ACT Veterans Weekly Bleat, Monday 8th July, 2019

Hello Vets,

In the Bleat this week;

• From the Desk of the Handicapper
• Racing this Week
• From the Race Committee
• Race Reports

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

Ian Morton

From the Desk of the Handicapper

Whoops

After a close finish in the handicap the week before, I extended the time gaps based on the 45km distance but I think for this course, the time gaps need to be based on a 60km distance to really give everyone a chance. Graham Hendrie always asks me if I’ve added the ‘Crispin factor’ in handicaps and I really failed to take it into account as only E2 made it down the hill the last time in the lead before scratch gobbled them up on the way back up Washing Machine Hill. Apologies to everyone for that oversight The gap between A1 and B was nearly six minutes although some of us did slow down the average pace on the first lap by rolling around on the ground for a bit. My new cycling maxim is: Always crash when going uphill!

Nonetheless, there were some great performances from riders who were able to stick with groups above their normal grade.

Apollo 50th anniversary

Coming up soon is the 50th anniversary since Neil Armstrong actually stepped on the moon or undertook it in an elaborate Hollywood studio. The legacy of the space race is the road up to the former Honeysuckle Creek Tracking Station, and it’s a great place to have a true mountain top finish road race. I came up with the idea for this race about 15 years ago, and I’m glad that it’s a regular part of the Vets racing program after initial resistance. Not that I’ve ever gone remotely close to winning, but it really gives the bean poles a chance to shine.

Based on yesterday’s results here are some of the stronger performers, however, I’m sure there are a few riders who’ve been missing in the past few weeks but are keen on taking on the mountain.

A – Nobody comes to mind
B – Paul Welsh
C – John Paul De Sousa, Ian McVay
D – Des Brown, Jan Koehler, Ross Robinson
E – Don de Smet
F – Bernie Crowe

Don’t forget the Dinnerville

Those with the a CA licence should consider the Ken Dinnerville handicap to be held on the Gunning course on July 21st. This is the closest a state open handicap will held near Canberra and will be a great chance to test one’s legs once scratch roars past at 46-48km/h average. Last year’s race was a bit of a boil-over with the old brigade dominating the top 10, so you could be in the money with some clever riding.

Rob Langridge
Handicapper

RACING THIS WEEK:

Saturday, 13th July: Apollo Graded Scratch

Where: Travel to Tharwa and follow Naas Rd south. Go past Namadgi visitors centre, over Tennent hill, and turn Right onto Apollo road. Park on top of the hill at the camping area. Sign on at the top, then ride back down to the T junction for the start.
Riders are to be mindful of other campground users when parking and using the facilities so that ACT Parks continue to allow our use of this venue.
Riders cycling to the event may get someone to enter and pay for them rather than riding up to the registration.
Extra clothing worn for the ride down to the start will be collected and brought back to the finish.
When: 1:30 pm.
Sign on: 15 mins before scheduled start time wearing your registered number
Race Description:
Race start is at at Apollo Road T junction. All grades U turn opposite the aero model club near Tharwa and return for a summit finish.

Race Director: Ross Robinson Contact: Email: ross57105@gmail.com    Ph  0430541261

Marshals: Sue Powell, Kevin Wells, Robert Miller

From the Race Committee

Help needed for Dalton race on 20 July

We are currently short one marshal to help out at Dalton on the 20th. We are also unsure that Sport Med can provide a 1st aider to cover the race. So if you have 1st aid qualifications and can help marshal at the race, that would be perfect. Otherwise, if you don’t have 1st aid qualification and are happy to marshal, that would also be appreciated.

Upcoming Marshal Roster

Thank you to those who have already volunteered to help. Nominees, in blue have been selected based on results from the previous race season and the period since they last helped at a race. Nominees are requested to advise their availability/unavailability to the race committee (race.committee@actvets.cc) as soon as possible.

Summer series crit races are held at Stromlo Forest Park on Tuesday evenings and road races are held on Sunday mornings.

* denotes ETC required for ACT races.

Ian McVay
Race Committee

RACE REPORTS:

Old Federal Highway Handicap – F & A Tonelli Trophy – 6th July

Being winter at the OFH, I for one arrived with gloves, beanie and a warm winter coat. They all stayed in the boot of the car. If you could keep out of the shadows, the sun had some bite and for the OFH it was practically balmy.

As the sole representative of F grade Bernie started with a healthy handicap that he made good use of, only being caught on the last lap.

Most of the grades were given a four minute handicap over those who started before them. The exceptions being A2 who started 2.5 minutes after B and A1 starting 90 seconds after A2. Going by the discussion on the start line, A2 thought the 90 seconds was overly generous.

At the end of the first lap the grades had generally managed to keep their starting order, but the gaps had essentially halved. Also, most of the grades were still riding as strong bunches.

By the end of the second lap, A and B grade had caught everyone except for E grade. It was not too hard to guess which grades were going to cross the line first.

As predicted by Graham, Steve Crispin was the first to cross the line in 1hour 12 minutes. Gerard Tiffen and Christopher Short sprinted across the line two minutes later to take second and third.

I very much appreciate the help that was given by Jason Chalker, Frank Zeller, Ally Roche, Bruce Goodfellow and May Lovett who marshalled. Thanks also to the 1st aider Simon Whitehead, to Ian Morton for putting the signs out and to the club stalwart Graham Hendrie. Thank you very much for all your help, my job on the day was essentially to be the communications officer.

The winner of the F & A Tonelli Trophy – Steve Crispin

Linda Stals