Post date: Oct 20, 2014 9:0:13 PM

Hello Vets,

In this week's Bleat;

• Fund Raising BBQ at the Crits

• Everesting the National Arboretum

• Renovation and repair of "The Bundahdome"

• Fitz's Challenge – 26 October 2014

• Ride 2 Remember

• Interstate Events

• Racing this Week

• Race Reports

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

Ian Morton.

ps A reminder that if your EMail address is not correct please go to the IMG system, login and update your contact details. Use this link. Same login details when you renewed your membership

Fund Raising BBQ at the Crits

Some club members will be riding the Hartley Lifecare Challenge from Canberra to Mt Kosciusko and back in late November.

For the next four weeks they will be running a BBQ at the crits to raise some much needed funds for this wonderful cause that helps people living with disability in our community.

So after you have done the handwork in your race, we encourage you to stick around and buy something to eat.

Everesting the National Arboretum

What is you ask? Everesting is repeating a hill on your bicycle until you reach the 8848 climbing meters gained to summit Mt Everest. I hope to inspire others to join the RECOGNISE movement and to promote Indigenous health.

Join me and the Recognise crew for a yarn and a feed at the Southern Deck for a great family day out (and if you are keen bring your bike as well);

- Where: The National Arboretum Canberra

- Date: November 1 2014

- Time: 9am on the Southern Deck

The Arboretum is a 120 metre climb so I’ll need to do 78 laps (just to be safe). One whole lap is 4.3 kilometres which means I’ll ride 335km all up. I plan to start at 3am on Saturday 1 November, and aim to finish between 8pm to 10pm. Public access to the Arboretum is from 6.30am (riders willing to join me early on will have access from the side gate before 6.30am).

If you are keen to volunteer on the day, please get in touch at media@recognise.org.au

Chris Simpson

Renovation and repair of "The Bundahdome"

Renovation and repair of sprinters lane in turns one and two will begin on 27 October and be completed by 5 November.

The contractors have advised that they expect the track to be available for use on the intermediate weekend (1,2 November).

Vets track racing organisers will meet soon and advise on the season plans after the initial practice sessions

Fitz's Challenge – 26 October 2014

Canberra's biggest and best known long-distance one-day cyclo-sportive participation event on sealed rural roads in hilly terrain in the southwest of ACT.

Challenge yourself over 255 km, 205 km, 165 km, 105 km or 50 km – these are serious physical challenges to test your capabilities. (The 205 and 255 km rides qualify as Audax rides for those interested).

Conducted by Pedal Power ACT (www.pedalpower.org.au)

Full details and registration at www.fitzs.com.au

Ride 2 Remember

It is the inaugural Ride 2 Remember, scheduled for November 2nd. It's purpose is to get the Australian public to think about the contemporary veteran when they take their minutes silence on November 11th, and to fundraise for their support in the lead up.

There will be 30km and 15km circuits around the Lake, which will finish at the Australian War Memorial Rides will start from 8:00am and wrap up by lunchtime. We want to encourage families and social groups along, and it sounds like your group might enjoy participating for a social event(even though it may be a bit short by your standards and is not a timed race!). This is the first year we are running the event and would love to get as many participants supporting our cause as possible.

If you'd like more information, please head to http://soldieron.org.au/events/ride-2-remember

Interstate Events

• 2014 Jones Winery Flat Chat Challenge! - 25th October 2014

more information at http://www.joneswinery.com/events/2014/flat-chat-challenge-2014.html

• Fantastic weekend at Cootamundra! - 8th-9th November

more information at http://www.cootabikefestival.com.au/

• 2015 Riverina Rush Cycling Classic - Narrandera

- 28 Feb - Twilight Criterium

- 1 Mar - Road Cycle Classic

for more information contact Gerry Daly

RACING THIS WEEK:

Tuesday, 21st October: Stromlo Criterium

Where: Stromlo Forrest Park

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

Race Description:

G Grade @ 5.45 - 15mins + 1; AB @ 6:05 20mins + 2 laps; EF @ 6:35 20 mins + 2 laps; CD @ 7:00 20 mins + 2

Race Director: Michael Fawke

Contact: Email: mjfawke@internode.on.net Ph 0414685464 or 62232291

The nominated marshals for this event are;

• Luke McGowan

• Damien Pollard

• Stjepan Hirsler

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.

Wednesday, 22nd October: Track Racing

Where: Narrabundah Velodrome

Program:

5.30pm – 6.00pm: Warm-up and free practice;

6.00pm – 6.30pm: 8-lap scratch race;

6.30pm – 7.00pm: Two-lap handicap starting from the fence;

7.00pm – 7.30pm: Mystery race.

There is no road race this weekend

RACE REPORT:

Stromlo Criterium – 14th October

The crit on the 14th wasn't cancelled rather it was a non event for lack of riders. Admittedly the continuing rain in the morning was off-putting but by late afternoon the track was dry. It was cold and blustery though.

So at 5.45 with no G graders it wasn't looking promising. By 6 we had a handful of riders but not enough to make a race for any one grade or even a combination.

So at 6.15 we abandoned. Well done to the few hardy souls who turned up to race.

Thanks to Graham Hendrie for opening up and preparing for race registrations. Mick Jermyn was ready to marshal so all the elements were in place.

Hopefully better weather this week.

Thanks to Rob Diamond for race refereeing.

Narrabundah Track Racing – 15th October

The season’s first track races were held on Wed 15 October. The session had good attendance with 20 riders giving the Bundadome a workout. All grades completed an echelon practice session, despite interruption by rain, for a short period. All riders completed a 2-lap time trial and A Grade completed an 8-Lap scratch race before the light faded. The A grade scratch race was exciting, with a gutsy break from Michael Langdon, successfully chased down by Steve Jones and Jim Davey.

Major place getters were as follows:

2-Lap Time trial: (A Grade) Jim Davey 48.53s, Steve Jones 48.54s, Steve Dean 48.83s; (B Grade) Craig Kentwell 56.06s, Bruce Griffin 57.75s, Steve Hirsler 57.90s

8-Lap Scratch Race: (A Grade) Steve Jones, Jim Davey, Michael Langdon

The new venue for track racing seems to be rekindling enthusiasm. If you have a track bike gathering dust in the garage, come and joint the fun.

Graeme O'Neill.