Hello Vets,

In the Bleat this week;

•  From the Committee

•  From the Desk of the Handicapper

•  Goulburn Cycle Club – Track Power 2021

•  First Aid Courses – 27 February and 3 March

•  2021 AGM – Thinking of Nominating for the ACTVETS Committee?

•  COVID-19 Restrictions

•  Racing this Week

•  Race Reports

Ian Morton
thebleat@actvets.cc

From the Committee

As has previously been advised, Graham Hendrie is taking a well-earned break from road race coordinator/van driver/timing guru/tea and biscuit-er/loader of race results/all-round superhero.

The committee has tried to work out a solution for the list of tasks Graham manages and we have over the last few months sought volunteers for any and all of the duties undertaken. To no avail.

As from April, we are in danger of not being able to offer you any road racing unless we as a club can come up with solutions. So, we are asking you, our members to help us to come up with ideas as to how we can continue to offer a comprehensive race program. We need your help.

At the moment the only suggestion on the table is that each week, race officials for the particular race, would have to coordinate and take on all these roles currently managed by Graham to run the race and identify someone for each race to manage getting the van (with all the correct signage etc.) to and from the race. Note that this doesn’t even address the permanent storing of the van and racing paraphernalia. This would be a logistical nightmare for a club that works off of the support of volunteers.

If you can either offer to help out, or you have some constructive ideas on how we address this we would really appreciate you contacting the club president at president@vets.cc.

Consideration for remuneration may be an option.

Without a workable solution, road racing is in real danger for 2021 and beyond.

Best regards

ACT Vets Committee

From the Desk of the Handicapper

This week’s promotions

Lance Purdon C to B Paul Clare D to C

Vets Out and About–Goulburn Trackpower Carnival

The Goulburn Cycling Club held its premier track event over the weekend with the feature race being the House of Smoke and Fire men’s (handicap) wheelrace. Steve Jones made the trip very worthwhile by taking out the wheelrace from limit, which is the front mark. Here’s Steve’s account of the race.

It’s fair to say the handicapper didn’t have an exact handle on my recent form. There were three of us at or near limit in the final, one guy led the first 900m or so, then I did the final 800m or so on the front and held the other two off and a flying scratchie. I had to go very deep (not being my usual game plan) and loved it!

Fantastic ride Steve. The photo below shows Steve on the top step resplendent with the winner’s sash, and what could be a prize money envelope in his right hand.

ACT Veterans Cycling Club

Rob Langridge
Handicapper

Goulburn Cycle Club – Track Power 2021

This was my first venture to track racing venue other than Narrabundah.

What a difference !! Near flat banking, circular 400m, bitumen, slowing riders on Highside, picturesque setting with terrific facilities. Circular with no straight makes the ride heaps faster.

Organised and scheduled as a track racing carnival this event goes for several hours finishing under stadium lighting.

  • Junior Carnival – 31 events
  • NSW U17 Maddison champs x 2
  • Invitational roller derby – man on man fastest time to reach 500m
  • Senior Carnival – 58 events

Representation by many NSW based clubs (almost 200 racers…. plus family, friends, hangeronerers, hecklers, officials and NSW SES), so is a good gauge/benchmark on how you are doing, by Division, Age and Gender. Many different event types:

  • Heart Starter (5 lap scratch)
  • Wheel Race heat (5 lap or 3 lap handicap) –> Final race
  • – with handler to push you off from standing start from appointed HC distance
  • Keirin (4 lap) 2 and a bit with Moto, then sprint = hoot !
  • 2 lap handicap
  • – with handler
  • Scratch (10 or 8 lap)

Very enjoyable day was had by all, notable results being:

ACT Vets participants mostly using Vikings entry (quiet a few other ACT riders sighted as well)

  • Allison Hale
  • Elizabeth Lowe
  • Brandie O’Connor
  • Peta Brill
  • Sian Mulholland
  • Steve Jones
  • …moi (apols if I missed anyone)

Highly recommended as a FUN great day out !

John Paul De Sousa #323

First Aid Courses – 27 February and 3 March

For some time now, ACT Vets’ has been offering First Aid courses to members on a reimbursed basis with thanks to a Road Safety grant from the ACT Government.

With take up being lower than anticipated, we still have significant unexpended funds, and so with the ACT Government’s approval, we have extended the offer to other clubs and Pedal Power. Our expectation is that with the broader membership base of Pedal Power in particular, we will be able to get the required numbers for a couple of group courses in late February – early March.

If you still have an interest in undertaking a First Aid course and you are able to attend a group class on either of the two prospective dates, please click on the link below to register your interest.

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/first-aid-for-cyclists-tickets-137577763795

Please note that places on the course will be limited to grant funds available.

2021 AGM – Thinking of Nominating for the ACTVETS Committee?

You’d be very welcome. If you would like to know more about how the club works and want to contribute in some way then talk to a current Committee member (details on the web site – https://actvets.cc/about/committee/).

Then fill out and submit a nomination form, prior to the AGM, to the president (president@actvets.cc) and the secretary (secretary@actvets.cc).

Nomination forms are accessed and downloaded via the Member documents shared drive link on the web site (https://actvets.cc/documents/) or contact a committee member.

The AGM for 2021 will be held on Monday 15th February 2021 at 7:00pm in the Loft Meeting Room at the Raiders Club Weston.

Due to COVID restrictions, there is a limit of 32 attendees. For those that wish to attend, could you please pre-register by sending email to the Secretary (secretary@actvets.cc). Any additional attendees or those that can’t attend in person, we will be organising a Zoom session as well.

Russell Marston
Secretary ACT Veterans Cycling Club

COVID-19 Restrictions

There are conditions for travelers from other states.

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.

RACING THIS WEEK:

Tuesday, 2nd February: Stromlo Criterium

Where: Stromlo Forest Park
Sign on: 15 mins before scheduled start time wearing your registered number.
Race Description:
A/C 5:50 A 45m+2, C 40m+2
B/D 6:40 B 45m+2, D 40m+2
E/F/G 7:15 30 min + 2 laps

Race Director:  Rosemary Robinson Contact: Email: rosemaryr2@iinet.net.au    Ph  0417 898 917

Marshals: Luke Healy

Wednesday, 3rd February: Track Racing

The Program for Wednesday is;
5.30pm – 6.00pm: Warm-up and free practice.
6.00pm – 6.20pm: 10-lap graded scratch race;
6.20pm – 7.10pm: 2-lap match races.
7.10pm – 7.30pm: Italian pursuit.

Sunday, 7th February – Lookout Hill

Note: This race is currently pending Race Approval

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: 9:00 am.
Sign on: 15 mins before scheduled start time wearing your registered number
Race Description:
Lookout Hill Lookout Hill 3.5km toward Tharwa, U turn, 5km toward Point Hut, U turn to Lookout Hill. ABCD 4 laps, EFG 3 laps.

Race Director:  Sean Ifland Contact: Email: seanifland@gmail.com    Ph  0412 525 733

Marshals: Christopher Short ETC, Frank O’Sullivan ETC, Gareth Downey

RACE REPORTS:

SFP Criterium – 26th January

A public holiday and a bit of rain scared away many riders. The Track was wet for the first two races then dried off for the A and C races.

Race 1 was B and D grade.

B grade, with 8 riders, was going nicely when Joel Rahman had a dig. The bunch did not give too much of a gap and Joel got caught. He was not discouraged and went again with the same result, then few riders put the pressure on but nothing stuck as the bunch was alert and no gap was given. With 5 minutes to go Gavin Stephens had a shot but got caught as well. The final sprint was a fast affair with Michael Langdon first, followed by Joel Rahman then Gavin Stephens.

D grade saw 7 riders roll away nicely for 15 minutes, then Anthony Dick tried to escape but the bunch closed the gap as expected. When the race started to warm up, we saw lots of surges which were chased down, Frank O’Sullivan had a good dig with five minutes to go but ran out of legs. The sprint was won by Paul Clare, then Frank O’Sullivan and third was Anthony Dick.

Second race to go we had E,F,G.

E grade had two riders and F had one, to make a field of 3 riders. They decided to race together, with a very nice agreement to tap along nicely for 30 minutes ( a long warm up ) and then put on the gas at the two laps notice. The bell lap saw a sprint, which went to Chris Copeland, followed by Howard Moffat, and then Edward Joliffe from F grade who nearly caused an upset victory on the line.

Third race was A & C grade

With 12 A grade riders, this was the biggest bunch of the evening, bolstered by two newly promoted riders; Gareth Downey and Bruce Goodfellow. As anticipated some riders went full gas early on. The newly promoted riders got dropped after 15 minutes as the pace was very high, with multiple riders trying to break away and inflict pain on the bunch. The racing was hard but no one was able to go away for too long. The stage was set for a fast and close sprint which was won by Jeremy Gillman-Wells, closely followed by Gerard Tiffen second, and Steve Crispin in third.

C grade was the last to go. Rob Langridge made an early escape, where he was looking strong and determined (the handicapper will be noticing this). After two laps the bunch closed the gap, and then stayed together for a while until Bruce McMillan had a good dig at front. He was caught and the bunch finished together to the end. The sprint was won convincingly by Lance Purdon, with Adam Strickland second and Wayne Benham third.

Thank you to everyone who attended, especially, given the inclement conditions.

Thank you to committee members Ian Morton and Russell Marston for helping with the set up and the sign in. Special thanks to Peta Brill to help running a smooth event. And off course the First Aid Officer Simon Whitehead.

Alain Arbaut

Track Racing – 27th January

Overcast weather on Wednesday 27 January did not seem too promising. However, rain held off and the season’s 12th track racing session went ahead under a grey sky with a stiff crosswind in the front and back straights. Attendance was surprising for the conditions, with 17 riders, 8 in A grade and 9 in B grade.

The 8-lap A grade scratch race started at an easy pace with Steve Jones and Ben Davis taking the initial turns. On lap 3 the pace increased slightly after Michael Langdon rolled to the front. However, Michael was being conservative on his recent return to track racing. The pace remained steady until lap 6 when Craig Kentwell surged around the bunch into a 10m lead. Wayne Benham quickly closed the gap opened by Craig. On the next lap Wayne launched out for the final sprint. Steve Jones, John Paul De Sousa and Michael Langdon pursued and overhauled Wayne in the final lap. The pace was torrid with Steve Jones taking a close win from John Paul De Sousa and Michael Langdon. Wayne managed to hang on for fourth place.

The B Grade scratch race was quite orderly for the first 4 laps with riders swapping the lead lap by lap. Ken Birch raised the pace when he rolled into the lead for lap 5. Shortly after Graeme O’Neill took over the lead on lap 6, the bunch pounced, led by James Newhouse with Karen Clutson and Ian Drayton in hot pursuit. Riders streamed around Graeme, their pace accelerating with 2.5 laps to go. The pursuit was torrid with James clear and the remaining pack strung out, but not giving up. Ultimately Ian Drayton and Phil Anderson overhauled James for first and second placings. James held on valiantly to take third place. The female contingent for the B grade race was significantly augmented by new riders, Elizabeth Rowe and Karen Clutson. They joined regular trackie, Alison Hale. The girls held their own and look like they will not be outclassed in B grade.

The evening’s second event was a 4-lap handicap, a real gut-wrenching event. The race was run all-in with 16 riders on the track, though fortunately strung out due to handicaps. This was a race in which A grade reversed their recent fortunes in handicap races. Michael Langdon proved strongest, chasing down the leaders in the final lap to take the win. Wayne Benham pursued with Michael and was rewarded with second placing. There was an almighty tussle for third place with Ken Birch retrieving some honour for B grade by just holding out a fast-closing John Paul De Sousa.

Fourth event for the evening comprised graded points races. A grade did 10 laps and B grade did 8 laps. Both races had a single, intermediate sprint and a finish sprint for double points. In A grade, the points results were Steve Jones (14), Michael Langdon (9), Ben Davis (6), Wayne Benham (5), Warwick Wilson & John Paul D Sousa (4), Kerry Knowler (3). B Grade almost had an upset when a superb effort from Alison Hale won her the final sprint over normally unbeatable Ian Drayton. However, Ian had done better in the intermediate sprint, so took the overall points honours. B grade points results were Ian Drayton (13), Alison Hale (11), Tony Beasley (10), James Newhouse & Elizabeth Lowe (4), Phil Anderson (3).

The track session closed with the usual, all-in, Italian pursuit. The teams were 6 riders each. Both teams had good starts and rode without error. Team 1 established an early lead and maintained it over the event. However, Team 1’s lead shrunk to around 6 metres by the closing stages. In the final lap, it seemed just possible for Team 2’s Warwick Wilson to close the gap on a tiring Ben Davis who was anchor for Team 1. Warwick put in a superb effort. However, Ben could see the prize in sight and managed to find that small extra impetus to deliver Team 1 the win.

Major place getters for Wednesday were as follows:
8-Lap Scratch: (A Grade) Steve Jones, John Paul De Sousa, Michael Langdon. (B Grade) Ian Drayton, Phil Anderson, James Newhouse.
4-Lap Handicap: (A&B Grades) Michael Langdon, Wayne Benham, Ken Birch.
Points Race: (A Grade) Steve Jones (14), Michael Langdon (9), Ben Davis (6), Wayne Benham (5), Warwick Wilson & John Paul D Sousa (4), Kerry Knowler (3). (B Grade) Ian Drayton (13), Alison Hale (11), Tony Beasley (10), James Newhouse & Elizabeth Lowe (4), Phil Anderson (3).
Combined Italian Pursuit: Winner Team 1 (John Paul De Sousa, Ben Davis, Wayne Benham, Tony Beasley, Phil Anderson, Karen Clutson).

Season Point Score Update:
Ian Drayton (178), Steve Jones (173), Phil Anderson (162), Ken Birch (150), James Newhouse (148), John Paul De Sousa (146), Wayne Benham (126), Alison Hale (121), Phil Coulton (105), Ben Davis (97).

Graeme O’Neill

Tidbinbilla Handicap – 31st January

Unfortunately due to administrative issues, we could not secure race approvals in time to run this event.