Hello Vets,
In the Bleat this week;
- From the desk of the Handicapper
- First Aid Course
- AVCC 2021 Nationals
- Racing this Week
- Race Report
Ian Morton
From the desk of the Handicapper
Dalton turned out to be as rewarding as expected – there was a good turnout in most grades, no wind and mild temperatures. The D grade race featured Des “One-Speed” Brown, who shuns one of the best parts of racing, i.e. sitting in an enjoying the view before the hostilities begin, and instead is permanently off or on the front but never taking it easy. He also fought back to re-join the bunch when the attacks begun in the latter stages. Des’s tenacity is truly remarkable. I’m reminded of one of JFK’s famous quotes when thinking of Des: ‘I choose to race on the front not because it is easy, but because it is hard, because that challenge is one that I am willing to accept, one I am unwilling to postpone, and one which I intend to win.‘
Also making his mark on the race and putting pressure on Des was Nick Boylan who has notched up in 20 years with the club an incredible 811 events. Nick has an impressive race record including many victories in A and B grades as well marshalling on numerous occasions. Nick displays all the fine qualities of true club stalwart. Congratulations on this amazing achievement.
D grade also welcomed new rider Corey Beatson who was in all the action and heading for a podium place until he ran out of legs about 100m from the line. Great debut Corey. Let’s hope you can chalk up 800 events by 2040.
Handicap: Grant Shaw C to B
Rob Langridge
Handicapper
First Aid Course
Dear Members,
Would you know what to do if you were first on the scene of a road accident involving a cyclist? Would you know how to help one of your friends if they had a fall during a ride?
The club has been successful in bidding for an ACT Government Grant for road safety. This allows us to offer members First Aid courses free of charge.
We estimate our nearly 300 members cycle more than 180,000km on ACT Roads every year. This makes it quite likely one of us will be first on scene at an accident at some time.
A First Aid course would provide you with a nationally recognised qualification, and would equip you to help others in the event of an emergency. It would also help the club to continue to conduct racing in the ACT. The club uses, and will continue to use, an external contractor to provide first aid support to races, however there are times when this service is unavailable. In order for the club to be able to undertake our scheduled race calendar, the club will, from time to time, ask a first aid qualified member to attend a race.
The committee has experience of a course provider in the ACT that has adapted to COVID-19 restrictions by taking the theory components on-line, and adapting the practical elements in line with social distancing requirements. If there’s interest from members, the Committee will organise a group booking with this provider. Please e-mail committee@actvets.cc if you would like to take up this option.
Otherwise, members may register for the first aid course of their choice, provided that:
1) the course provides a recognised Australian first aid qualification;
2) the cost of the course is less than or equal to $200; and
3) members acknowledge and agree to being placed on a list of first aid providers that, from time to time, will be utilised to provide first aid services to club races.
Contact the committee to ensure that your intended course meets the club’s needs. Following completion of the course, contact the Treasurer at treasurer@actvets.cc to provide a copy of your qualification and organise a reimbursement.
Gunning 2 Day
The Race Committee is still looking for more volunteers for the Gunning 2 Day event (17/18 October).
If you are able to assist, can you please contact the Race Committee (race.committee@actvets.cc).
AVCC 2021 Nationals
RACING THIS WEEK:
Saturday, 25th July: Sutton Driver Training Course – Graded Criterium
Note: Riders to compete in their Road Grade.
Where: Approx 0.5 km along Sutton Rd from intersection of Sutton Rd and Pialligo Avenue.
When: 1:30 pm.
Sign on: 15 mins before scheduled start time wearing your registered number
Race Description:
A/B: 1.30pm 50 mins 1 lap
C/D: 2.30pm 40 mins 1 lap
E/F/G: 3.20pm 30 mins 1 lap.
Race Director: Anthony Beasley Contact: Email: tonybeasley60@gmail.com Ph 0409 323 707
Marshals: Michael Carr
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.
- 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:
Dalton Graded Scratch – 18th July
Ideal racing conditions greeted riders at Dalton as they arrived for the Dalton Handicap. Calm winds, cloud cover and cool temperatures remained throughout the afternoon for the 44 riders who signed on for either a 58km (ABCD) or 36km (EF) graded scratch race.
Pre-race conversation suggested that some where planning to save their legs for the ACT Criterium Championship the following day. This may have been forgotten once racing got underway as there was plenty of action in each of the grades:
A Grade – three riders started the race. Newcomer Heath Wade unfortunately had a puncture or mechanical on the first lap to Gunning but managed to rejoin Steve Crispin and Michael Payne on the second time around. All three were together heading into Dalton but where soon separated by attacks on Ryne Park -Dalton road with Steve Crispin finally cruising in for the win over Michael Payne by some 2mins 30 and taking the fastest time of the day with 1.23.18.
B Grade – 8 riders contested B grade, and with only 3 riders in A grade, there was a lot peer group pressure exerted on 1 rider to ride up grade, which was diplomatically declined. For his penance, Conan Liu lead the bunch out over the first few kilometres ably assisted by the big diesel rouleur Michael Fawke. The race became a game of hang on to the wheels of the strongest climbers (David Dickson and Bruce Goodspeed) up the pinches. At 22km, it was down to a bunch of 7 who worked together until Rugby road. Peter Young launched his long range sprint well before the pub corner, while Bruce, David and Conan came over the top in the final 15m for 1, 2 and 3.
C Grade – 11 riders started what was to be an aggressive race. Grant Shaw was aggressive all day with several solo breakaway attempts. As soon as he was caught he would launch another. The slightly depleted peloton managed to reel him in and this set the scene for a tough uphill bunch sprint. The locals gathered for the spectacle including a stray dog which almost managed to take out the sprinting bunch. Grant Shaw kept enough in his legs to take out the sprint ahead of Rod Welch and Chris Nolan.
D Grade – 11 riders signed on for their 58 kms race. Des Brown was not waiting for anyone and was away for an early break. He was joined by Kerry Muir however the bunch managed to bring them back. Anthony Beasley and Rob Langridge were both aggressive, resulting a few riders going off the back in the initial laps to Gunning. It came down to a reduced bunch sprint in the end with Anthony Beasley taking the win ahead of Kerry Muir in second and Andrew Hislop third.
E Grade – 8 riders started the race including the tandem team of Ben Healy and John Barlow. The initial lap to Gunning proved decisive with Ben Healy and John Barlow putting a significant gap into the chasing bunch and were never to seen again. They crossed the line more than 2 minutes ahead of Ian Morton who won the bunch sprint for second ahead of Robert Miller for third.
F Grade – 4 riders started the race the hills and fast pace saw a split in the group on the first leg to Gunning. Leaanne Tennant rode strongly to take the win just ahead of Polly Templeton. Michelle Hodgetts rode well to take third place.
Well done to everyone for being COVID-19 conscious and maintaining social distancing. Of course, special thanks goes to the team of Marshalls who made the race run smoothly: Graham Hendrie for driving the Club van, organising the sign-on, recording results and a multitude of other behind the scene tasks; Simon Whitehead on first-aid duty; Gerard Tiffen in the lead car; Paul Hollings in the follow car, Rowan McMurray, Ross Robinson and Alex Sommariva on the turns; Ryan and Michael who helped out at short notice on the Dalton turn and recording results.
Damian Copeland,
Race Director
