Post date: Sep 05, 2016 12:51:38 PM
Hello Vets,
An early Bleat this week;
• Welcome to our new President
• National Capital Tour - We Need You!
• From James Meredith
• RFM team fundraising for the Hartley Cycle Challenge
• Racing this Week
Please send me your contributions at: TheBleat@actvets.cc
Ian Morton
Since the sad loss of Alex O'Shea earlier this year, the club has been without a President. The Committee is pleased to announce that Dougal Torrance has stepped in to fill the position of Club President.
Dougal Torrance is Canberra born and bred and has been racing both on an off road since the turn of the century. Dougal was the vice president of the Canberra Cycling Club, has assisted in organising major cycling events and has ridden for various Canberra teams, although by his own admission, never very effectively. Dougal has worked in both public and private enterprise and is currently undertaking a Masters of Teaching at University of Canberra.
We welcome him to the position and encourage club members to give him their full support in his new role.
Are you, your family, neighbours or strangers off the street able to spend time helping at this year’s National Capital Tour? Be part of the 2016 National Capital Tour on the 16 – 18 September and Volunteer!
This year we have secured an inner city location (Embassy circuit) on the Saturday but it is resource heavy for volunteers, so any assistance would be appreciated. If you could volunteer a half day on Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning it would be seen as invaluable! Of course there will be food, drink and a free T-shirt for all volunteers.
The National Capital Tour attracts the best domestic riders in Australia and New Zealand, and with the inclusion of graded races, we are looking to put Canberra back on the map for high quality cycling events in Australia. That is why your help is so important. If you could volunteer for any part of the weekend of Friday 16 September – Sunday 18 September then simply send an email, make a phone call or text a message! For further information please contact John Armstrong (text or call) on 0412 257 990 or contact the event coordinator (Joanne) at events@capitalcycling.org.au . The ACT Vets Club has been tremendous in their support in previous years and we look to your continued support this year.
Thought I would let you know that I am still riding. The Gold Coast Masters (local Vets club) has crits on Sundays and track on Thursdays.
We have two dedicated crit tracks (Runaway Bay and Nerang) and a block in an industrial estate at Gaven. Only the very occasional road race as the road closure stuff is too difficult to get permissions. The Nerang crit track as a "hill" which every one talks about as if it where Honeysuckle but it is more like the last rise on the return from Lake George on the Old Federal Hwy. Oh, by the way, they don't have either G or F grades here so I have been riding E which I think is quite similar in pace over the shorter distances in crits. I may have to be a bit careful as the numbers have been down and I have had a few placings!
The crits are managed with about the same times as Vets grades but they start each grade in several minute intervals and then have everybody on the course at the same time. It can get a bit scary at times but most grades are respectful of their juniors.
The track at Nerang has a steeper bank than Q'beyan but no where near the bunda dome and it is 480 metres long. We are trying desperately to encourage riders (sound familiar?) and lately we have been doing 50 laps behind a derny. You can catch a glimpse here: https://www.facebook.com/GoldCoastMastersCycling.
regards James
A great movie event for everyone interested in cycling.....
As part of our fundraising for the Hartley Cycle Challenge the Rural Funds Management team will be putting on drinks and finger food plus a screening of "Pantani:The accidental death of a cyclist" on September 17th.
Except from the movie blurb.....
"Pantani was a hero to millions and was seen as the saviour of cycling during a time when doping scandals threatened to destroy the sport. But six years after his extraordinary feats and aged only 34, tragically Pantani was dead. Discovered in a cheap Italian hotel, he died alone apparently from acute cocaine poisoning.
Shot over two years in the French Alps, Italian Alps and Dolomites and the places of Pantani's greatest victories. This is the story of the greatest climber of his generation, man versus mountain, athlete versus the system, Marco Pantani versus himself"
Venue: Telstra Tower bottom floor
Time: 7pm Saturday 17th of September
Price: $25 per head which includes Italian-inspired finger food.
The bar will open to purchase Italian beer and wine.
Booking information:
Credit card bookings - please call 62824411
OR
Direct transfer St George Bank
BSB 112-908 Acc. 483684207
Where:Assemble at Uriarra Rd / Brindabella Rd, T-Junction.
When: 1:30 pm.
Sign on: 15 mins before scheduled start time wearing your registered number.
Race Description:
Uriarra Homestead - Club Championship course
Race Director: Ben Davis
Contact: Email: bdavis@internode.on.net Ph 0416014629
3 additional Marshals required for this event. Please contact Ben if you can assist.