Sherrie Prossalentis

President

15th September

As a result of the A.G.M. held after racing this morning, the following executive were elected to the Committee of our club;

President: Sherrie Prossalentis

Vice President: Kevin Poetschka

Treasurer: George Prossalentis

Registrar: Narelle Heaney

Club Captain: John Laing

Handicapper: Jim Stewart

Riders Representatives: Brian Cameron, Mick Hall

As there were no nominations for the positions of Secretary and Social Secretary, these positions will be filled by the committee until they appoint officers to these positions.

Our contacts page will be updated shortly!

4th November

Our club presentation is being held on the 22nd November at Lowlands Bowling Club at Cooks Hill. It is a fun afternoon and we would like to see as many members as we can. The festivities commence at 3pm and includes a BBQ dinner usually round 5pm, we are cyclists after all.

Congratulations to Jeff Pretto for winning the Bronze medal in the recent World Masters Division 5 Road Race. This is a wonderful result given Jeff’s division had over 110 riders.  

 Well done to Preston Tully ,Anthony Lloyd Jones, Jeff Howe and Eileen Guest for competing and finishing their respective events and representing HVVCC.

Hunter Velodrome Trust track season will commence on Wednesday 4th November at 7.30pm. I highly recommend everyone to come down and watch the events. Track racing is great racing and far more spectator friendly than road racing.

25th October

All club members are reminded that the Annual General Meeting of The Hunter Valley Veteran Cycling Club will be held at 10.00am following the Orica Handicap Race on November 15th at the Vets clubhouse. We invite and encourage all members of the club to attend and have a say in the running of our club.

Members wishing to nominate themselves or other members of the club for positions on the committee should do so on the nomination sheet posted on the noticeboard in the clubhouse before the meeting on the 15th of November, 2009.

30th August

Our club held the 2009 HVVCC Age Division Championship in windy conditions on the Kooragang Island course today. 46 club members contested the championships in 10 five year age groups from Masters 1(30-34 years) through to Masters 10(75-79 years). The following members of our club were the placegetters;

Masters 1-(30-34)

WM1- 1st Conor Gilligan

Masters 2-(35-39)

MM2-1st Tony Heaney, 2nd Murray Ormandy, 3rd Cameron Smith

Masters 3-(40-44)

MM3- 1st Trevor Millington, 2nd Darren Turnbull, 3rd Tony Anderson

Masters 4-(45-49)

MM4- 1st Peter Purcell, 2nd Jeff Howe, 3rd Peter Noble

WM4- 1st Eileen Guest

Masters 5-(50-54)

MM5- 1st Kevin Poetschka, 2nd Jeff Pretto, 3rd Rob Chapman

WM5- Lauretta Mellows

Masters 6-(55-59)

MM6- 1st Neil Skillen, 2nd Bryan Atkins, 3rd Noel Bromage

Masters 7-(60-64)

MM7- 1st John Crossley, 2nd Dave Bowen, 3rd Jim Stewart

WM7- Jane Mountford

Masters 8-(65-69)

MM8- 1st Maurice Mathe, 2nd Milton Smith, 3rd Bryan Edwards

Masters 9-(70-74)

MM9- 1st Peter Jones, 2nd Dave Mawer, 3rd Brian Goldsmith

Masters 10-(75-79)

MM10- 1st Col Appleyard, 2nd John Donohue, 3rd Harry Pallister

6th July

Following yesterday's massed start scratch race club championship Tony Heaney has been named Club Champion for 2009. Tony won the time trial championship in March and his 2nd place in the massed start race was enough to earn him the allround Club Champion title this year. Congratulations Tony.

On a much sadder note it is with regret that we inform members, and the cycling community of the passing of our friend and fellow Vets Club member Bruce Richardson. Bruce died on Thursday as a result of injuries sustained in an accident while riding home from club racing in early March this year.

Bruce will be remembered as a very competitive cyclist on both road and track and a most popular and friendly member of our club. He has been and will continue to be sadly missed.

16th June

29th March

CLUB INDIVIDUAL TIME TRIAL TITLES OVER 24KMS.

MAST 2: 1ST-T.HEANEY(35.50), 2ND-M.ORMANDY(38.35), 3RD-C.SMITH(44.01)

MAST 3: 1ST-P.CLARK.(38.11)

MAST 4: 1ST-P.PURCELL(37.39),

MAST 5: 1ST-G.SONTER(37.32), 2ND-R.CHAPMAN(37.48), 3RD-J.GILMOUR(38.55).

MAST 6: 1ST-N.BROMAGE(37.13), 2ND-B.ATKINS(38.21), 3RD-K.HATCH(39.05)

MAST 7: 1ST-J.CROSSLEY(38.40), 2ND-J.STEWART(40.07), 3RD-P.STALEY(40.15).

MAST 8: 1ST-M.MATHE(41.10), 2ND-M.SMITH(41.19), 3RD-G.RYAN(43.25).

MAST 9: 1ST-D.MAWER(42.29), 2ND-B.CAMERON(48.15).

MAST 10: 1ST-C.APPLEYARD(45.17), 2ND-D.ROWNEY(51.21), 3RD-J.DONOHUE(52.27)

OVERALL CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP:

1ST-T.HEANEY(35.50)-6 POINTS

2ND-N.BROMAGE(37.13)-5 PIONTS

3RD-G.SONTER(37.32)-4 POINTS

4TH-P.PURCELL(37.39)-3 POINTS

5TH-R.CHAPMAN(37.48)-2 POINTS

2009 CLUB INDIVIDUAL TIME TRIAL CHAMPION-T.HEANEY

21st March

Finally a bit of good news, Bruce has had some surgery and has recovered well. He is up in a wheelchair and mumbling some words. At the beginning of the week the medical team had not given Bruce much chance. But Bruce being Bruce is fighting on which is wonderful news. His family wishes to thank everyone for their support and best wishes. Brian Radcliff’s condition remains unchanged and is still in a coma. Let us hope there is some improvement in Brian’s condition.

On a lighter note well done to all our Vet members who raced on the track this season. The final race was held on Wednesday night with presentation held after the short program. Those members include Maurice, Kelly and Mick, Tony Heany, Martin Smith, Nick Sanders, Russell Brown, Bruce and myself. Nick and I were fortunate enough to win overall D grade champion and runner up.      

16th March

It has been a sad week for Hunter cycling. Following Bruce Richardson's serious injuries last Sunday(8/3/09) we have suffered two further tragic accidents involving cyclists. Brian Radcliff from Hunter District club suffered serious head injuries in a fall at the veledrome on Wednesday night. He has had surgery and is currently in intensive care. Then on Saturday morning Hunter triathlete and former member of Kooragang Club John Clifford died as a result of a traffic accident while on a training ride. John was a friend and training partner of many members of our club.

Our race field held a minutes silence before racing on Sunday in honour of John's memory. Our thoughts and best wishes go out to all the families and friends of John, Brian and Bruce at this sad time.

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11th March

Being President of the club is a very positive and rewarding job, however there are times it is not. Today is one of those days.

As the bunch rode back from racing today our much loved  member Bruce Richardson had a terrible accident. It appears his jacket got caught in his front wheel and he sustained serious head, neck and spinal injuries.

Jill Richardson informed me this afternoon he will be transferred to Royal North Shore for treatment, things are not looking good and he remains in critical condition.

She has asked me to thank the cycling fraternity for their assistance at the scene especially to Colin Cole and Nick Kendros. She has also asked me to remind riders to ride with some form of identity.

Our thoughts are with Bruce, his wife Jill and his family in the hope for some improvement in his condition.

On Monday Bruce underwent surgery at RNS to stabilise his neck to allow for further treatment. At this stage he is unable to breathe independently. Bruce is a real fighter having ridden with Bruce on the track this season, all of us D graders know about his ‘never give up’ tactics. The Richardson family will continue to keep us informed of his condition and we will let everyone know as it comes to light.

15th February

The club is currently running a 3 month trial, March. April and May, of the following prizemoney structure for all veteran and invitation scratch races:

      READY RECKONER FOR ALL SCRATCH RACES: FROM 1.3.2009

This structure will be reviewed after the 3 month trial

23rd November

The structure for all membership fees has been simplified as follows-

Masters 1 to 7,Age 30-64(Born 1945-1979)full membership fee is $198 per annum.
Membership for all riders born before 1944 is $110.

8th November

CLUB ROAD AGE-GROUP TITLES; 19/10/2008 (44 Starters)
Masters 2 Men- 1st – TONY HEANY, 2nd –Murray Ormandy, 3rd- Tony Corcoran
Masters 3 Men- 1st –DEAN MEGAHEY, 2nd- Steve Pickard
Masters 4 Men- 1st- MAL STARK, 2nd-Neil Schneider, 3rd- Colin Cole
Masters 5 Men- 1st-BRYAN ATKINS, 2nd- Peter McDermid
Masters 6 Men- 1st- PAUL HINES, 2nd- Bob Marsh, 3rd-Tony Distefano
Masters 7 Men- 1st- JOHN CROSSLEY, 2nd- Jim Stewart, 3rd- Chris Colling
Masters 8 Men- 1st- MAURICE MATHE, 2nd- Milton Smith, 3rd-Brian Edwards
Masters 9 Men- 1st- BRYAN CAMERON, 2nd-Dave Mawer, 3rd- Des Rowney
Masters10 Men- 1st-COL APPLEYARD, 2nd- Harry Pallister
WOMEN-1st- JENNY SCHNEIDER, 2nd- Lauretta Mellows

1st September

Firstly a further reminder to us all that racing starts at 8.00am this Sunday so set your alarms just in case.

Sunday saw the cancellation of our age division scratch races which will be postponed to the 19th October. Despite the rain many turned out to farewell long time club member Patti Whyte. It was to be her last race before she leaves Newcastle. Eating cake at 9am is not the food of choice for us cyclists but a wonderful way to say a farewell to a very special member. As a club we can be very proud of Patti who has had a very successful year representing HVVCC winning her division on a state and national level for road, criterium, and time trial.Farewell and good luck Patti.

On a sad note, our deepest sympathies are with Jane Mountford with the passing of her husband Bob. Bob had been a HVVCC member for many years and his name appears on many of the trophies in our club house. Bob was a great friend to many people in our club and the cycling community generally. He will be sadly missed.

Bob’s funeral will be held tomorrow(Tuesday) at 11am

13th July

Sunday saw the inaugural "Wellness Centre Women's Handicap",
with 22 starters braving the cold 8am start. Thanks to our sponsor Mike and Di Dunn from The Wellness Centre New Lambton for their very generous sponsorship.

We would also like to thank Sherlock's Hairdressing, Lily Victoria and Brooks Australia for their donations for our prize baskets.

The handicap event allows for all abilities and the event saw 3 girls race for the first time and 2 girls return to racing after having family as recently as four weeks ago. Thanks to all the girls for participating and having a go. It is not often we have women's only events and it is important that we try and support them.

Congratulations to Karen Webb from Hunter District who won the event with Kerrie Wakeling coming in 2nd. Congratulations to Patti Whyte our Masters 4 State and National champion for taking out fastest time. The good news is the Wellness Centre has kindly offered to sponsor the event next year, so we're all looking forward to a bigger and better event next year.

Click here to view a slideshow of the 2008 Wellness Centre Women's Handicap:

http://s325.photobucket.com/albums/k370/huntervets/2008%20Wellness%20
Centre%20Womens%20Handicap/?albumview=slideshow

If you would like a full resolution copy of any of the photos, send an email to Chris at
candscoleman@gmail.com, quoting the number of the picture you're interested in.

===============

After the Wellness Centre's Women's Handicap was run, 87 riders participated in our usual Sunday Scratch race.

Click here to view a slideshow of photos taken at the Scratch Race held on Sunday 13 July 2008:

http://s325.photobucket.com/albums/k370/huntervets
/13%20July%202008%20Scratch/?albumview=slideshow

Again, if you would like a full resolution copy of any of the photos, send Chris an email, at candscoleman@gmail.com, quoting the number of the picture you're interested in.

============

Click here to view a slideshow of miscellaneous photos taken at our clubhouse:

http://s325.photobucket.com/albums
/k370/huntervets/Miscellaneous/?albumview=slideshow

A limited selection of these are also posted in our Gallery.

It was great to get back to racing after several weeks off because of wet weather. We had 93 riders participating in todays invitation races with Vets club riders featuring prominently on the results sheet.

All female riders are reminded that the Womens Wellness Handicap race next week starts at 8.00am sharp followed by graded Veteran Scratch Races. Sherrie, our Club President, has put in a lot of time and effort to promote the Women's Handicap Race so girls get out there early and support your race.

Meanwhile prospective members now have the oppurtunity to join our club at reduced cost by purchasing a 6 month license. This will allow cyclists to race till December 31st before needing to renew. So tell your friends to come out to the club on Sunday morning, join up and enjoy the competitive, but friendly atmosphere that our club racing provides.

27th April 2008

Great news for our club- Patti Whyte competing in the Australian Masters titles at Calga last week won a gold medal in the Womens Masters 4 division road race. Patti is now the Australian Champion and we look forward to seeing her at club races wearing her Australian Champions' colours. A just reward for a cyclist who works harder than most in training and A grade races. Well done Patti from all the committee and club members.

Also congratulations to Maurice Mathe who also gained a silver medal in the Mens Masters 8 Individual Time Trial and a bronze medal in the Mens Masters 8 road race at Calga.

ALL RIDERS ARE REMINDED THAT WE REVERT TO A 9.00a.m. WINTER START TIME AT THIS WEEKENDS INVITATION RACES.

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.

Today we recieved the following email correspondence from Michael Tomalaris of SBS. Read on and tune in to the big race!

"In 2007, the country celebrated when local cycling hero and Olympic and Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Stuart O’Grady, became the first Australian to win the ‘Queen of the Classics’, the Paris-Roubaix.

The tenacious South Australian raced for over six hours on punishing cobblestones and rough terrain, fought off assaults from fellow cyclists, dealt with high temperatures, a puncture and crash, before securing his historic win.

“To race on centuries-old, narrow cobblestone roads, which date back to the Napoleonic era, is a challenge in itself but to finish and be declared the winner is an honour never forgotten,” said SBS presenter and cycling expert, Michael Tomalaris.

“The 2007 Paris-Roubaix winner, Stuart O'Grady, has that honour and he'll always be put on a pedestal as the first Australian to conquer the Hell of the North.”

In a network first, Australians can watch the race LIVE as O’Grady, and his team member and fellow Australian Matthew Goss, battle the world’s best cyclists to retain his crown. SBS will broadcast the 2008 event LIVE on Sunday 13 April from 10:10pm (AEST).

The LIVE coverage will be hosted by SBS’s Michael Tomalaris, who will be joined in the studio by former Australian cycling professional, David McKenzie, and respected cycling journalist, Rupert Guinness. Prominent international cycling commentators Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen will provide the race commentary.

“Australian television viewers have been transfixed to SBS's live coverage of the Tour de France for many years, now the cycling psyche will extend to the greatest one-day classic of them all,” said Mr Tomalaris.

In the lead up to the 106th edition of the Paris-Roubaix, relive Stuart O’Grady’s thrilling win in the SBS produced documentary Conquering Roubaix. Hear from Stuart O’Grady, team mate Allan Johansen, team Sporting Director Scott Sunderland and renown cycling photographer Graham Watson as they take you through the gruelling and action packed 160 kilometres of Stuart O’Grady’s 2007 epic race.

Watch the emotional Conquering Roubaix documentary on Thursday 10 April at 11:15pm, with a replay on Sunday 13 April at 11:00am, before the LIVE Paris-Roubaix action commences Sunday evening at 10:10pm (AEST). Check local guides or sbs.com.au."

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.

This Saturday night will see the first event for central division “track championships” hosted by the Hunter Velodrome trust. We have a few ‘trackies’ amongst us vet members with the carnival starting at 5pm and a $2 entry fee per car, I encourage everyone to come down and support us track riders. Track training is held every Tuesday and loan bikes are available so if you have always been thinking of having a go, try it.

The full program of central division events is available on the central division website and copies of the program are available in the clubhouse. Remember you must wear your club shirt for all central division events. If you do not have a club shirt please see myself or Christine on race days for your size.

We also would like to congratulate our Club Champion Dean Megahey on his 3rd place in the recent Australian Mountain Bike Championships. I was amazed with the skill level of these riders after watching the event on SBS recently.

Let us hope the rain stays away for our scratch races on Sunday and I will see you all supporting us track riders on Saturday night.

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