VET'S IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Veterans Express Weekly Roundup S.A Veteran Cycling

with Richard Surfield

all photographs copyright impact internet services 2000 SPECIAL FEATURE compiled & edited by Richard Surfield.......
reporters Barry Timmins/Rowley Ferris and Richard Surfield........... WORLD VISION CHARITY & BERNARD BUSHELL TROPHY DAY 25-3-01 Who would have thought that a holiday in Australia some 10 years ago, could have such a profound affect on cycling in our southern districts and in particular those involved with veteran cycling. Well thats what happened when british tourist and avid cyclist Bernard Bushell visited the region way back in 1991. Out from the "mother land" to visit friends here in South Australia, Bernard wanted to do a spot of cycling and of course meet the locals. It was a chance meeting that lead to the doorstep of the SDV&LCC at McLaren Vale. For six weeks he enjoyed the company of many new found friends savouring the opportunity to race each weekend with a pretty impressive bunch of people. Taken in by the club he decided to donate a perpetual trophy and a Wolsley CC jersey for an annual event. He returned again in 1993 once again visiting the club and presenting them with trophies. Although he continued to keep contact with the club and sent out a jersey from the North London based cycling club each year the opportunity to return to the land down under didn't arise again until 2001 the year of the 10th anniversary running of the race. The event had grown since 1991 from a straight out handicap race till 1999 when it became a two division handicap event. This year it was decided to run graded scratch races combining the World Vision Charity Day with it. It looked a winner as 60 riders entered the 6 grades.

Some of the members from the SDV&LCC

Bernard Bushell with 2001 winner Mark Piro

The "B" grade bunch

On the attack

It was a pity though that weather wise conditions were far from ideal, although one could be forgiven for thinking that Bernard would have felt right at home. Blustery winds to 70kph made sections of the course a real test for the competitors as did the occassional rain squall that swept through the famous wine producing region. For all that it didn't dampen the enthusiasm of too many as most riders managed to complete the race which took them from McLaren Vale to Kangarilla and two laps around the township before they headed west to McLaren Flat, McLaren Vale township, south heading towards Willunga with a mighty tailwind, east along the drag at Binneys Road and then on to the finish straight on Strouts road in to the might of the North Westerly gale and more belting rain. The graded scratch race format meant that staying with your group was the order of the day. To make matters more difficult for riders a particularly hard course had been selected with a steep climb in to the wind to be negotiated twice after the 25 km mark. This proved to be the breaking point for most. In A grade Mark Piro powered home to take the Bernard Bushell trophy. The trophy was presented on its tenth anniversary by Bernard Bushell himself. Mark claimed he had had only two hours sleep last night but few in the crowd at the presentation believed him. It was a intense display of formidable riding after Piro was dropped and then forced to chase hard for 5 kilometres before latching on to the group again. John Watters and Mike Ellaway then stayed with him but were beaten to the line. In B grade Norman Hoy who came fourth claimed it was a fast race. "It went really quick ". He claimed that he has the tactics of winner John Amos figured out and it is not going to happen again. In the sprint for the line Trevor Gregory and Joe Zoanetti took the placings. C grade was won by the continuing improver Bob Seymour from a fast finishing Russell Osmond and Geoff Hillman. D grade was taken out by Eddie Fabian after a very attacking race from Steve Hazell who thought it was A grade and gave everyone a tow for most of the race. Tom Blackburn attacked on the steep hills but couldn’t stay in at the end. Neil Theis attacked on the down hills. Riders had to work hard to avoid a sheep who did not have a red flag on the steep descent in to Bakers Gully. There were three on the line for the finish with Barry Bullivant taking out third. It was a three way sprint for the line in E grade with Bob Dowell continuing his run of good form to take out first from Mark Johnson and Wolf Harder. In F grade Laurie Pearce led home Vic Skitteral and Di Goddard. It was a great day considering their was just one trophy and no prizemonies. All entries went towards the clubs sponsor child PATTY who, through World Vision and the unselfish devotion of the 60 riders today, will receive $400 assistance for her village. As for Bernard, well he had a bottler of a day catching up with the many friends he has established here in the southern vales while taking time out for photographs and of course presenting his perpetual trophy and that treasured Wolsley CC jersey.

A GRADE 1 MARK PIRO 2 JOHN WATTERS 3 MIKE ELLAWAY

B GRADE 1 JOHN AMOS 2 TREVOR GREGORY 3 JOE ZOANETTI

C GRADE 1 BOB SEYMOUR 2 RUSSELL OSMOND 3 GEOFF HILLMAN

D GRADE 1 EDDIE FABIAN 2 STEVE HAZEL 3 BARRY BULLIVANT

E GRADE 1 BOB DOWELL 2 MARK JOHNSON 3 WOLF HARDER

F GRADE 1 LAURIE PEARCE 2 VIC SKITTERAL 3 DI GODDARD

SDV&LCC WRAP-UP reports thanks to SDV&LCC MEDIA ..... Barry Timmins reporting
Further information on the SDV&L CC please contact
Press officer Barry Timmins ph 8323 8634
email ...........here 18-3-01 A superb solo effort dominates this weeks race report. with Bob Dowell continuing his recent run of good form with a very forceful ride. Bob began the race with the 7 minute group with Vic Skitteral and Helen Mc Skimming. He was riding vigorously and lost his markers on the first lap. He caught the 5 minute group of Di Goddard, Doug Tuckey and John Johnson at the start of the second lap. This group worked together until the short but steep climb on Chapmans Avenue where Bob Dowell and John Johnson broke away. Early on the third lap Bob and John caught the limit riders and a group of four consisting of Bob Dowell, John Johnson, Noel Myatt, and Kathy Dowell worked together until the final climb on Chapmans Avenue where once again powerful riding from Bob saw him breakaway. Working hard behind in pursuit where a couple of pairs of riders. Barry Timmins and Wolf Harder rode the race together until the final stretch down the main Willunga Road when Barry stepped up the pace to catch Helen Mc Skimming who was riding solo giving chase to the remains of the pack that Bob Dowell had recently dropped. Chasing this pair forcefully where Bob Seymour and Peter Murgatroyed who began the day with the 16 minute group. The race intensified on the finishing straight on Strout Road. Bob Dowell had worked solidly enough to remain clear winner crossing the line about 50 meters in front of a very fast finishing group which was lead out by Bob Seymour and Peter Murgatroyed with Barry Timmins latching on the back. These three caught the group following Bob to the line by surprise. On the line the minor placings went to Bob Seymour followed closely by Barry Timmins, Noel Myatt and Peter Murgatroyed. Fastest time went to scratch rider Craig Sheldon who averaged a mean 37.2km for the day.
This weeks ‘Footnote’.............
Quote of the week from ‘I get new wheels for my birthday’ Norman Hoy I never go on long country rides without toilet paper Wolf Harder had plenty of supplies on board this week including a number of spare tubes and a pump which he fortunately did not need . Not so lucky was Peter Blackburn who punctured early in the race. full results click here 11-3-01 Very windy conditions and a tough hilly course took its toll on some riders but others stood out from the crowd with tremendous solo efforts of forceful riding. Dave Beaumont and Vic Skitteral took out the first two places. Both had very hard solo rides. Vic rode impressively but was caught by Dave on Chapman’s avenue. Digging deep he hung on to take a very creditable second.
The race behind was led home a small group of three who dominated punching their way through the field. Chris Hamilton, Geoff Hillman and Eddie Collins worked their way through the early starters. Caught with very little left to go was first time rider Ian Molby. He was dynamic enough to hang on for a very pleasing fourth sprinting strongly for the line with Chris Hamilton. No doubt he will start in stronger company next time. Jim Mc Cluskey had a forceful ride but it would seem that the trio of Hamilton, Hillman and Collins worked against him to avoid his potent sprint finish powering robustly away on the Binney Road in to the strong wind. Geoff was reluctant to speak about his effort but did say "I just got dragged around by Chris Hamilton."
Doug Tuckey needs a mention for another of the day’s vigorous solo efforts. He teamed up with Dave Beaumont for a short section but went for most of the race on his own finishing a well deserved sixth. Fastest time on the day went to Peter Grivel. John Lapidge, Alan Titterton, Jim Mc Cluskey and Michael Ralph took out the remaining places.
This weeks ‘Footnote’.............
Bad luck stories are plentiful. Wolfgang Harder punctured early on the Kangarilla Road stretch only to discover he had not brought his pump. He must get the good Samaritan award however for after returning to the clubrooms he went back out on to the course and assisted a few of the very tired back markers to the line on his wheel. Steve Mutton was another puncture victim but he had the misfortune of two. He made it back with a flat very late in the day. We also had a group who had trouble with navigation. Dave Symmonds took a couple of riders on an extended tour of the Mclaren Vale wine district before getting back on track. full results click here LOBETHAL COMBINE 4-3-00 Thanks to Terry Smith of the V&LCC at the "harbour" for the results from todays combine at Lobethal. Please note that this event & the recent state criterium championships are NOT part of the Impact Consistency Awards for 2001. The first event for this year will be the Tour of Minlaton conducted by the V&LCC.

A Grade 62kms 1st A Gill 2nd S Gill 3rd M Ridding 4th B McDonald

B Grade 62kms 1st M Refermat 2nd R Deed 3rd L Brugleman 4th M Piro

C Grade 62kms 1st N Tibrook 2nd J Hanusewizc 3rd R Capelli 4th N Hoy

D Grade 62kms 1st V Braithwaite 2nd J Olds 3rd J Matthews 4th S Johns

E Grade 31kms 1st F Moore 2nd D Milne 3rd N Thiess 4th P Hummel

F Grade 31kms 1st R Bihet 2nd V Delussey 3rd B Gordon 4th B Hargreaves

G Grade 31kms 1st B Cotton 2nd D Beaumont 3rd D Goode 4th B Adams

AVCC STATE CRITS Because the state criteriums are of major importance to all AVCC members around Australia the coverage of the 2001 AVCC South Australian Criterium Championships are being hosted on the national veterans pages in the "International Cycling Gazette" and can be accessed by clicking here SAVCC WEDNESDAY CRITS Wednesday night crits are of interest to many cyclists besides our AVCC members around Australia. So the coverage of these exciting races can be found on the national veterans pages in the "International Cycling Gazette". This will give riders who are not familiar with the "Gazette" the opportunity to discover more about Impacts cycling coverage. Results, write-ups (when I am in attendance) can be accessed by clicking here AVCC STATE CRITS Because the state criteriums are of major importance to all AVCC members around Australia the coverage of the 2001 AVCC South Australian Criterium Championships are being hosted on the national veterans pages in the "International Cycling Gazette" and can be accessed by clicking here AVCC STATE CRITS Because the state criteriums are of major importance to all AVCC members around Australia the coverage of the 2001 AVCC South Australian Criterium Championships are being hosted on the national veterans pages in the "International Cycling Gazette" and can be accessed by clicking here SDV&LCC WRAP-UP reports thanks to SDV&LCC MEDIA ..... Barry Timmins reporting
Further information on the SDV&L CC please contact
Press officer Barry Timmins ph 8323 8634
email ...........here 18-2-01 A tough course and windy and hot conditions greeted the riders on this DETRAC sponsored race day. A, B, and C grades fought out tough graded scratch races. In A grade the pace was fast and furious with a breakaway only on the hill of the final lap. A group of seven riders pushed hard for the line with Andrew Kuhl, Brenton Mac Donald, Mike Ellaway, John Giles and Peter Grivell taking the major placings. B Grade ran three laps as a large pack at considerable pace. Heartbreak Hill on the third was the spot of the only breakaway of the day with a small group of four riders going hard for the line. Stuart Blair would have to be considered unlucky. Part of this aggressive breakaway he punctured with the finish line in sight. With a very wobbly front wheel he still managed to take out third. John Russell was first with Robertl Gaggini, Ray Deed, and our sponsor Geoff Carpenter taking the placings. C grade was a tough race with a fast start and a high speed ascent on lap two which dropped a number of the favoured sprinters out the back. The regular fellow markers of John Amos, Micheal Hartman and Peter Weathrall worked well together to hold of Ian Davis, Theo Nicholas and a fast finishing Norman Hoy on the line. D and E grades where a handicap event with Paul Tangey taking the fastest time. Place getters came from the nine and eleven minute starting groups. The hill took its toll on each lap with the early starters caught just after the first ascent. Bob Dowell, Barry Timmins and Kate Logan joined Doug Tuckey and Di Goddard on the second lap to form a working group but the second ascent of the hill saw the group breakup. Laurie Pearce joined Barry Timmins at the front and they worked together for the third lap holding off a strong challenge from Rebecca Leon, Dave Symmonds, Bob Dowell and John Dawson.
This weeks ‘Footnote’.............
Next week 25/02/01 VLCC in association with AVCC presents 2001 Criterium Championships of SA
Regency Park 8.30am
SDV&LCC Marshalls roster..........11/3/01
C McMillian, J Giles, C Altin, J Hanuszwicz full results click here V&LCC WRAP-UP 4-2-01 Riders competing at the Harbour enjoyed cooler conditions today, a relief from what has been an extremely hot season so far with another hot week predicted to come. Todays competition, two division handicaps over distances of 50 & 40KM were sponsored by Pengelley Knabe attacted 84 riders split into 40 Div 1 and 44 Div 2 competitors and with $580 in prizemonies there was plenty of incentices to get in and race hard today.
Division 1 provided little joy for the back markers who failed to make up the 8 1/2 minutes handicap the limit received. The flying plumber Steve Kinder taking top honours here in a solid performance. Steves average speed of 40.54 kph was indicitive of how hard it has become in division one competition these days on the long flat stretches of Lady Gowrie Drive and Victoria Parade. The fastest time went to Tony McLoughlin who averaged 43.27 kph which hardly made a dent in the limits handicap. In fact the scratch men would have had to come up with an avs of 46.875 to have any chance of victory today and that readers is the sort of average speeds even the professionals find hard to attain. Division two also saw little joy for the scrathies who, while managing to round up the whole field spent most of their energy with little left at the end. I remember those heady days at the Harbour in 1990 when a younger Brian Doecke was still riding "A" grade with the likes of Karl "charlie" Gieshoff. Well, a decade later and he's right on top with a convincing ride from the 3 minute mark in division 2. Well done "doekes" as he is affectionately know at cycling. Fastest time went to scratchman Peter Parent another character with the nickname of the "Flying Dutchman". Peters average speed of 37.41 doesn't reflect the hard chase the scratchies in division two put in to do so well considering the limit bunch in their division had some 11min 30sec head start over such a short distance of 40km, but full credit to him as he managed to get second overall today. Another big pat on the back goes to Jeanette Margrate for a job well done placing in the top ten with the guys. Speaking about our lady competitors I shall also mention Kath Jones who races every week without fail and has shown tremendous improvement since taking up competitive cycle racing.
All in all it was a pretty entertaining days racing yet again down at the "The Harbour". Race Results

DIVISION ONE 1ST STEVE KINDER 2ND TERRY STEWART 3RD THEO NICHOLAS 4TH ANDY MIEKLE 5TH DON HARVEY 6TH STEVE JOHNS 7TH CHRIS FARRAN 8TH JOSEPH HANUSZIWICZ 9TH TED TRANENT 10TH ROBERT CLIFFORD f/time TONY McLOUGHLIN

DIVISION TWO 1ST BRIAN DOECKE 2ND PETER PARENT 3RD MARTIN BOAS 4TH ROB BIHET 5TH JOHN HANCOCK 6TH BRIAN HARGREAVES 7TH JEANETTE MARGRATE 8TH FRANK MOORE 9TH VIC DELUSSEY 10TH BOB COTTON u/placed lady KATH JONES first over 60 RON DANIELS f/time PETER PARENT

SDV&L CC 11-2-01 Congratulations must go to the scratch riders for their impressive effort this week. The handicapper got it exactly right with the scratch group coming home strongly in a bunch finish with a very aggressive sprint for the line. Winner John Giles was most pleased at the presentations warmly thanking the handicapper as he received his prize money. Early starters did not get together in a large group as has happened in the last few events with small groups working hard together but unable to hold off the chasing scratchies. Barry Bullivant had another strong ride despite going the wrong way but this time he was unable to hold on being caught by the scratch pack in McLaren Vale. This group of about twenty riders worked together well throughout the race and took in all the early starters well before the finish line. The finish was very tight with officials unable to declare the last two places as the bunch was so close together on the line. There was very little between the first twenty across the line. John Giles just piped out Brendon Mac Donald with Garry Selth, John Watters, Trevor Gregory, Micheal Hartman, Peter Fry and Dave Ward given the nod from officials as the other place getters. Trevor Gregory has continued his recent spell of good form. full results click here This weeks ‘Footnote’.............
Detrac Race Day
Sunday 18 February 2001 8.30am
The Range course - Headquarters Range Hall
Graded scratch races A, B,C grades
with a Handicap event for D, E, F grades
Entry fee $6.00 payable on the day 4-2-01 Very windy but cool conditions greeted the large field of riders for the individual Club time Trial Championships. There where some very notable efforts with some impressive times. Times for all riders will be available next week. For medal results use link below. full results click here This weeks ‘Footnote’ .............
Not much to say this week despite some members making up stories of conflict during the race. All went well with no mishaps.
Anonymous quote of the week .............
"Everybody looked pretty strong as they rode past me during the race" 28-1-01 It was a fast, aggressive and competitive said place getter and steadfast rider Norman Hoy when asked to describe todays handicap race. Norman was in a group of twelve riders who took part in a spirited sprint at the finish. He was one of the many close calls of the day when he came off the road but recovered well to claim tenth place in the scramble for the line.
The race had large packs forming early with the markers being picked up on the first and early part of the second lap. With the packs working hard to keep up the smart pace it gave the scratch riders little chance of making up the ground resulting in the main scratch group finishing some five minutes after the leading pack.
The handicapper will be busy again this week. Barry Bullivant pulled off another strong result despite being pushed back towards the scratchies this week. He came in third and although it looked like a scramble he claimed that the field was slowing down rather than going for it on the line. The riders behind him where certainly after it with Norman Hoy using all the road and some of the edges as they closed in at the finish.
The race was won by a very small margin by Stephan Drew who pipped Peter Charos on the line. New rider Mike Ralph claimed fourth with Joe Zoanetti, Trevor Gregory, evergreen Bob Ritter, Chris White, Geoff Hillman, and Norman Hoy taking the remaining places.
Fastest time went to Martin Reffermat with Peter Blackburn the first over 65 and Caroline Dangerfield first unplaced lady. Chris White, Geoff Hillman and Norman Hoy along with improver Barry Bullivant are looking like strong contenders in our Goddard shield with good placings in the last two club events.
This weeks ‘Footnote’.............
Southern Veterans and Ladies Cycling Club Time trial Championships Sunday 4 February Strout Road Clubrooms 9.00am 34 km individual time trial medals for 5 age groups full results click here 14-1-01 It was not as hard as it could have been stated new bike owner Barry Bullivant who managed to reel in most of the field to finish a very strong second in todays handicap club event around the local McLaren Vale Mclaren Flat circuit. It was a rather hot but fortunately cloudy day with a friendly circuit with only a few small uphill drags.
Barry Bullivant began the race on his own and caught the group in front after the first fifteen kms at the start of the second lap making up four minutes. He continued to ride his own time trial chasing down the rest of the field bar one rider, the eventual winner and new rider Laurie Pearce. Both these boys might get some severe treatment from the handicapper for the next club event.
The race was dominated by some very spirited efforts from the ladies with Lyn Grivel and Cathy Dowell riding forcefully to finish third and fourth. The scratch riders could not make up the time this week with a two large groups forming on the second lap. Jim McCluskey brought home a dynamic group with Norman Hoy, veteran Ralph Plaice, Geoff Hillman and Chris white taking the remaining places.
This weeks ‘Footnote’.............
Barry Bullivant’s new bike came from one of the club’s sponsors Bicycle Express. Don’t ask Neil Theis what colour it is. full results click here 7-1-01 Strong winds greeted the substantial field of over sixty riders for this first handicap club event of the year. The circuit was very difficult with the Bakers Gully Loop featuring twice and claiming a few scalps each time. The race was very competitive with a large pack forming on the second Clarendon road up hill drag. Ahead was the leading group of Barry Bullivant, Klem Kelly , Neil Thies, Peter Blackburn, Vicki Birks, and Bob Dowell who remained together with many lead changes until the climb at the Mclaren Vale stage of the race when Vicki Birks, Peter Blackburn and Neil Thies broke away. They where hotly pursued by a large group of at least 25-30 riders from the pack who looked like powering to the front. At the finish Vicki Birks hung on desperately leading home the fastest time rider John Giles with Neil Thies holding down a valliant third place.
Today's race was very significant as former president Rowley Ferris put on a number for the first time in many years. He has been riding the courses but not competing. We wish him well in his long awaited come back.
On another note one of todays place getters Neil Thies was spotted on the Meadows to Willunga road still on his bike some two hours after the race and chalking up the distance. He must have rode to Kangarilla and up the hill to Meadows and was heading for home ( Willunga ) Watch out for him next week ! full results click here
Visit the IMPACT BIKEMART click here Enquiries for the Southern Veterans(McLaren Vale) can be directed to Rowley Ferris on 82960223.
Enquiries for the Outer Harbour Veterans can be directed to Len Nieuwenhoven on 82603181.


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