Hello Vets,

In the Bleat this week;

•  Replacement Marshall for Breadalbane

•  Reduced Membership 1 October 2020 – 31 December 2020

•  Large section of LBG shared path to be re-surfaced

•  From the Desk of the Handicapper

•  Track Racing

•  COVID-19 Restrictions

•  AVCC 2021 Nationals – CANCELLED

•  Racing this Week

•  Race Report

Ian Morton

Replacement Marshall for Breadalbane

A replacement Marshall is required for the Breadalbane race this Saturday. A lift can be arranged if required.

If you can assist, please let the Race Committee know at race.committee@actvets.cc

Reduced Membership 1 October 2020 – 31 December 2020

The AVCC has approved a reduction in membership fees for the period 1 October 2020 to 31 December 2020. The reduced fee will be $60 and will be available to both new members and non-financial members who wish to renew their membership for the last three months of the year.

The $60 membership fee will be available in the SportsTG Membership Portal on 1 October 2020; until then the only membership option for new and renewing racing members is the current $125 fee. From 1 January 2021, membership renewals will only be available for the calendar year (the 2021 membership fee is yet to be determined).

Kirsti McVay
Treasurer

Large section of LBG shared path to be re-surfaced

Work to resurface a section of the shared path around Lake Burley Griffin (highlighted in yellow) – from the cycle underpass on Lady Denman Drive to the West Basin – will commence on Monday 21/09/2020 and run through to Friday 30/09/2020 (weather permitting).

Cyclists should try to avoid using this path while the work is carried out.

If it is absolutely necessary to use the path during this time cyclist will be required to dismount and be escorted around the worksite.

This section of path is long overdue for some much-needed maintenance. Let’s hope this resurfacing will have a big impact on the safety of the path and our enjoyment of this iconic ride.

ACT Veterans Cycling Club

From the Desk of the Handicapper

It was another perfect day for racing and riders responded with well-populated bunches in all grades–great to see. The ride out was perfect but things went wrong for me on the way to Condor Creek. A soft back tyre was slowing my progress so I put up my hand but there was no neutral service, team car or even a well-meaning spectator to help out. I must note that a 4WD driver did stop and offer to help, however. The pump in the van got my spare up to a decent pressure so I joined the bunch as a spectator from the back. The race ended in bizarre circumstances with Howard Galloway rolling off the front and never being challenged. Behind him there was some serious sandbagging going on and not since the Brisbane River burst its banks in 2011 have we seen anything like it.

Returning to the finish, I announced my spectator status so as not to interfere with the timing only to be told by the race director “You can’t DNF twice!”.

Rob Langridge
Handicapper

Track Racing

Daylight saving will soon be with us, and that means VETS TRACK RACING!!!!!

Wednesday, 7th October: Track Practice Session

The track racing season will kick off with a Practice Session starting at 6.00pm on Wednesday 7 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 14 October.

Last year we had a small, dedicated track group with a total of 31 riders participating over the season. However, why should they have all the fun. If you have thought about it, come and give it a try. We would like at least ten more regulars.

Graeme O’Neill

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 – CANCELLED

The National Championships were scheduled to be held in South Australia during January 2021 in conjunction with the Tour Down Under.

Unfortunately, the AVCC have had to cancel the Nationals due to uncertainty arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of state border restrictions, there is no clarity regarding the ability of members to travel to South Australia in January.

RACING THIS WEEK:

Saturday, 26th September: Breadalbane Mini-Tour

Note: The mini-Tour starts at 10:00 am.
There are no shops at Breadalbane so bring own food and drink as required. After race coffee and cake supplied.

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: 10:00 am.
Sign on: 15 mins before scheduled start time wearing your registered number
Race Description:
20km TT – full time trial kit allowed, followed by 50km Graded Scratch.

Race Director: Steven Simms Contact: Email: steve.simms56@gmail.com    Ph 0412 601 605

Marshals: Mark Terracini, Chris Copeland, Simon Costello, vacant

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:

Graded scratch – Uriarra Homestead – 19th September

The rain kept away, and good conditions prevailed for this week’s graded scratch at Uriarra Homestead. There was a healthy turnout of 64 riders with more than 10 starters in most grades. Magpies were also out in force with several riders at the wrong end of vicious attacks on the way to the event.

Eleven started in A grade. By the time they had returned from the crossing Steve Crispin and Bradley Peppinck had prised open a small gap and at the end of the first lap were well in front. But by the end of lap two, Steve was well over a minute ahead and comfortably took out the win. Brad was still able to secure second with Christophe Barbaret and Nigel Smith inseparable at the finish for third and fourth.

B grade had the largest group of the day with 15 riders and seemed to move as one for most of the race. However, by the finish line, 6 riders had broken free with Ben Healy, David Dickson and Bruce Goodspeed taking line honours in a tightly contested sprint.

The pace was on from the start for the 14 riders in C grade. Corey Beatson had a few metres at the end of lap one but was quickly pulled in. Ed Logue, Luke Healy and Brian Peak were just clear by the end and finished the sprint for the line in that order.

D grade, with 11 riders, had split by the end of lap one with a strong group of 5 in the lead. But by the finish, various gaps had appeared with Howard Galloway seven seconds in front of Des Brown with Tony Beasley a little way back at third.

E and F grades departed together. The race for E was not dissimilar to that of D with 11 starters and a lead group of 5 riders after lap one. But at the end, Alex Sommariva proved too strong to finish first, four seconds ahead of Russell Marston. Terry Moore and Lance Purdon were close behind and came in with similar gaps. Mijo Spoljaric in F grade was the sole finisher from two therefore taking first place.

A thankyou to the ACT Police who sent out a motorcycle traffic unit to monitor driver behaviour during the race. This resulted in the officer patrolling the entire course and issuing several warnings to drivers.

Many thanks to marshals John Paul De Souza at Condor, Robert Brunato at the Crossing and to Christopher Short and Matt Hinchcliffe at the start/finish.

Also, thanks to Simon Whitehead – first aid, Graham Hendrie – timekeeping and to Ian McVay – general sorting out.

David Stewart-Thomson,
Race Director