Sunday Event Report 3rd February 2013
Warm conditions greeted the riders for the weekly Club Development Event on Sunday morning. The club has recently taken the step to downgrade the status of the traditional Sunday race to a club development event to encourage the participation of more riders, all who are licensed, in club events at a more affordable price. This also allows for the handicapper to use place more experienced riders with newcomers to educate them on the nuances and tactics of bunch riding.
With regular handicapper Peter Rees returning this week the back markers were looking for a bit of reprieve following the severe handicap of last week offered by “The Fox” – a traditional supporter of the limit markers. That said it was great to see the return to the event of Steve Green and Bill Sutcliffe who received 9 minutes from scratch as the limit markers. Also returning from some time off and one appendix lighter was Brendan Forsyth who left with Rick Martin, Peter Lott and the generously handicapped Al “Kilometres” Baker, Tim Condon and Rod Fergus at 4minutes 30 seconds. It was bemusing to all that the in-form Fergus was handicapped so easily except those that had seen his secret handshake with the handicapper.
Chopping block left at 7 minutes from go with Gary Halloran being ably assisted by Kevin Ford and Tim Meares (the latter helping for at least the first 5km of the outward trip!) Starting from scratch were the group of Dave Jarvis, Kevin Goodman, James Baldry, Hamish Nott and Mark Ward. Wardy left the start at a pace which could only be described as EPO-like and nearly left his compatriots behind. This fast start, and the collapse of Meares’ lungs and legs on Pettit’s Hill allowed scratch and block to merge at around the turn.
Unbeknown to these chasers was the fact that limit and second limit had joined only 5km into the 26km journey and were working well together. Try as they might they were unable to catch the well organised group of burglars out in front. The experienced Fergus had the group working like a well-oiled machine, shedding riders one by one as they sacrificed themselves for the greater good of the group over the last 10km. Within the last 500m it was clear that Scratch would be waiting another week for a victory and it came down to a battle of three at the front with Rod Fergus leading over the line from Tim Condon and Al Baker to take the spoils ( money well spent at the start with the golden handshake!). Kevin Goodman and Mark Ward narrowly missed catching and were a mere 10 seconds behind at the finish. Kevin claimed fastest time in a very slick 39minutes and 40 seconds whilst Tim Meares declared himself officially last. Tim also warned everyone to stay away from his cycling “Boot Camp” at Narooma next year – citing that as the cause of his poor form!
A reminder to all those who have yet to renew or take out a license that this is now a requirement of Cootamundra Cycle Club to hold at least a Club Ride Silver license. This license gives you insurance cover against accident or injury to other riders during one of the weekly organised rides (for example Thursday afternoons, Saturday mornings or Sunday Events). All riders can now participate in these rides provided they hold at least a Silver Ride Membership, worth $77 with Cycling Australia. With the pleasing increase in riders of late it is becoming more important that everyone on these rides is licensed.