ACT Veterans Weekly Bleat, Monday 1st October, 2018

Hello Vets,

In this week’s Bleat;

• From the Desk of the President
• Vets out and about
• Narrabundah Track Practice Session
• Racing this Week

Please send me your contributions at: TheBleat@actvets.cc

Ian Morton

From the Desk of the President

Dear members,

Increase in Member Subscriptions for 2019

The AVCC has been advised of significant increases to the costs of insurance for riders in 2019. Insurance costs contribute to approximately 75% of the AVCC’s expenditure with nationals, SportsTG and administration costs making up the remaining 25%. As a result, the AVCC regrets to advise that the AVCC component of a membership subscription for 2019 will rise by $20 to $110 for 2019. This increase is only the third cost increase since the AVCC was founded in 1997. The total cost for ACT Vets members will be $120 for membership in 2019. This means that the ACT is the least expensive club in the AVCC and continues to be cheaper and run more races than other cycling clubs in the ACT.

The AVCC is undergoing significant changes and is committed to minimising costs to members. As the newly elected Vice President of the AVCC, I am committed to ensuring a focus on member requirements including value for money. In addition, Ian Albrey is working hard on redeveloping both the AVCC Constitution and reviewing the AVCC’s insurance policy. If you see him around, please offer your thanks to him.

As always, feel free to email me or have a chat on these issues or any other concerns you may have.

Regards,

Dougal Torrance
President
ACT Veterans Cycling Club

Vets out and about

In additional to Mark Taylor’s result in M8 criterium at the NSW Master’s road champs, 2 other ACT Vets also had great results with Owain Tilley achieving 1st in the M7 TT and Michael Carr achieving 3rd in the M7 TT.

Well done, excellent results.

NARRABUNDAH TRACK PRACTICE SESSION
WEDNESDAY 3 OCTOBER 6.00 PM
ALL WELCOME – DONT MISS IT !!

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

The track racing season will kick off with a Practice Session starting at 6.00pm on Wednesday 3 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 10 October.

Last year was a great season and we had a dedicated bunch, with 38 riders participating over the season. However, why should they have all the fun. If you have thought about it, come a give it a try, as we would like to have at least another ten regulars.

Graeme O’Neill

RACING THIS WEEK:

No scheduled race this weekend.

Upcoming Marshal Roster

Thank you to those who volunteered to help (noted below in black) at the races to September. The nominees (in blue) have been selected based on results from the previous summer race season and the period since they last helped at a race. Please advise your availability or unavailability to the race committee (race.committee@actvets.cc) as soon as possible.

We still require three race directors. Crit races are at Stromlo Forest Park on Tuesdays and road races are on Sunday mornings.

* denotes ETC required for ACT races.

Ian McVay
Race Committee