ACT Veterans Weekly Bleat, Monday 18th June, 2018

Hello Vets,

In this week’s Bleat;

• Indoor Training
• Racing this Week
• Race Report

Please send me your contributions at: TheBleat@actvets.cc

Ian Morton

Indoor Training

Want to maintain your fitness after a weekend of rancid weather and limited riding opportunities. Grab your trainer and come and enjoy an hour of quality pain. This week’s session will start with a road race warm up then a road race simulation, all in the comfort of a dry hall without kangaroos to avoid. Hall is open at 6pm for setup.

The Hall in the Weston Community Centre is hard to find in the dark. The turnoff is off Hilder St Weston directly opposite a set of very attractive white concrete lions. Once you have turned in veer to the right to find the lower car park. The hall is adjacent.

A reminder that attendees must be competition members of the club.

Bruce Griffin

RACING THIS WEEK:

Saturday, 23rd June: Apollo Graded Scratch

Where: Travel to Tharwa, then onto Naas Rd. Go past Namadgi visitors centre, Tennent hill, Turn Right onto Apollo road. Park on top of hill at disused tracking centre. Sign on at the top, then ride back down to the T junction for the start.
PLEASE BE considerate of other camping area users when parking and using the facilities so as not to jeopardise our continued use of this location.
When: 1:30 pm.
Sign on: 15 mins before scheduled start time wearing your registered number. Riders wanting to ride out to the event but not wanting to ride up to the sign-on area should get someone else to enter for them or contact the race director beforehand to let Paul know. A car will be available at the race start to collect clothing and take it up to the finish.
Race Description:
Start at bottom of Apollo Rd out to Smiths Rd, return then climb to Honeysuckle Creek.

Race Director: Paul Robey Contact: Email: paul.robey3@gmail.com    Ph  0413480241

Marshals: Michael Carr, Sue Powell, Robert Brunato

Upcoming Marshal Roster

Thank you to those who volunteered to help (noted below in black) at the races to September. The remaining nominees (in blue) have been selected based on results from the previous summer race season and the period since they last helped at a race. Please advise your availability or unavailability to the race committee (race.committee@actvets.cc) as soon as possible.

We need to have the required number of marshals for races so they can be run safely and in compliance with our race approvals.

* denotes ETC required for ACT races.

I am also looking for nominations to help at the Summer series races to the end of the Year. Crit races at Stromlo Forest Park on Tuesdays will require a Race Director and one Marshal. Road races are on Sunday mornings.

* denotes ETC required for ACT races.

Ian McVay
Race Committee

RACE REPORTS:

Cotter Reserve Graded Scratch – 16th June

Given the weather forecast and what the weather looked like in the morning, I was surprised that 25 hardy members signed on at the Cotter Reserve. Grades B to E were well represented and there were 2 A graders and 1 G grader. F graders were obviously put off by the conditions. A big kudos to all riders who braved the conditions.

Racing was from the top of Pierces Creek Hill to the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve turn off and back. Grades A to D endured 2 laps whilst E and G did 1 lap.

As there were only 2 A graders, A & B raced together although results were recorded separately.

In the end, however, it was Steve Crispin who ended up racing himself, finishing 10 minutes quicker than the remainder of A/B grades. Well done Steve – amazing ride in those conditions. Roger Northcote,the other A grader, rode with B Grade and finished second. B grade was won in a sprint finish by Rob Langridge from Nick Boylan and Patrick McNamara.

Adam Potts was the clear winner of C grade ahead of Ian McVay and Anthony Meredith and the D grade podium consisted of Darryl Smith, John Flannery and Des Brown – in that order.

E grade was won by Kirsti McVay followed by Terry Merrigan and Russell Marston. G grade was won by Bernie Crowe.

From all accounts, the conditions out on the course were pretty tough. Well done to all those who raced and contributed to some great racing on the day.

A big thank you to the marshals Graham Hendrie, Chris Short, Howard Moffat (who endured polar-like conditions at Tidbinbilla), Owain Tilley, Seymour Savell-Boss and John Ignatius.

Graham also asked me to apologise on his behalf for forgetting to bring milk for the after race tea.

Bryan Holloway
Race Director

Terry’s View

On the drive down to the Cotter the skies above looked pretty ominous and I heard the little guys whisper in my ear ” Sure if it rains there won’t be any race”. I fought that thought off as I knew my ancestors loved racing in the rain. Bloody idiots.

Anyhow ,everyone seemed to be wrapping up well in anticapation of a cold ride and maybe a wet one at that. By the time we all arrived at the top for the start it seemed a lot of riders were peeling off layers as a misjudgment may have been made. And with quite a few hills ahead ,light is might. Just made that up.

Anyhow, Bernie was first out of the blocks and he looked well wrapped up as it was going to be a solo performance today as Bruce had to mind his pitbull disguised as a Jack Russell. When I arrived at the top for the start, I saw Bruce clapping me from the warmth of his car, I guess because I made the effort. He could have course been just clapping to get the circulation back into his hands.

Off went Bernie first on his solo quest. Followed by A grade ,B, and so forth. No F graders showed up . Cute bunch that.

While waiting to start back in E grade, I could not stop loving the fact that when we arrived back at this spot our race was over. Felt a little guilty looking at the likes of young Des Brown and himself relishing the fact that he got to do two laps. And again I say ,only a LITTLE guilty, miniscule in fact.

After about three KMs I saw the strangest sight. A cyclist with the biggest smile, changing a flat. Looked like he escaped the draught or something. Will keep that between you and me Mark.

My group of five split up at the first big hill and after that a long chase ensued for all. I saw Mr Crispin fly past in the opposite direction not long after ,all alone of course. Could not read any expressions on his face as he is sporting the Grizzzley Adam look these days.

As we made the turn at Tidbinbilla , we were pretty exposed to the strong crossword not long after. I really believe I could have won my race but for Kirsty just being too quick for me. Well done Kirsty. I did not see any grades finish as I headed straight down the hill to the tea and cake to await the arrival of the rest. Some stopped at the top for a while but paid the price I think because when they eventually came down for tea, I am sure some had frostbite. Poor Dez came down half frozen looking for his keys to open his car. Unfortunately they were back up at the start in the van. No, he did not cycle back up to get them even though only a flat ride for him.

All the officials were wrapped up as if a blizzard was about to hit. It was hard to recognise some. Graham looked liked he was going to rob a bank. Well done to all who assisted on the day. Not many stayed for the results as I imagine happy to get home for a shower.

Special note to one rider, Darryl Smith I believe, that drove up from Moruya for the race and back home after. He told the missus he had to pick up a chair. And he won his grade also. Top Shelf to be sure.

I will finish by just relating a statistic. I went for a ride this morning, Sunday, out to Larida Winery at Lake George. Five riders in total. We had 6 , 6 flats and all seperate holes . Never been so cold in my life. Toughen up I hear you shout.

That’s it. Know I will never be a real writer, but then again I will never be a real cyclist either. Just love having the ” crack”.

Terry.<