Hello Vets,
In the Bleat this week;
• From the Desk of the President
• Vets Out and About
• Racing this Week
• Race Report
• Gunning 2 Day Event
Please send me your contributions at: TheBleat@actvets.cc
Ian Morton
From the Desk of the President
Dear Members,
End of Winter racing
With the running of the club championship last weekend, the Vets winter road season is now complete. I’d like to thank those that showed up consistently for what was some great racing over around 20 winter races this year (depending on how you count!), although numbers were a bit down on last winter. If you haven’t considered racing on the great courses the club uses (some of which are only used by the Vets) you should know that we’re looking at some new venues for next year in addition to our old faithfuls.
A special thanks to Graham Hendrie, the man with the van, who takes time out to drive the club van to events, assists with the course, and ensure that everything else is done.
Also a great thanks to all those that stepped up to race direct or marshal. In particular those that stepped up multiple times like Ben Davis, Robert Langridge and Ian Morton.
Thanks also to our regular first aider Simon Whitehead.
Gunning
Gunning is back on! We will race on 14 and 15 October. Thanks to those that have made this possible, in particular Phill Coulton. The format for the time trial is yet to be confirmed and should be known after tomorrow’s Race Committee meeting. (Registration details below).
Women’s Participation Adviser and Promotions officer positions
As announced on the Vets Facebook Page, the recent Committee meeting approved the development of a Women’s Participation Adviser and Promotions officer positions. These positions would sit on the Committee and advise the Committee on ways to increase the membership of women in the club and on increasing the exposure of the club to the broader community. The Committee and I wish to encourage the development of racing members though a supported introduction of members to racing formats. These two officers would assist in introducing riders into the club and giving these new riders pathways to develop their confidence to race if they so wished. Please email me at President@actvets.cc if you are interested in either position.
Disc brakes
If you haven’t already heard, disc brakes are now allowable in all Vets races including Crits. (except track obviously!). For further updates on this and other exciting news, why not join the Vets face book page?
Summer Crit and Track racing just around the corner.
For those we didn’t see in winter, it’s time to shave those legs and get ready for the ever popular summer Crit series and the track season. This year I’d love to see more starters at the Wednesday track nights. I rode my first ever track race in December last year and am now hooked. The regulars are both helpful (off the track) and very crafty (on the track). Racing usually consists of 4 or so races per night so there’s a lot of chances for revenge plus a great wrap up at the end of the night’s racing. For those that worry they don’t have a track bike, I use a modified courier bike and others use steel framed race bikes from a time long forgotten!
Racing price rises.
All races in the ACT Vets will now be $10.00 to enter. This is still the cheapest racing in Canberra as far as I know and the cheapest vets racing in Australia (along with the cheapest annual fees!). The money will go to supporting our ATCs and other costs borne by the Club such as venue hire.
Dougal Torrance,
President,
ACT Veterans Cycling Club. President@actvets.cc
Vets Out and About
About 10 Vets will be racing this week in the National Capital Tour to be held on the Old Majura Rd for two stages with an added jaunt up Mt Majura for good measure. The third race will be a crit at Stromlo.
Boylan tops 700!
Nick Boylan has now surpassed 700 races and marshalling events. Nick first raced in C grade in January 2000, and since then has ridden mainly in A and B grade events. He’s volunteered as race director countless times and due to his aggressive racing has probably launched over 2,000 attacks! He’s also a first-class bike mechanic and dealer in bike spares. Back in the days when riders would source their own parts for their bikes, I was able to get a frame, seat post, stem, as well race and training wheels for a bike I’m still riding today. Congratulations Nick on this great milestone and thanks for your fantastic contribution to the club.
Rob Langridge
RACING THIS WEEK:
Racing has concluded for the 2017 Winter Season. The next race will be the first Summer Criterium on the 3rd of October.
Upcoming Marshall Roster
The nominated marshals for upcoming events are;
– 3/10- Stromlo Crit: Sue Duckett
– 10/10- Stromlo Crit: Simon Johnston
RACE REPORT:
CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP – 16th September
Conditions weren’t ideal for the Annual Age Graded Club Championship race at Uriarra. It was chilly, some light showers and a strong wind gusting across the course. There were 38 hardy souls who turned up to brave the conditions. Unfortunately the conditions contributed to Rosemary Robinson taking a tumble on the way down to the top of the crossing. Thanks to the passing 4WD driver who came up to the finish line to alert us to the crash. Our First Aider, Simon, sprung into action (that’s two weeks in a row) and brought Rosemary back to the finish line for attention. She was able to drive herself home. Rosemary has advised she has a broken hand so will be off the road for a few weeks. All the best for a quick recovery.
The M1-M5 groups started off with the Mt McDonald climb. At the start line;
Club President Dougal Torrence: “Anyone who beats me will be drug tested!”
Response from the bunch: “That’ll be a lot of testing…”.
The M6-M9 and Women started with the short turn leg. The Women were working together strongly after the first leg but the other groups started to break up in the conditions.
Steve Crispin made his intentions clear, establishing a solid lead on the first leg up Mt McDonald. M1/M2, M3 and M5 kept solid bunches together.
Steve Crispin took his lead all the way to the finish. A few of the groups put in a sprint finish. Peter Marshall and Rohan Verco battled out for honours in M2 with Peter taking the win. M5 put in a big finish with 5 riders in contention with Michael Foulds taking first place. And the remaining women put in a strong finish with Kirsty Cummin first across the line.
Many thanks to our ATCs: Liz Lowe at the top of the crossing, Frank O’Sullivan at Mt McDonald, John Paul de Sousa at the short turn and Tony Weir at the intersection. Thanks to the Marshals: Craig Tozer, Heath Chester and Tony Beasley at the finish line. As always, thanks to Graham Hendrie for bringing the van and doing the signon.
Photos of the winners have been posted by Seymour Savell-Boss on the ACT Vets Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ACTVets/.
Ian Morton
Gunning 2 Day Event
Your chance to race 154km over two days! (or 104km for E, F, G, Tandem) and Lunch – all for a measly $35.
The club’s signature event, the Gunning two day race, is on over the weekend of the 14/15 October. Saturday starts at 10:00 am with a 4km uphill Prologue just to make it interesting!
For those that groaned at an uphill prologue, we’ve decided to make it interesting by throwing in bonus time on Stage 1! Again, for stage 2, time bonuses will be on offer so a good strategy will be key!
Marshals
Bill Frost has kindly volunteered to be the Race referee for the two days. In order to run the event, he requires the assistance of Marshals, Escort Drivers and General Helpers to assist.
Payment of $30 per day is available to offset petrol costs and other expenses.
If you are willing to help, please contact Bill at: billfrost@bigpond.com
Portaloo
A Portaloo has been booked. We are looking for a volunteer to help with towing duties. If someone is staying in Gunning on Saturday evening and would be able to tow it back to their accommodation overnight, that would save having to tow it back to Canberra.
Please contact Ian McVay imcvay@grapevine.com.au Ph 62317523 if you can assist.
Requirements
The cost will be $35 for the race and you must be a current member of the club within the AVCC. Please note that we do not have day licences available.
Riders will need to bring their helmet to the registration desk for inspection. Please note that it is an AVCC requirement that all riders must wear a helmet which meets Australian Standards.
Riders must have started the previous stage to compete the next stage. (i.e. if you don’t ride Saturday then you cannot start on Sunday)
Registration
ALL REGISTRATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED ON THE IMG WEBSITE BY 5:00PM FRIDAY 13th OCTOBER. NO REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON THE DAY.
To register go to;
https://eventdesq.sportstg.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=main&EventDesqID=24762&OrgID=10345
Click on;
Click Here To Register
Select either;
Individual
Tandem
Select the $35 entry fee then click;
Next
Enter your username and password and click.
Login
Note that this is the username and password that you received when you first registered for the IMG system. If you cannot find your site login, go to the site login page; https://memberdesq.sportstg.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=login&OrgID=10244 and click the ‘Forgot your Password?’ Button. Enter your Email address (the one you used to register) and a new password will be sent to you.
One you have logged in, the system will show your membership details. Click;
Next
Confirm that you are entering as an Individual or Tandem then click;
Next
Click on;
Submit Now & Pay Online
Enter your credit card details and press;
Next
To confirm your payment, click;
Submit Payment
Your transaction will be confirmed and an email sent to your registered email address.
Once you have finished, click;
Logoff
If you have any problems, contact: Ian Morton
DAY 1: Saturday 14th October 2017
Prologue
Prologue will start at 10:00am and riders will be sent off at 30 second intervals.
Note if you miss your allocated time you will be sent off at the discretion of the Race Referee.
The following limitation apply to the Prologue
• No Disc Wheels or wheel covers
• No Time Trial specific helmets
• No Time Trial bars either specific or clip on
Tri Spoke or other deep dish wheels are allowed as long as the rim does not exceed 10cm.
Stage 1
Stage 1 will start at 1:30pm and riders will be sent off by grade.
Stage 1 is 50km for all grades.
A revised bonus time will be allocated on both primes for the first three positions (1st – 7 seconds, 4nd – 2 seconds and 3rd 2 seconds) and for the first five positions (1st – 5 seconds, 2nd – 4 seconds, 3rd – 3 seconds, 4th – 2 seconds and 5th – 1 second) at the finish.
DAY 2: Sunday 15th October 2017
Stage 2
The course length will depend on grade:
• A, B, C, D will complete 100km (Note: A Water Bottle will be provided for riders on the Second Lap)
• E, F, G, Tandem will complete 50km
Stage 2 will start at 10:00am for the following grades A, B, C, D with 2 min between grades.
Stage 2 will start at 11:00am for the following grades G, E, F, Tandem with 2 min between grades.
A revised bonus time will be allocated to each grade on both primes for the first three positions (1st – 7 seconds, 2nd – 4 seconds and 3rd 2 seconds) and for the first five positions (1st – 5 seconds, 2nd – 4 seconds, 3rd – 3 seconds, 4th – 2 seconds and 5th – 1 second) at the finish.
Presentation
Presentations will be held in the Hall in the Showground commencing at 1:45 pm. Lunch will be provided for all riders and officials.
