March newsletter
Ride leader training
AusCycling certification
Eleven of our ride leaders gave up a whole Saturday earlier in February to attend an AusCycling ride leader training course. The program is designed to build on the existing underpinning knowledge of an experienced ride leader, to reinforce a wide range of leadership, safety, planning, and bunch riding skills.
There was a theoretical component to the training and even a practical assessment, which I’m relieved to report each our BNECC representatives passed with flying colours. In total BNECC can now boast over a dozen AusCycling Certified Road Ride Leaders.
The instructor, who had flown up from Adelaide for the session, was a perhaps a little surprised by the maturity of our ride leading systems, and frequently expressed admiration for the thoughtfulness and thoroughness with which we conduct our rides. She was particularly impressed with the camaraderie and mutual support on display amongst a group of people with widely varying abilities, ages, and interests. Overall it was a very informative day, which more than anything served to reinforce that BNECC really is at the forefront of guided club rides in Australia.
Segment Hunters
February update
Five down, one month to go to complete our inaugural Segment Hunters season. Here’s the tale of the tape from February.
Over the course of month, we had 49 members of the Strava club complete at least one Mt Cootha TT attempt yielding a miserly 8 PRs – that one was tough to crack. Well done to: Ben Armstrong, Robin (or Penelope) Jones, Guoda Petkeviciute, Jed Wilson, Nancy Jarrot, John Randall and Peter Hallgren.
Meanwhile, a mega 302 of you FGF lovers got through Cemetery/Highgate delivering 23 PRs! Kudos to: Gus Tuxworth Holden, Genevieve Claffey, Meggs Ford, Angus Loraine, Tony Carmichael, Tamas Kiss, Jason Simmonds, Norman Carl, Olivia Whitt, Alastair Bell, Tom Troy, Guoda Petkeviciute, Carly Forbes, Rory DPM, Damien Taylor, Jarrod Gill, Dylan Walker, Tiff Sheerin, Nancy Jarrot, Dave O’Kane, Primoz Peppin, Peter Hallgren and Phil Clarke.
A huge well done to everyone who achieved PRs across the month, especially those who achieved it on both segments in a month where both were tough to get. However the wheel of fortune rules all and only one of you will be taking home $50 in Lost bean vouchers, joining John, Tim Feng and Carly (still owed her voucher) from the previous months. And this month that person is:
🚀🚀🚀 Norman Carl🚀🚀🚀
Stormin’ Norman nailed his PR on a spicy FGF, showing that a month of pounding beer in Germany is indeed the best way to get in shape for the season – cheers to you Norm
Our feature segment for March as requested by Tim Durkin is Mt Nebo Hill Climb TT. 16.6km @ 2.7% of fake news – packing 450m of climbing in. This is a gem, with frequent roller intervals to break up the climb alongside a mix of long and short sections of double digit gradient climbing. At the top? Some exquisite views of Brisbane and the Samford Valley – just remember to go slightly beyond the Jolly’s turn off to bag the segment before you dart up to the lookout.
https://www.strava.com/segments/3299651
Our shorter segment for March is little beauty that is frankly under utilised. Long Pocket Loop – a 3.4km out and back on the other side of the river from St Lucia Hills. Ever wondered what happens if you go straight at the roundabout instead of taking the right to St Peter’s on a Friday? This is what you’ll find, and it’s worth straying for.
https://www.strava.com/segments/4044338
We’ll keep you updated through the month, have fun and stay safe.
AusCycling member insurance
General notice
The club often receives inquiries about the extent of insurance provided through AusCycling membership. Here are some tips for making the most of it:
- Check your AusCycling membership is up-to-date, and if you plan to race this year, ensure you have a valid Race membership.
- Read about what is and isn't covered under the AusCycling Member Insurance that forms a part of your AusCycling membership. See here: https://auscycling.org.au/become-a-member/insurance-members
- Contact AusCycling if you have any questions on memberships or insurance.
- Consider if your personal circumstances requires cover beyond or further to the AusCycling Member Insurance.
- Update your personal contact and emergency details in the BNECC TeamApp.
Happy riding!
Race report
By Phil Clarke
February may be a short month but it was packed to the gills with Crit racing action. We had weekly racing at Muzz, action at Lakeside and Nundah and of course the Choice Homes Gold Coast CC Crit Series across three venues over three weekends.
Stack Team App is the place to go for the weekly reports but special mentions this month go to:
- Miles Matheson (again), for winning one and finishing second twice across the GC Crit Series, also resulting in 2nd place overall in the General Classification of Men’s B.
- Lane Hamilton for winning in Masters D on the same baking hot day and Alex Boike for an upgrade-worthy solo win around Lakeside in Men’s C (the HWCC graders made a call and Alex took it personally!), and Salsie Pieterse with a dominant solo win at Ipswich in the Women’s C Grade race.
- For Muzz podiums: Dave Shelberg and Michaelangelo Da Vinki in Masters C, Diego Rodriguez, Brett Hoopert and Rory Du Pre Moore in Mixed D plus Ben Forster in Mixed C.
- Sally Caraher and Bea Wall who both took first unplaced female results from races at Muzz, plus additional unplaced female podiums for Bea, Alison Sullivan and Imogen White across Muzz and Lakeside.
- Hayley Ward-Unwin for back-to-back podiums in Women’s C across Ipswich and Nerang in the GC Crit Series, plus podiums for Phil and Richie at Nerang in Men’s B and Masters C.
- The “prime team” Jess Wiggan, Diego, Rory and Matthew Payne for prime wins in February.
- Cody Brown for his best ever finishes (a 6th and a 4th!), Scott Mcphee for going full distance for the first time, Bea and Ally for ending February with the highest number of completed race days for the club YTD and, finally, everyone who raced for the first time this year in Feb (there were many).
Apologies to anyone whose stellar results I’ve missed (let me know and I’ll make amends), thanks to everyone for representing the club so well in open competition!
Something you want to see here?
Spill the tea
If you've got some cracking content (pics, videos, rants, etc), breaking news, or know of an achievement you want to shout about, PLEASE send it through to our breaking news desk so we can include it in a future edition. Or just come talk to me (Wil) next time you see me!
We'd also be especially interested in any smaller milestones you reckon are worth sharing. Seen an example of outstanding camaraderie in last month? Let us know.
Club contacts
President: Tom McCosker
Secretary: Phil Clarke
Treasurer: Steve Henderson
Membership: Matthew Brennan
Club Captain: Lachlan Ninness
Director: Kelly Smith
Director: Connor Neilsen
Director: Dave Shelberg
Director: Wil Haviland