8.3 August 20 Bleat

Post date: Aug 20, 2012 12:21:6 PM

Hello Vets,

In this issue of The Bleat;

· Racing this Week – Dairy Flat Criterium - Points Race

· The Iron Mike – Race Director’s report.

· Volunteers Required – for the Junior Nationals

· The ACT Election – Your chance to have your say about cycling.

· In this week’s Member Profile we look at Pat Rooke.

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

Ian Morton.

RACING THIS WEEK:

Saturday, 25th August: Dairy Flat Criterium - Points Race

Where: Dairy Road, Fyshwick.

When:

A/B to start at 1.30pm - 50min + 1 lap

C/D to start at 2.30pm - 40min + 1 lap

E/F/G to start at 3.20pm - 30 mins + 1 lap

Sign on: 15 mins before scheduled start time wearing your registered number.

Race Description:

Criterium - Road Hot Dog - . Points - 3, 2, 1 every second lap and 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 on last sprint.

Race Director: Kim Malcolm

Contact: Email: jakmalco@tpg.com.au Ph: 62317973

Help Needed on Saturday: Kim will need some helpers at the finish line to run the race. Please contact him if you can assist.

Some Important Reminders about Race Organisation;

To help in the smooth running of races, could members please assist by;

· Arriving at the venue before the scheduled signon on time (usually 15 minutes before the scheduled race start) to give time to enter and print the starting sheets,

· Having your helmet ready at signon for inspection,

· Having your race number visible (not hidden under race jacket),

· Ensuring you report back to the Race Director if you DNF to ensure we can account for all riders.

This will all help in ensuring the smooth running of the events.

Lookout Hill Race Report

On one of the coldest days of this year 76 riders braved the cold, wind and snow to ride the longest race on the calendar, the Iron Mike Handicap.

Fortunately the sun came out as G Grade started the 58km course. G Grade started 42 minutes ahead of A1.

As riders head out of SFP and turned left on to Uriarra Rd they went straight into the bitter head wind and from all accounts the bunches started breaking up straight away.

The winners were: bronze went to Graham Albon, who just missed out on the silver, which went to Michael Tolhurst. But the gold went to the clear winners Don Mankewich and Ashley Carruthers on the tandem. Michael record the fastest time of 1 hour 26 minutes, A notable mention is given to the first woman, Angie Wren, she just piped Rosemary Robinson on the line.

Thanks to the marshals who stood in the cold for over 3 hours – Bob Kent, Kev Hennessy, Phil Coulton, Alex Sommariva, Steve Dean and Lee Hopson and his little helper Max. And as always thanks to Henry Beaverstock, Graham Hendrie and the SMA First Aider Brendan..

Thanks to Pat Rooke for Race Refereeing.

Race results on the RMS: http://rms.actvets.cc/

For anyone who wants the detailed times, you can get them from http://www.actvets.cc/results/2012-winter-season-results

Volunteers required for the Junior Nationals.

The Junior National Road Championships 2012 will be held on 7-9 September. The organisers are looking for volunteers to help out with official duties.

If you can spare some time to help, please contact;

Cherrie Kneebone

0408 263 337

Vollie Co-ordinator

Junior National Road Champs 2012

Cherrie_kneebone@bigpond.com or Cherrie.kneebone@team.telstra.com

Your chance to have a say about cycling in Canberra in the lead up to the ACT Election.

It’s Election Time and Pedal Power ACT is holding a pre-Election forum on Wednesday, 19th September, 7:30 – 9:00pm at the Johnson Auditorium, Church’s Centre, 69 Northbourne Av.

There will be presentations from the ACT Greens, ACT Labor and the Canberra Liberals and the opportunity for questions from the floor. Attendance is free.

Members who would like to raise their views with the party representatives are encouraged to attend.

ACT Veterans Member Profile

In our next member profile we look at we look at Pat Rooke;

How long have you been a member of ACT Vets?

Since November 2009. Linda Banks told me about a friendly club that allowed older people to race their bikes. I was looking to compare myself to others (I am just a little bit competitive) and I wanted to ride fast in a controlled environment.

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

Diary Flat Crit and Queanbeyan Velodrome – they are the only courses that are flat, though there is a slight hill on the back straight at the velodrome J I love the track nights, it is a fun & social

What Grade did you start in with the Vets?

G Grade.

What do you like about racing with the Vets?

I like that everyone is able to have a go, no matter what gender, whether you have a disability or how old or slow you are.

I started only doing the only crits, then did some road races and the TTs. Not that I am very good but I also went to some state and national events too. The beauty of being a masters/vet rider is you can just enter these events, you don’t have to be the best. Then one day Barbara Bayliss talked me into coming to a track night, she wanted some more women to go. The vets track nights let you ride your road bike. I had so much fun. You have a race then you sit around and chat, then you do another race etc. It took me a few months then I got the courage to ride a track bike (no brakes or gears), that was even more fun. Then a few of the guys asked me to come and try the Narrabundah Velodrome, that was so scary to start but then the thrill of the speed took over. Earlier this year I entered into the ACT Track Championships, which is held in Sydney at Dunc Gray Velodrome (we really need to get an indoor velodrome in Canberra), this was the first time on a timber velodrome. I am so hooked.

How long have you been cycling?

4 years.

What got you interested in cycling?

I was very over weight, and I needed to do something. I started running but that hurt my knees, so I try riding on a clunky Huffy. It was hard work but I loved the down the hills. The next ride I went out with my sisters on a borrowed hybrid, that was a much easier ride, though it was hard to keep up with them. I bought a new bike 2 weeks later and weight started to fall off.

What was your most memorable ride?

Riding at Dunc Gray Velodrome (DGV). I love the speed of track riding and riding on the boards, it is such a rush. When you come off the banking to hit the 200m line, leaning into the corner at full speed, it is the closest thing I have felt that come close to coming down Conrod at Mt Panorama at 270kph.

What is/was your favourite bike?

My Pro-Lite Trentino Alloy Track bike. It is not an expensive bike but it is beautiful, so much so that I have it hanging in my lounge room.

Where do you work?

AusAID

How do you find the time to train?

It is hard to fit it in working fulltime and I am not a morning person so I do a lot indoors on a mag trainer. I also go to Narrabundah Velodrome and whenever I can get to Sydney I go to DGV.

Do you have a special training regime?

I have sort of a program I try to follow. I am wanting to enter into the next ACT Track Championships so I am now doing lots of weights and intervals, and when I get to a velodrome I try and work on the technical aspects of sprinting, there is a lot to learn.

What does your family think of your cycling?

Greg, my husband, is my biggest supporter and my chief mechanic. I think the kids think I am nuts, but they are used to Mum going off and doing crazy things.

An interesting fact about yourself;

I have raced at car on Mt Panorama, Phillip Island and Easter Creek circuits. And both my sisters are also ACT Vets.

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