Masters,
In this week’s Bleat;
• Meet your Committee
• From the Committee
• Racing this Week
• Race Report
Ian Morton
thebleat@actvets.cc
Meet your Committee
Following the election of a new committee at the February AGM, members have requested to know more about our committee. President Kim is our first committee bio.
President: Kim Malcolm
I joined Vets Cycling in 2011 after being encouraged a few years earlier by Jan Koehler and my neighbour Wayne Hall (who raced at the time). The only cycle racing I had done before this was in triathlons which I had taken up after age and injuries curbed my ability in my first sport of basketball.
Cycling is a non impact sport so this allowed me to continue participating in a sport. Initially I was attracted to endurance events such as Fritz’s Challenge, Around the Bay, the Community Ride in the Tour Down Under and the very first 3 Peaks Ride in 2010 (which starts and finishes at Falls Creek).
When I joined Vets (now CRMCC) I was fit and enjoyed the adventure of riding competitively. Deterioration though ageing, wear and tear have played havoc with me competing regularly in recent years.
I have been on the committee since 2012 and about 4 years ago I took on the responsibility of Trophy and Medals co-ordination following on from a long stint by Kev Hennessy.
I have found the Vets/Masters cycling community very encouraging and supportive. During the 11 years as a member I have seen enormous changes to the racing program including the inclusion of new compliance and safety requirements for conducting races including first aider presence, ETCs, new signage, Race Referee/Director manuals, a van replacing a trailer and now a container with solar power.
While I don’t necessarily make many events these days I am available via email if you have any concerns, suggestions and supporting comments. Please use president@actvets.cc
From the Committee
Reduced Membership Fee for Remainder of 2022
A reduced membership fee of $80 is now available for new members and non-financial members wishing to rejoin the club between now and 31 December 2022. Register via the AVCC online membership portal at https://memberdesq.sportstg.com//index.cfm?fuseaction=main&OrgID=10244
From the Race Committee
This Saturday’s race at Uriarra requires a Race Director, 2 x ETCs and Van Driver. Anyone willing to assist, please advise the Race Committee (race.committee@actvets.cc).
RACING THIS WEEK:
Saturday, 17th September – Uriarra Homestead
Reminder: All riders must register on the CRMCC Web site (https://rms.actvets.cc/calendar) by 16/9/2022 6:00 PM prior to the race. There is no registration at the event.
Any requests for Grade changes should be sorted out with the Handicapper prior to registration.
Where: Assemble at Uriarra Rd / Brindabella Rd, T-Junction. From North Canberra slightly faster Coppins crossing & right onto Uriarra Road. From Sth Canberra follow Cotter Road down to bridge crossing, turn right onto Brindabella Road.
When: 1:30 pm.
Race Description:
Two laps of Uriarra Homestead – top of Uriarra Crossing – Condor Creek – Homestead.
ABCD do extra 1/2 lap to top of Uriarra Crossing and back.
Race Director: tba Contact: Email: tba Ph tba
Marshals: David Witham, Howard Moffat ETC, Vacant ETC x 2, Vacant Van Driver.
RACE REPORT:
Uriarra Homestead – 10th September
Racing at Uriarra turned out to be a cracker last Saturday. The showers that passed through Canberra in the morning were banished to the east, the wind behaved itself, and the temperature climbed high enough to see many of the 17 starters rip off wind vests and arm warmers. Riders faced an additional challenge along the false flat as our black-and-white feathered friends were joined by two other mysterious swoopers who were ready to maul any unsuspecting stragglers as they dodged the potholes near the Crossing. The shortened Uriarra course between East-West Road and the Crossing was going to favour the speedsters despite some quiet grumblings about an ‘uphill finish’.
A Grade kicked off first, with a reasonably-sized peloton of 7, followed by a combined start of B and C with Ed Hall making a spectacularly late start after a mechanical around Cotter. Whilst the A Grade group stayed reasonably close together on the first lap, by the second a group of 5 had dropped Dave Parker and Aaron Thomson, with Aaron soon being joined by Brenton Clarke from B Grade who bridged the gap. The group of 5 stayed tight right up until the final sprint through the intersection, with Ben Morrison taking out the win just ahead of Gerard Tiffen. Paul Scherl snuck into 3rd place just ahead of Andrew McCosker and Nathan Spillane, with Dave and Aaron finishing further back. The three B Grade riders were strung out through various groups, with Brenton Clarke taking the win, Peter Young staying with the C Graders and Ed Hall using up the last of his bikkies for third.
C Grade followed the pattern of A Grade. The lead group stayed tightly packed for the first two laps, managing to shake off a few stragglers on the climb up the false flat right up to the downhill of the final lap. Coming back out of the Crossing, it was everyone for themselves. Ian Preston took the win just ahead of Darren Blackhurst on the line, with Ed Logue a minute behind for third. Special mention to John Paul de Sousa who after being dropped made up a significant amount of time on the last lap, only finishing behind Kevin Wells by 12 seconds, with Matt Hinchcliffe puncturing after surviving an attack from the mysterious swooper earlier in the second lap.
With no D Graders, the solo E and F Grade riders (Allan Bontjer and Lindsay Graham respectively) also started together. With a target to finish their two laps ahead of A Grade and get first dibs on the biscuits, Allan and Lindsay kept up the pace and managed to get their Arnotts Assorted first, crossing the line together two minutes ahead of A Grade.
Big thanks to Owain Tilley for driving the van and finding the missing keys to the flip signs; Sue Powell, Joel Rahman and Howard Moffatt for deciphering the traffic plan and marshalling; Simon Whitehead for being present for first aid and not having to be used; and to David Parker for stepping the newbie RD through the timing app.
See you again at Uriarra next Saturday.
Simon Costello
