on;
Submit Now & Pay Online
Enter your credit card details and press;
Next
To confirm your payment, click;
Submit Payment
Your transaction will be confirmed and an email sent to your registered email address.
Once you have finished, click;
Logoff
If you have any problems, contact: Ian Morton
DAY 1: Saturday 14th October 2017
Prologue
Prologue will start at 10:00am and riders will be sent off at 30 second intervals.
Note if you miss your allocated time you will be sent off at the discretion of the Race Referee.
The following limitation apply to the Prologue
- No Disc Wheels or wheel covers
- No Time Trial specific helmets
- No Time Trial bars either specific or clip on
Tri Spoke or other deep dish wheels are allowed as long as the rim does not exceed 10cm.
Stage 1
Stage 1 will start at 1:30pm and riders will be sent off by grade.
Stage 1 is 50km for all grades.
A revised bonus time will be allocated on both primes for the first three positions (1st – 7 seconds, 4nd – 2 seconds and 3rd 2 seconds) and for the first five positions (1st – 5 seconds, 2nd – 4 seconds, 3rd – 3 seconds, 4th – 2 seconds and 5th – 1 second) at the finish.
DAY 2: Sunday 15th October 2017
Stage 2
The course length will depend on grade:
- A, B, C, D will complete 100km (Note: A Water Bottle will be provided for riders on the Second Lap)
- E, F, G, Tandem will complete 50km
Stage 2 will start at 10:00am for the following grades A, B, C, D with 2 min between grades.
Stage 2 will start at 11:00am for the following grades G, E, F, Tandem with 2 min between grades.
A revised bonus time will be allocated to each grade on both primes for the first three positions (1st – 7 seconds, 2nd – 4 seconds and 3rd 2 seconds) and for the first five positions (1st – 5 seconds, 2nd – 4 seconds, 3rd – 3 seconds, 4th – 2 seconds and 5th – 1 second) at the finish.
Presentation
Presentations will be held in the Hall in the Showground commencing at 1:45 pm. Lunch will be provided for all riders and officials.
