Hello Vets,

In the Bleat this week;

•  First Aid Course

•  Tandem Cycling Come and Try with Fitability

•  COVID-19 Restrictions

•  AVCC 2021 Nationals

•  Racing this Week

Ian Morton

First Aid Course

Thanks to all of you who have responded to previous items in The Bleat about no-cost Advanced First Aid Courses for ACT Vets members. Due to difficulties in coordinating enough numbers to make group courses viable, we have come to an arrangement with training provider ACTWell to enable members to undertake a public course at their convenience.

The process is as follows:

1. Log on to ACTwell.com.au. There’s a useful tab on “Upcoming Sessions”. Once you’ve found a course that suits you, go to “Make a Booking” and follow the prompts.
2. Select “HLTAID006” – Advanced First Aid
3. Choose a date and assessment time that suits you. We’d be grateful if you could let the committee (committee@actvets.cc) know so we have a sense of numbers taking up this opportunity.
4. In the payment page, there is a voucher section. Input the code ACTVETS1. This will reduce the price from $190 to $160.
5. Undertake your course. The ACTWell guys are great, and have extensive experience in attending roadside incidents. They will, where possible, make time at the end of the practical session to go through some cycling specific scenarios.
6. E-mail evidence of your qualification and your receipt to treasurer@actvets.cc, and Kirsti will arrange for reimbursement.

Members are also welcome to undertake nationally-accredited first aid courses with the provider of their choice, provided the cost is less than $200 and they agree to go onto the club’s register of first-aid qualified members. One member has already taken up this option. Contact the committee to ensure your course meets the club’s needs. Following completion of the course, e-mail evidence of your qualification and receipt to treasurer@actvets.cc.

We strongly encourage members to take up this opportunity, which has been enabled by an ACT Government Road Safety Grant.

Tandem Cycling Come and Try with Fitability

Many of you will have seen tandems at Vet’s races and out and about riding. Fitability will be holding a come and try tandem morning on Saturday 19th September starting at 9:30am till 12 noon at Stromlo Criterium Circuit.

This is an opportunity for confident riders to trial riding at the front of a tandem bike, or for people with a disability to try riding at the back.

Instruction on piloting as well as disability specific information will be provided by experience pilots and volunteers.

This is a great opportunity for people to turn up and see if piloting a tandem is something they enjoy and volunteer to share with riders with vision impairment or other disabilities.

Fitability are providing tandem bikes in a range of sizes. All you need to bring with you is your own helmet and shoes and a willingness to give something new a try. More information about Fitability Tandem Riding, a Pedal Power program can be found at https://www.pedalpower.org.au/fitability/, email: Fitability.act@gmail.com or call Lindy on 0402 113 836

Rosemary Robinson

COVID-19 Restrictions

There are legal requirements in place for people returning to the ACT from Victoria and particular places in New South Wales to self-quarantine.

Members who have been to any of these locations in the past 14 days should be complying with ACT Government quarantine restrictions.

Members should stay home if you have been feeling unwell or showing symptoms of COVID-19 or been in contact with someone who has felt unwell in the past 2 weeks.

AVCC 2021 Nationals

RACING THIS WEEK:

Saturday, 29th August: Club Championship – Mountain Creek Road

Important Note: Competitors cars are not to obstruct access to the Fire Brigade shed.

Where: Cnr Mtn Creek Rd and Fairlight Rd
When: 1:30 pm.
Sign on: 15 mins before scheduled start time wearing your registered number
Race Description:
From Mtn Creek Rd and Fairlight Rd intersection to 10km for 1 lap.
Men < 60yr – 60km.
Men > 59 and Women – 40km
5yr age groups for Men. Women can race together.

Race Director: Roger Northcote Contact: Email: roger.northcote@homeaffairs.gov.au    Ph 0467 736 580

Marshals: Theresa McLachlan, David Rowe, Kirsty Cummin, Gillian Lugg

Framework for “Return to Play in a COVID-safe Environment”

This Framework details how cycling events will be delivered by the ACT Veterans Cycling Club to meet the recommendations of Canberra’s Recovery Plan. From 19 June 2020, Stage 2.2 allows for groups of no more than 100 participants. Refer to the ACT Government guidelines at http://www.covid19.act.gov.au.

Stage 2.2 & 3 Arrangements

• On the day of the event, the race Director will be responsible for ensuring that participants follow these guidelines. Where a participant fails to comply they will be asked to leave the event.
• Any rider who is feeling unwell should not participate. If a rider experiences symptoms such as fever, cough, headache, sore throat, and tiredness, they should stay at home. Consult a doctor if symptoms persist. Coronavirus (COVID-19) Symptom Checker is available at https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/symptom-checker/tool/basic-details.
• Riders with higher risks from Covid19 are advised not to participate:
  • People aged 70 years and over;
  • People aged 65 years and over with chronic medical conditions;
  • People with compromised immune systems; and
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over the age of 50 with one or more chronic medical conditions.
• Race Officials will maintain 1.5m separation and hygiene standards during event setup, running and shutdown. When handling equipment such as signs and radios, Officials are to maintain hygiene by cleaning, wearing gloves and/or regular hand cleaning.
• The Club will organise first aid at each event provided by either a professional organisation or by a Club member with a current first aid certificate.
• Riders and spectators are to maintain a distance of 1.5m from other participants while at the event.
• Hand hygiene is imperative and hand sanitiser will be available at the event.
• Post-race refreshments will be provided. Members should bring their own coffee mug.
• No physical contact. Participants are to refrain from shaking hands, pats on the back, etc.
• If any rider feels unwell in the two weeks following the race, they must advise the Race Committee who will follow up with health authorities. The Rider Management System is used to record event attendees and has their contact details.

Thanks,

ACTVets Committee

Hello Vets,

In the Bleat this week;

•  From the Desk of the President

•  Member Advertising

•  COVID-19 Restrictions

•  First Aid Course

•  AVCC 2021 Nationals

•  Racing this Week

•  Race Report

Ian Morton

From the Desk of the President

Dear Fellow Vets,

This weekend the club raced for the ninth time since social distancing restrictions eased to the point where racing was allowed. Equalling the number of races that had had to be cancelled/postponed due to Covid-19.

Since the resumption of racing, 355 riders have signed on (I know many have signed on multiple times) averaging just over 39 racers per event. And whilst it is always nice to catch up with the current crop of talent, it has been especially nice seeing some past members re-joining the club, so let’s all encourage each other as always and bring on the rest of the season!

Thank you to all those that have come out to support the racing, thank you to all those that have volunteered with race directing and marshalling duties, and lastly a massive thank you to the club committee members whose endeavors have succeeded with all these races going ahead (along with all the other committee duties undertaken in the background).

I hope to see as many of you as possible out at Sutton Road this weekend for what is always some spectacular racing – just bring thermals as it looks like a chilly one again!

I hope you all have a happy and safe week.

Regards,

Seymour
ACT Vets President

Member Advertising

The committee has agreed that we should support club members with cycling/sports related businesses by allowing advertisements on our Facebook page. You can send through your advert to the committee at committee@actvets.cc, where it will be reviewed and if suitable will be posted on your behalf.

Advertising for and by ACT Vets Cycling Club members.

Advertising for cycling related businesses can now be put on the club’s Facebook page.

If you have, or work for, a sports related business (bike shop, physiotherapy or similar) we can now post an advertisement for the business on the ACT Vets Cycling Club Facebook page.

There are a few rules:

1. All adverts should be emailed to the ACT Vets Cycling Club Committee at committee@actvets.cc for uploading on to the Facebook page. The club will not accept self-posted advertisements.
2. The club supports local businesses noting that the club hasn’t vetted the advertiser and isn’t endorsing them.
3. The person seeking to advertise must be a paid-up member.
4. Advertisements should be on a “by members for members” basis.
5. If the advertisement is for an event or function that clashes with a club organised event, these will likely not be supported.
6. We reserve the right not to allow advertisements at our discretion – to allow us to refuse adverts for services or products that might be illegal or offensive, etc.
7. The committee will accept one advert per business per month, to ensure currency for the business.

COVID-19 Restrictions

There are legal requirements in place for people returning to the ACT from Victoria and particular places in New South Wales to self-quarantine.

Members who have been to any of these locations in the past 14 days should be complying with ACT Government quarantine restrictions.

Members should stay home if you have been feeling unwell or showing symptoms of COVID-19 or been in contact with someone who has felt unwell in the past 2 weeks.

First Aid Course

Dear Members,

Would you know what to do if you were first on the scene of a road accident involving a cyclist? Would you know how to help one of your friends if they had a fall during a ride?

The club has been successful in bidding for an ACT Government Grant for road safety. This allows us to offer members First Aid courses free of charge.

We estimate our nearly 300 members cycle more than 180,000km on ACT Roads every year. This makes it quite likely one of us will be first on scene at an accident at some time.

A First Aid course would provide you with a nationally recognised qualification, and would equip you to help others in the event of an emergency. It would also help the club to continue to conduct racing in the ACT. The club uses, and will continue to use, an external contractor to provide first aid support to races, however there are times when this service is unavailable. In order for the club to be able to undertake our scheduled race calendar, the club will, from time to time, ask a first aid qualified member to attend a race.

The committee has experience of a course provider in the ACT that has adapted to COVID-19 restrictions by taking the theory components on-line, and adapting the practical elements in line with social distancing requirements. If there’s interest from members, the Committee will organise a group booking with this provider. Please e-mail committee@actvets.cc if you would like to take up this option.

Otherwise, members may register for the first aid course of their choice, provided that:
  1) the course provides a recognised Australian first aid qualification;
  2) the cost of the course is less than or equal to $200; and
  3) members acknowledge and agree to being placed on a list of first aid providers that, from time to time, will be utilised to provide first aid services to club races.

Contact the committee to ensure that your intended course meets the club’s needs. Following completion of the course, contact the Treasurer at treasurer@actvets.cc to provide a copy of your qualification and organise a reimbursement.

AVCC 2021 Nationals

RACING THIS WEEK:

Saturday, 22nd August: Sutton Driver Training – Graded Criterium

Where: Approx 0.5 km along Sutton Rd from intersection of Sutton Rd and Pialligo Avenue.
When: 1:30 pm.
Sign on: 15 mins before scheduled start time wearing your registered number
Race Description:
C/D: 1.30am 40 mins + 1 lap
E/F/G: 2.20am 30 mins + 1 lap
A/B: 3.00am 50 mins + 1 lap
Race in your road grade

Race Director: Ben Morrison Contact: Email: division.one@mail.org    Ph 0421278899

Marshals: Cat Riley

Framework for “Return to Play in a COVID-safe Environment”

This Framework details how cycling events will be delivered by the ACT Veterans Cycling Club to meet the recommendations of Canberra’s Recovery Plan. From 19 June 2020, Stage 2.2 allows for groups of no more than 100 participants. Refer to the ACT Government guidelines at http://www.covid19.act.gov.au.

Stage 2.2 & 3 Arrangements

• On the day of the event, the race Director will be responsible for ensuring that participants follow these guidelines. Where a participant fails to comply they will be asked to leave the event.
• Any rider who is feeling unwell should not participate. If a rider experiences symptoms such as fever, cough, headache, sore throat, and tiredness, they should stay at home. Consult a doctor if symptoms persist. Coronavirus (COVID-19) Symptom Checker is available at https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/symptom-checker/tool/basic-details.
• Riders with higher risks from Covid19 are advised not to participate:
  • People aged 70 years and over;
  • People aged 65 years and over with chronic medical conditions;
  • People with compromised immune systems; and
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over the age of 50 with one or more chronic medical conditions.
• Race Officials will maintain 1.5m separation and hygiene standards during event setup, running and shutdown. When handling equipment such as signs and radios, Officials are to maintain hygiene by cleaning, wearing gloves and/or regular hand cleaning.
• The Club will organise first aid at each event provided by either a professional organisation or by a Club member with a current first aid certificate.
• Riders and spectators are to maintain a distance of 1.5m from other participants while at the event.
• Hand hygiene is imperative and hand sanitiser will be available at the event.
• No physical contact. Participants are to refrain from shaking hands, pats on the back, etc.
• If any rider feels unwell in the two weeks following the race, they must advise the Race Committee who will follow up with health authorities. The Rider Management System is used to record event attendees and has their contact details.

Thanks,

ACTVets Committee

RACE REPORT:

Old Federal Highway Graded Scratch – 15th August

The forecast on Friday night suggested that the rain would arrive on Saturday just about the time the race was due to start. The forecast was wrong, it essentially rained all day. Fortunately the worst of it held off until towards the end of the race. Unfortunately it did catch the end of the race and those riding home. It was a cold and wet day. Luckily the wind did not decide to join in on the fun.

For some time the only people standing around the van were a bunch of marshals trying to keep warm, but riders did eventually show up and we had 27 brave (translation: foolhardy) riders at the start line.

The race was 3 or 4 laps, depending on the grade, from the Gravel Pit to Lake George. Many of the grades had broken up before the end of the first lap and the conditions on the course must have been somewhat brutal as we had 6 DNFs.

A grade blitzed the course and substantially increased their distance over B grade each lap. It looked like Steve Crispin had it in the bag, but apparently strategy games were at play as Rob McLachlan came first, followed by Steve Crispin and then Tristan Dimmock. (I told A grade at the start line there were as many riders as there were laps, in the end I was correct).

B grade was one of the larger grades and mostly stayed together during the course. They also offered one of the few sprint finishes with Grant Shaw just beating David Dickson followed by Christophe Barberet.

C grade started after D grade. The aim apparently was for C grade to catch D grade. D grade gave them a run for their money staying out in front until just before the turn for the last lap. C grade stayed together for a close finish with John Paul De Sousa beating David Stewart-Thomson and then Ian McVay. With three finishers in D grade everyone got a place. They were Corey Beatson for first, Nick Boylan for second and Allan Bontjer for third.

E grade and our lone F grade rider, Michelle Hodgetts, started together but had split apart before the end of the first lap. The two first placed riders, Russel Marston and Shirley-Anne Taylor, held their positions the whole race. Third place went to Ian Morton.

A special thanks goes to all of the marshals for holding the race together in nonoptimal conditions. They were Alison Hale (lead car), Anthony Willemsen (Lake George turn), Bruce McMillan (trail car), Peter Balint (Gravel Pit turn) and Graham Hendrie (everything else). I very much appreciated their help. Also thank you to the first aider Simon Whitehead for actively keeping an eye on all of the riders.

Linda Stals,
Race Director

Hello Vets,

An early Bleat this week;

•  Additional Marshals

•  COVID-19 Restrictions

•  First Aid Course

•  AVCC 2021 Nationals

•  Racing this Week

•  Race Report

Ian Morton

Additional Marshals

The Race Committee is looking for one additional Marshal for each of the 22nd August (Sutton Driver Training) and 29th August (Mountain Creek Road) events.

If you are able to assist, can you please contact the Race Committee (race.committee@actvets.cc).

COVID-19 Restrictions

There are legal requirements in place for people returning to the ACT from Victoria and particular places in New South Wales to self-quarantine.

Members who have been to any of these locations in the past 14 days should be complying with ACT Government quarantine restrictions.

Members should stay home if you have been feeling unwell or showing symptoms of COVID-19 or been in contact with someone who has felt unwell in the past 2 weeks.

First Aid Course

Dear Members,

Would you know what to do if you were first on the scene of a road accident involving a cyclist? Would you know how to help one of your friends if they had a fall during a ride?

The club has been successful in bidding for an ACT Government Grant for road safety. This allows us to offer members First Aid courses free of charge.

We estimate our nearly 300 members cycle more than 180,000km on ACT Roads every year. This makes it quite likely one of us will be first on scene at an accident at some time.

A First Aid course would provide you with a nationally recognised qualification, and would equip you to help others in the event of an emergency. It would also help the club to continue to conduct racing in the ACT. The club uses, and will continue to use, an external contractor to provide first aid support to races, however there are times when this service is unavailable. In order for the club to be able to undertake our scheduled race calendar, the club will, from time to time, ask a first aid qualified member to attend a race.

The committee has experience of a course provider in the ACT that has adapted to COVID-19 restrictions by taking the theory components on-line, and adapting the practical elements in line with social distancing requirements. If there’s interest from members, the Committee will organise a group booking with this provider. Please e-mail committee@actvets.cc if you would like to take up this option.

Otherwise, members may register for the first aid course of their choice, provided that:
  1) the course provides a recognised Australian first aid qualification;
  2) the cost of the course is less than or equal to $200; and
  3) members acknowledge and agree to being placed on a list of first aid providers that, from time to time, will be utilised to provide first aid services to club races.

Contact the committee to ensure that your intended course meets the club’s needs. Following completion of the course, contact the Treasurer at treasurer@actvets.cc to provide a copy of your qualification and organise a reimbursement.

Gunning 2 Day

The Race Committee is still looking for more volunteers for the Gunning 2 Day event (17/18 October).

If you are able to assist, can you please contact the Race Committee (race.committee@actvets.cc).

AVCC 2021 Nationals

RACING THIS WEEK:

Saturday, 15th August: Old Federal Highway – Graded Scratch

Where: Turn left off new Federal Hwy (dual carriageway) onto Shingle Hill Way. The intersection is signposted to Gundaroo and approx 9 km past the Sutton Rd overpass. Park in gravel pit on corner of next intersection about 100 m in from highway.
When: 1:30 pm.
Sign on: 15 mins before scheduled start time wearing your registered number
Race Description:
Old Federal Highway Gravel Pit to Lake George and back.
ABCD 4 laps for 48km.
EFG 3 laps for 36km.

Race Director: Linda Stals Contact: Email: linda.stals@anu.edu.au    Ph 0419283599

Marshals: Alison Hale, Anthony Willemsen, Bruce McMillan, Peter Balint

Framework for “Return to Play in a COVID-safe Environment”

This Framework details how cycling events will be delivered by the ACT Veterans Cycling Club to meet the recommendations of Canberra’s Recovery Plan. From 19 June 2020, Stage 2.2 allows for groups of no more than 100 participants. Refer to the ACT Government guidelines at http://www.covid19.act.gov.au.

Stage 2.2 & 3 Arrangements

• On the day of the event, the race Director will be responsible for ensuring that participants follow these guidelines. Where a participant fails to comply they will be asked to leave the event.
• Any rider who is feeling unwell should not participate. If a rider experiences symptoms such as fever, cough, headache, sore throat, and tiredness, they should stay at home. Consult a doctor if symptoms persist. Coronavirus (COVID-19) Symptom Checker is available at https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/symptom-checker/tool/basic-details.
• Riders with higher risks from Covid19 are advised not to participate:
  • People aged 70 years and over;
  • People aged 65 years and over with chronic medical conditions;
  • People with compromised immune systems; and
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over the age of 50 with one or more chronic medical conditions.
• Race Officials will maintain 1.5m separation and hygiene standards during event setup, running and shutdown. When handling equipment such as signs and radios, Officials are to maintain hygiene by cleaning, wearing gloves and/or regular hand cleaning.
• The Club will organise first aid at each event provided by either a professional organisation or by a Club member with a current first aid certificate.
• Riders and spectators are to maintain a distance of 1.5m from other participants while at the event.
• Hand hygiene is imperative and hand sanitiser will be available at the event.
• Post-race refreshments will be provided. Members should bring their own coffee mug.
• No physical contact. Participants are to refrain from shaking hands, pats on the back, etc.
• If any rider feels unwell in the two weeks following the race, they must advise the Race Committee who will follow up with health authorities. The Rider Management System is used to record event attendees and has their contact details.

Thanks,

ACTVets Committee

RACE REPORT:

Breadalbane Handicap – 8th August

Due to heavy rain over the weekend, the Breadalbane Handicap was cancelled.

Hello Vets,

An early Bleat this week;

•  COVID-19 Restrictions

•  First Aid Course

•  AVCC 2021 Nationals

•  Racing this Week

•  Race Report

Ian Morton

COVID-19 Restrictions

There are legal now requirements in place for people returning to the ACT from Victoria and particular places in New South Wales to self-quarantine.

Members who have been to any of these locations in the past 14 days should be complying with ACT Government quarantine restrictions.

Members should stay home if you have been feeling unwell or showing symptoms of COVID-19 or been in contact with someone who has felt unwell in the past 2 weeks.

First Aid Course

Dear Members,

Would you know what to do if you were first on the scene of a road accident involving a cyclist? Would you know how to help one of your friends if they had a fall during a ride?

The club has been successful in bidding for an ACT Government Grant for road safety. This allows us to offer members First Aid courses free of charge.

We estimate our nearly 300 members cycle more than 180,000km on ACT Roads every year. This makes it quite likely one of us will be first on scene at an accident at some time.

A First Aid course would provide you with a nationally recognised qualification, and would equip you to help others in the event of an emergency. It would also help the club to continue to conduct racing in the ACT. The club uses, and will continue to use, an external contractor to provide first aid support to races, however there are times when this service is unavailable. In order for the club to be able to undertake our scheduled race calendar, the club will, from time to time, ask a first aid qualified member to attend a race.

The committee has experience of a course provider in the ACT that has adapted to COVID-19 restrictions by taking the theory components on-line, and adapting the practical elements in line with social distancing requirements. If there’s interest from members, the Committee will organise a group booking with this provider. Please e-mail committee@actvets.cc if you would like to take up this option.

Otherwise, members may register for the first aid course of their choice, provided that:
  1) the course provides a recognised Australian first aid qualification;
  2) the cost of the course is less than or equal to $200; and
  3) members acknowledge and agree to being placed on a list of first aid providers that, from time to time, will be utilised to provide first aid services to club races.

Contact the committee to ensure that your intended course meets the club’s needs. Following completion of the course, contact the Treasurer at treasurer@actvets.cc to provide a copy of your qualification and organise a reimbursement.

Gunning 2 Day

The Race Committee is still looking for more volunteers for the Gunning 2 Day event (17/18 October).

If you are able to assist, can you please contact the Race Committee (race.committee@actvets.cc).

AVCC 2021 Nationals

RACING THIS WEEK:

Saturday, 8th August: Breadalbane Memorial Handicap

Important Note: To comply with NSW COVID-19 restrictions, a maximum of 18 persons will be allowed inside the Breadalbane Hall at any one time. Members are asked to observe this restriction.

Where: Drive to Gunning, then Cullerin Road to Breadalbane or Federal Highway to Collector then Breadalbane Road to Breadalbane or Federal Highway – Hume Highway – Cullerin Road
Park at community hall.
When: 1:30 pm.
Sign on: 15 mins before scheduled start time wearing your registered number
Race Description:
Breadalbane – west to U turn before Hume Highway, U turn at hill before Gunning – Breadalbane

Race Director: Simon Milnes Contact: Email: simonmilnes@bigpond.com    Ph 0407 296 418

Marshals: Stephen Blackburn, Terence Merrigan, Andrew Murrell, Gavin Stephens

Framework for “Return to Play in a COVID-safe Environment”

This Framework details how cycling events will be delivered by the ACT Veterans Cycling Club to meet the recommendations of Canberra’s Recovery Plan. From 19 June 2020, Stage 2.2 allows for groups of no more than 100 participants. Refer to the ACT Government guidelines at http://www.covid19.act.gov.au.

Stage 2.2 & 3 Arrangements

• On the day of the event, the race Director will be responsible for ensuring that participants follow these guidelines. Where a participant fails to comply they will be asked to leave the event.
• Any rider who is feeling unwell should not participate. If a rider experiences symptoms such as fever, cough, headache, sore throat, and tiredness, they should stay at home. Consult a doctor if symptoms persist. Coronavirus (COVID-19) Symptom Checker is available at https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/symptom-checker/tool/basic-details.
• Riders with higher risks from Covid19 are advised not to participate:
  • People aged 70 years and over;
  • People aged 65 years and over with chronic medical conditions;
  • People with compromised immune systems; and
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over the age of 50 with one or more chronic medical conditions.
• Race Officials will maintain 1.5m separation and hygiene standards during event setup, running and shutdown. When handling equipment such as signs and radios, Officials are to maintain hygiene by cleaning, wearing gloves and/or regular hand cleaning.
• The Club will organise first aid at each event provided by either a professional organisation or by a Club member with a current first aid certificate.
• Riders and spectators are to maintain a distance of 1.5m from other participants while at the event.
• Hand hygiene is imperative and hand sanitiser will be available at the event.
• Post-race refreshments will be provided. Members should bring their own coffee mug.
• No physical contact. Participants are to refrain from shaking hands, pats on the back, etc.
• If any rider feels unwell in the two weeks following the race, they must advise the Race Committee who will follow up with health authorities. The Rider Management System is used to record event attendees and has their contact details.

Thanks,

ACTVets Committee

RACE REPORT:

M&H Beaverstock Age Standard Time Trial – 1st August

The first day of the final month of a pretty bleak winter dawned with a heavy cold fog and it looked to be one of those days that never clears, bleak all day – the sort of day that smacks you in the face disembarking at Canberra Airport if you are lucky enough, in better years, to have spent July riding in French or Italian alpine summer. Fortunately, just before race time, the sun broke through with some warmth and racing got underway under blue sky with next to no wind. Even better, the fleets of way-too-fast Subarus, Porches and super bikes and the occasional way-too-slow-but-scary first day learner vanished from the course and racing conditions were perfect.

As usual there was an impressive range of equipment from trusty old road bikes to shiny, new, no excuses, ‘best of breed’ TT machines with appropriately attired owners in skinsuits and pointy lids. (Special mention: Chris Short and his magnificent Cervelo on its first competitive outing. I’m lusting for that bike Chris). An impressive range of ages too, from 41yo to 76yo. Gender mix not so impressive with 24 boys and just four girls. Ladies, I don’t understand. What is there not to like about aging sweaty blokes in saggy lycra?

Twenty eight riders registered and set off at 30s intervals on the 20.7k course of two laps. At the 7k mark as riders passed the start/finish heading north huge speed differences were already apparent. First rider on the road was Chris Short on the Cervelo with Gerard Tiffen powering hard not far behind. By the start of lap 2 Gerard was well ahead on the road already having passed five riders. Competition was intense with Anthony Willemsen, Seymour Savell-Boss, Andrew Osborne also having passed five riders, Grant Shaw having passed six and the big unit Brendan Byatt, like a man possessed, having past 10 riders. (Note to self: next week…handicap at Breadalbane…when, not if, he passes…suck his wheel!!) . We were wondering if the fastest riders would complete two laps before some had completed one.

After 20.7k of intense solo riding with nowhere to hide, the cream, as always, rose to the top. Anthony Willemsen stormed up the final climb to finish first and fastest in 28m52s, average speed 43.0km/h, 5m24s (!!) below his age standard for the distance. Gerard Tiffen left nothing out there putting in a huge effort but falling 18 seconds behind Anthony. Brendan Byatt was third a further 51 seconds back. Special mention: the inspirational Michael Carr, age 63, fourth, 2m53s below age standard, sixth fastest on the day. In all 11 men were under their age standard including Des Brown in his 8th decade, 33 years older than the youngest rider on the day. Congratulations Des. Hard luck prize for the day went to Owain Tilley who came to the race in top form, perfectly warmed up on the rollers with his TT machine only to be let down by a few psi less than required to avoid a pinch flat near the end of lap one. A very frustrating walk home to the finish for sure.

Brendan Byatt (3rd), Anthony Willemsen (1st), Gerard Tiffen (2nd – not in photo)

Among the girls, fastest on course was Linda Stals but Rosemary Robinson, second fastest, took home the trophy for lowest age adjusted time. Elizabeth Lowe was third.

Elizabeth Lowe (3rd), Rosemary Robinson (1st), Linda Stals (2nd)

David Dickson ,
Race Director