Post date: Oct 05, 2016 7:5:25 AM
Hello Vets,
In the Bleat this week;
• The Dutch Reach
• Crit and Track starting again
• Racing this Week
• Race Report
Please send me your contributions at: TheBleat@actvets.cc
Ian Morton
This item about”The Dutch Reach” has considerable merit. In right-hand drive countries like ours the reach would involve grabbing the driver side door with the LEFT hand. Anyway, I’m sure our members would be interested in this idea to improve rider safety.
Regards
Jeff Culnane
After another long, cold and often wet winter, spring has finally arrived and with it comes the start of the Crit and Track Racing season.
We'll also be taking a break from Road Racing in October with the next race scheduled for 13 November at Uriarra Homestead.
The first Crit race for the season will be on Tuesday 4th October at Stromlo. Race times will be 20 minutes + 2 laps due to the limited daylight.
The track racing season will kick off with a Practice Session starting at 6.00pm on Wednesday 5 October. There will be no racing. All interested riders are invited - particularly new riders and track novices. It is a great opportunity to give track a try!
Please note that Narrabundah Track is a high-banked, oval track suitable only for conventional fixed gear track bikes with a high bottom bracket. We are unable to accommodate road bikes on this track.
Note:
+ Narrabundah track is located off Goyder Street in Narrabundah;
+ We welcome riders to try a high-banked track for the first time;
+ New riders can get practical advice on gearing, bunch riding & track etiquette;
+ Interested riders can try out a track bike (bring your own pedals and shoes);
+ Experienced riders can tune up the machinery & motor;
+ All riders can express their preference for events & races;
+ The practice session will be around 1hr 30 mins starting 6.00pm;
+ There is no formal structure to the practice. We can assist with introductory training, if requested;
+ You can do your own thing, if you prefer.
A few basics on track etiquette for the practice session:
+ Use the designated track positions for cruising, tempo or fast pacing;
(The faster you ride the higher you should be positioned on track. Overtake outside other riders)
+ Hold your line - don't make changes of speed or position unless you are clear of other riders;
+ Be very careful if you are crossing or moving on / off the track;
+ Start from the fence and be aware of riders approaching;
+ It is best to wear clear goggles (the shaded portions of track have very low visibility with sunnies);
+ All riders will need to be cautious, as there will be novice riders at the practice session.
Regular track racing will start on Wednesday 12 October.
Last year was a great season and we had a dedicated bunch, with over 40 riders participating over the season. However, why should they have all the fun. If you have thought about it, come a give it a try, as we would like to have at least another ten regulars.
Where: Stromlo Forrest Park
Sign on: 15 mins before scheduled start time wearing your registered number.
Race Description:
5:50 E/F/G Grade - 20min + 2 laps;
6:15 A/C Grade - 20min + 2 laps;
6:40 B/D Grade - 20min + 2 laps;
Race Director: tba
Marshals: 2 required
If you can assist, please notify the Race Committee race.committee@actvets.cc
6:00 Practice Session.
With September rainfall just 1mm short of a record and Lake George now with water, the journey to the ACTVCC mini-tour was to prove as challenging as the race. I drove the club's van as Graham Hendrie was taking a well deserved break. The van is very easy to drive, but was being noticeably buffeted on the Federal Highway. Those of us who turned off at Collector and drove towards Breadalbane faced low-lying sheets of water, luckily very shallow, but stretching on for around 50 metres. A number of sport-type passenger cars were turning back.
When we arrived at Breadalbane, looming rain clouds and very strong winds made us wonder if anyone would turn up at all. However, some hardy souls, the type who would race no matter what, were already there, but noticeably absent was anyone cycling in the gale-like winds. There was to be no warm up for most.
The vets has a great pool of volunteers and even in conditions like this, Sue Powell (fresh from Rio), Bob Miller and Kev Hennessy turned up. Dave McGuiness rang to see if we needed anyone else. By 11:50 we had 14 riders, with Owain Tilley in full regalia and warming up on his rollers, trying to forget the cold. At 12:00 the first rider set away on the M&H Time Trial, donated by Henry and Marilyn Beaverstock. Heading into a strong wind had some doing 15 kph towards Gunning and 60 kph on the return. Just after 30 minutes, the first rider returned - a very credible result for the extreme conditions. This was an age-adjusted time trial, with all but one rider riding (understandably) just a tad slower than their age-adjusted standard.
The riders elected to commence the road race 30 minutes after the time trial's conclusion, to save a long wait in the cold. Eleven elected to start, so it was decided to run a single grade and shorten the event to just over 20km. The road race was slightly more leisurely and was over in 40 minutes.
A huge thank you to the marshals and to Graham Hendrie, who prepared the van and developed the computer system that makes administering a race so easy.
Bill Frost