Weekly Newsletter 21 April 2014

LAST RACE OF THE SEASON
It’s been an action-packed season and many of us have finished our goal races, while others are still in training for longer distances in the next few months. But now it’s time to hit out for the last club race of the season. Whether to burn off some Easter guilt, a training session for races to come, or to see what is left after a huge season, there will be diverse motivation for racers on Sunday.

The mornings are getting crisp but at least it will be light. The sea temperature is still around 23 degrees, so it will be warmer in the water than out. At this point, the forecast for Sunday is a minimum of 14 degrees and maximum of 24 with a possible shower. But as we know, this could totally change between now & Sunday. So be prepared for anything! We can, however, rely on the tide, which will be nice and high at 6:34am on Sunday. Plenty of water in which to get lost (not mentioning any names…you know who you are).

Of particular note this season is that there has been no need to drum up extra volunteers for duty. Everyone has pulled their weight and each race has had a full complement of members on duty. Well done to each and every member. Participation and club spirit has been incredible this season and it has been a privilege to witness CHTC going from strength to strength.

So good luck to everyone racing on Sunday. Give it all you’ve got for one more race. 

SPEAKING OF CLUB PRIDE…
The theme of this year’s Club Championships was Club Pride. Something we all know and understand as members of CHTC.

And just to validate that point, a photo encapsulating the spirit of CHTC has won the Club Champs Final Photo Competition. Ian Moore took the photo and very kindly donated the prize to our club. Thanks Ian for the thoughtful donation & for taking the photo.

Well done to the club members who stuck around and formed a guard of honour for Rebecca Varney as she completed her incredible effort on the Club Champs course. Bec and these members showed the other clubs what Club Pride is all about. Congratulations.

The picture below is courtesy of Triathlon NSW.

MISSING CLUB BIKE PUMPS

On a less cheerful & very disappointing note, is the issue of our missing club bike pumps.

At the start of the season Rainbow Cycles kindly donated six top of the range bike pumps for use at club races.  Unfortunately only three remain in the storeroom.

If you have mistakenly taken one it would be appreciated if they could be returned. Also if you have any knowledge as to their whereabouts please advise our Race Director Simon Burgess at sjb2@bigpond.com. These pumps were for all members to use so it is very important that all be returned.

RULE OF THE WEEK

Following on from last week’s rule regarding penalties, this week we look at the competitor’s conduct once a penalty has been issued. It’s pretty straight forward.

Rule 6 - PENALTIES
6.3          Competitor Conduct
When shown a Yellow or Red Card by a Technical Official, a competitor must:
a.                   Confirm with the Technical Official their race number; and
b.                  Acknowledge and obey any instruction from the Technical Official.
A competitor may complete the event even if shown a Yellow or Red Card by a Technical Official.

BICYCLES VS CARS
There has been much media hype surrounding the perceived aggression & lack of understanding between cyclists and cars. No doubt everyone in our club has encountered some form of aggression, or thoughtlessness, from drivers whilst out on training rides. And quite possibly, some of us are guilty of being the cause of that aggression by equally thoughtless actions on our bikes.

The “war” seems to be escalating to an alarming level.  This article in The Australian highlights just how bad things have become, especially in the cities. The article looks at one particularly nasty accident in Sydney where a group of cyclists suffered horrific and permanent injuries on one of their regular rides. Warning: this is not for the faint hearted.

Thankfully, things are starting to change. The Queensland Government has begun the process of trying to call a truce between drivers and cyclists by introducing a new set of rules covering the conduct of both and are intended to enable harmonious sharing of the road. Fines will apply for both drivers and cyclists who don’t obey the new rules.

You can read more about these new rules by clicking this link. There is a link to a good factsheet that goes into more detail under the heading “How will these changes affect you?”.

Hopefully NSW RMS will introduce something similar. In the meantime, please ensure you are aware of the NSW Bicycle Laws and Penalties.  You can find them here.

CLUB PRESENTATION & GALA EVENING
The day is drawing near, so we’ll keep the details in the newsletter for you just in case you haven’t bought tickets for what is promising to be a fantastic night.
                 

• The evening’s proceedings will be held at the Coffs Harbour C.ex Club on Friday 16th May
  
• Tickets are $50.00 per person and $20.00 for juniors. To secure your seat please EFT the amount with your name into our club BCU bank account BSB 704328 Account number 197693 (S11 if you are transferring from another BCU account). 
  
• Don’t forget to include your name in the deposit description when you pay for your tickets.
  
• Craig “Crowie” Alexander is our guest speaker for the evening – three time Ironman World Champion and two time Ironman 70.3 World Champion
  
• Pre-dinner drinks start at 6:30pm with the formalities to begin at 7pm sharp
  
• Dress is formal 
  
• Anyone who requires a vegetarian meal or has special dietary requirements please email Deb Tennant at debra@guardiansouth.com.au   
  
• A seating plan will be available at the door, however if you have any preferences please email Deb again at debra@guardiansouth.com.au  
  
• Don’t miss the annual awards, induction of Life Members, the memorable “Cliffy Awards” (or “Moments the Nominees Would Rather Forget but No-one in the Club Will Ever Let Them Live It Down” Awards) and many members doing their thing on the dance floor.
  
• Tickets are selling fast, so get in quick to avoid disappointment.
  

ONES FOR THE CALENDAR

• http://www.dirtndust.com/ 
  
• Copeton Freshwater Swim
  

26th April 2014. A cheeky 5km swim at altitude in Inverell. You can tackle the 2km or 600m if that is more your style.
http://www.copetonswim.com/

• Ironman 70.3 Busselton
  

Already sold out but some team spots are still available. There is a reason why it is so popular. To be held on 3rd May 2014.
http://ap.ironman.com/triathlon/events/asiapac/ironman-70.3/busselton.aspx#axzz2wINkmBe4

• Ironman Australia
  

4th May 2014. The big one and just down the road! Also sold out, but some travel companies have spots available still.
http://ap.ironman.com/triathlon/events/asiapac/ironman/australia.aspx#axzz2wINkmBe4

• Byron Bay Ocean Classic
  

4th May 2014. A beautiful 2km swim across the reef from Wategos to Byron Bay Main Beach.
http://www.byronbayoceanswimclassic.com.au/

• Byron Bay Triathlon
  

10th May 2014. A classic on the triathlon circuit.
http://www.byronbaytri.com.au/

• Honu Ironman 70.3 (Hawaii)
  

A group of hardy CHTC triathletes are travelling to the Big Island for this one on 31st May 2014.
http://www.ironman.com/triathlon/events/americas/ironman-70.3/hawaii.aspx#axzz2zT1xZy6B

• 5150 Coral Coast Triathlon
  

1st June 2014 in Port Douglas. Part of the Cairns Airport Adventure Festival. 5150, Sprint & Enticer distance options.
http://ap.ironman.com/triathlon/events/asiapac/5150/coral-coast.aspx#axzz2wrlL5hfy

• Macleay River Marathon
  

8th June 2014 starting at Trial Bay, South West Rocks. Plenty of time to start training for the Marathon 42.2 km, Half Marathon 21.1 km, 10 km Run, 5 km Enticer Run, 2 km Run / Walk (6 - 10 years old.), or Treasure Hunt (3 - 5 years old.)
http://trialbaytri.com.au/macleay-marathon/

• Ironman Cairns
  

8th June 2014. Both Iron & Half Ironman distances. Beautiful scenery on a pretty tough course that can also be quite hot. But well worth it. General entries are still open.
http://ap.ironman.com/triathlon/events/asiapac/ironman/cairns.aspx#axzz2wrlL5hfy

• Challenge Gold Coast
  

24th August 2014. 1.9km/90km/21.1km. A new one for the calendar in the growing portfolio of Challenge Races. Always friendly, always fun and always in fantastic locations.
http://www.challenge-goldcoast.com.au/

WISE WORDS
"The cure for anything is salt water - tears, sweat, or the sea.” ― Isak Dinesen