Post date: Jul 19, 2012 1:18:48 AM
Bonjour Vets, welcome to another special issue of Le Bêlement in honour of Le Tour. After some very tacky racing on Monday, we are looking forward to the start of the Pyrenees tonight.
In this week’s issue;
· Racing cette semaine – Colline de Lookout
· Tidbinbilla – Directeur de Course’s report.
· Rapport du Comité – important information from the Committee
· In this week’s Profil de Membre we look at Allan Bontjer.
Please send me your contributions at: TheBleat@actvets.cc
Ian Morton.
Where: Lookout Hill, Tidbinbilla Road.
When: 1:30 pm.
Sign on: 15 mins before scheduled start time wearing your registered number.
Race Description:
ABCD: Lookout Hill - Pt Hut - Apollo Rd - Pt Hut - Finish.
EFG: Lookout Hill - Pt Hut - short Tharwa turn - Pt Hut - short Tharwa turn - Pt Hut - Finish
Race Director: Peter Klein
Contact: Email: pklein12@tpg.com.au Ph (02) 6292 6592
Help Needed on Saturday: Peter will need five road marshals and helpers at the finish line to run the race. Please contact Peter if you can assist.
It’s important that we continue to observe all the relevant rules when out on the road. Some reminders for this week;
· Make sure we do not obstruct the road when lining up at the start.
· Make sure that once you have crossed the finish line, keep the road clear when you are warming down.
· Strictly no more than two abreast when on the road.
Weather for the Tidbinbilla race could best be described as ordinary but in spite of that 65 riders turned out to try their luck on what would turn out to be a day of hard racing in difficult conditions, surprisingly only 9 DNF’s for the day and most looking worst for trip as they came back in.
The A graders provided the closest finish of the day with Ian “Cadell” Downing outlasting Charles Nicoll at the line with Brendan Byatt in close proximity for a well earned 3rd. The marshals at the start finish line were treated to Mark Gillett’s impersonation of Marlena Dietrich by doing a partial burlesque strip at the completion of the first lap, and Reinhardt’s view that Di2 wasn’t the best kit a rider could have after a mechanical on the first return leg from Flint’s creek was certainly entertaining.
B Graders came in shortly after with Neil Skipper taking the honours from Rohan Verco and Adrian Rollins. Two wins in a row will likely see Neil back in the A’s after coming back from a rest.
C grade Ray Skinner and Ross McPherson duke out a close fought sprint finish with Owain Tilley in shortly after.
Delta Force welcomed Ian Donnelly to the club with a victory with Wayne Goodman and Anthony Pratt taking the minor placings just outlasting Andy Boyd.
E graders were treated to an Ian Cutmore lesson on how to do hills in poor weather, with a margin of 5 minutes to Malcolm Tew and George Pongracz making a welcomed return to racing. Ian will no doubt be testing his abilities with Delta force on his next outing.
F Troop saw the ladies taking the lion share of the podium with Mary Lovett taking the honours from Bob Miller and Barbara Bayliss.
Not to be outdone the ladies of G grade also shared the honours with Julianne Quaine first over the line with a 14 minute gap to Mike Spoljaric and Angelika Mauch. Julianne is likely to get some new riding buddies after such a strong performance.
Special thanks to Michael Golding, Michael Carr, Baden White, Rosemary Robinson, Lee Hopson for their help in marshalling and the usual suspects in Henry Beaverstock and James Meredith in keeping the race referee occupied and on task.
Thanks to Steve Dean for Race Directing.
Race results on the RMS: http://rms.actvets.cc/
For anyone who wants the detailed times, you can get them from http://www.actvets.cc/results/2012-winter-season-results
Phil Walker was left stranded after he lost his car keys so a special thanks to Jan for driving him home to retrieve his spare keys.
The ACT Vets Committee met last night. The key items for members to be aware;
· We are looking for suggestions for new courses to race. Please let us know if you have any ideas about a location for a new venue. It should be reasonably close to Canberra and a good road surface with not too much traffic.
· To meet the insurance requirements to have a qualified First Aid Officer in attendance at all races, the only practical solution is to engage a professional sports medicine service (which we have already conducted a 6 weeks trial). To cover the cost of this service, race fees may need to increase from $3 to $5 for all races (ACT and NSW).
· There are a number of changes to the Race Calendar being considered;
o We are looking at a weekend event down in Bega on the 1/2 December
o The 28th October will be left free for those who want to ride Fitz’s Challenge
o The Mt McDonald Hill Climb scheduled for 23rd Dec will probably be cancelled due to being only two days before Christmas.
The Committee is always looking for feedback from the members, so don’t be shy about letting the Committee know what you think.
This week we look at Allan Bontjer;
How long have you been a member of ACT Vets?
About ten years I think, maybe a little more.
What is your favourite course in the ACT Vets racing calendar and why?
Mundaring Drive, Kingston, or the Causeway a real criterium with 4 corners and gutters and lots of fun technical stuff.
What Grade did you start in with the Vets?
B grade and I think my first race was a Kingston criterium. I remember Rico Fitch smashing the race apart, could hardly ride home after coffee.
What do you like about racing with the Vets?
Hard and fast racing, there are some really good riders about the place. Plus the fact that we can have a chat afterwards and ride off happy
How long have you been cycling?
Since I was big enough to ride maybe 5 or 6, I think I raced at about 10 or 11.
What got you interested in cycling?
Dutch blood? Dunno I always rode and just wanted to ride.
What was your most memorable ride?
Silver at a NSW Scratch race championship at Dunc Gray a a few years back. Did my duty as a diligent team mate but still managed a silver, sandwiched on between two Masters World Champions on the track.
What is/was your favourite bike?
Well, I never sell bikes. I get attached. Probably my Llewellyn track bike.
Where do you work?
Bruce and O'Connor.
How do you find the time to train?
Just ride lots, ride to work, ride to the shops, ride to see people. Do a bit on the rollers for the hard stuff.
Do you have a special training regime?
Only when big events are coming up, otherwise just ride.
What does your family think of your cycling?
Lucky to have family members who are cyclists as well. But all in all very supportive.
An interesting fact about yourself;
Cycling was my second sport, played football mostly and even had a stint at the ANU playing alongside Ian Morton. I took up cycling mostly for the fitness and finally gave up football because I got to slow for the game.
The other change required by the AVCC is that all future racing must be conducted by club registered Race Referees. The race committee is asking for volunteers to take on the role. The Referee should be knowledgeable in the rules of the AVCC, and the club, and be willing to enforce those rules to the benefit of the club and its members.
These members will be put on a rotating roster to undertake their duties throughout the year, with consideration given to obligations. Each referee will receive their membership for the year that they are roster at the clubs expense.
As everyone has already joined for this year we will wave all future race fees for the rest of the year for all this years rostered referees in lieu. The need for volunteers is a matter of urgency and we must be able to meet this requirement before the start of the winter season when the new policy will take effect.
The important question to be asked is what happens if we don’t get the minimum number of referees. The race committee will be forced to reassess the calendar and reduce the number of races.
If you are prepared to take on this role, please contact James at handicapper@actvets.cc