Sherrie Prossalentis

President

6th December 2007

The end of year is fast approaching and members are reminded to get their renewals in early. Cycling NSW is encouraging members to renew online and members will be entered into a sweepstake to have their license fee reimbursed. For members that are not able to access this facility membership forms are available in the clubhouse.

The committee has been working hard on the new program for 2008 with the inclusion of a women’s handicap race and more 8am starts. A reminder that the Christmas handicap is coming up on the 16th December with a Christmas morning and tea and possibly a visit from Santa.

22nd April 2008

On Monday the Australian Time Trial Championships were held at Calga. We had several vet members compete in what has been described as terrible conditions.

Those who competed included Graham Sonter, Brian Atkins, John Gilmour, Maurice Mathe, Robert Chapman with Patti Whyte and Eileen Guest representing our club in the women’s division.Congratulations to Patti who won a bronze medal for WM4 and to Maurice who won silver in MM8 division.

A reminder to all that next weeks scratch race is the last race at the 8am timeslot with the first 9am start being the open invitation race. The race committee had decided to extend the 8am timeslot for several more weeks which has been successful. As the weather starts to get cooler I ask members to make their way to the line quickly when they hear the starter’s bell so we can get the grades off quickly. Nothing irritates me more than being held on the line freezing waiting to get going.

24th October 2007

Members are reminded that the Annual General Meeting of The Hunter Valley Veterans Cycling Club will be held on Sunday the 11th of November following the Scratch Races.The new Committee for 2008 will be elected at the meeting. Nominations for committee positions can be made on the sheet posted on the noticeboard in the clubhouse.

Meanwhile on Sunday the 4th of November the Vets Presentation Day will be held at Lowlands Bowling Club, Cooks Hill starting at 3.00pm. Members and their families are welcome to enjoy the afternoon and evening festivities including free dinner, courtesy of the Club. Drinks will be available at the bar. For catering purposes please register your intent to attend on the sheet posted on the noticeboard in the clubhouse.

Congratulations to Vets member Jane Mountford who has been selected to represent Australia in the World Triathlon Championships in Vancouver, Canada in July this year. Jane, and her husband Bob, have been longtime popular members of our club and our best wishes go to her.

Members who wish to support Jane in her endeavours can attend a fund raising dinner to be held at Dixon Park Surf Club on Friday the 18th of April.For tickets contact either Greg on 0414547039, Tania on 0416116904 or Bob on 0432072196. Our best wishes are with you Jane!

In other news, it’s that time again to pull out those time trial bars, borrow that disc wheel and perhaps squeeze into that skin suit because the clubs individual time trial is on again.

Members may remember that last year we were on the hot dog course so this year’s event should be much better. Those that may have their eye on being the Club Champion need to compete in this event and the Mass Start road race. Our winner of the time trial last year was Rob Chapman followed by Dean Megahey. I would like to encourage all of our members to have a go in the time trial remembering there are no scratch races following the ITT event.

One final reminder, for those members who wish to compete in the 4th Annual Orica Kermesse that there are no late entries as it is a state event, get your entries in early.

11th October 2007

It is with great sadness that the president and committee of The Hunter Valley Veteran Cycling Club wish to inform members of the club and the Newcastle cycling fraternity of the untimely death of our close friend, Suzie Hadley.
A member of Hunter Districts Club, Suzie was a regular and popular participant in Vets races on Sunday mornings. Indeed she gained one of her many podium results last Sunday, coming 3rd in the D Grade Invitation race.
Suzie was a most friendly person who was rarely seen without a smile on her face and a friendly greeting to all. She will be sadly missed by many of our club members and the Newcastle cycling
fraternity but mostly by her partner Ros, father Rob, mother Deidre, brother Ross and the rest of her extended family.
Our thoughts are with them at this sad time.

Club members are reminded that our Club Presentation day is coming up on Sunday November 4 at 3.00pm at Lowlands Bowling Club. The club will provide a free barbeque dinner(drinks available from the bar) to all club members and their families. Come along and mix with our fellow club members in a relaxed "non lycra" environment.

Sunday was a perfect morning for racing with 93 riders making it to the start line. A reminder to rider’s to check their tyres before the bell. It won’t be long before cat eye season and Sunday’s race saw the start delayed for a rider to fix a puncture. This is sometimes inevitable however we do not want to make it a regular occurrence.

The club would like to wish the following members the best of luck with the upcoming NSW Master’s championship in Port Macquarie. HVVCC members competing are Scott Wevers, John Gilmore, Dave Anderson, Ken Hatch and Eileen Guest.

Speaking of upcoming events the third annual Orica Kermesse will be held on Saturday 13th Oct presented by the Hunter Velodrome Trust. Remember this is a state open so there are no late entries and that means you cannot turn up on the day and enter. It has over $5000 in prize money so I encourage all HVVCC members to enter its not often we have a state open in our own backyard, club shirt is a must.

.Don’t forget that racing on Sunday 30th September will be the final race at the 9am time slot.

The final race of the Central Division program was held at Kooragang on Saturday with a good turnout from vet members. Congratulations to Geoff Howe and Nick Sanders for their success in such atrocious conditions.

The following day saw the cancellation of our scratch race with the sun shining about an hour later….typical!! Many may ask who decides to cancel a race. This is done by the race committee (President, Handicapper, Rider’s Reps) taking into consideration course conditions, rider safety and rider numbers. This can be disappointing to those riders who come from further a field, however, we do have a duty of care to our riders and safety is our number one priority.

This Sunday is the Jim Sanford handicap, Jim is one of the founding members of the club as well as a Life Member. A trophy and Medals will be for grabs kindly donated by Jim and his wife. The cycle skills clinic will commence immediately after the presentation approx 10.30.

A reminder to all of our riders that on the 16th September we have our cycle skills course “Road Racing, Group Skills ,Keeping the Focus “ presented by Scott Steward. For those of you who don’t know Scott he is a level 2 cycle coach, former professional cyclist in Italy, four time mountain bike champion and Olympian and known to drink the odd cappuccino or two. We at HVVCC are very fortunate to have Scott as a club member and to assist our members in improving their skills. Cycling is a dangerous sport and this clinic is there to help you improve your bike handling skills to equip you for progression through the grades. The clinic will be held immediately after the handicap with morning tea provided and best of all its FREE. So get your name down for this fun session.Register via the noticeboard in the clubhouse.

Collingwood award goes to Sandra Parkes who was riding by herself and turned in front of my grade and then got attacked by the Maggie

Finally the weather is slowly warming up and it is almost time to ditch those arm warmers. Last Sunday saw a great turnout with 110 starters with all grades having good size bunches which makes for great racing.

A Message from our President;

The club will be hosting the Central Division Age Championships on Sunday 5th August. The race committee is putting the final touches, to the program with divisions ranging from under 13’s up to Masters 10. A coffee cart will be available for those of us who like a cuppa before racing.

The program for the Central Division Age Championships is

Race 1- U. 13s( 2 laps), U. 15s(3 laps), U. 17s(4 laps), Elite Women, Masters Women(5 Laps) -Start time 8.45am. Entries close 8.30am.

Race 2- Masters 5, 6, 7, 8(5 laps), Masters 9, 10 (4 laps). Start time 9.00am, Entries close 8.30am

Race 3-Elite Men, U19 men (8 laps), Masters 1(7 laps), Masters 2(6 laps), Masters 3,4(5 laps). Start time 9.30am, Entries Close 9.15am.

Entry for all races is $10. All riders are required to produce their race licences and are asked to wear their club uniform or official sanctioned sponsored uniform.

Club Stalwart Bryce Jamieson was the outstanding performer from our club at the Gunnedah to Tamworth race last weekend. He, along with 7 other Vets, competed in 107km graded scratch races conducted on Sunday the 1st of July. Bryce blitzed the field by a bike length in a bunch sprint to win the division 6 race. Way to go Bryce!! This was a particularly meritorious victory as Bryce was also one of 4 Vets who completed the tough 110km Coonabarabran to Gunnedah handicap race on Saturday the 31st of June. This race included 966m of climbing and was run in cold and windy conditions leaving most riders somewhat 'fatigued'.

Unfortunately again racing today was 'washed out' Hopefully next weeks Veteran scratch races will be held in dry, sunny conditions.

Riders are reminded that next weeks races will be the final club races in the first half of the year. So what? I hear you ask! On July 1st prospective members can take advantage of 1/2 year licenses that are being offered by Cycling Australia through our club.These licenses will cost new members $92.50 and will allow them to race till the end of the year.All current members should encourage prospective new members to take advantage of this cheap mid year chance to start racing. Of course those who aren't keen to outlay that much to join up, can "experiment" with the one day license that Cycling Australia offer through the Vets Club for $30.

For all enquiries regarding these license alternatives please contact Club Registrar Chris Coleman on 49430806 or by email at huntervets@internode.on.net or see him at the clubhouse on Sunday mornings before racing.

All riders are reminded that our Veteran Scratch races are this year for male riders in Masters 1 category (over 30 years of age) and above, as well as female riders of any age.However riders over 30 in the masters 1 age group must also have a license that is Masters 1 category and not "Elite" category. Elite licensed riders over 30 years of age can only compete at HVVCC Open Invitational Race Days.

Meanwhile our handicapper writes

H.V.V.C.C. GRADING AND HANDICAP SYSTEM (2007)
The handicapper has the responsibility for allocating grades and handicap positions. The handicapper currently uses the following system in determining grades/positions.

ALL SCRATCH RACES(INCLUDING INVITATIONS)
A points system will operate in club racing to determine if a rider is to be upgraded.

First place will attract 4 points, second will be 3 points, third will be 2 points.
A rider in B,C,D,E, grades, accumulating 9 points over his/her last six scratch races, will be upgraded. Two consecutive wins will also be an upgrade.
The upgraded rider may remain in the higher grade for three races.
Any rider “dropped” in three consecutive starts may be relegated.
Any rider upgrading themselves, must have three starts in the higher grade.
NOTE: 1.”F” Grade will carry 12 points for an upgrade.
2. A downgraded rider will be reassessed after his/her performance in the lower grade,and may be returned to his/her previous grade, as soon as possible,
if it is obvious he/she is performing well enough.
3. No points will be given if a place attracts no prizemoney.
4. Results in other races anywhere in the central division may determine the allocation of an invitation grade to any rider.
NEW RIDERS WILL BE RE-ASSESSED AFTER EACH RACE.

HANDICAP EVENTS
The handicapper will allocate a mark or group for each rider in a handicap event.Riders of similar grade or ability will be grouped at predetermined intervals.Slower, or lower graded riders, will be the first to start, (LIMIT), then faster groups will follow at intervals decided by previous handicap events. The last group to start will normally be the fastest riders ,(SCRATCH), over the designated course.
Individual adjustments may be required depending on any prizemoney taken, or the position each rider finishes (in previous handicaps.) He/she may be moved forward or back to another group on the basis of ability to perform at the current mark.(time)If a rider gains an advantage by starting on the wrong mark he/she will be disqualified.
NEW RIDERS WILL BE ASSESSED AFTER HIS/HER FIRST HANDICAP.

IMPORTANT NOTES: READ CAREFULLY.
A rider returning to racing after an absence, will normally start in his/her previous grade or mark, however, in cases of serious illness or injury, the handicapper will use his discretion.
Any queries or complaints about your grade or mark should be taken verbally or in writing to the riders reps,who will help to explain your allocated position in any race by obtaining statistics from the handicapper.

Unfortunately racing was abandoned last weekend due to 'the Big Wet' and it does not look great for this Sunday's Captain's Handicap. However if the weather clears for Sunday all riders should prepare for a competitive race. Let's hope that the roadworks are completed and we can use our full course although back markers would probably appreciate being able to see the front markers they are chasing on the 'hotdog' course.On the weekend of June 30th and July 1st all Vet riders might like to join the 5 members of our club who have already entered the Coonabarabran/ Gunnedah/ Tamworth weekend of racing. On Saturday a handicap race of 107km will be held between Coonabarabran and Gunnedah. Then for those with enough energy on Sunday the graded scratch races will be run between Gunnedah and Tamworth.Those interested in this weekend should enter online at http://www.nsw.cycling.org.au/. Entries will close this Sunday the 17th of June. Good luck to all our Vet riders for a successful weekend of racing.

Yesterday the Central Division Team Time Trial Championships were hosted by the Cessnock Cycling Club. The event was held on a 34km undulating course between Broke and Paynes Crossing in near perfect sunny, windless conditions.The Hunter Valley Vets team of Bryan Atkins, Bob Marsh, Neil Skillen and Darren Turnbull were entered in 'C' grade. After a steady start the team warmed to the task and powered to a winning time of 54 minutes for the 34km course. Congratulations boys, well done! Maybe state or even nationals next!!

Firstly my apologies for the lack of new information on the website recently. I have had some major computer problems recently and have only just got back 'online' . Fortunately for me this has corresponded to a quiet time for Vets racing due to two consecutive wet Sundays where racing was cancelled due to the resultant dangerous conditions. However I hope to have the site completely updated shortly.

Meanwhile the President writes-

For all our new members who may not be aware, Kooragang Cycling Club is relocating to a site adjacent to our clubhouse. This will be happening by the end of May. As a result, the two clubs will be sharing toilet block facilities.A sketch of the proposed facilities is posted on the noticeboard in the clubhouse. Feedback from members is most welcome.On the injury front, Noel Davies has finally made it home from hospital, after his horrific road accident while cycling before Christmas. Although he has a long way to go till complete recovery this is seriously great news. Dave Hern is also 'on the mend' after serious injury in a race accident.Meanwhile the rail lines on Cormorant Rd near Egret St have claimed another victim. Our former club president Ray Milliss fell on the wet rail lines after racing last Sunday and fractured his clavicle (collarbone).In his defence, Ray was not the only person to come down on the rail lines that day. This is a timely reminder to all cyclists that rail lines are a potential safety hazard, particularly when wet.Where possible cyclists are advised to cross rail lines at an angle as close as possible to 90 degrees.We hope both Ray and Dave mend quickly and are back on the bike as soon as possible.While talking about safety, riders are reminded that the days are getting shorter so training often has to be done before dawn and after dusk. So charge up those light batteries and be safe and be seen. Congratulations go to Eileen Guest on her success at the National Masters Championships at Bacchus Marsh in Victoria. Eileen won Bronze in the Masters 4 Criterium and Bronze in the Masters 4 Time Trial. Well Done Eileen!Finally our Club Championships are fast approaching. We would like to see as many members as possible participating in the time trials and age championships, so dust off those time trial bars and get training.

At the Special general meetings of the HVVCC held today* the resolution that "the club include a new category, grade or division called seniors", was defeated * the resolution that "the club remove Declan Curren from the office of president", was adopted.

Two Special General Meetings of all club members will be held at 10.00am on Sunday 18th of February at the HVVCC Clubhouse, following racing. These meetings will be held to discuss the following proposals. Meeting at 10.00am: That Hunter Valley Veterans Cycling Club consider and, if sought fit, to pass the following resolution:"the club include a new category, grade or division to be called seniors".Meeting following: That Hunter Valley Veterans Cycling Club consider and, if sought fit, to pass the following resolution:"that the club remove Declan Curren from the office of president". Only these items of agenda are to be discussed. All members are encouraged to attend these meetings and resolve the above issues.8th JanuaryWelcome to a new year of racing. Good luck to all riders

Hunter Valley Vets member Noel Davies was a member of a training group that was involved in a serious road accident just days before Christmas, 2006. He was the most seriously injured of 5 riders that were hospitalised following the accident.Noel has only just regained consciousness after the trauma of the accident and several operations that were necessary after the accident. Best wishes for a speedy recovery go to Noel and his family. His family are continually updating Noel's website where friends can remain informed on his progress to recovery. His website is http://www.noeldavies.com/

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