Post date: Dec 07, 2014 8:47:54 PM
Hello Vets,
In this week's Bleat;
• Registration for 2015 is now open
• From the President - Where do your Race Fees go?
• From the Handicapper's desk
• Interstate Events
• Racing this Week
• Race Reports
Please send me your contributions at: TheBleat@actvets.cc
Ian Morton
You can find archived copies of the Bleat: here.
The Registration system on IMG is open for next year's subscriptions. Simply go to the IMG site. Logon with the username and password that you used to register last year. The annual subscription for 2015 remains unchanged.
If you have forgotten your password, go to top right hand corner and click on username and password. That will enable IMG to send you another password to your email address. To ensure you transfer the numbers and letters correctly it is advised to cut and paste.
Any queries please direct them to membership@actvets.cc and not the contact on the password retrieval page.
As members will know, we have raised the road race sign-on fee to $10 during the winter season - mainly due to steep additional costs in complying with new road race requirements, primarily in the ACT. The Club Committee has recently decided to maintain the fee at $10 but we are keeping it under review.
To give you an idea of how the fee is spent, let's look at the last four road races. We have had: 1. the Uriarria scratch race, 2. the handicap at Old Federal highway, 3. scratch race at Lookout Hill, and 4. the Mt McDonald TT. Competitor numbers and (revenue) were: zero ($0) for the first (it was a washout); 50 ($500) for the second, 25 ($250) for the third and same for the fourth. Total = $1,000.
For our variable costs, each race requires a First Aid person @ $33/ per hour - generally $100 per race. The NSW race requires us to do a letter box drop of local residents who have driveways along the course - $125 for this. We offer NSW race lead and trail car drivers about $25 each in petrol money (not all take it), then there are the petrol and running costs for the club van for each race and for one of these races, there were trophy costs. We also have to attribute our fixed costs such as the recent costs of the new Australian Standard compliant signage (some $6,000) as well as upkeep costs for the van, computer, printer, comms. equipment, the defibrillator, etc, etc.
Our treasurer tells me that over the last four races we managed to make a slight surplus on our variable costs, over revenue, but taking into account fixed costs, we are would have only broken even . . . perhaps.
A sustained increase in race participants would see us in a better position, but for the moment, leaving the road race fee at $10 seems prudent.
For the money, you are getting a well controlled race which meets ACT and NSW police requirements, and in compliance with rigorous risk management principles; for example meeting Australian Standards signage and use of accredited traffic controllers at turn points, submitting race plans for approval. You are also under the 'care' of a sports trainer qualified in first aid (I can personally vouch for the value of this) and lots more.
We are in a better position with the criterium races at SFP. If we have 100 riders, our revenue is $500. The rent for SFP and the cost of first aid/trainer attending is in the vicinity of $330 for the night. Not a windfall, as you can see, but we are pretty safe in leaving the criterium fee at $5. If we have very low numbers due to inclement weather, the club still has to pay the usual charge for the first aid/trainer.
For our track cycling, the cost of the velodrome is $75 per night. If 20 members attend track at $5 per member then the club is ahead. As the hire fee is paid in advance, the club has yet to negotiate any refunds due to inclement weather.
Hope this enlightens members somewhat. Our club is still in a very good financial position and will remain so. We are very grateful to our members who volunteered to undergo the Accredited Traffic Controller course (we now have 25 ATCs) and give their services for free when we run ACT events. His saves us up to $1,300 per race - and means the difference between being able to run races or not. We are also grateful for our volunteer marshals - again we would have to severely cut back our race program or go broke without this help. Long may it continue!
Regards
Alex O'Shea
President
One recommendation from the handicapper's desk in Krabi, Thailand;
• Michael Golding E -> D
Robert Langridge
• Classic Adelaide Masters Cycling Series during the Tour Down Under week 17-25th Jan 2015.
Registrations are now open at http://www.samc.org.au/
• 2015 Riverina Rush Cycling Classic - Narrandera
- 28 Feb - Twilight Criterium
- 1 Mar - Road Cycle Classic
for more information contact Gerry Daly
Where: Stromlo Forrest Park
Sign on: 15 mins before scheduled start time wearing your registered number.
Race Description:
G Grade@ 5:45 - 13min + 2 laps; A/B Grade@ 6:07 - 40min + 2 laps; C/D Grade@ 6:53 - 30min + 2 laps; E/F Grade@ 7:31 - 25min + 2 laps
Race Director: Steve Schwenke
Contact: Email: schwenkes@homemail.com.au Ph 0412485729 or 62829775
The nominated marshals for this event are;
• Lynne Prentice
• Roger Northcote
Please confirm with the Race Director that you are available. If you unable to make the date that you have been rostered please find a replacement.
The Program for Wednesday is as follows:
5.30pm – 6.00pm: Warm-up and free practice;
6.00pm – 6.20pm: 8-lap Graded scratch race;
6.20pm – 7.10pm: 6 Lap Team Pursuit;
6.10pm – 7.20pm: 4 Lap Handicap;
7.20pm – 7.40pm: 6-Lap scratch (All in with B Grade early start).
Where: Assemble at Uriarra Rd / Brindabella Rd, T-Junction.
When: 9:00 am
Sign on: 15 mins before scheduled start time wearing your registered number.
Race Description: Urriara 3 - Uriarra Map course 3 - Start, F, A, C, A, Finish (Homestead, end of tar, Urriara, short turn, Urraira, Homestead)
Race Director: Alain Arbaut
Contact: Email arbaut@grapevine.net.au Ph 0400493148
The nominated marshals for this event are;
• Owain Tilley
• Doug Widdup
• Andrew McKechnie
• Alex Sommariva
• Clinton Porteous
• Pauline Thorn
• Mark Skimmings
Please confirm with the Race Director that you are available. If you unable to make the date that you have been rostered please find a replacement.
Please Note: In order to comply with the signage requirements we have to setup 45 SIGNS!!! around the Uriarra Course. Anyone who could turn up early to help out (particular anyone with a ute or van to carry the 1.2 meter signs) would be appreciated.
The weather on Sunday proved that Mother Nature has a sense of humour. She started the morning with a nice down pour deterring all but the bravest (foolhardy). Between Hartley and the threat of rain a small but dedicated group of riders stood at the start line. There were 26 riders in total with no A grade riders. The sun shined down on all those waiting for the race to start, revealing lovely blue Canberra skies. The pace was set early with many of the grades breaking up before the first lap had been completed. The only exception was D grade, which is not surprising as they were accompanied by a one man entertainment show. Then at about three quarters of the way into the race, the point where you have done so much that you really do not want to pull out, the heavens opened and the water came pouring down. There were no announcements made at the end of the race as most riders quickly left in the search for warm and dry cloths. The clear winner was Marc Vroomans who crossed the line a good thirty seconds ahead of Michael McGurgan. C grade was lead by Ian McVay followed by Dale Kleeman. Despite his repeated attempts at entertainment out on the course Terry Merrigan still had enough energy left to win D grade closely followed by Cameron Ermert. The three hearty soles left in E grade were lead across the line by David Gunther and then Ross Robinson.
Ian Morton managed to push up Lookout Hill to beat Barbara Bayliss. And despite some confusion over the number of laps, Bruce Jones was able to catch up to and overtake Angelika Mauch to finish first in G grade.
I would like to thank all of the marshals who ensured that the race ran smoothly without any major incidents. They are John De Sousa, Dale Teddy, Graham Hendrie, Brad White and Denis Jessop.
Special thanks go to Graham Hendrie and Dale Teddy who put out and collected those monstrous signs required by the new approval process.
There were 33 in total. That meant that not only did they have to put in a concerted effort to get the signs out before the race, they had to stay back after the race to get them all back in again. That is, while many of us were back home having changed into dry cloths, Graham and Dale were still in the rain dealing with the signs. Also note that as everything had been put into the van wet, Graham then had to unpack the van at home to give the equipment a chance to dry before being put back again. None of this is not a trivial effort and is invaluable support for the running of our races.
Thanks to Race Director Linda Stals
A pleasant if a little warm start to our evenings racing. Thanks to the additional marshals who volunteered and helped guide the runners through the crit track with seemless effect.
G grade was away first and the bunch of 5 stayed together until the final 3 laps when one of the riders was dropped, the others, continued through to the end with riders sprinting to the finish Bruce Jones was too strong for the others with Graham Lindsay outlasting Tony Sheehan.
F grade had low numbers with pack of 3 sticking together throughout until the final sprint when Pat Rooke over powered James Meredith and Barbara Bayliss.
E grade started with 13 and was largely a steady race throughout with a couple of different attacks which were short lived. The final sprint resulted in Michael Golding outlasting Alex Sommariva and further back to Ian Morton.
D grade had 21 starters with 4 DNFs by the end largely caused by a strong pace throughout and the occasional surge. Peter Harding proved too strong in the sprint followed by Sean Flemming and then James Curran.
C grade started with 12 of which only the 1 was a DNF during the race. A tight finish at the end resulted in Jeff Gough finishing ahead of Wayne Shippley and Tim Mincham.
A & B grade had the best of the weather conditions with light winds and temperature below 30 and the runners having finished by this stage. However, the Kangaroos came to graze and thanks to Jason who managed to encourage them to find better grazing elsewhere. Tempers frayed towards the end of the race when trying to separate the grades for the final sprint laps. We will look into this for future races and ensuring communications by passing group and others is early and clear. The riders being passed must keep left. No sudden changes in direction will be tolerated in order to make it safe for all. Behaviour and language need to improve no matter what the circumstances.
B grade had 27 starters and the largest field for the night. There were some initial surges by various riders until the pack settled into a fast paced race. Various individuals took solo leads but were reeled back by the pack. The final sprint proved a close affair with Craig Apponeal finishing ahead of Chris Wilson and Michael McGurgan.
A grade started with 20 riders and the continual surges took its toll on a couple of riders. With about 20 minutes to go Stephen Isbel took a chance and managed to build up a half a lap lead and maintained this for a few laps until the pack fought back. This was again a tight sprint for the line with Mark Harris winning from Stephen Isbel and Tom Hartley.
I have a pair of sunglasses, a pump and a tube left behind at the crit, please contact me if they are yours.
Thanks to all the marshalls Henry, Tom and Jason with assistance from others with runners James, Phill, Paul and others whose names I failed to get. All helped for safer racing conditions. Thanks also to James Jordan and Tom for being our first-aiders on the night.
In contrast to previous weeks, the weather conditions were almost perfect for Sunday's Annual Mt McDonald Time Trial up Brindabella Rd.
Again, the team is still getting used to the placement of our new signage around the course so thanks to Graham Hendrie for turning up early to get the signs in place. Just as well we had the practice for next week's race at Uriarra Course.
The 28 riders all got away safely on time. Cameron Ermert and John Barlow did complete the course despite grinding their gears all the way the first part of the course.
For the officials back at the start point, the most exciting event was watching a couple of Willy Wagtails chasing a Crow who was intruding on their territory.
Tom Hartley and Paul Scherl were back at the start in fairly short order with the rest of the field making their way back. Congratulations to the winners in each grade.
Thanks to the Marshals who turned up to assist, Brad Sellwood, Toby Driscoll, Doug Widdup, Russel Reid and Rusty. Thanks to James on the signon desk, Henry for timing and again to Graham for the sign setup.
Ian Morton, Race Director