Veteran Leaguer - LVRC

Point of view by Tom McCall
I want to take a moment to talk
about Steve Watson who is going to
live and work in Australia to be near
his family. Most of you will be aware
that he has served on the National
Executive Committee for a few years
now, but he has also been the mainstay
behind the Mstina Sharp for Prostate
Southern Jersey Series. This series was
devised by Steve, who obtained the
co-operation of both Mstina and Sharp,
and it has been most successful in the
few years it has been run. It has been
well-supported, and it has been keenly
contested. GC leaders have a special
vest to wear at each event supplied by
Mstina. When you get one stalwart like
Steve who devises a series, and then
runs with it week on week, producing
the up-to-date GC lists, it becomes a
hard act to follow when he is suddenly
no longer around. Thankfully one brave
soul has emerged who is prepared to
take up the reins. This is Robin Parker
from East Grinstead, who has recently
returned to the sport, and is happy
to do his bit right away. He will have
unofficial help from a few quarters,
but there is one thing that needs to
be underlined. All you guys who line
up in the Jersey Races, don’t lose sight
of the fact that a lot of work goes in
behind the scenes to keep the series
going. Any offers of help would be
much appreciated. Don’t also forget
the efforts put in by the guys and
their teams who promote events in
the series. Some have more disposal
resources than others, and all these
guys need to feel that their efforts are
appreciated. We have had some new
promoters in recent years. My message
to them is clear:- please keep it going,
as your efforts are appreciated. The
Jersey Series is loosely based on the
original Vetarace Series devised and
run by Barry Packman. That was run on
a co-operative basis with morning and
afternoon races. Participation in the
Series was conditional upon helping
out at other times, and it worked. The
only reason I am highlighting this is
to point out that races are put on with
helpers - no helpers, no races - simple
fact. Next year, please remember my
message - any offers of help overall, or
on the day, are very much appreciated.
Finally, good fortune Steve, and I hope
you enjoy your new environment
Down Under.
I got involved in an interesting
series of conversations recently on the
subject of riders’ capability in LVRC
races. The point being put across was
that some riders were so much better
than others of their age group that
they did not give lesser riders a chance.
It was also mooted that a Category
or Ability system should be brought
in, whereby these riders would be
made to ride against younger riders.
I pointed out that BC has a national
category system, but that it is not agerelated.
As soon as a rider gets older,
and starts to feel the strain, there is a
home for him in the LVRC where he
can race against his peer group. I could
not get full clarification, but it seemed
that the argument was centred around
the older age groups. Younger riders
who feel off the pace in their race can
ride in an older race to find their feet,
but once a rider enters the “Blue Rinse”
race for E/F/G/H, there is nowhere else
to go, and I suspect that this is where
the “problem” lies. Wherever you go
in life, in any athletic sport, there are
always going to different standards of
capability. Even in Veteran status, our
guys and girls who win international
events and titles are heroes, but it
is almost as if a certain faction says
“Well done, but don’t come near me”!
Where do you begin - clear them all
out somewhere else, then the next
lot will begin to dominate! Let’s put
some sense on this. Personally, I find it
a pleasure to line up with former stars,
in spite of the fact that they may beat
you out of sight. I am probably in the
middle ground here, as I am currently
recovering from a couple of strange
years where I have raced spasmodically,
but below par. I have taken plenty of
beatings during this time, but I have
soldiered on hoping that I could get
back to full strength and be more
competitive. There are plenty of guys
who line up in an LVRC race, who don’t
often get a result. These guys are the
real heroes in my book, as they line up
week after week, and compete in good
spirit. You don’t hear the complaints
coming from this quarter. All these
so-called superstars have to put the
roadwork in to get fit - nobody does
it without hard work. Personally, I have
never expected a race to be easy, so
instead of complaining about these
guys, use them as a benchmark to
better yourself! I’ll rest my case.
I worked in France for Sporting Tours
for many year, and on a recent trip my
coach was parked near the bottom of
the Hautacam where the stage would
finish. All my charges had departed
to various spots to watch the race,
and I was left alone. I fancied a ride
on quieter roads, so I rode through
Argeles-Gazost towards the Col du
Soulor. This is an agreeable climb in
two halves, with a gradual valley road
in the middle. As I topped the Soulor,
I decided to continue along the ridge
road to it’s twin peak the Aubisque
before returning for a snack at the
top of the Soulor. About 1 km along
the road, I stopped to take some pics,
and I had walked probably about 30
metres from my bike and my small
backpack. As I was returning, I could
not believe my eyes as a large pig was
taking more that a healthy interest in
the food in my bag, which I had left
open. I shouted at it, but that didn’t
do any good, so I ran up and gave it a
good slap on the rump which did the
trick, It gave me a look of disgust, but
it ambled away. I then noticed that it
joined two more pigs who had also
appeared. Needless to say, I put my bag
on my back, and scarpered as quickly
as I could. They were big enough, and
I did not need them coming at me
mob-handed. I could see the headlines
- “Cyclist savaged by pigs on Aubisqe”,
or worse still - “Cyclist eaten by pigs
on Aubisque”. I did check the situation
out at a later date, and there do seem
to be a number of wild pigs in that
area. What they eat, I cannot say, but
they obviously find enough judging by
their size. Pic as proof.
The Veteran Leaguer: Autumn 2011 Page 23