Post date: Jun 25, 2013 9:15:56 AM
Hello Vets,
In the Bleat this week;
· Big Turnout of Female Riders
· Quite Interesting
· Important Reminder about Numbers
· Racing this Week
· Race Reports
Please send me your contributions at: TheBleat@actvets.cc
Ian Morton.
There was a big turnout of Ladies at Saturday’s event at the Old Federal Highway. In addition to the usual club members, the numbers were bolstered by “Angie’s Army”, a contingent her FIT training companions;
Amongst the regular FIT Ladies who are part of the ACT Vets scene there were 7 new riders (Clare, Belinda, Robyn, Janine, Shirley Geraldine and Megan) who competed on the weekend in our first trial race.
Under the watchful eye of our mentor and coach Angie Wren we gathered at the start point. There was plenty of nervous energy amongst the group, but with the support of each other and words of encouragement from Angie and the other FIT ladies present we felt ready to tackle the course.
As our first trial race we rode in ‘G’ grade which consisted of 10 other riders. The course was quite challenging but we all finished with smiles on our faces. Special congratulations to Clare, Belinda and Robyn, who took out first, third and fourth place in G grade.
Thanks to all the ACT Vets members who were most welcoming on the day. We hope to join you again soon.
Megan Carters
"Although Leonardo da Vinci drew some rough sketches of a contraption that looked like a bicycle, the Frenchman De Sivrac built the first bicycle-type vehicle in 1690. It was referred to as a hobbyhorse. However, it did not have pedals, those were added in 1840 by a Scottish blacksmith, Kirkpatrick Macmillan, who is credited with inventing the first real bicycle.
Contributed by Gordon Hollonds
The Marshals at the Finish Line would like to make a plea to riders to put their race numbers on their left hip, not under their wind vests and not in the middle of the back. It is very difficult to judge a close finish of three or more riders and then wait to try to identify them from obscured numbers.
Making your number visible is a rule and in this cold weather we understand the need for extra clothing but life at the Finish Line is a misery when numbers can't be seen.
Where: Dairy Road, Fyshwick.
When: Starting times below
Sign on: 15 mins before scheduled start time wearing your registered number.
Race Description:
Road Hot Dog
A/B to start at 1.30 - 50min + 1 lap;
C/D to start at 2.30 - 40min + 1 lap;
E/F/G to start at 3.20 - 30 mins + 1 lap.
Points - 3, 2, 1 every second lap and 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 on last sprint.
Race Director: Ian Shaw
Contact: Email ihshaw@gotalk.net.au Ph 0401794987 or 62538661
Help Needed on Sunday: Ian doesn’t require any marshals for this course but any helpers who are available to assist at the finish line, either before or after their race would be appreciated.
A good field of just under 100 riders turned up to the Old Federal Highway course on Saturday afternoon. After a sunny morning, the afternoon saw the clouds roll in amid strengthening south easterly winds. Most riders were keen to get moving at the start line giving the increasingly cold weather.
All grades were well represented, especially C and D grades which had 18 riders each in the bunch. G grade was also bigger than normal with 7 new riders keen to try out with the Vets (I don't think Bruce Jones has had so much company in the last 2 years!).
All grades got away well and so it was that the marshalling crew at the finish line hunkered in for what was close to 2 hours of standing around in the cold. As expected, A grade was the first group to come back into sight from Shingle Hill. Tightly bunched with the exception of Brendan Byatt off the front, they were all business as they took off towards the lake. The rest of the grades started to make their way around the corner and out to the lake. The large cohort in C grade was charging well getting quite close to B grade when passing the finish line on the way out to the lake. The other grades mostly stuck together with the exception of G grade which had been blown to pieces with the addition of some new riders.
Unfortunately we had an accident in C grade with Alex O'Shea hitting the deck 500m from the Lake George turn. This stopped the C grade bunch as they looked after Alex and arranged for appropriate assistance (the ambulance was called). Last I saw, Alex was on his way to hospital so hopefully he was not too badly banged up and will be back on the bike soon.
For this event, G grade was only racing out to Lake George for 1 lap and it caused a little confusion at the finish line as G grade sprinted for the line whilst other riders still had a lap to go.
With riders still spread over the 6kms to Lake George and back, we started to have the first of the grades make their way back for the sprint. A grade remained tightly bunched with Mark Harris winning a very competitive sprint. Michael Hanslip comfortably won B with a strong effort up the last hill breaking his opposition. I'm sure the handicapper will be looking at Michael's strong performances over the last month! C grade, reduced in size due to the accident was won by Adrian Rollins with visitor Peter Velloza coming in second. Geoff Strang won D grade from Richard Gorell, who is still riding with good form.
E Grade was won by Terry Danaher, whilst F grade was taken out by Mick Donaldson. Clare D'Ary, a new rider, comfortably won G grade and with Errol Neish was more than a minute in front of their nearest competitors.
Nearly half an hour after the first A grade riders finished our last rider crossed the line and James Meredith was onto the computer to get the results out quickly so everyone could escape the cold and start the trek home. Thanks very much to the marshals for the day which included, Kelvin Alley (lead car), Elton Ivers (trail car), Aaron Sedgmen (Shingle Hill turn) and Belinda Wren (Lake George turn). Brad Sellwood and Eddie O'Rielly did a great job in the finishing chute, and the every reliable Henry Beaverstock and James Meredith looked after the finish line..
Thanks to Rohan Verco for race refereeing.