Hey Hitchy

flyingdutch said:

Where's the new bike?

G'day Dutch,

You sure know how to depress a guy!...actually, its still being fitted
for flags & 'motor noise thingys' as recommended by a certain
dutchman!....the truth is that there isn't one my size in the country!.
We're waiting to here back from 'look' at present, but it looks like
middle of June at best......I keep telling myself that I can wait...the
problem is...I CAN'T!,

cheers,

Hitchy

--

flyingdutch said:

Where's the new bike?

Oi Dutch,

If memory serves me correctly, (& it frequently doesn't!)...you're a
Hawthorn member?....I noticed hawthorn have joined the Northern Combine
this RR season. So......to quote lance...."you ridin'?, or you
hidin'?".......when are we gunna see your debut at the combine (don't
make it this weekend, its a 90K handicap & it won't be pretty!),

cheers,

Hitchy

--

Originally posted by flyingdutch

Quoted message said:

Trying to work my way back up to something resembling race-fit after a
layoff over the last few weeks.

Join the club ;-)

Quoted message said:

Crit at Kew this Sunday should depress me enuff. dem >roadraces dont
sound very friendly for lil ol me🙁

Crits! What the! I don't remember seeing any crits advertised.. Damn
<checks websites..> Wow! Blackburn is running METEC this Sunday!

Ahh, I see.. didn't know HCC were running winter crits.

I might yet be at the Gembrook race.. on a corner though, not racing.
Depends on just HOW big the night is the friday before.

hippy

--

Hitchy said:

Oi Dutch,
If memory serves me correctly, (& it frequently doesn't!)...you're a
Hawthorn member?....I noticed hawthorn have joined the Northern Combine
this RR season. So......to quote lance...."you ridin'?, or you
hidin'?".......when are we gunna see your debut at the combine (don't
make it this weekend, its a 90K handicap & it won't be pretty!),
cheers,
Hitchy

Hidin 😄

Trying to work my way back up to something resembling race-fit after a
layoff over the last few weeks. Crit at Kew this Sunday should depress
me enuff. dem roadraces dont sound very friendly for lil ol me🙁

can you give me any insight into what's involved in near future and what
to expect. Being 36 do I have to keep racing against annoyingly fit 18yr
olds??? Is one allowed to stick pump in their spokes???

--

flyingdutch said:

Hidin 😄
Trying to work my way back up to something resembling race-fit after a
layoff over the last few weeks. Crit at Kew this Sunday should depress
me enuff. dem roadraces dont sound very friendly for lil ol me🙁
can you give me any insight into what's involved in near future and what
to expect. Being 36 do I have to keep racing against annoyingly fit 18yr
olds??? Is one allowed to stick pump in their spokes???

G'day dutch,

i'd forgotten you'd had a lay off. It might be prudent to do a bit b4
attempting a RR. The combines 'draw' is posted on both Sunburys &
brunswicks sites. when you think you're ready to have a go, try a
'scratch' 1st up, (handicaps hurt!). Scratch is on ability, rather than
age, so i wouldn't worry about being 36 (gee, I can almost remember
being 36!!!!). most of the annoying ,skinny 17 Y.O have ambitions beyond
their abilities & will try & race A or B, leaving us older blokes to
'own' C & D. If you like crits, you'll luv RR. Hope to see you soon,

cheers,

Hitchy

--

flyingdutch said:

Hidin 😄
Trying to work my way back up to something resembling race-fit after a
layoff over the last few weeks. Crit at Kew this Sunday should depress
me enuff. dem roadraces dont sound very friendly for lil ol me🙁
can you give me any insight into what's involved in near future and what
to expect. Being 36 do I have to keep racing against annoyingly fit 18yr
olds??? Is one allowed to stick pump in their spokes???

G'day dutch,

i'd forgotten you'd had a lay off. It might be prudent to do a bit b4
attempting a RR. The combines 'draw' is posted on both Sunburys &
brunswicks sites. when you think you're ready to have a go, try a
'scratch' 1st up, (handicaps hurt!). Scratch is on ability, rather than
age, so i wouldn't worry about being 36 (gee, I can almost remember
being 36!!!!). most of the annoying ,skinny 17 Y.O have ambitions beyond
their abilities & will try & race A or B, leaving us older blokes to
'own' C & D. If you like crits, you'll luv RR. Hope to see you soon,

cheers,

Hitchy

--

Hitchy said:

G'day dutch,
i'd forgotten you'd had a lay off. It might be prudent to do a bit b4
attempting a RR. The combines 'draw' is posted on both Sunburys &
brunswicks sites. when you think you're ready to have a go, try a
'scratch' 1st up, (handicaps hurt!). Scratch is on ability, rather than
age, so i wouldn't worry about being 36 (gee, I can almost remember
being 36!!!!). most of the annoying ,skinny 17 Y.O have ambitions beyond
their abilities & will try & race A or B, leaving us older blokes to
'own' C & D. If you like crits, you'll luv RR. Hope to see you soon,
cheers,
Hitchy

What exactly does 'scratch' mean? Is it like the Austral system where
they penalise the stronger and advantage the weaker with some kind of
time-penalty system?

I have images of mini-tour style stage racing (but without the support
cars, fans and babes to kiss you on the podium😄 )

Are there any relevant race-reports out there? (Hippy-helpline???)

cheers

FD

--