members handbook 2013 11 - eastern cycling club€¦ · duration around a 1-2km circuit. the winter...

members handbook 2013 1members handbook 2013 1

members handbook 2013 2

EASTERN VETERANS COMMITTEEThe Eastern Veterans Cycling Club is managed and organised by a committee elected, and appointed, by its members at the Annual General Meeting. Members are encouraged to participate on the committee and to attend General Meetings. A fi nancial member may nominate for any position on the committee, nominations must be on an offi cial nomination form (available from the club secretary). For elected positions a member must be nominated by two fi nancial members. The attendees at the AGM will then vote for the nominations and elect a new committee for the year. Each year a list of the elected and appointed Offi ce Bearers and their contact details will be sent to members after the AGM has been held. The following is a list of positions elected or appointed each year:-

ELECTED POSITIONS• President (2 years)• Vice-Presidents x 2• Secretary (2 years)• Treasurer

APPOINTED• Assistant Secretary• Assistant Treasurer• Membership Offi cer• Handicapper• Assistant Handicapper• Club Captain• Vice Club Captain• Safety Offi cer• VVCC Representatives • Race Committee

It is important to note that there are other roles in the club that are fulfi lled by members as follows:-

• Duty Roster Co-ordinator• Race Permit Co-ordinator• Newsletter Editor• Drinks Person• Trailer Person• Club Clothing Person• Website Club meetings are held at 7.30pm on the last Monday of every month, at Club Ringwood on the corner of Oban Road and Maroondah Highway, Ringwood. Members are most welcome to attend. Please refer to the Racing Calendars for exact dates of meetings. The Annual General Meeting is held in March on the same night as the monthly club meeting. Again, members are encouraged to attend.

Race Day Telephone0407 688 154

www.easternvets.com


Eastern VeteransCyclists become eligible for veterans status in the year that they turn 30 for females and 35 for males. Through affi liation members of Eastern Veterans Cycling Club (EVCC) are members of the Victorian Veteran Cycling Council (VVCC) and the Australian Veteran Cycling Council (AVCC). As such, our members are eligible to race with any club affi liated with the AVCC.

When you join EVCC you will be sent your AVCC licence for that year. You must carry your licence with you particularly if you wish to race with the other veterans clubs or at VVCC Open Races. The VVCC are no longer sending out fi xture booklets this information (and the rules) will have to be obtained from the VVCC web site – www.veterancycling.com.au

EVCC is a road racing club based around the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Club races are held:-– Saturday afternoons at various locations. Racing commences at 2.00pm. There are occasions when

racing will start earlier than this. Please make sure you check the fi xture.– Wednesday mornings at The Loop, Yarra Blvd Mel 44 G4. Racing commences at 10:00am– Tuesday evenings (only in daylight saving months) at METEC. Racing commences at 6.00pm Most races are graded according to ability and are conducted in a friendly and supportive atmosphere.

The club is well known as the friendliest cycle racing club and provides a great opportunity to learn about racing, to enjoy the company of other cyclists and improve fi tness. The prime functions of the club are to: – Organise and conduct road races for veterans in a safe environment.– Provide a friendly relaxed atmosphere for members to get to know each other.– Educate members regarding the rules and club racing etiquette and to ensure that these rules and

the club racing etiquette are adhered to. – Provide racing and training tips for members.

FeesMembership fees are payable each calendar year and include fi rst aid costs for racing, insurance, a VVCC membership fee and an AVCC affi liation fee. Members will be sent a reminder to renew their membership which they will need to do on line through the link on the EVCC website membership page. If you require any assistance or advice about membership please contact the Membership Offi cer.

Race entry fees are typically $10. Please note that for pre-entry races, such as handicaps and time trials, the race entry fee is payable regardless of whether you race or not. Prize money is generally paid for fi rst, second and third places in each race and fourth place when there are 16 or more riders in a grade. A fi fth place will be paid for 20 or more riders.


Saturday Race Day InformationNew riders are requested to arrive early, i.e. no later than 1pm for grading and other instructions. Entries on race day close at 1.45pm for a 2.00pm start. There are occasions when racing will start earlier than 2pm. Please make sure you check the fi xture. No entries will be accepted within 15 minutes of the start of racing e.g. no entries after 1.45pm for a 2pm start. The handicapper will allocate all riders a grade, A through to F according to their ability experience and current form.

Riders will be issued a number to pin on the rear of their jersey and a helmet cover to distinguish their particular grade. Each rider is responsible for the return of these items at the end of the race and may be required to pay a penalty if they are not returned.

Road racing bikes with drop handle bars are used for all races conducted by EVCC. Bikes with fi xed gears are not permitted. In the road races competitors are expected to carry the necessary spares andequipment to fi x a puncture. It is compulsory that bikes be fi tted with a rear light and recommended that bikes be fi tted with a front light for road races – if you do not have a rear light for road races you will not be permitted to race. It is also advisable to avoid wearing dark clothing for road races. In Criteriums all attachments (pumps, lights, under-saddle bags, etc.) are to be removed from the bike, only a drink bottle is allowed.

New members will be assisted by the club captain or other experienced riders if they are new to racing.

Riders should attend the presentation ceremony which is held approximately 30 minutes after the fi nish of the last race. If you are eligible for prize money and are not able to attend the presentation you can arrange for someone to collect your prize money.

HandicappingEVCC operates Handicapping system based on records of previous results to determine which grade a rider will race. The intention of handicapping is to allow all riders the opportunity to compete in a race which suits their experience, ability and normal fi tness level, while maintaining the safety of all competitors.

“Consistently placing (1st to 5th), or ‘being in the money’, will result in the Handicapper suggesting to a rider that they should try a higher grade. Conversely, where the handicapper sees a rider being dropped regularly, the Handicapper may suggest to a rider that they may be better racing in a lower grade.”

In the event a rider hasn’t been to any races for a few weeks or months (Holidays, work, sick, etc), they will have to race in the grade they last raced.

A rider who believes they are no longer competitive in their current grade, or should be considered for promotion, can discuss their concerns with the Handicapper, outlining their case a couple of days ahead of the next race, not on race day.

In general, riders are not permitted to temporarily drop a grade because of their brief interruptions to training levels, colds, because ‘my coach said I should have an easy week’ etc. Grade changes are based on results at EVCC events. While consideration may be given to places at other club’s events, it is your ability to handle the racing at EVCC that is of primary importance.


Where do I belong?A Grade – average speeds generally above 40kmhSuits – strong and very experienced riders. Excellent cornering and bunch riding skills are required. At least one win and several other placings at B Grade level is a prerequisite for acceptance into an EVCC A Grade fi eld.

B Grade – average speeds are generally around 37 – 38kmhSuits – strong and experienced riders. B Grade riders have generally accumulated consistent top four places in C grade competition and should have very good bunch riding skills and understanding of race tactics and etiquette.

C Grade – average speed 34 – 36kmh Suits – riders with some bunch riding experience. C Grade fi elds often comprise a mix of experienced racers, newer riders, and riders who have moved up from D Grade after achieving consistent places over time, as well as riders who have too much strength for the D Grade race to provide them with meaningful competition. Strong riders will often move very quickly into B Grade.

D Grade – average speed 32 – 36kmhSuits – experienced riders who do not have the strength or fi tness to compete in a higher grade, and new or younger competitors aiming to build experience and strength.

E Grade – average speed 30kmh+Suits – experienced riders who do not have the strength or fi tness to compete in a higher grade, and new or younger competitors aiming to build experience and strength.

F Grade – average speed 27 – 30kmhSuits – experienced riders who do not have the strength or fi tness to compete in a higher grade, and new or younger competitors aiming to build experience and strength.

RulesAs well as abiding by the rules as set out by the VVCC (please refer to current rules at http://www.veterancycling.com.au/) members are also required to follow these basic EVCC rules. Bunch Captains (usually very experienced club members) will be nominated for each grade to ensure that riders comply with the rules.

• Observance of all state traffi c laws at all times.• Passing of higher grades is not permitted unless otherwise specifi ed at the start of a race the use of a higher grade to gain advantage either by drafting or using it to jump away from your

bunch is not permitted.• Passing on the inside of a corner is not permitted.• When passing a lower grade do not cut in when completing the pass.• Do not verbally or physically abuse or intimidate fellow riders.• Bicycle must be appropriate for road racing and in a sound mechanical condition.• Follow any instructions or rules from club offi cials, race offi cials or bunch captains on the day that may. Be necessitated by circumstances on the day i.e. a particular course and/ or its condition, the number

of riders racing, the weather conditions and any other circumstances that may affect rider safety.

• Riders must use the toilets available at the race venues. Failure to do so will incur penalties including fi nes and/or suspension.


Typical Annual Racing ProgramEach year EVCC organizes a summer race program and a winter race program. Calendars of the race programs are made available to members on the web site (www.easternvets.com) or at the Saturday race entry desk.

Races in the summer season are generally of a Criterium format - races of approximately an hour duration around a 1-2km circuit. The winter season mainly comprise road races on open roads covering distances from 32 to 70 kilometres depending on the grade and format. Criterium races are conducted at one of three locations around Melbourne; METEC (Kilsyth), Casey Fields (Cranbourne) and Dunlop Road (Mulgrave), the fi rst two venues are closed road venues (a driver training centre and a dedicated cycle sport circuit), and Dunlop Road is a public road circuit in a light industrial area. Road races are conducted on open roads; Arthurs Creek, Yarra Glen, Gruyere, Yarra Junction and Seymour. (See Eastern Race Circuits for further details)

The formats of races run by the club are: • A Scratch Race is a race where riders are separated into bunches (A - F) based on ability and

riders race against each other within their allocated bunch. • A Handicap Race is a race where all riders compete against each other in a single race. Riders

of similar ability are grouped together – generally by grade or if numbers allow multiple groups per grade. The lower grade riders start fi rst and this group is known as “limit”. The handicapper will determine a time gap between each subsequent group and as this time is reached riders of increasing strength will start their race. The last and strongest group to start are known as

“scratch”. (Please refer to The Secret of Handicap Racing for more information).• Time Trials, the club runs two individual handicapped time trials each year; a fl at time trial (the

Robert Graham Memorial TT) and a hill climb TT. These are individual races against the clock but handicapped such that all members, regardless of strength, have the chance of winning.

• Club Championships where riders race against each other according to age. These are run in 5 year age groups which is the standard adopted throughout veteran racing. To qualify for Club Championships, riders must have ridden three or more races during the season.

EVCC obtains police, local government and Vic Roads permission to hold all events. It also provides traffi c controllers, race marshals, corner stewards, safety and advisory signage, radios, a comprehensive fi rst aid kit and qualifi ed fi rst aider. Lead and follow cars are also provided for all road races.

SAFETY FOR ALL RIDERS IS THE PRIME CONSIDERATION AT ALL TIMES.


Ambulance Attendance PolicyIt is Club policy that in the event of a fall where a rider or riders are injured, the race controller will make a judgement call on whether an ambulance should be called. Although the injured rider(s) will be consulted on whether an ambulance is required, the fi nal decision will be left in the hands of the club offi cials. The club has been provided with guidelines by qualifi ed paramedics to make this decision when necessary.If a rider is not an ambulance subscriber they will be liable for the costs of the call out.

Members are strongly advised to make sure they are members of the ambulance service. For more information about an ambulance subscription please go to www.ambulance.vic.com.au.

Insurance PolicyAs mentioned previously part of the membership fee goes towards insurance. The insurance covers members while they are racing or training and includes:-

• Payment of 80% of non-Medicare expenses including dental, physiotherapy, chiropractic, private hospital accommodation and private hospital theatre fees.

• Loss of income• Home Help Expenses• Death and Permanent Disability• Public Liability

It is important to note that the insurance has limits in each of the categories. If you require further information regarding the insurance policy or wish to make a claim please contact the Club Secretary. A Member Insurance Scheme Summary is available via the AVCC website at www.ausvetcycling.com. Claims must be submitted to the VVCC through Eastern Veterans Cycling Club.

WeatherRacing may be cancelled due to weather and club offi cials may make a decision to do this if the conditions make it unsafe for racing i.e. if the road or course is too wet or if it is too hot. If the forecast temperature at 10.40 am on the race day (the last forecast update from the BOM) is for a temperature of 35ºC or more, races will be cancelled. Under circumstances of high humidity, the races may be cancelled even though the forecast temperature is less than 35ºC. A decision will be made at 10.40 am and communicated by email and the race day phone. This policy applies to Saturday and Tuesday racing. Please also be advised that if racing is cancelled and you have provided the club with a mobile number we will advise you of the cancellation by SMS. If you do not wish to receive these SMSs please advise the Club Secretary.


Note regarding out and back coursesTo avoid lead riders of a bunch gaining an unfair advantage on the turns of out and back courses, the turns at either end of the circuit are neutral for at least 100m either side of the turn. The front riders must slow down to wait for those at the back of the bunch to make the turn and regain the bunch. Failure to wait could result in disqualifi cation. This does not apply to a rider or riders who have a clear lead over the bunch.

Casey Fields, CranbourneMelway 134 E8

Dedicated 2km Criterium circuit. Excellent surface, fast sweeping corners.

Dunlop Road, MulgraveMelway 64 K6

Criterium circuit on public road. Parking available in Dunlop Rd and Geddes St.

METEC, Colchester Rd, KilsythMelway 51 D8

Metropolitan Traffi c Education Centre.METEC is a traffi c free Criterium circuit used regularly by Eastern Veterans.

Arthurs Creek/StrathewenMelway 510 N12

New editions - Melway 912 N1

16km out and back road course. Races usually 32/64km, with 242m of climbing per lap. Park on road at Ryders Flat Park on Arthurs Creek Rd

Yarra Glen, GruyereMelway 282 F10

A fi ve kilometre Kermese circuit starting across from Yarra Glen Cemetery on Glen-view Road. Race distances vary from 6 to 12 laps depending upon gradePark near Yarra Glen cemetery.

Yarra JunctionMelway 288 G10

72km out and back Hill Climb course (hill is just under 4km and an average of around 6%); an alternative course of similar distance but not involving the hill climb may also be used.The fl at course includes 272m of climbing for a 30km lap. A 25km version of this course is used for time trials.

Seymour

This is our handicap course, a relatively fl at parcours of two 26km out-and-back laps Registrations are in Manners St, Seymour, across the road from the Royal Hotel *Note that registration is nearly six kilometres from the race start, you will need to allow suffi cient time to get from one to the other. Post-race presentations are held in the Royal Hotel

Don Rd, Launching Place Our hill climb ITT, a 7 kilometre race from Don Valley upwards, a tough little sprint, a great way to start a Sunday.

The Loop, Kew Boulevard Melway 44 G4(Wednesday Racing)

Racing is anticlockwise on a closed road circuit of 1km with an excellent surface and a 200 m climb

Eastern Race Circuits


Saturday Race Offi cials RosterEach member of EVCC is required to perform race offi cials’ duties. As with most cycling clubs EVCC has a roster system in order to run racing safely and effi ciently. Members are usually only rostered once per season. Rosters are made available before the start of the season at race day or they can be found on the web site at (www.easternvets.com). This allows plenty of advance notice for members to put their duty date in the diaries or arrange swaps!! It is a small expectation on each member and ensures that all members are given an equal chance to race over the year. Not turning up for duty means that someone else will have to forgo racing to fi ll your spot. Members who fail to do their rostered turn of duty will be suspended from racing until they have completed their duty commitments.

If you are unable to attend, or would like to race, on your rostered day, it is necessary for you to organise a replacement or swap with another member to a mutually agreed date. All swaps must be notifi ed to the EVCC Roster coordinator.

Rostered members are requested to confi rm their availability by the Wednesday prior to race day with the Roster coordinator.

If you cannot fi nd a replacement after exhausting all possibilities you must notify the Roster coordinator ASAP and at least by the Wednesday prior to racing; NOT THE MORNING OF THE RACE!

On the day of your duty please be at the race circuit at least 1 hour before the scheduled race start time.. Please ensure that you familiarise yourself with your roles and responsibilities from notes in Race Controller Kit on web or available in trailer at race. You will be given your instructions by the Race Controller which may include one or more of the following tasks:-

• Set up and remove signage before and after race

• Take entries

• Assist with entry money

• Assist with race numbers

• Drive lead or follow car

• Corner marshal

• Assist at Start/Finish

• Assist with presentation


Social/Training Rides

Tuesday morning – meet at 9.30am in winter and 9.00am in summer near the footbridge over the Yarra near Burke Rd, Kew Nth and ride into Southbank mostly on cycle paths.Enquiries to Keith Bowen on 03 9444 6454.

Sunday morning – meet at 8.00am on Blessington St (Renfrey Gardens), St Kilda and ride to Frankston on the road.Enquiries to Nigel Kimber on 0409 386 349 or Juanita Stumbles on 0408 180 673.

EVCC has a Facebook page as well and occasionally details of training rides are posted by members.Many EVCC members participate in endurance rides organised by other groups such as Bicycle Victoria, Supersprint and Audax. These include Around the Bay in a Day, the Otway Classic and the Alpine Classic.

All members are invited to join these rides and as a result there are often riders of varying ability and fi tness. Be mindful of this. The rides are generally as fast as the slowest rider.

Newsletter

The club publishes a weekly newsletter that includes race reports and other relevant information. Members are encouraged to submit suitable articles or information. Please send any enquiries to the Newsletter Editor.

Club Clothing

A range of club clothing is available for sale at cost and is usually on display at the races on Saturday. EVCC design and colours are easily recognised in bunches and as such make it easy for you to fi nd your Eastern friends on large organised rides and at the same time you will be promoting the club.

cost and is usually on display at the races on Saturday. EVCC design and colours are easily recognised in bunches and

- 9

Future events:-

October 8th

Tuesday Nights racing commences at Metec – 6pm sharp! This series relies on volunteers;

please pass on your preferred marshalling dates to Peter Mackie at :-

[email protected]

Eastern Vets Program: www.easternvets.com/

Date Time Location Melway Ref Event

October

Sat 5 2:00pm Casey Fields 134 E10 Graded Scratch Races

Sat 12 2:00pm Yarra Junction 288 G10 Club Championships

Sat 19 2:00pm Gruyere 282 F10 Graded Scratch Races

Sat 26 1.30pm Avenel/Seymour 910M5 Royce Bennett Handicap

Mon 28 7:30pm Ringwood Club 50 C3 Monthly General Meeting

Note: Graded Scratch Race entries are accepted on the day up to 15 minutes before the advertised race start time.

Handicap entries close the Tuesday before the race. Riders entering a handicap MUST pay the entry fee

regardless of participation. Fees are due on race day; entrants will NOT be allowed to start in any EVCC race until

fees have been paid.

No late entries will be accepted for either scratch races or handicaps. Entries to handicaps can be submitted via

e-mail to the handicapper or on any race day prior to the event.

Northern Vets Program: http://www.northerncycling.com/

6-10-2013 Graded Scratch 1hr+Bell National Boulevard

(Ford) 9.00am

4th to 6th Oct - AVCC National Championships

(Geelong)

13-10-2013 Graded Scratch 1hr+Bell National Boulevard

(Ford) 9.00am

Sat 12th Oct - VVCC Handicap - Camperdown to

Warrnambool

20-10-2013 Highlands Spring Classic 60/105kmHighlands PS,

Highlands 9.30am

27-10-2013 Jim Pritchard Memorial Handicap 64km Avenel Rd, Seymour 10.00am

Victorian Veterans Cycling Council program: www.veterancycling.com.au/veing.com.au/

4-6/10/2013 Australian Championships - flyer

Further details available on AVCC web

site.

Geelong 13/9/2013

12/10/2013

10:00am "Bill Long" Camperdown to

Warrnambool (VVCC)

Commercial Hotel

Camperdown

70k 07/10/2013

($30)

Note: Entries are to be on the appropriate VVCC Open entry form (available on VVCC website) and are to be

accompanied by the requisite fee.

Thank you to all the contributors for this week's newsletter. Ed. [email protected]

- 3

don't believe they came back. The B grade

chase group looked to be splintered with

individual riders or groups of 2 and 3 chasing and

we continued to put time into them. The next 40

minutes was basically a team time trial for the

three of us. Ian was feeling the pressure from

about halfway but still continued to take a turn

whenever he could. Mid race I noted ,Doug, of

course, had on his bike gear now jersey. I was

also wearing my new SoulRider BikeGearNow

jersey. We both had on the tighter streamlined

race fit jerseys. Rake thin Doug looked like he

was cutting through the wind like a hot knife

through butter. I was more like a spoon through

custard, but it felt quick and comfortable

nevertheless! With 3 laps to go I launched a

devastating attack into the wind. I'm not sure

Doug and Ian noticed how devastating it was

however, because when I sat up to survey the

damage, I found they were right there on my

wheel. The bell lap beckoned. Ian generously

lead most of the last lap, giving Doug and I a

break before the sprint and dropping us off at the

final corner before we headed into the wind for

the final effort. Doug, cagey , read smart, got

himself on my wheel. I wasn't stressed however,

a bit cocky actually, thinking, I have a few years

on this guy, (sorry Doug), I can take this from the

front, result......

congratulations Doug, you showed me how it is

done!

B Grade (Robert Suter) "The wind is my friend: it makes me strong"

Whilst in WA I saw that stenciled on the chain

stay of the bike of a kid on the WAIS squad. Well,

clearly, I need more wind, because I wasn't

amongst the strongest in B-grade on Saturday, in

only my second start back1

A good warm-up whilst the D-graders belted each

other in the miss-and-out; and I had already

decided it was small chaining for the punch past

the finish line into the practically block head wind

- at least there won't be too much gutter pain

there. A gentle warm-up lap amongst the field of 15 or

so, then Doug decided to take off as we went

past the lake to face the essess into the gale

towards the copse of gums. Leave him out here

to feel the brunt of the wind, I thought, but he

maintained the gap over the first lap. After one at

race pace, I'd decided it was no good at the tail of

the bunch so moved towards the front; then put in

a reasonable effort in on the downhill, tailwind run

opposite the finish to halve the gap to Doug,

planning on the rest of the bunch gently closing

him down and me finding some shelter mid-

bunch. No such luck, as one-by-one, the three other

strongest riders all jumped across to him through

the same essess that he had gotten away on, and

I was looking around looking for a friendly wheel

to find there was only seven in total left after 2.5

laps, and I was off the back. Bl...y h.., grovel, get

onto one other, and the race was settled -

another hour of suffering just to accumulate some

racing miles in my legs!

Clearly I needed them, as 14 times punching up

the finishing rise trying to gain and hold a wheel,

and close gaps elsewhere dealing with surges,

left me wanting as time wore on. The chasers

became three when one dropped off the leading

three, then our three became two when the third

of us dropped off, then three again when Yarra

Glen Ian came back to us. We were uneven, with

too many surging efforts for my leg's liking on the

day; and after being passed by the three left in A-

grade at about the 40 minute mark (just before

Nigel dropped off), we then became intertwined

with the leaders of C-grade (Chris Ellenby - wots

he still doing there? - and Steve Short) and

couldn't seem to completely get apart from them

for many a lap.

About the hour, Ian put in a big surge in the

downhill to the last corner, and I'd lost the

wherewithal to respond, so away he went,

valiantly chased by the other of us. Clearly we

had slowed, because Roy and Co passed me

again, then I was joined by the remaining B-

grader; only to see YG Ian pull out after that

surge - bug... him!

Finally, we saw the bell and B-grade sign out, but

it wasn't for us, but the three in front. They duly

passed we two on their bell lap, with Ian Smith

dutifully on the front, lips covered with dried

saliva, as he did his 'role' of leading the other two

- 1

Oct 11th 2013 This Week on 12th October – Yarra Junction club championship:- Peter Webb, John Wildes,

Louise Wolfers, Richard Abel, Peter Howard, Phil Taylor, Clive Wright, Tom Leaper, Gerald

McIver. Next Week on 19th October – Gruyere:- Jamie Goddard, Nick Hainal, Mal Jones, Tom

Blazevic, Hayden Bradbury, David Casey, Ken Davis, Petra Niclasen, Richard Partington, Rob

Birch.

:-

A Grade (Nigel Kimber) With five starters listed in A-grade the best place

to be was in B-grade. Unfortunately the officials

didn’t see it that way and it was five ‘white hats’

that rolled out for a slow neutral lap, a pace that

saw all five complete the first lap together. One

down and an hour and a bit to go. With the white

flag in and the racing underway it wasn’t long

before the conditions dealt a blow to almost half

the field. I don’t know when they went, I don’t

know where they went but fifteen minutes in,

when I finally was able to take stock and have a

look around, it was three and none. Or three and

one and one. Jean-Phillipe and Darren

(Woolhouse) nowhere to be seen until another

break from bar-tape chewing, along the back

straight, enabled a glimpse of the pair separated

and chasing, but well back.

Two laps later it was two and one and one and

one (I think) as yours truly failed to hold the wheel

going downwind. A steady pace along the back

of the circuit saw no distance lost and when Roy

realised it was just he and Andrew Mapstone he

backed it off allowing me to re-hitch the Alex to

the train with a muttered (and dubious) ‘thanks’.

For the next fifteen minutes we swapped off turns

in the relentless conditions, Roy and Andrew

doing their best to protect me by not allowing me

to do too much on the front.

Around anticipated half race distance it happened

again, but this time there was no waiting, and I


Club Racing Etiquette

There are many sites on the internet giving advice about bunch riding skills and etiquette. Just do a search in Google on ‘bunch etiquette’. The following is taken from www.bilbys.org/pdf/bike etiquette.

These skills are applicable during races and also during training rides.

• Be predictable with all your actions.

• Maintain a steady straight line and avoid braking or changing direction suddenly, especially if contesting a sprint. Remember that there are riders following you closely from behind.

• Point out and call out any road hazards ahead. These include broken glass, potholes, drain grates, stray animals, opening car doors, sticks or stones, parked cars, etc.

• Do not overlap wheels. A slight direction change or gust of wind could easily cause you to touch wheels and fall.

• Take turns on the front of the bunch. If everyone does their share of the work it gives everyone and fair chance. If you are unable to do turns due to fi tness or injury don’t contest the sprint.

• Be smooth with your turns at the front of the group. Avoid surges unless trying to break from the bunch. A group will travel quicker when turns are completed smoothly.

• Avoid leaving gaps when following wheels. Cyclists save about 30% of their energy at high speed by following a wheel. Each time you leave a gap you are forcing yourself to ride alone to bridge it. Also, riders behind you will become annoyed and ride around you, especially if the bunch is working together to break away or catch a break in a race.

• When climbing hills, avoid following a wheel too closely. Many riders often lose their momentum when rising out of the saddle on a hill which can cause a sudden deceleration. This can often catch a rider who is following too closely, resulting in a fall from a wheel touch.

• If you need to get out of the saddle during a sharp rise, be sure to change into a higher gear to maintain the same speed and avoid the “dropkick” so you do not collide with riders behind you;

• Do not panic if you brush shoulders, hands or bars with another rider. Try to stay relaxed in your upper body to absorb any bumps. This is a part of cycle racing in close bunches and is quite safe provided riders do not panic, brake or change direction.

• If riding at the front, try to maintain a steady pace, not to slow down on rises and not to accelerate too much when descending, this avoids the “concertina” affect to riders near the back.

• EVCC has new members joining almost every week and prides itself on being a friendly and social club. During a race be mindful of inexperienced riders. Be helpful and educate, enlighten and encourage new riders. Most members want to enjoy their racing and training. Be polite at all times.


The Secret Of Handicap Racing(Graeme Parker, EVCC Life Member)

New members of EVCC may not have had the experience of riding handicaps. During the winter road season, there are a number of opportunities to ride handicaps. For the new riders and as a refresher for experienced riders Graeme Parker outlines the strategies for handicap racing.

The most important thing is to keep your bunch intact, if the bunch splits the riders will have no chance of staying away from the bunches following and winning. The objective of the handicapper is to construct groups of approximately equal ability, however, strong riders must resist the temptation to ride fast and leave their bunch behind. A bunch of riders all sharing the work, will have a much better chance, than if it is split into two or more groups.

The secret of staying intact is to have an experienced rider as bunch ‘captain’ who calls the tactics during the race. The bunch must maintain an even speed and for every member to take turns and roll over regularly at the front. A bunch ‘captain’ might even nominate the speed they wish to maintain. Strong riders must resist putting in a strong effort when at the front and ease off slightly when the next rider is coming through. The rider coming through should not have to unduly accelerate to get to the front. There needs to be plenty of communications within the bunch, if you need a rest and can’t take your turn, tell someone. Places where bunches are likely to split are on corners or going up hills. If the bunch does split at these places, the leading riders should ease off so the bunch can reform. Basically handicap racing is a team effort from the bunch, without the team effort your bunch willnot be present at the fi nish. If you are all there at the fi nish, you can then throw out the team tactics and sprint as individuals, but until then ride as a team.

members handbook 2013 11 - eastern cycling club€¦ · duration around a 1-2km circuit. the winter...

Documents