Post date: Jun 12, 2013 6:8:39 AM
Hello Vets,
In the Bleat this week;
Important Reminder about Overtaking
Racing this Week
Race Reports
Please send me your contributions at: TheBleat@actvets.cc
Ian Morton.
At Saturday’s race, there was a complaint from a slower rider that he had been overtaken by the bunch with riders passing him on both sides. In the interests of safety and common courtesy, it is important that all riders follow basic rules when overtaking slower riders;
Signal to the rest of your bunch that there are slower riders ahead and move right
Warn the riders ahead that a bunch is overtaking
Give the slower riders plenty of clearance when passing
Don’t cut back in too soon. Give the slower riders plenty of clearance before you move back across
Never pass a rider on their left hand side.
This will ensure safe and enjoyable riding for all.
Where: Intersection of Dog Trap Rd and Long Rail Gully Rd, north of Murrumbateman.
When: Starting 1:30 pm
Sign on: 15 mins before scheduled start time wearing your registered number.
Race Description:
Secret Handicap
2 laps - 45km course.
There will be a 1-2 km neutral period at the start to ensure everyone has a chance
Race Director: Kim Malcolm
Contact: Email jakmalco@tpg.com.au Ph 0418643623
Help Needed on Sunday: Kim will need 2 turn marshals, Lead and Trail car drivers and a couple of finish line helpers. Anyone who is prepared to assist, please contact him before the weekend.
On a relatively warm and sunny day, 56 riders make their way to Gunning for that most "fun" of events - a handicap. With a full complement of marshals, the race director found himself with little to do apart from the rider briefing with Henry Beaverstock and James Meredith handling all of the starting line activities.
In an unusual situation, racing commenced on time, with A grade headed off 27 minutes after G2 - a one minute early mark given there were only four riders in A and 11 in B. Once all the riders were away, this was an opportunity for the race director and some of the marshals to perform more relaxed tasks - filling up the car with petrol and having some lunch. Upon returning to the start line (much later), the task of "guess when they will turn up" commenced, with Henry proving (once again) that he knows what he is doing.
Approximately an hour and nine minutes after A grade departed, the lead car was spotted in the distance, and soon it could be seen that a mass of riders filled the road behind it. In the end, Sean Ifland (B) took the sprint over Tom Hartley (FTD), with the A-graders filling three of the top four positions, having caught B grade shortly after the turn at Bredalbane. Thanks to Belinda Wren (tail car), Bob Kent (Lead car), Ian Shaw (Bredalbane turn), James Meredith (computer, starter and finish line), Henry ("everything"), Damien Clarke (Finish chute) and Harry and Ryan (comic relief)..
Thanks to Michael Fawke for race refereeing.