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
