Hello Vets,
An early Bleat this week;
- COVID-19 Restrictions
- From the desk of the Handicapper
- First Aid Course
- AVCC 2021 Nationals
- Racing this Week
- Race Report
Ian Morton
COVID-19 Restrictions
There are legal now requirements in place for people returning to the ACT from Victoria and particular places in New South Wales to self-quarantine.
Members who have been to any of these locations in the past 14 days should be complying with ACT Government quarantine restrictions.
Members should stay home if you have been feeling unwell or showing symptoms of COVID-19 or been in contact with someone who has felt unwell in the past 2 weeks.
From the desk of the Handicapper
One change this week;.
Darren Garnon D to C
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, 1th August: Lookout Hill – Age Standard Time Trial
Reminder: Race fee is $10 and is cash only. Please bring the exact amount of cash to minimise handling change.
Where: Observation lookout on Tidbinbilla Road about 2.5 km towards Tharwa from Point Hut / Tidbinbilla Rd intersection (or about 4.5 km from Tharwa village).
When: 1:30 pm.
Sign on: 15 mins before scheduled start time wearing your registered number
Race Description:
20km TT course. Two laps of – Lookout Hill 3.5km toward Tharwa, U turn, 5km toward Point Hut, U turn to Lookout Hill.
Race Director: David Dickson Contact: Email: dbd.2020@bigpond.net.au Ph 0418 211 463
Marshals: Paul Welsh ETC, Nigel Wines, Conan Liu ETC
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.
- Post-race refreshments will be provided. Members should bring their own coffee mug.
- 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:
Sutton Driver Training Criterium – 25th July
62 riders turned up to race at Saturday’s Sutton Driver Training Center race and were greeted to near perfect racing weather, 14-15 degrees and light winds.
A-grade were off first with 12 riders, Steve Crispin setting the early pace. The A-grade pack stayed together for a couple of laps before the pace increased and the pack started to fracture. About halfway through the race Steve Crispin made a mini break only to be run down by an ever diminishing pack. With a few laps to go the lead pack was down to 4 riders, with Rob McLachlan, Tristan Dimmock, Steve Crispin and Ben Morrison taking turns on the front. With 2 laps to go Rob and Tristan made a mini break but Steve and Ben put the power on to catch the breakaway to contest the sprint to the finish. At the finish line 1st Ben Morrison, 2nd Steve Crispin and third Rob McLachlan.
B-grade started with 11 riders. in contrast to A-grade, B-grade was not as exciting as the bunch mostly stayed together with only a few riders dropping off the back. From the start/finish line it appeared the Tandem of Don Mankewich and Ashley Carruthers were setting the pace as they went past the start/finish line on the front for most of the race. B-grade had a bunch sprint with Tim Brown winning from Conan Liu and Peter Merrick coming in third.
C and D-grade were off next. C-grade had the largest number of entries with 18 riders and were sent off first. Early on the pack stayed together and for several laps were led past the start/finish line by Andy Osbourne. As the pace increased a few riders started dropping off the back but the pack mostly stayed together. At the finish there was a bunch sprint with second time Vets rider Corey Beatson first past the finish line, second was Andy Osborne and third Andy Matz. I think Corey might get some interest from the Handicapper soon.
D-grade started with 12 riders. Like C-grade, early on the pack mostly stayed together with a few riders dropping off the back. As the pace picked up, around halfway Rob Langridge led a 4 rider break. The four riders stayed ahead until the last lap when Rob dropped off with Darren Garnon winning the sprint from Al Bontjer and Lance Purdon third.
Last to race were E and F grade. E-grade had 8 riders start and F-grade only one rider so E and F-grade were sent off together. They chose to ride the first lap neutral to show the course to some first time riders. After the first lap the pace increased with some riders dropping off early. For most of the race the Tandem of Stoker John Barlow and Pilot Ben Healy set the pace with only Ian Morton hanging on. At the finish Ian out sprinted Barlow and Healy for first with David Gunther coming in at a very distant third and Mijo Spoljaric taking out F-grade.
Many riders from all grades commented how much they enjoyed the racing. The only complaint was one C-grade rider, who commented after his race that he thought he saw the one lap to go board for at least 3 laps.
I would like to thank Michael Carr for doing the Marshalling duties, Ian McVay for driving the van and offering advice and Ryan Fawke, Owain Tilley for assisting.
Tony Beasley,
Race Director
