April 2022

Masters,

Hope you all had a good break over the Easter and Anzac Day Long Weekends. The good news is that Road Racing returns this coming weekend at Tharwa with the Gunning 2 Day event the following weekend.

Note that there a couple of official roles to fill including Race Director.

In this week’s Bleat;

• From the Desk of the Vice President

• From the Race Committee

• Racing this Week

Ian Morton
thebleat@actvets.cc

From the Desk of the Vice President

Rotary Five Peaks Challenge

The ride was overall well run by lovely volunteers who created a very enjoyable day for all participants. The weather was simply stunning as the sun rose just before registration for the long ride. A number of late entrants got in just before the 7:30am start time, and all assembled on the Crit track for the start.

A reasonable sized bunch took off down Uriarra Rd for a Cotter loop before hitting the first of the Peaks. A moderate pace was set down towards the crossing before the first challenge climbing out. This immediately created splits in the bunch where a select group worked together for the remainder of the loop. Another tough challenge was overcome climbing out of Cotter, before hitting Mt Stromlo for the first official Peak. The pace was high all the way to the top, before things settled and small groups were formed heading towards the following climbs.

The course route provided the next challenge with bike paths being utilised and local knowledge coming in handy. Small yellow arrows on the roads and paths provided comfort we were on the right track and soon enough it was time to hit Red Hill. After having legs and lungs burned it was time for a brief pit stop, with cards being stamped and it was on to Mt Pleasant via Parliament House. Keeping to its name, Mt Pleasant passed quickly and it was onto the brutal slopes of Mt Ainslie. Many struggled and some even had to dismount to overcome this harsh mountain. Black Mountain was next via Anzac Parade, the City and the ANU. This one appeared to be better handled by most participants, while still providing a very real challenge to riders!

With the big ones out of the way, and cake and snakes consumed, it was back to the bike paths before setting sights on the bonus peak of the Arboretum. Although hurting the legs and lungs once again, this climb provided arguably the best views of the day, with Lake Burley Griffin in full sunlight and beauty.

After descending this climb, we were on the home stretch! Back to the bike paths heading into Belconnen before heading down into Coppins Crossing, and yes, another climb to get out the other side. By this stage the long ride participants were closing in on 120km with 2,000m of climbing, with the short ride participants nearing 88km and 1,500m climbing.

With Stromlo within sight, we reflected on a day well-riden, and we’re greeted by smiling faces and a sausage sizzle upon finishing. Many thanks go to all the volunteers on the day. Well done to all participants, and for those who missed it, you had better prepare yourself to not miss out next year, this is one not to miss!

David Parker
Vice President CRMCC

From the Race Committee

Gunning

The Race Committee is pushing ahead with plans for the Gunning Two Day Event on the weekend of 7/8 May (Calendar to be updated). We are still looking for a Race Director, 2 car drivers and 2 ETCs per day and sufficient Marshals to assist. Please let the Race Committe (race.committee@actvets.cc) if you can assist.

RACING THIS WEEK:

Saturday, 30^st April – Smiths Rd – Naas Rdd – Graded Scratch

Reminder: All riders must pre-register on the ACT Vets website (https://rms.actvets.cc/calendar) by 29/4/2022 6:00 PM prior to the race. There is no registration on the day.

Any requests for Grade changes should be sorted out with the Handicapper prior to registration.

Where: South of Tharwa. Members to park on the side of Smiths Rd and start just around the corner on Naas Rd.
When: 1:30 pm.
Race Description:
Course is laps over Mt Tennant spur to Apollo Road and return
ABCD – 3 laps. EFG – 2 laps.

Race Director: tba Contact: Email: tba Ph tba.

Marshals: Brian Peak ETC, Vacant ETC, Van driver – tba

Masters,

Last week’s Bleat had some problems with the email delivery. This occasionally occurs with the GameDay platform. If you don’t receive the email you can check the club website: https://capitalregionmasterscyclingclub.org.au/category/the-bleat/.

In this week’s Bleat;

• From the Race Committee

• Rotary Five Peaks Challenge

• Racing this Week

• Race Reports

Ian Morton
thebleat@actvets.cc

From the Race Committee

Cooma Race

To try to fill the gaps in the Winter race calendar, the Race Committee has been trying for the last month to organise an event in Cooma. Unfortunately we were not able to obtain all the nessessary approvals. Thanks to Chris Short for his efforts is chasing the relevant authorities.

Gunning

The Race Committee is pushing ahead with plans for the Gunning Two Day Event on the weekend of 7/8 May (Calendar to be updated). We are looking for a Race Director, 2 car drivers and 2 ETCs per day and sufficient Marshals to assist. Please let the Race Committe (race.committee@actsvets.cc) if you can assist.

From the Desk of the Handicapper

Crit Season Conclusion

The Crit season has concluded. Overall it was a very succesful season. Fortunately there were very few incidents and we were blessed with good weather (mostly). We saw good numbers and all the racing was in good spirit. The Club Championships went well. All of the Race Directors, including the newbies, did a good job. The kangaroos were generally well behaved so thanks to everyone who contributed.

Rob Langridge
Handicapper

Rotary Five Peaks Challenge

Early bird entries close on 26 March. More details at: www.rotaryrides.org.au

RACING THIS WEEK:

No Scheduled Racing this week

Next race is planned for 30 April at Smiths – Naas Rd (Subject to approval. Calendar to be updated).

RACE REPORTS:

SFP Criterium – 22^nd March

Apologies, last week’s Race Report did not reflect the results in F Grade. The placings were;
– 1st: Ross Heazlewood
– 2nd: Lindsay Graham
– 3rd: Paul Robey

Craig Tozer

SFP Criterium – 29^th March

It was an evening of grim foreboding from the gloomy skies, but it was not impending rain, rather the last crit race of the season and the punishment that was about to be served out on the track. A couple of troublesome roos lurked down at Collarbone Corner looking to end someone’s evening – they gave a bit of excitement throughout the races but everyone managed to stay out of trouble. Meanwhile, the race officials enjoyed some fun with the timing as they figured out on the fly how to finish all groups in their allocated 20 minutes + two laps.

A grade took to the line without the dominant Gerard Tiffen – rumors from the bunch indicated that he was scared, or perhaps he was just in Budget Day lockup with half of Canberra. The race was full gas from the start, and within the first lap three groups had formed. Attacks continued as the trailing groups attempted to get back on the fast wheels. A solid break of seven riders established at the front, cutting a furious pace. But it was to be a race of attrition, as the front group was pared down to just four riders, and numerous other riders were spat out the back. In the last lap the leading quartet attacked each other, then Tristan Dimmock made what looked to be the winning move with a solid break off the front. Tristan held the lead into Collarbone Corner, but it was not to be as his faster breakaway companions hunted him down. In the end James Meadley took the win followed closely by Steve Crispin and Tristan Dimmock.

B grade consisting of 23 riders strung themselves out early in the race. Ben McDuff and Rowan McMurray attempted to make an early break – the crowd suggested it may have been a pre-race suicide pact as they were quickly hunted down. Just over half way through the race B grade determined it was time for carnage with numerous attacks. David McCook put in a solid solo break as his rainbow jersey streaked down the back straight. It was not to be as Ben McDuff rallied the troops to hunt him down. With the bell lap the pace went through the roof and many riders were shelled from the group. Into the last corner Seymour Savell-Boss had the race in the bag and rolled in for the win with a fast finishing Gavin Stephens almost catching him on the line, and Ben McDuff redeeming himself with third.

C grade quickly strung themselves out in the fading light. A couple of riders were discarded out the back early and enjoyed a quiet evening ride. Half way through the race Ian Preston led a break with his MyRide compariot. The duo battled off the front for a couple of laps but the group was intent on a bunch sprint finish. Paul Clare took a close win in the sprint with Craig O’Neall and Stephen Terracini nipping at his wheels for the placings.

D grade behaved themselves for the first half of the race, riding as a well formed peloton. A strong wind gust almost saw a touch of wheels and a crash right in front of the pavilion. This served a wake up call to the group who picked up the pace to string themselves out, and discard some riders in the process. Steven Harrison put in a strong kick to take the win over Steven Simms and Kevin Newhouse in the bunch sprint finish.

E, F and G grades had a higher than usual turnout which was fun for the race director tracking the lead riders and lapped riders. E grade at least established a leading group so we could decide when to call time for the last two laps. In the end, E grade delivered the closest finish of the night and the race officials had to revert to the honour system to determine the winner (luckily CRMCC riders are honourable and honest). It was Michelle Hodgetts taking the E grade win just millimeters in front of Geoff Ellacott, and Shirley-Anne Taylor. In F grade Dennis Puniard took the win with Lindsay Graham not far behind. In G grade Gai Monahan scored first with Bernard Crowe and Andre Swenson rounding out the podium.

Thanks to race director Dom Romano, Craig Lindenmayer and Mark Terracini for marshalling, and Simon Whitehead for assistance with equipment.

Finally, thank you to all of the volunteers who have put in an awesome effort to deliver a great crit racing season.

Craig Lindenmayer

Capital Region Masters Cycling Club

CRMCC

Month

Capital Region Masters – Weekly Bleat, Monday 25th April, 2022