Masters,
In this week’s Bleat;
• From the Desk of the President
• Meet your Committee
• Track Racing
• From the Committee
• Disruption Taskforce Update
• Racing this Week
Ian Morton
thebleat@actvets.cc
From the Desk of the President
Start of the Crit Season
Tomorrow marks the start of the Summer Crit Racing season. To ensure we have a safe start to the season, riders are reminded to observe the following practices on the track;
- When a faster bunch overtakes a slower bunch give plenty of warning, DO NOT cut across the racing line of the slower bunch as you are passing.
- When cornering, hold your line around the corner. DO NOT cut across the line of riders on your inside or outside.
- Be confident and communicate well in the pack.
- No overlapping of wheels, or putting on brakes suddenly.
- Remember “inside is suicide” especially when overtaking on a corner – please avoid.
- If your grade finishes first, after you have crossed the finish be mindful that the other grade might still be racing so keep out of their way.
- Watch for Kangaroos or other wildlife and warn your fellow riders.
Remember you can get 1 lap out for a mechanical eg chain off, puncture repair, and as long as not in last 2 laps of the race. Let the Race Director know.
Help & Mentoring for those needing to refresh Skill & Techniques
As the Criterium Season is upon us if you need refresher or help in racing we have a couple of members available to assist you. Thank you for their volunteering and please make use of their skills and knowledge if you need.
To help with your confidence, skills and techniques please contact:
- Mark Taylor via email markandanita4u@bigpond.com, or
- Matt Hinchcliffe via phone 0423476341.
Kim Malcolm
CRMCC President.
president@actvets.cc
From the Desk of the Handicapper
Get your handicap requests in
For those of you who haven’t taken a single pedal stroke since March and have just dusted off the bike this weekend, make sure you are in your correct grade before starting on Tuesday. Grade changes cannot be made on the starting line. Email handicapper@actvets.cc to request a grade change.
Riders who seek a demotion and subsequently win will feature in The Bleat’s ‘Hall of Shame‘ column.
CRuMbs out and about
Podium debut for new club uniform?
Peta Brill took out Women’s Golden Wheelrace at the Wagga track carnival over the weekend. Photo shows Peta on the top step with sash. On Peta’s left is Karen Clutson (3rd) and on her far right is Ali Hale 4th. Although riding for Vikings, all three were looking splendid in the new club uniform. There was a time when riders would have been banned for life for such a uniform violation. Great job Jimmy for organising design, manufacture and delivery!
Rob Langridge
Club Handicapper
Meet your Committee
Vice President: David Parker
I am a 36-year-old M2 cyclist. I grew up in Newcastle and moved to Canberra 12 years ago. I took up cycling through a connection with Ride 365 and joined the ANU Cycling Club in 2012. I took up the sport quickly and was named Male cyclist of the year in 2013 and 2014 for the ANU Club, climbing through the ranks from E Grade to A Grade. I was then a founding member of Phoenix Cycling Collective and raced with them in the National Road Series (NRS) in 2014 and 2015, as well as at the Road National Championships in Ballarat in those years.
Mid-way through 2015 however, I succumbed to injury and then illness as I struggled mentally and physically with the rehab. I lost a considerable amount of weight over the next 6 months to the point where I was admitted to Northside Eating Disorder Clinic in Sydney for a total period of 17 weeks 24/7 inpatient care for anorexia nervosa, anxiety, and OCD. This time was a period of weight restoration, structured meal plans, cognitive therapy, psychologist, and psychiatrist sessions. I also spent my 30th birthday in inpatient care.
Since then, has not exactly been a smooth road, but small steps have seen me come back to cycling after finding some strength and fitness through CrossFit. I have only been back into cycling for about a year but have very much appreciated the strong community support and motivation that riding, and racing provides. I have joined CRMCC and Canberra Cycling Club as well as Cartel Racing Team and Per4mance Lab Coaching to help continue my journey and look forward to riding and racing with the community for years to come.
Track Racing
NARRABUNDAH TRACK PRACTICE SESSION
THURSDAY 6 OCTOBER 5.30 PM – 7.00 PM
ALL WELCOME – DONT MISS IT !!
Daylight saving will soon be with us, and that means MASTERS TRACK RACING!!!!!
The track racing season will kick off with a Practice Session starting at 5.30pm on Thursday 6 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.
Notes:
- 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 (see note following).
- 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 5.30pm.
- 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.
Spare Track Bikes
We have access to spare track bikes if you are a novice and wish to try track racing. Note that you will need to bring your own pedals. You may need to pump up tyres (we will have a pump available) and adjust saddle / bar position. You will need to check over the bike for safety purposes. Although we will assist as far as practical, equipment safety and providing tools for fitting / adjustments is your responsibility.
Racing
Regular track racing will start on Thursday 13 October.
Last year was a great season with a dedicated track group and 32 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 5 – 10 more regulars this season.
From the Committee
Reduced Membership Fee for Remainder of 2022
A reduced membership fee of $80 is now available for new members and non-financial members wishing to rejoin the club between now and 31 December 2022. Register via the AVCC online membership portal at https://memberdesq.sportstg.com//index.cfm?fuseaction=main&OrgID=10244
Disruption Taskforce Update
Car park impacts
Selected car parks across the city will be closed or have reduced capacity with areas fenced off due to construction commencing on the raising London Circuit project.
The first to be impacted will be the City Hill car park on the corner of London Circuit and Constitution Avenue from the end of September.
Intersection upgrade
Prior to road closures being implemented to enable construction to raise London Circuit, the ACT Government will improve access to the city at two key locations before the end of the year. These two locations are the Coranderrk Street/Parkes Way roundabout and the northern side of Vernon Circle.
For more information vist: https://www.builtforcbr.act.gov.au/travel-impacts
RACING THIS WEEK:
Tuesday, 4th October: Stromlo Criterium
Note: Registration required by 4 Oct 2022 3:50 pm.
Any requests for Grade changes should be sorted out with the Handicapper prior to registration.
No late entries accepted.
Where: Stromlo Forest Park
Race Description:
All races: Twenty minutes plus 2 laps
E/F/G 20m + 2 @ 5:50
A/C 20m + 2 @ 6:15
B/D 20m + 2 @ 6:40
Sunset @ 7:09
Race Director: David Parker Contact: Email: david.parker@hotmail.com.au Ph 0418 427 355
Marshals: Michael Foulds
ps For those members riding home after the race, don’t forget your lights. It will be getting dark soon after the racing.
Thursday, 6th October: Track Practice Session
Details above.
