VCL#10_Speedway#2

[JohnT]

Results have been posted. That alone is an accomplishment. There were many fantastic performances last night. Toria Kalyniuk (12 yrs old) had a strong C race - what great cadence. The women's clinic graduates seemed to have a great time in what must have been the largest C group ever to start a VCL race. The B group was as large. Stephane's half-distance break away made that race very exciting. At about 15 min. into the 30 min race he went for it and ran 10-14 seconds off the front for five or six laps, maybe it was more. In the end, the group caught up but he still managed a strong top-ten. Trevor was the locomotive of the A race. The A race, as usual, was a suffer fest. Four strong-finishing B racers asked to join the A race and all were done within about four laps. Several two to four man breaks were, on three occasions, caught with Trevor dragging the gang up the road. Wannawaffle and Velofix were there to help racers and race bikes respectively. The only complaints I heard had to do with my selection of music - I'll bring the kids again next time. Kidding aside, if anyone has ideas on how to make these Speedway events better (things you'd change or add), feel free to share.

JT

[mlawless]

John,

Thanks again for all your work in setting up and running such an excellent race night. The C riders (as well as the B and A racers) were treated to a well organized and fun introduction to both racing and Tripleshot.

You and the other volunteers ROCK!

Michael

[trevor]

Kudos to TS and all who had a role in last night's event!

The A race was a blast. Mick and I were outnumbered so our plan was to be sure we were either in every break or we turned ourselves inside out to bring moves back. Things played out how we had hoped they would with no one getting off the front for too long. The inevitability of a bunch sprint soon became evident. I was able to work for some good positioning and get the right gearing for a nice sprint and a finish I could be happy with.

It was awesome to see so many TSers out. It was a huge C and B field with several strong showings from the argyle. Well done crew!

And thanks John for the encouraging words from the sideline. It was a big help!

[Andrew]

great race John! Thanks to all the volunteers. The A race was fassst and fun, what a riot. It was a nice environment. I think it would be better if the races started a bit earlier, don't know if that is possible. It would be fun to have a kids race. Primes would spice things up a lot, throw out some TSC swag, free race entries, possibly sponsors could throw some things in.

[Paul C.]

Yes ,I sure had fun. Great A,B, and C races
Thanks to John T. , Women's clinic ,and its leaders and all of the TRIPLESHOT gang.


Now ...this may be " opening a big can of worms" for us, other clubs and VCL. But you did ask for comments and suggestions....

Re.Medical person (s), Emergency plan, First aid kit:

From by brief observation at a few VCL races over the past 4 years their be some room for FIRST AID/ MEDICAL improvement.
In talking with some members from other, clubs there are some races that have none of the above. The president of one club resigned last year due to no support or compliance of First Aid regulations...Are there any requirements or guidelines from Cycling B.C.?

I may have missed something, but in the two person crash in the B race on Wednesday, there seemed to be a slow response for first aid.

One club that I think is a very good example is Sidney Velo. They have a First Aid person at every event and all volunteers seem to know who he is...and on the registration table is an " Emergency Plan " sheet for all participants and volunteers to see. And this is a TT with no drafting.

I think this could be a serious race issue ... I hope all VCL clubs can utilize their Doctors and Nurses ........instead of their Lawyers.

See you at the races, Paul C.

[JohnT]

That conversation has started. As you've stated Paul, we have no shortage of doctors. At motor racing events, marshals are positioned around the track. Because we can see the whole course from the start-finish, this seems unnecessary, but I think first aid (people and resources) at several points on the circuit would be a good idea.

JT

[Andrew]

The old Spin Doctors used to do a lot of work covering off the first aid at races and the track.

[Paul C.]

Sounds like great ideas are flowing...I think focusing on what we can do ,(as in John and Andrew"s recent posts) vs. what has been done, or not done, in the past is always healthy.

Also I know these topics may be difficult or "touchy" for some members. It's better to discuss it now instead of when a club is being forced to.

A couple more follow up questions and comments: And thoughts for coffee talk:

1. Would it be wise for someone on the executive to contact Cycling B.C. and see what they require for a sanctioned race or official club event?? Re first aid etc.

2. Would it be time, soon , for the VCL to have a formal Board of Directors , and possibly a FORUM or something like a forum? And standardized rules, Medical requirements and " enforcement", of same.

3. Would it be possible for us...TRIPLESHOT to lead the way?

I was recently in Vancouver and Escape Velocity Club is like Triple Shot Vancouver, minus a.m. rides and probably our volume of coffee.
They put on Every Tuesday night race all summer. I would volunteer to find out what they do on Medical .Between Vancouver and Seattle races and clubs, the VCL probably doesn't need to" reinvent the wheel"

Lastly ,I am sure I will be asked, so with his permission....It was O 2 and the resigned president was Ian Phillips. Their first-aid procedures may have changed for this season.

Ride Safe , Cheers, pc

[Stéphane Tran]

Just wanted to say thanks to all those who put their own time and effort into organizing the race yesterday at the Speedway. The crash notwithstanding, I think everyone had a good time. The weather was perfect once again, and the racing was fast and furious. John, I love your announcing voice. It's the auditory equivalent of eating ice cream in a velvet recliner on a warm moonlit night.
BTW, who was it that crashed, and do we know how he is doing? He looked pretty shaken up...

[JohnT]

I was thinking the same thing Stephane (contacting the person who crashed). I will try to follow up. Paul, there are CyclingBC first aid requirements. We will strive to exceed them by a long shot next time.

I appreciate the nice words and recognize that people posting have appropriately thanked all of the volunteers - lots of people helped make it happen. I'd like to add that the timing, with respect to Jenn and Lister's learn to race clinics was fantastic. The enormous C turn out, and degree of C racer satisfaction, was entirely a result of their hard work. Even if some of those people never race again, we as a club (and especially the coaches) have given them a bucket-list experience. Some, I suspect, will not only race again, but be the bike racing stars of the future.

Preems (I know that's not the way it's spelled) are a great idea Andrew. That shouldn't be hard to sort out.

Lights? Wouldn't it be cool to race under the lights?

Pursuits? No reason the Speedway can't be used like a velodrome.

Kid races. Yes. It's all just a matter of timing.

JT