After its absence in 2020, this year’s Toughen Up Series is back again sponsored by Dean Niclasen and Toy Bricks, Bayswater.  Don’t go anywhere but Toy Bricks for your Lego needs!

Stay tuned for more details re. Series points and prize money.  Click here to enter one race or them all!  Are you Tough enough??

Race 1 – Gruyere; 8th May 2021

Race 2 – Jindivick; 15th May 2021

Race 3 – Yarra Glen; 22nd May 2021

Race 4 – Gruyere; 29th May 2021

Notice is hereby given for the Annual General Meeting for Eastern Cycling Club Inc.

If you don’t like this or that, or think we could do something better, or something else, then it’s time to come to nominate for the Board.

To be held at The Ringwood Club, 523-525 Maroondah Highway, Ringwood at 7pm on Wednesday 8th March 2023.

All financial members welcome.

Email secretary@easterncycling.com

3 races in 1 day for women in a new fun format.  Enter here.

Proudly sponsored by:

1. What are these 3 races?

First up The Hot Lap – one lap of the 2.2km circuit (fastest wins!)

Then the signature event The Croydon Cycleworks Criterium – graded scratch races on the 2.2km track, 40-60mins depending on grade (winners in every grade!)

Finishing with the Snooze Elimination – short fast laps of a 700m circuit, sleepiest (slowest) riders eliminated every lap (winners in every grade!)

(see ‘race format’ below for more details)

2. Who should enter the Eastern Grand Prix?

Women 30 years or older who are keen to have a go at racing, to challenge themselves in a fun safe environment. Some bunch road riding experience is required but you don’t have to have raced before. Then again if you already race, come and try something a little different and support the growth of women’s cycle racing!

3. What will it cost?

Only $25 all-inclusive for 3 races. Great value!

Refreshments will be available at no/minimal additional cost.

4. What grades will there be? Anyhow, will I know which grade I should be in?

We offer grades A to D. D grade is intended for riders with little to no race experience or returning to build up fitness and time in the saddle. Ride marshals will be on the track accompanying D grade to provide advice (and maybe a judicious push!).

You will be asked to nominate a grade when entering. At the discretion of the organisers, some may be moved from their nominated or usual grade to even up numbers and abilities.

5. What is Casey Fields?

Casey Fields is a purpose-built fully closed cycling facility, offering riders a 2.2 km circuit. It has smooth wide corners, (no sharp ones!) and can accommodate many riders on the course at the same time.

6. Where is Casey Fields located?

Casey Fields is in Cranbourne East approximately 45 kilometres from Melbourne, about 1hr from the CBD.  It’s easily accessible via Berwick-Cranbourne Road in Cranbourne East and is hard to miss with its sporting ovals, playground and wide-open spaces. Once you’ve entered the area follow the signs to the ‘Criterium Track’ near the back. Google Map.

7. Does the circuit have any hills?

Casey Fields is designed for criterium racing, so it’s pretty much dead flat with an elevation gain of only 10 metres each 2.26-kilometre lap. It can be a bit windy though.

8. What sort of bike do I need?

A standard AVCC/UCI-compliant road bike. Disc brakes allowed.

No special aero equipment allowed for the hot lap. No lights required. No need to carry spares.

9. How do I register for the event?

Race entries will be through entryboss.cc under ‘Eastern Cycling Club’ or directly via this link https://entryboss.cc/races/4484.  ENTRIES NOW OPEN.

There will be no on the day entries.

10. What information do I need to provide when registering?

You will need to provide some demographic information to set up your entryboss account. (It’s really easy and will stay on file for future events). You need to provide your race licence number.

You will be asked to self-nominate a grade and provide some helpful comments, e.g. other riders you are at a similar level too, results in other events. If you have raced before you should nominate the same grade. Be honest, and do your best, it makes it fairer and more fun if everyone in the grade is about the same level.

11. When does registration close?

Wednesday 1^st April.

12. What if I enter and then can’t make it?

You will be able to ‘scratch’, which includes full refund, up to the close of entries (1^st April).

13. What licence do I need to have? And how much does it cost?

The Eastern Grand Prix is hosted by Eastern Cycling Club, which is affiliated with Veteran Cycling Victoria (VCV) and governed by the Australian Veteran Cycling Council (AVCC).

To participate you need either:

• a current AVCC licence (cost $245 for 12 months) https://tinyurl.com/AVCClicence

• or a Trial Rider form https://tinyurl.com/trial-ride-form (download from VCV website, fill in, bring or complete it on the day).  There is no cost for trial riders but trial riders are not eligible for prize-money.

Sorry but Cycling Australia-affiliated licences (‘Open’ licences) are not accepted and you will have to get one of the licences above.

14. What if I don’t want to do all the races? Can I register for just one race?

This is a 3-race program. It is intended you have a go at all of them. It is important that you do the Hot Lap so we can grade you properly, which makes it fair for the other events. The Criterium is the main event and you wouldn’t want to miss this. The Elimination is just a short fun event to finish. Your registration covers all three races regardless of how many you choose to do.

15. Can men participate?

Sorry, this is a women-only event. But we would love your support on the day. (see ‘volunteers’ below)

16. What facilities does Casey Fields have?

There are two unisex toilets, available freshwater, a club room and plenty of parking spaces. There are no showers.

17. Where do I go when I arrive?

Make your way to the clubrooms, get your name ticked off, and grab your number and helmet cover. The different colour helmet covers help distinguish the grades. There will be help available for pinning on numbers and to answer any questions.

18. Who is running this show?

A dedicated team of members from Eastern Cycling Club are organising this novel event. On the day the Race Director keeps the show running smoothly. The Race Referee ensures the race is conducted by the rules and is responsible for safety. Other volunteers help with the conduct of the races, including time-keepers. A ride marshal will accompany D Grade during Race 2, the Croydon Cycleworks Criterium. A team of people also help with registrations, catering, equipment, among other things. (See below for how you can help)

19. Tell me more about the race formats?

Race 1 – Hot Lap: consists of one fast lap of the 2.2km circuit. Riders will be set off at 30-second intervals from a standing start, go as fast as you can to the line. Prizes for fastest times. The times from this race will assist validate gradings for the other races. No special TT equipment allowed (tri-bars, skinsuit, aero helmet etc).

Race 2 – Croydon Cycle works Criterium: is a graded scratch race and the signature event of the day. Grades A & B will ride for 60 minutes, C Grade 45 minutes and D Grade 40 minutes. Times are approximate, to allow for grades to not interfere with each other and get a clear run at the finish. The bell indicates one lap to go. Prizes will be awarded for first 3 places over the line in each grade. All grades will be on the circuit at the same time, but each race separately. There is plenty of room for passing.

Race 3 – Snooze Elimination finale:  A short duration fast race utilising the 700m “hot-dog” circuit in front of the clubrooms. After a couple of neutral laps to get familiar with the course, it’s game on. Each lap the slowest 1 or 2 riders are eliminated until 3 riders remain. They fight for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd placings in the final lap. The whole race is over in 10 minutes (shorter if you snooze!).  Each grade will race separately and consecutively.

20. What is a graded scratch race?

Participants ride together in grades of similar ability. Within each grade, they all start together, ride the same length of time or distance and compete for places. Although several grades can be on the same track at the same time they compete separately. Higher grades will inevitably pass lower grades and when this happens there must be no interference or gaining of an advantage. Faster riders must pass on the right, giving plenty of room and only moving back to the left when well past the slower riders. They should also call out (‘riders passing’) when about to pass. Slower riders should stay where they are on the left, at whatever speed they like. They must not join a faster bunch (that’s considered cheating).

21. What time does each race start and finish?

• Race 1 – Hot Lap: 10am (each rider races for <1 minute)
• Race 2 – Croydon Cycle Works Criterium: 11 am (duration 40-60 minutes depending on grade)
• Race 3 – Snooze Elimination Finale: 12.30pm (3-10 minutes each grade)

Expected finish time is 1.30 pm.

Prizes will be awarded at the end.

22. What do I do if I get ‘dropped’ in the criterium, will I be able to finish?

No problem, you won’t be pulled from the race if you don’t want to. Try to get back on to the group, work together with others if possible. If you are dropped, it’s likely others will too. Plenty of people get dropped, work to get back on and finish strongly. That’s the beauty of racing. If you don’t finish one race you can still do the other events. Check out these sites for  more information about criterium racing  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criterium  https://cyclingtips.com/2016/11/the-golden-rules-of-crit-racing/

23. Will there be catering on the day? Will I need to eat during the race?

Food and drinks will be available on the day for riders and spectators. We are planning on a mixture of BBQ and salad wraps, plus soft drinks. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate multiple dietary or allergy requirements therefore please ensure you make your own provisions if this applies to you.

You won’t need to eat during the race (the longest is 60 minutes), but you will probably need to refuel between race 2 and 3.

24. What prizes are on offer?

Thanks to generous sponsorship from Croydon Cycleworks, Snooze Nunawading and Eastern Cycling Club, there will HEAPS of cash prizes and fabulous goodies to reward your efforts. Place-getters (usually 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd) in each grade and each race will be recognised. Trial riders (see ‘licences’) will not be eligible for prize money, they will in the running for other prizes eg for outstanding efforts by newcomers and random prize draws. And a special prize of Grand Champion for the rider with the best-accumulated results over the day.

25. Is there anything else to do afterwards?

Eastern Cycling will be running their usual normal graded scratch races commencing at 2 pm. If you have the appropriate licence and plenty of steam left in the tank, you can enter to race. You can decide on the day; registrations close at 1.45 pm. Feel free to hang around, check out the racing action while enjoying the catering and chewing the fat with your fellow riders and regulars.

26. Are dogs allowed at Casey Fields Cycling Track?

Right next door is Casey Fields VFL Pavilion which has a strict no dog policy however this does not extend to the Cycling Track. If you or your friends do decide to bring a dog, it must always be on a leash and under constant supervision.

27. I/my partner/friend can’t race. How else can we help out?

We would love help with some roles on the day and in the lead-up. Please contact our Secretary: Susan Williams on mailto:secretary@easterncycling.com

28. Where do I go for more information?

Please contact our Secretary: Susan Williams on mailto:secretary@easterncycling.com

Entries for the 2020 AVCC National Championships, to be held in Adelaide on 18, 19 and 20 January, the weekend prior to the Tour Down Under, are now open.

Here’s the link: https://www.samc.org.au/2020nats/

This link will also take you to plenty of other information about the Nationals, including race location, times and distances, plus course maps.

Lock in the dates for great racing and a chance to enjoy the TDU as well.

The 2019 VCV Road Championships, hosted by Eureka, will be held at Lake Learmonth on 17th November 2019. This will be the last VCV event for the year.

http://www.veterancycling.com.au/events.html

Sunday 17th November 2019 – 2 Aggregate Points

Hosted by Eureka on behalf of Veteran Cycling Victoria.  To be held as graded races. Men and women race separately.

Women. Start time 10:55am. All women’s events will start at the same time and all women will do the same 45km circuit. Number of divisions depends on entries.

Men. Men’s events will start in 3 waves. Divisions A to F
Men’s Distances.
Men Division A – 77km
Men Division B – 77km
Men Division C – 55km
Men Division D – 55km
Men Division E – 45km
Men Division F – 45km

Wave 1. 10:00am Men Division C. 10:05am Men Division D
Wave 2. 11:00am Men Division E. 11:05am Men Division F
Wave 3. 11:45am Men Division A. 11:50am Men Division B

Entries close midnight Tuesday 12th November 2019 – https://www.registernow.com.au/secure/Register.aspx?E=36619

Entry Fee $10. Transponder hire $5

On Sunday 20th October there will be a ‘Captain’s choice’ club ride around Wandin.

7.15am for a 7.30am roll out leaving from Wandin North shops in Union Road . It’s a no-drop social ride with three ride groups on the day: hot, mild and scenic.

57 kms and 900 vertical metres of climbing for hot and mild groups . Scenic group will do 44 kms and 650 vertical metres of climbing.

All rides will return back to the car park for coffee afterward.  Hope to see you there.

Awards Night

2 Course Meal – Drinks at bar prices.

David won the Australian National Road title in 1998 and his biggest victory came on stage 7 of the 2000 Giro d’Italia where he rode to victory after a 164km solo breakaway.  David now works as a cycling journalist and commentator on SBS.

Ticket Price – $70 per head.  As we will have to know final numbers for the awards night for catering by Friday 18th of October 2019, tickets must be purchased online by Thursday 17th October 2019.  Don’t leave it to the last minute……

Race 1 – Sunday 21st July 2019, 10.00am – National Boulevard

Race 2 – Sunday 28th July 2019, 10.00am – National Boulevard

Race 3 – Saturday 3rd August 2019, 2.00pm – Gruyere

Race 4 – Saturday 10th August 2019, 2.00pm – Yarra Glen

In partnership with our major sponsor Croydon Cycle Works we are holding a members night to launch the new ECC kit!

Don’t miss your chance to try on a sample for size and place your order to take advantage of the ECC bulk order price. There will also be a surprise model to showcase the new kit.

Get your raffle tickets on Saturday race days, or on the night, and go into the draw to win a new club kit (jersey and bib shorts) valued at $289
TICKETS: $10 each or 3 for $20

Funds raised will go towards a new canopy for the club registration tent in the new club colours.

Croydon Cycle Works will have an ECC members–only special offering 10% store wide and special prices on a select range of bikes.

Kit pricing
Jersey & bib nicks $289
Jersey only $124
Arm warmers $55
Gilet $135
ChillBLOCK Jacket $219

Note: you must order via CCW and pay in full at time of order.
Orders close on Friday 10 May, orders taken from Thursday 18 April.
These prices are for first bulk order and will go up by approx. 30% after the initial order.

This year’s Toughen Up series is once again sponsored by Dean Niclasen and Toy Bricks, Bayswater. A big thank you to Dean for his generous support. Don’t go anywhere but Toy Bricks for your Lego needs!

Series points from each of the four races are allocated depending on numbers, as follows:

Riders / Points
8 or more / 1st: 5 points, 2nd: 3 points, 3rd: 2 points, everyone else: 1 point
6–7 / 1st: 3 points, 2nd: 2 points, everyone else: 1 point
4–5 / 1st: 2 points, everyone else: 1 point
Less than 4 / Every competitor receives 1 point.

For people who do duty during the series, their final points score is simply scaled by a factor of 4/3 – in other words, their average points score for the other three races is credited to them for the race that they do duty.

Series prize money is $600 all up, over and above normal prize money paid out each week:
1st: $250, 2nd: $150, 3rd: $100, 4th: $60, 5th: $40.

Race 1 – Gruyere; 8th June 2019

Race 2 – Yarra Glen; 15th June 2019

Race 3 – Gruyere; 29th June 2019

Race 4 – Yarra Glen; 13th July 2019

All races start at 2.00pm.

Pre-qualification required of 3 races.  Pre-Enter.

Age group races (Male & Female)
35 – 39
40 – 44
45 – 49
50 – 54
55 – 59
60 – 64
65 – 69
70 – 74
75 – 79
80 – 84
85 – 89

ECC Sunday Social rides in conjunction with major sponsor Croydon Cycleworks, kick off again with the first being on Sunday 17th February.

These rides are aimed for everyone with two start times being:
1. Slow – Medium group – rollout from Croydon Cycleworks Shop at 6.30am (ride leader will be appointed)
2. Faster group – rollout from Croydon Cycleworks Shop at 6.45am (ride leader will be appointed)

The ride:

This is a no drop ride, so even if you don’t feel you have the pace to keep up, a smiling face will be there to greet you at main corners so you wont get left behind.

After the ride, everyone with gather in Main Street, Croydon about 8.30am for a well earned coffee and /or cake.

The route:

Heading out fom CCW shop, we head up Mount Dandendong Road, making a right hand turn into Colchester road. Following this road making a left hand turn at Albert Avenue round about into Mountain Hwy takes each group to the base of the One in 20 to re-group.
Everyone will pace themselves up to the top to re-group again at Sassafras.

Taking a left hand from here, the groups will proceed up to Olinda with a final descent into Montrose re-grouping again at the main roundabout (Groups will decide on the day if Sky High will be included).

Taking Mount Dandenong Road back, this leads the groups to the final destination – coffee!

Future dates:

Sunday 17th March

Either Sunday 14th April or Sunday 28th April (as Sunday 21st is Easter Sunday) – TBC

Sunday 19th May

(Then lets see what the weather is doing after that)

Go to Team App to let us know you are coming.  Hope to see you all there!

This Saturday we are at Casey Fields and will be racing in the reverse direction, starting at 2 pm. The registration desk will close at 1.45 pm. As always, be sure to remember your (fully charged) tail light. Please check in advance that your helmet still has the Australian Standards sticker (red and silver foil) in place. All helmets have to be AS compliant in order to meet with insurance requirements. Pre-Enter.

GSR followed by top 5 of each grade in a 3 lap handicap race.  Pre-Enter.

See you at Dunlop Road for the Dave Ryan memorial trophy race against Northern CC. We hold the trophy & no doubt Northern will come in numbers to try & claim it back, so please make an effort to come along.

Normal split fields with B,D & F Grades racing at 1.30pm (entries close at 1:15pm) & A, C & E Grades at 3.00pm (entries close at 1:45pm; Pre-Entry closes at 1.15pm). Toilet tax will apply so $12 entry.

For the last five years a small group of Vets have met up at Ballan Station (70 minutes drive from
Camberwell) to ride 35 km to the Nationals at Buningyong, and then make the return trip after the events have concluded. This has proved to be a fantastic ride, and provides the following benefits:

• No parking problems – plenty of space at Ballan Station, just a few minutes off the Western Freeway
• Get to see the Nationals and get your own ride in (just under 70 km return)
• Leisurely start – no need to be up at sparrow’s. Leave Melbourne around 7.15 am for an 8.30 depart from Ballan. That will get us to Buningyong in time for breakfast near the finish line before the halfway mark of the women’s race. We then watch the entire men’s race on the hill and the big screen
• Safe, low-traffic ride through attractive ‘undulating’ countryside.

If you are interested, send an email to John Williams. If we have enough numbers, Col Mortley and Mark Edwards have agreed to take the tent and barbecue.

Eastern Cycling Club in partnership with Croydon Cycleworks presents the 60km Open HANDICAP at Seymour.

Race Start Time 1.30pm
Registration Manners St, Seymour (Opposite the Royal Hotel)
Rider briefing and race start is 3.5km along the Seymour-Avenel Rd
$2000 in Prize Money plus Trophies

Prize from 1st to 10th
1st $500
2nd $400
3rd $300
4th $200
5th $150
6th $120
7th $100
8th $80
9th $70
10th $50
Fastest overall $250
Fastest unplaced female $50
Proudly sponsored by www.croydoncycleworks.com.au
Online entry: www.veterancycling.com.au
Entries close at midnight on Tuesday 19th March

Melways Ref. 510 M6.

It’s our annual charity day & all proceeds will go to “Below the Belt” – Riding for Urogenital Cancers research so please bring along a few extra coins to buy a  raffle ticket or two.

Normal split fields with B,D & F Grades racing at 1.30pm (entries close at 1:15pm) & A, C & E Grades at 3.00pm (entries close at 1:45pm; Pre-Entry closes at 1.15pm). Toilet tax will apply so $12 entry.

Pre-Enter.