• From the desk of the President
  * 2025 AGM
  * Life members
  * 2025 CRMCC Committee
• Crits check-in system at SFP
• Next Crit Race – week 17 – 11 Feb from 5.50pm
• Narrabundah Track Racing – Thurs 13 Feb, 5.30pm
• Working Bee – Dairy Road Sat 15 Feb 2pm
• Next Road Race – Dairy Road criterium on Sun 16 Feb from 8am
• Club Criterium Champs on 18 Feb from 5.20pm
• Lookout Hill Race Report 2 Feb – Simon Porombka
• Crits race report for 4 Feb – Michael Golding
• Track race report for 6 Feb – Graeme O’Neill
• Upcoming races requiring volunteers – race calendar can be found here
  

From the desk of the President

We held the club’s Annual General Meeting last night. One of the final tasks of the 2024 committee was to ratify those who have been nominated for Life Membership, the club’s highest honour for their commitment towards the running of the club.  I am pleased to announce the following new Life Members:

• Allan Bonjter
• Nick Boylan
• Jan Kohler
• Rob Langridge
• Kim Malcolm
• Kirsti McVay
• Ian McVay
• Graeme O’Neill

The 2024 committee then disbanded, and the 2025 committee was formed. The new committee acknowledged and thanked the outgoing committee members Ed Logue and Damian Copeland.

The 2025 Committee then formed and is as follows:

• President – Conan Liu
• Vice-President – David Parker
• Treasurer/Secretary – Simon Costello
• Membership – Conan Liu, David Buckley
• The Bleat – interim, David Parker
• General committee – Michael Fawke, Rob Langridge

On behalf of the incoming 2025 committee we look forward to working with you all.
Conan
CRMCC President

Crits check-in system at SFP

Effective from Tuesday 4 February, we are implementing a criterium check-in system at SFP, so that registered riders can place a tick mark in front of their name on a registered rider start list to indicate they have arrived at the SFP track.

• This registered rider start list will be placed on a clipboard, next to the fence, adjacent to the timing board. It will be retrieved and used by the RD to speed up the efficiency of the entry chute rollout.
• These ‘checked-in riders’ will then be called to roll on to the track one-by-one in ascending numerical race order, like ‘priority boarding’. You can help make the process more efficient by assembling behind the race number ahead of you in your grade.
• During the entry-chute rollout, your race number will be checked against the registered rider list.
• If you arrive after entry chute roll-out, and prior to the start of the race, you will need to verbally check-in with either the RD or marshal during the safety briefing.
• Unregistered riders will not be permitted to race.
• Riders without a valid race number will not be permitted to race.
• Registered riders arriving late to the track may be permitted to race subject to the RD’s discretion.
• Your cooperation to help implement this step, means that only financial members who have registered for the race are competing on the SFP track, and that our insurance coverage is not compromised
• Committee members will be on hand to help provide guidance.

Summer evening criterium series – Week 17 – Tuesday 11 February

Race director Grant Johnston, marshal Dale Dummett, first aid Ryan Fawke
Bell for the final lap.
Direction clockwise

Grades	Time	Race Duration [sunset 2002]
E/F/G	17:50	28mins + 2 laps
B/D	18:25	B 40 mins + 2L,D 35mins + 2L
A/C	19:10	A 40 mins + 2L,C 35mins + 2L

Race registration cut-off is Tuesday 11th February at 12.50pm. 
Cost is $10.
You need to register by looking up the calendar entry in the RMS https://rms.crmcc.org.au/calendar?5021190

Late registration will be assessed by race.committee@crmcc.org.au and if allowed, a late fee of an extra $10 will be applied.
If you are unregistered and show up to the event, you must convince a committee member (not the Race Director) of your club member financial status for insurance purposes, before being allowed to participate.

You must wear your CRMCC assigned number to race. No number on the day, no race.

Switch race entry:
In the event of rain or another event, the members who have paid $10 to enter and decide to not race, those riders have to send an email to committee@crmcc.org.au before their race starts, where they would like to transfer their $10 with their name and race number, and the date to which they want the credit transferred.
Such requests via Facebook will be ignored.

Race Committee

Narrabundah Track Racing

The Program for Thursday is as follows:
5.30pm – 6.00pm: Warm-up and free practice.
6.00pm – 6.20pm: 8-lap graded scratch race.
6.20pm – 6.50pm: 1-lap SS time trial (Omnium Event 1).
6.50pm – 7.10pm: 2-lap handicap.
7.10pm – 7.30pm: Italian pursuit.

Attendance
Please register your attendance at https://rms.crmcc.org.au/calendar?5021918 , where each race will cost $10.
New or returning members who wish to ease their way into track racing may do the just the warm-up and
single event at nil cost for the session. Just show up at the Narrabundah track by 5.30pm.

Spare Track Bikes
We have several spare track bikes if you wish to try track racing.
Note that you will need to either be a financial member, or have a trial membership to participate. Please see https://capitalregionmasterscyclingclub.org.au/membership/.
Please bring your own pedals. You may need to pump up tyres (we will have a pump available) and adjust saddle / bar position. You will need to check over the bike for safety purposes. Although we will assist as far as practical, equipment safety and providing tools for fitting / adjustments is your responsibility.

Graeme O’Neill

Next Road Race – Dairy Road Criterium from 8am on Sunday 16 February

Our next road race is on this Sunday at the Dairy Road course.
The event will be in our criterium grades. Racing will be on a “hot dog” course on Dairy Road. Each lap is approximately 2km.

Location of the event is at Dairy Road, near the Jerrabomberra Wetlands.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ioffcujTrUSRJEaZ8

Race Director – Chris Short, marshal Daniel Lekhac, van driver Paul Connor, first aid Matt Sainsbery
Cost is $10. To register here – https://rms.crmcc.org.au/calendar?5024990
The registration cut-off is 1700 AET on Saturday, 15th February.
We need 20 riders registered for the event to go ahead.

Here is a video of a club race on the Dairy Road course in December 2017 –
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AFvpM2FNJ/ .

WORKING BEE – DAIRY ROAD – 15 FEBRUARY

An amount of ‘landscaping and tidying’ is needed to race on the Dairy Flat course on Dairy Road this Sunday. This time around, some sweeping and tree trimming is required. It will count as marshalling. Please bring tree loppers or secateurs, leaf blowers, bow saws and stiff brooms.
Please contact race.committee@crmcc.org.au if you can chip in.

Time: 1400 AET
Date: 15 February 2025
Place: Gate at the end of Dairy Road, next to Jerrabomberra Wetlands car park.
Bring: Hat, sunscreen, water and garden tools if you have them.
Duration: Between one and two hours depending on number of volunteers (shorter than any race marshalling)

Club Criterium Championships on Tue 18 February from 5.20pm

The club’s 2025 criterium championships will be held on Tuesday, 18 February 2025.
We, the committee, have decided to run the event on one night instead of two this year. Please note the earlier start at 5.20pm.
Also, we are replacing the medals with fridge magnets for those who finish on the podium. (Eat your magnet for the pic, ha!)

Schedule:
1720 M7+ 25 mins plus two laps
1755 F1+ 30 mins plus two laps
1830 M5-6 35 mins plus two laps
1910 M1-4 35 mins plus two laps

Each age category will have a scattered start.

Cost is $10. Those members with the 2024/25 summer crit pass, you will just have to enter your race number.
To register here, https://rms.crmcc.org.au/calendar?5021191
Registration cut-off is 1250 on Tuesday, 18 February.
Race director – Ben Davis. Marshals Wayne Benham, Nick Boylan. First aid – Ryan Fawke.

Lookout Hill Road Race Report 2 Feb – Simon Porombka

Thank you to all the riders that made this event interesting to watch. Friday night there were only 19 riders entered but by race day 48 riders turned up for the Look Out Hill Scratch race.

Warm with low if any winds made for a perfect morning for racing. This isn’t an easy race to comment on as the riders take off down the hill towards Point Hut turn point for the first half lap followed by a hard climb up Lookout hill. Spectators only saw the separate grades for a few minutes up the hill and trying to recover on the not so flat flat section and 50 seconds at most in the other direction heading down the hill.

A-B-C Grades had 4.5 laps of the course and D decided quote quickly to only do 3.5 laps with E grade jumping on the back of D for some of the race.

A grade had only nine riders but were fast from the get-go. Each time A grade came past the line it was single file with riders at the back looking to struggle each lap that past. On the last lap there were a few dropped riders. Sadly, Daniel Lekhac dropped his riding glasses coming up the hill asking for someone to retrieve them, they were found in multiple pieces scattered across the road and being prescription, I wouldn’t think they would be cheap. Sorry that happened Daniel. On the final lap coming to the uphill sprint, it looked from the top of the hill it could be multiple riders with a chance of taking first place, but Stuart Griffiths took first followed by Gerard Tiffen in second and Matthew Rizzuto taking third.

B grade had the biggest field of the day with 19 riders starting. It appeared from the sideline there were a few struggling to hold onto the pace set by the front riders. There were a few non finishers in this grade, Christopher Barberet with a flat battery (remember to check battery status) and Mick Rose with a flat tyre. A few laps in and another two riders were off the back but doing there best by working well together, Dougal Robertson and Luke Wines. Final lap and there was a charge by the ever-strong Krusty (seems to always make the Bleat) Bryant heading down the hill to the final turn point of the race. First place across the line Mark Harris followed by Craig Lindenmayer in second and Conan Liu taking out third.

C Grade took to the course with 12 riders, up until the third lap C grade stuck together until there was a two-man breakaway heading for the downhill sprint (sorry didn’t see the race numbers) but by the time the up-hill section C grade were back together again. The biggest excitement (for a spectator anyway) was the rubbing of wheels at the back of the group during the last lap call from the race director between a couple of riders, a few F bombs from the riders with the shock of what had just happened. After the race a race incident briefing between the two riders and myself it was deemed a race incident and to move on. On the last up hill sprint, it was Wesley Pendlebury taking first followed by Andrew Matz in second and taking out third was Bruce McMillan.

D and E grade started together as I believe E grade thought it would be easier to follow the wheels, up to a point it was but E grade fell away quite quickly into the race leaving D grade to race on their own. D grade with four riders and E with two. D grade looked to be working quite well together. With 3.5 laps of working well together it came down to the up hill battle on the last lap with Bryan Holloway taking first with Greg Mitchell taking second and the getting stronger with every race Shirley-Anne Taylor taking third.
E grade rolled around together for most of the race together with the final uphill battle being taken by Linda Stals and second Rico Fitch. Very strong ride by both.

A shout out to the race marshalls Kevin Newhouse, Terry Moore, Mick Donaldson and the first aider Matthew Sainsbury for making this event run smoothly.

I hope everyone enjoyed the day as from the sideline it appeared so. Until next race.

Simon Porombka, Race Director.

Pictures from the event, thank you to Ian, Michael and Daniel:
Ian Hutchings – https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1VEShEPioD/ , https://www.facebook.com/share/p/12EfXC8UgiZ/ and https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18eMcsB3Co/ .
Michael Fawke – https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15mSmtfNuc/ .
Daniel Ward – https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14qh2cqBFaK/ .

Crits race report – 4 February – Michael Golding

A hot and windless evening began as it intended to finish. E grade saw two hardy contenders, club stalwart Mick Donaldson and the esteemed handicapper Rob Langridge line up for the proverbial two horse race. After a well behaved 15 minute trot in the 32 plus degree heat Mick took line honours over Rob by half a wheel.

The new sign on and track access process worked reasonably well and A grade was next away. The A grade motto for the evening was “no break away stays away” and despite valiant effort by several riders, notably Stuart Griffiths, and Ben Morrison, all breakaway attempts were reeled in by a fast and disciplined peloton within a single lap. The high pace and hot track saw seven riders DNF.  A nine-rider break at the 30 minute mark became a 14-rider front group in half a lap, which morphed into a two and finally three rider break in the next half lap. This pattern of break, chase reform repeated through out the 40-minute race. Line honours in the final sprint went to Stuart Griffiths ahead of Ben Morrison and Matthew Corby.

C grade was next up and a very different race strategy was in play – “no rider left behind”. Together a solid and cohesive bunch sharing work on the front (mostly) amiably C grade did mange to spice the final lap up with two riders demonstrating superb MTB/gravel bike skills as on exiting the final bend they were forced off the right hand side of the track by riders drifting off the line. No harm done this time but a close enough call to have first aid attendant Ryan reaching for his copious kit. At the finish Andrew Matz held out Andrew Buick and Shirley-Anne Taylor.

B grade didn’t quite manage the A grade no break unchallenged credo with Alex Gorringe and Lewis Creasy off the front about half way through the race. A short while later Lewis went alone only to be chased and passed in short order by Nathan Rickerby and Leonard Pooley.  Leonard held off challenges in last lap to pip Lewis Cressy and Bruce Goodfellow at the line.

Last race of the night, D grade, was clearly taking notes from E and C grade. 35 minutes of sportsman like sharing the work on the front of the bunch finally gave way to huge effort sprint by Dale Dummett who took line honours by two full bike lengths over Rico Fitch and Paul Clare.

B and D grade both learned the value of calling loud and often as grades pass when just past halfway through D grades race the two grades did pass, as they were entering  the bottom right hand corner. D grade on the left and cutting right with B grade cutting up their inside. With no one in either grade thinking to call the passing it was a  second moment in the evening that had the RD and first aid attendant reaching for emergency kit.

Thanks to Ian who did the set up, Ryan whose services were thankfully unrequired, Paul who marshalled and made notes as the races progressed. 

Thanks also to all members who allowed the new sign in, and marshalling on to the track procedures work. 

Michael 

Narrabundah track racing report – Thursday 6 February – Graeme O’Neill

Thursday 6 February saw the fourteenth track racing session for 2024-25. Conditions at the Bundadome were hot with just a slight headwind in the back straight. Attendance, only seven riders, was on par for the current season. We need more trackies to get active!

The 8-lap A grade scratch race had a field of four starters. The race commenced with Sarah Stephens leading out at an easy pace. It was an orderly progression until lap five when Sarah Stephens again rolled to the front and raised the pace to a good clip. The pace held for the next two laps. On the approach to the bell lap, Hamish Anderson surged off the pack and quickly gained a healthy gap. The pack was a little slow to respond but eventually pursued with Conan Liu leading and clearly focused on reeling in Hamish. Hamish held a solid pace. However, Conan timed his pursuit to perfection and with a final burst
on the line, just pipped Hamish for the win. Sarah Stephens was riding strongly and swooped in for third place.

The 8-lap B grade scratch race had a field of three starters. As usual, the race was orderly with Phil Coulton, Graeme O’Neill and Ken Birch doing one lap turns on the front. Ken Birch rolled to the front for lap seven and began ramping up the pace as he approached the bell. Shortly after, Phil Coulton surged past to take the lead and a comfortable win. Ken plugged on with Graeme O’Neill in tow. The pair had a spirited sprint to the line with Graeme just rounding a tiring Ken before the line.

The evening’s second event was a 200-metre flying start time trial (200 fly). This is a fun event and quite difficult to execute perfectly. As usual Hamish Anderson had the best time at 13.26 seconds. Two of the A grade group, Sarah Stephens (13.85s) and Conan Liu (13.88s), were just outside the best time. B grade times were Phil Coulton (15.26s), Graeme O’Neill (15.86s), Ken Birch (16.78s).

The evenings third event was a two-lap, combined (A & B Grade) handicap. Hamish Anderson and Sarah Stephens impressed in this event as they had a lot of ground to make up before they crossed the line in
first and second place respectively. Ken Birch rode a good tactical race to snaffle third spot.

The final event for the evening was the usual Italian Pursuit. The event had uneven team numbers so Conan Liu generously offered to do two final laps for team 1. Team 2 made an interesting decision with
their ride order. Both teams got away well and rode soundly. Team 1 quickly gained a small advantage giving anchor rider Conan Liu a head start. Team 2’s anchor, Hamish Anderson, put in a good effort but
was unable to make up Conan’s advantage. A good win for Team 1.

Major place getters were as follows:
8-Lap Scratch: (A1 Grade) Conan Liu. (A2 Grade) Hamish Anderson, Sarah Stephens, Ben Davis (B Grade) Phil Coulton, Graeme O’Neill, Ken Birch.
200m Fly: (A1 Grade) Conan Liu (13.88s) (A2 Grade) Hamish Anderson (13.26s), Sarah Stephens (13.85s), Ben Davis (14.80s)
(B grade) Phil Coulton (15.26s), Graeme O’Neill (15.86s), Ken Birch
(16.78s), 2-lap handicap: (A & B Grades) Hamish Anderson, Sarah Stephens, Ken Birch, Graeme O’Neill, Phil Coulton.
Italian Pursuit: Winner Team 1 (Conan Liu, Sarah Stephens, Graeme O’Neill).

Season Point Score:
Hamish Anderson (267), Conan Liu (216), Graeme O’Neill (205), Phil Coulton (191), Ian Drayton (172), Craig Kentwell (149), Steve Jones (124), Sarah Stephens (123), Wayne Benham (100), Ben Davis (92),
Ken Birch (89), John Paul De Sousa (89), Alison Hale (82), Warwick Wilson (67), Dave Buckley (16), Paul Connor (16).

Upcoming races needing volunteers

2025
2 Mar 2025 – Smiths/Naas Rd handicap
Race director, 2 ETCs

16 Mar 2025 – Dairy Road criterium – points race
Race director, van driver, first aid

5 Apr 2025 – Sutton Road Training Centre kermesse
Race director, van driver, first aid

26 Apr 2025 – The Apollo
Race director, 1 ETC, van driver, first aid

Please contact race.committee@crmcc.org.au if you can fill any of these roles for the club. Also look at the dates in the 2025 calendar where you could help the club. https://rms.crmcc.org.au/calendar

Thank you to those members who have offered their services to fill roles so our races are run.