1.3 Jan 19 Bleat

Hello Vets,

In this week's Bleat;

• Notice of Special and Annual Meetings

• Registration for 2015

• Flags and other signs: what do they mean?

• This Week's Handicapping

• Watchout for dark blue honda sedan in south Canberra

• Interstate Events

• Racing this Week

• Race Reports

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

Ian Morton

Notice of Special and Annual General Meetings

ACT Veterans Cycling Club members will be receiving notices for both the SGM and the AGM in the post in one envelope and that they should be delivered on or before Tuesday 27th January to members' postal addresses appearing in the IMG database.

If you don't receive the papers you can DOWNLOAD HERE.

Notice

ACT Veterans Cycling Club Inc. (“ACTVCC”) gives notice to its members of a general meeting (“special general meeting”), which has been convened by ACTVCC’s committee under subrule 23(1) of ACTVCC’s rules of association (“rules”). The rules form part of the ACTVCC’s constitution and set out the ACTVCC’s administrative requirements.

Basis of notice; date, time and place of meeting; business to be conducted

This notice is given under subrule 24(2).

The special general meeting will be held on Wednesday 18th February 2015 at 7:00pm at The Weston Club, 1 Liardet Street, Weston ACT.

The business to be dealt with at the special general meeting is to consider a resolution to alter the rules as set out in Annexure A to this notice.

The intention is to propose the resolution as a special resolution - under subsection 33(1) of the Associations incorporation Act 1991, ACTVCC may alter the rules by special resolution.

Voting on the special resolution

Under paragraph 70(b) of the Associations Incorporation Act 1991, a resolution is taken to be a special resolution if it is passed by at least three-quarters of the votes of those members of ACTVCC who, being entitled to vote, vote in person at the special general meeting, or by proxy under rule 30, using the form set out in Appendix 2 to the rules, which is reproduced for convenience at Annexure B to this notice. A notice appointing a proxy must be given to the secretary (in person, or to the secretary’s attention at the ACTVCC mailbox (PO Box 870 Civic Square ACT 2608), or by email to phillcou@bigpond.net.au no later than 7:00pm on Tuesday 17th February 2015.

Notifying the Registrar-General

Under subsection 33(5) of the Associations incorporation Act 1991, a resolution to alter the rules is of no effect until a notice is lodged with the Registrar-General, setting out particulars of the alteration, and a declaration to the effect that the special resolution was duly passed at the special general meeting.

Notice

ACT Veterans Cycling Club Inc. (“ACTVCC”) gives notice to its members of its 2015 annual general meeting, which has been convened by ACTVCC’s committee under subrule 22(1) of ACTVCC’s rules of association (“rules”). The rules form part of the ACTVCC’s constitution and set out the ACTVCC’s administrative requirements.

Basis of notice; date, time and place of meeting; business to be conducted

This notice is given under subrule 24(1).

The annual general meeting will be held on Wednesday 18th February 2015 at 7:30pm at The Weston Club, 1 Liardet Street, Weston ACT. The business to be dealt with at the annual general meeting is set out under the heading “AGENDA”, below.

Voting at the meeting

Members of ACTVCC who are entitled to vote may vote in person, or by proxy under rule 30, using the form set out in Appendix 2 to the rules, which is reproduced for convenience at Annexure A to this notice. A notice appointing a proxy must be given to the secretary (in person, or to the secretary’s attention at the ACTVCC mailbox (PO Box 870 Civic Square ACT 2608), or by email to phillcou@bigpond.net.au no later than 7:30pm on Tuesday 17th February 2015.

Apologies and items of business

Apologies (item 1 of the AGENDA, with at least seven days notice where possible) and items of general business (item 8 of the AGENDA, with at least 14 days notice where possible) should be given to the ACTVCC secretary in person, or to the secretary’s attention at the ACTVCC mailbox (PO Box 870 Civic Square ACT 2608), or by email to phillcou@bigpond.net.au.

AGENDA

1. Welcome and Apologies

2. Minutes of previous AGM

3. Actions from previous meeting

4. President’s Report

5. Secretary’s Report

6. Treasurer’s Report and Financial Status

7. Election of New Committee

8. General Business

9. Any other business

Registration for 2015

A reminder that no riders will be permitted to compete in 2015 unless they are registered. This is to ensure that members have insurance coverage while competing in events. Rider registration will be checked at the signon desk tomorrow night. If you register at the last minute before coming out to the track, please bring along a copy of the confirmation email.

To register go to the IMG site. Logon with the username and password that you used to register last year. The annual subscription for 2015 remains unchanged.

If you have forgotten your password, go to top right hand corner and click on username and password. That will enable IMG to send you another password to your email address. To ensure you transfer the numbers and letters correctly it is advised to cut and paste.

Any queries please direct them to membership@actvets.cc and not the contact on the password retrieval page.

Flags and other signs: what do they mean?

On 6th January, the C/D race had kangaroos, a crash and the grades passing each other twice. Confusion arose when the Referee produced the yellow flag on the lap after the 2 (laps to go) board was displayed. This was done to prevent the grades merging on the last lap and both grades sprinting for the line together. It did ruin the race as a competitive event for some but the race referee's first priority is rider safety. Comments later were that the yellow flag wasn't visible to all. Please ensure that riders in the first few positions call out "neutral" to others in the bunch and stop pedalling until the pace has eased off. Bunches riding at the "neutral" speed should be able to circle the track indefinitely but this didn't seem to be the case last Tuesday. Because the referee can move between the home and back straights, be on the lookout for instructions from the back straight also.

Flag definitions.

Yellow flag — bunch should slow by 10-15km/h and circle track awaiting further instructions. It is used when obstacles or kangaroos are on the course, to split bunches or after minor crashes. The gaps between bunches should be maintained during the neutral period, i.e., it's not an opportunity to negate or gain a break on your competitors. Displaying the yellow flag nullifies previous instructions such as 2 to go or bell lap.

Red flag — stop riding as the race is temporarily suspended due to a major crash, dramatic weather change or obstacle blocking course. Race will be resumed or abandoned depending on prevailing conditions.

Bell — Used to signify the last lap. If there's no bell, then it's not the last lap.

Whistle — For signalling to riders to sprint on the next lap during a points race.

This Week's Handicapping

Changes this week;

• Baden White E -> D

• Tim Minehan C ->B

And a reminder that riders are not to downgrade themselves without approval from the Handicapper.

Watchout for dark blue Honda sedan in South Canberra

A few reports that the occupants of a dark blue Honda have been harassing cyclists, including throwing objects, on the roads around South Canberra. Cyclists are urged to exercise caution while on the road and if they experience any issues, report them to police preferably with details of the licence plate (if possible).

Interstate Events

• 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, 20th January: Stromlo Criterium

Where: Stromlo Forrest Park

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

Race Description:

G Grade@ 5:45 - 15min + 2 laps; A/B Grade@ 6:09 - 40min + 2 laps; C/D Grade@ 6:55 - 30min + 2 laps; E/F Grade@ 7:33 - 25min + 2 laps

Race Director: Paul Robey

Contact: Email: paul.robey3@gmail.com Ph 0413 480 241

The nominated marshals for this event are;

• Craig Kentwell

• James Curran

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, 21st January: Track Racing

The Program for Wednesday is as follows:

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

6.00pm – 6.20pm: 10-lap Graded scratch race;

6.20pm – 7.10pm: 200 metre fly;

6.10pm – 7.20pm: Mystery Race;

7.20pm – 7.40pm: 6-Lap scratch (All in with B Grade early start).

Sunday, 25th January: Dairy Flat Points Race

Where: Dairy Rd, Fyshwick.

When: Starting at 8:00 am

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

Race Description: Points Race – E/F/G @ 8am – 30 + 1 lap; C/D @ 8:40am – 40 + 1 lap; A/B @ 9:30am – 50 + 1 lap; Sprint EVERY SECOND lap.

Race Director: Malcolm Paterson

Contact: Email hhim@tpg.com.au Ph 0478 225 350

The nominated marshals for this event are;

• Stjepan Hirsler

• Tony Sheehan

• Phil Anderson

Upcoming Marshall Roster

The nominated marshals for the next two weeks are;

- Jan 27 @ Stromlo: Sean Fleming, Pauline Thorn

- Feb 01 @ Stromlo: Baden White, Ed Pellegrino

- Feb 03 @ Stromlo: Damien Obst, Alex Sommariva

- Feb 08 @ Dairy Flat: Paul Scherl, Paul Robey, Ben Robey

RACE REPORTS:

Stromlo Criterium – 13th January

With a 90% chance of rain and the weather radar showing lots of technicolor approaching Canberra, the Tuesday night criterium looked like it would be held in 'perfect racing conditions' (PRC).

With officials outnumbering contestants, G grade got underway in 'PRC' with three competitors, including new rider Tony Weir. First place went to Pauline Thorn who had launched an attack on the second last lap. She led home by at least the length of the straight (note to handicapper!) with Bernie Crowe dukeing it out with Tony up the main straight and getting the better of him on the line. Bernie's one hour warmup before the event paying dividends.

C and D also started in PRC, but a bit too 'P' for our Irish rider Terry who on being queried why he was not racing in, what should be familiar conditions for him, replied that he 'only used to drink beer in Ireland' and 'only started racing in Australia'. There is a message in that, but I am not sure what it is. A few A and B Grade contestants must have got the message better with the upper SFP deck hosting a few beers and cheers later in the evening. There were a few perfunctory attacks off the front in both C and D at the half way mark, but with the windless conditions, were soon brought back. Both grades saved themselves for the last lap sprints which saw Tim McMineham first in C followed by David Rowe who has surely been doing lots of secret training out Yass way for his return to racing, then Douglas Torrance in third. Close and furious sprinting on the long uphill in D grade delivered Steve Curran to the line first, followed by Steven Stock, then Kelvin Alby.

A similar patten in similarly PRC saw E and F grades with in-tact bunches for the very welcome bell lap. In E Grade, Baden White maintained his good recent form to take the biscuit from Luke McGowan and Frank O'Sullivan both hot on Baden's heels while in F grade, Stuart Mitchell prevailed over Dennis Puniard and Lloyd Bennett.

With conditions becoming more 'perfect' by the minute, A and B grade agreed to a shorter 30 minute race. Again, despite a few soggy attacks at times, the conditions seemed to favour the bunches staying together, however the local kangaroo bunch decided to spice up proceedings somewhat, to the great delight of the upper gallery sipping on their beers. They (the roos) made several attempts to join the race and delighted in making the club handicapper take an excursion up the grass off the edge of the track. The last lap sprints saw Mark Vroomans take A Grade over Ed Pellegrino and Michael Langton with the handicapper having exhausted his earlier kangaroo-induced adrenalin boost to fade badly in the finish. B Grade saw Marcus O'Tool out-sprint Tony Rowley and Peter Young.

Thanks: to the 50 or so riders who turned up to race in perfect racing conditions; to Jan Kohler who looked after the sign-on desk while Barb enjoyed the sunshine someplace else; to Henry Beaverstock, Craig Kentwell and Dale Kleeman on the line helping Alex O'Shea who had an easy night as referee. Special welcome to our two new riders who enjoyed the perfect racing conditions on their first ride.

Narrabundah Track Racing – 14th January

There were 14 starters for the Wednesday 14 January track session. Hopefully, the numbers will climb back over the 20 mark as the Christmas season recedes. However, the racing continues to be very enjoyable for the core of riders who are participating.

The A and B Grade scratch races were each eight laps. In both races the bunch held together until the final laps when the attacks started in earnest. In A Grade Ben Davis took advantage of a lead out by Michael Langdon to claim victory. The pair were closely followed by Ed Garnett in third. Phil Coulton had the form in B grade, taking a close finish from Bruce Griffin and Ashley Sked.

A six lap team pursuit was taken out by Team 2 in both A and B grades. The A grade race showed the advantage of team communication, as the winning team held together and easily overcame their fractured opposition.

The four lap handicap event was all-in with A and B grades riders starting together. It was good to see Steve Hirsler take advantage of his handicap to hold off the bunch. When you are in front and a target for everyone, it is always difficult to hold enough pace to stay there. Ben Robey and Alan Bontjer did well to take second and third respectively.

The track session concluded with a 6 lap race in which B grade were given a handy start. The pace was definitely on in this race and the lead groups in both A and B grade put in an excellent performance. A grade made a tactical error with the stronger riders attacking too late from their bunch. B grade was able to hold off the late attack with Phil Anderson taking a win from Phil Coulton and Steve Hirsler.

Major place getters were as follows:

8 Lap Scratch: (A Grade) Ben Davis, Michael Langdon; Ed Garnett (B Grade) Phil Coulton, Bruce Griffin, Ashley Sked.

6 Lap Points Team Pursuit (A Grade Team 2 winners): Michael Langdon; Ed Garnett, Alan Bontjer, Ben Robey (B Grade Team 2 winners) Phil Anderson, Steve Hirsler, Ashley Sked.

4 Lap Handicap: Steve Hirsler, Ben Robey, Alan Bontjer.

6 Lap Scratch (with B Grade early start): Phil Anderson, Phil Coulton, Steve Hirsler.