4.4 April 30 Bleat

Post date: Apr 30, 2012 12:48:43 PM

Hello Vets, welcome to another issue of The Bleat. In this week’s issue;

· Racing this Week – Apollo Road.

· Racing next Week – Stromlo Crit.

· Uriarra Homestead – Race Director’s report.

· Rob Diamond – Update

· From the Desk of the Handicapper – Road Grading changes

· In this week’s Member Profile we look at Mike Hayes.

Please send me your contributions at: TheBleat@actvets.cc

Ian Morton.

RACING THIS WEEK:

Saturday, 5^th May: Apollo Road Graded Scratch

Where: Travel to Tharwa, then left onto NAAS Road (If via Gordon/Right if Via Tidbinbilla Road). Go Past Nature reserve, Tenant hill, Turn Right onto Apollo road. Park on top of hill at disused tracking centre

Time: 1:30 pm

Sign-on: At least 15 minutes before scheduled race time. Numbers must be worn on the bottom left of your jersey.

Race Description: Honeysuckle Summit Apollo Road Start Short - Namadgi Visitor Centre Long - 1.5 km north of Tharwa on Tidbinbilla Rd.

Race Director: James Jordan

Contact:; Email: jcjordan@internode.on.net

Help Needed on Saturday: We will require road marshals and at least two others to help at the start/finish. Please advise if you can help.

New Rules

To meet new AVCC rules, the club will be required to meet the following conditions for racing;

· Helmets – All members must wear helmets that meet Australian Standards. Competitors must present their helmet for inspection prior to the race to confirm it has one of the Australian Standards approval labels (shown below) and is in good condition.

· Bikes – Bikes must be roadworthy. Bikes will be checked for independent front and rear brakes and fitted with handlebar plugs.

· Racing Jerseys must cover upper arms and shoulders.

Racing Next Week

Due to lack of Road Approvals, the planned race at Bungendore on the 12^th May has been replaced by a Criterium at Stromlo.

Update on Rob Diamond

Club President, Rob Diamond, unfortunately had a crash last week;

Well I managed to do a pretty good job of smashing myself up. I went down in the Bakery ride Saturday a week back. I hoped I was just badly bruised but it turned out I had fractured my hip. Fortunately nothing was badly misplaced so with some very clever keyhole surgery and a few pins I am now recovering nicely. Alas I have to keep all weight off the leg for another 5 weeks so it will be a while before I am back on the bike. Many thanks to my friends for their care till the ambulance turned up. Pleased to say the bike fared better than I did. The only good news last week was my new Dolan frame finally arrived.

Hope to see you back soon Rob.

Uriarra Race Report

A lovely day saw 89 riders take the field at Uriarra on Saturday. Grades were well represented as only a light wind and a few motor bikes blew across the course.

Ian Downing pounced (as only he can) in the last 100 metres beating Paul Scherl and Greg Burghart in A grade. John Thorn proved to strong for the other B graders eclipsing Marc Vroomans and Kevin Woods. C grade was taken out by a fearless Gordon McMenemy just ahead of a fine form Ross Robinson and Steve Schewenke. In D grade Peter Harding made it look easy (I’m sure it wasn’t) coming in ahead of Dale Teddy and Bob Harlow. An enormous E grade of 17 (the E Grade Massive) seemed to fly apart at the seams on the second lap and saw Brian Chugg win ahead of Greg Shaw and Andrew Douglas. F grade looked imposing with 16 riders with many riders putting in fine performances. Ian Shaw taking first in front of Mike Corke and Malcolm Tew. Polly Templeton took on G grade and won convincingly. 3 tandems took to the course. Don and Rosemary duked it out against Brandie and Kerrie and won in a tough race, with John and Cameron coming in a creditable third.

I’d also like to report on the efforts made by fellow and fellowette (is that a word?) Vets to run the race itself.

The amount of behind the scenes activity prior to the race start and the number of people involved is considerable. The Vets have a number of stalwarts that manage everything from uniforms to race course approvals, time keeping to lollipop holding. This organization seems to come together seamlessly and effortlessly on the day, but it’s not without a great deal of hard work. Did you know for instance that race approvals have to be submitted several months in advance and once approval is given the race route and time cant be changed.

Anyway many thanks to Henry, Grahame, Bill, Simone, Mick, Baden, Chris and James who kept me sane, put up with my jokes and made the race a success on the day.

Thanks to Lee Hopson for Race Refereeing.

Full race results on the RMS: http://rms.actvets.cc/

From the Handicapper’s Desk

Road Grade Changes;

· Aaron Sedgman B to A

· Pauline Thorne F to G

· Jeff Keyte F to G

· Phillip Coulton F to G

· Bob Miller F to G (Bob must provide 2012 registration form before being allowed to race).

· Adrian Pridden F to G

ACT Veterans Member Profile

In our next member profile we look at we look at Mike Hayes;

How long have you been a member of ACT Vets?

I have been a member of the Vets since October 1994. Prior to that, I raced for one year in the Canberra Cycling Club and was so glad to get away from racing against the young guns of that club. They didn’t talk and I could sense that they thought I should be returned to the fossil dig from whence I came. Unfortunately they were correct (cheeky brats).

What is your favourite course in the ACT Vets racing calendar and why?

It used to be every course that had hills, hills and more hills. Nowadays (and especially since 2002) it is any course that doesn’t move the spirit level bubble from its central location. However, Gunning holds a special interest.

What Grade did you start in with the Vets?

I started in A grade can you believe. I was in the process of negotiating a lower grade when the then President (Keith Davis) came racing over and said to the official “put this bloke in A grade”. After feelings of horror and intimidation, I finally composed myself and was able to keep up with the majority of the A graders, so I then spent the next few years circulating with them (and even won some races). Don’t ask me how but it did happen. Feeling pity on other riders is a wonderful thing don’t you think, especially when you are the recipient. It’s been a downhill ride through the grades ever since.

How long have you been cycling?

I have been cycling pretty near all my life. Commuting to school and then work. I remember with fondness racing bikes with some mates around the cattle sale yards of Wodonga, slipping and sliding in the cow crap and getting splinters from cannoning into the wooden railings. Ah, the smell of cow crap in the morning – sure beats napalm.

What got you interested in cycling?

My interest in racing bikes as an adult came from suffering too many running injuries through the 80’s. Marathons have a tendency to wreak havoc on the leg joints and I was not immune. However, having said that, falling off the bike on several occasions hurt more than the niggling running injuries.

What was your most memorable ride?

In respect of club racing, it had to be the win I had in the club championships of 2000 where I beat Richard Norris and Jim Thompson in the 50 to 54 category. The course was Gunning so that’s why it has special interest to me as a course. Outside of racing, it’s my two Simpson Desert crossings in 1995 and 1998 where I was able to keep the “sweep” vehicle at bay for each of the 5 days.

What is/was your favourite bike?

I haven’t had many bikes, but my favourite is the current black Kestrel. Ah, what a sleek, fast machine she was back in 1998 – bit dated now but then so am I. I actually bought it in Adelaide, but prior to that I used to ogle over an exact replica at a cycle store in Mitchell where it’s a wonder I wasn’t tossed out of the store on my ear each weekend as I manhandled and salivated all over their Kestrel without any intention of buying.

Where do you work?

I don’t work. I’m a bludger, living off you tax payers. So keep working hard because I could do with a bit more cash. However, I do deliver meals on wheels each week. They actually look quite good but probably taste like?/:”.

How do you find the time to train?

I have plenty of time to train since retirement but I actually do very little now.

Do you have a special training regime?

Prior to 2002 my training regime consisted of plenty of interval rides out on the Barton highway and also through the hills of the cotter/Uriarra. Post 2002 my training consists of a gentle ride to a predetermined cafe where I train hard on my bacon and eggs consumption. You will be pleased to know that I am improving immensely with this latest training regime. My waistline proves it.

What does your family think of your cycling?

Who cares, it’s my life, however the kids do support it. I do think that the ex missus ran away because she was jealous of my sleek, fast, smooth lined, sexy Kestrel, but I can’t confirm that.

An interesting fact about yourself;

The most interesting thing about me is that I’m totally uninteresting. Soon after reading this you will be saying “who is Mike Hayes”.

Here’s Mike on top of Alpe d Huez in 2006;

Race Referees

The other change required by the AVCC is that all future racing must be conducted by club registered Race Referees. The race committee is asking for volunteers to take on the role. The Referee should be knowledgeable in the rules of the AVCC, and the club, and be willing to enforce those rules to the benefit of the club and its members.

These members will be put on a rotating roster to undertake their duties throughout the year, with consideration given to obligations. Each referee will receive their membership for the year that they are roster at the clubs expense.

As everyone has already joined for this year we will wave all future race fees for the rest of the year for all this years rostered referees in lieu. The need for volunteers is a matter of urgency and we must be able to meet this requirement before the start of the winter season when the new policy will take effect.

The important question to be asked is what happens if we don’t get the minimum number of referees. The race committee will be forced to reassess the calendar and reduce the number of races.

If you are prepared to take on this role, please contact James at handicapper@actvets.cc

First Aiders

One of the other items that the Race Committee need to follow up on are those members who are current holders of a First Aid Certificate who are will to register to aid the club in this role.

This does not preclude the rider from racing, or performing any other duties, but it is a requirement of the insurance that we know who these people are should we need to call on their services.

It is also important to note that should anyone wish to get their certificate the club will pay the costs involved.