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March 7, 2024NewsCheryl Hulskamp is running another popular ACT Development Squad Programme, which kicks off on 11 April 2024. This programme will help you build on your existing skills, boost your fitness, and prepare for the upcoming cycling season (or even tackle a cycling event for the first time). Here’s what you can expect from this 6-week programme: Tailored Weekly Training Plan: A customised weekly training plan designed to match your fitness level and triathlon aspirations, blending swimming, cycling, and running disciplines. Advanced Cycling Techniques: Learn advanced cycling techniques to improve efficiency and speed, which is vital for triathlon success. ⁠Masterclass Skill Development: Get involved in class-style skill sessions targeting specific areas crucial for triathlon performance. ⁠Inclusive Community: Join a diverse community of individuals from all walks of life, abilities, ages, and triathlon clubs, fostering support and motivation. ⁠Weekly Training Sessions: On Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 AM to 7:15 AM., join us for on-road coaching sessions focused on fitness and triathlon-specific skills. ⁠Masterclass Session: Enjoy an extended 2-hour masterclass session offering specialised skills training — date to be confirmed. Ready to take on the challenge? Click here to express your interest. [...]
January 8, 2024NewsIn addition to voting in our new committee at our Annual General Meeting on 17 December, we also reflected on 2023. Last year was one of building off a strong base in developing a great and diverse club of riders. We have continued to actively engage in getting more female participation through the women’s social ride and engagement from our more experienced female riders. We have a strong junior track program which is bringing access to cycling in a safe and supportive environment. It has really been a pleasure watching how the VCC and CCC families have supported each other in building a robust and supportive community. It was also a year of a fresh new look for our cycling kit, which is already standing out at races across the country. Year in numbers We ran a combined 7 road events and the winter crit series with Canberra Cycling Club. By combining our race calendars, we can focus our time on a number of key races to try to get more interstate and local riders to attend. A great example of this was the Canberra Junior Tour held on 27–28 May with 220 junior riders from across the country and even New Zealand attending. This year we have held: 49 track training sessions with 941 entries 24 Track racing events with 592 entries 24 SuperCrits with 1,511 entries 8-week Novice Program with the assistance of Michael Hanslip for 19 new riders Thanks to our volunteers The club couldn’t run without our key volunteers, including: Our commissaires – Jim Veal, Darryl Cram, Simon and Caet Watch and Jon Lowe Track/Junior coaches – Jim Veal, Gavin Macdonald, Carlos Lopez, Ross Taylor, Dan Grillo and Ed Gralton SuperCrits Race Director – Jon Lowe Novice coordinators – Alys Buchtmann and Alex Carder And everyone else who helped at a race last year 2023 Committee Before we introduce the 2024 committee, it is important to shout our the 2023 committee who helped the club run its races, training and bunch rides: Mel Toombs – Vice President and Women’s officer Vanessa Judge – Secretary Steph Bates – Treasurer Alys Buchtmann – Membership Officer, Communications, Novice Coordinator Charlotte Hempenstall – Interim Club Captain, Communications and Socials Alex Carder – Clothing Officer Jim Veal – track/ junior Ross Taylor – Track and EntryBoss Andrew Steel (Fozzy) Neil Skipper Sam Cuninghame Matt Dyne Special thanks to Matt for all the work he has done over the years and his continued support. This was his last year on the committee and we will miss his contributions to the club. A farewell to both Neil and Fozzy, who will also be stepping back from the committee in 2024. 2024 committee At the AGM, the following roles were voted in: President – Michael Buerger Vice-president – Vanessa Judge Secretary – Alys Buchtmann Treasurer – Steph Bates Assistant Treasurer – Mustafa Anwar Membership Officer – Alex Carder General Committee Members/Roles: Women’s Officer – Melany Toombs Socials – Charlotte Hempenstall Track/Juniors – Jim Veal Track/Race – Ross Taylor Development – Vanessa Judge Club Captain – Charlotte Hempenstall Novice coordinator – Sam Cuninghame Gravel coordinator – Trenton Smith e-Racing coordinator – Alex Carder Final thanks A huge thank our sponsors including Alivio Tourist Park, Stu from Crankys, and the Little Pickle. Thank you also to Steve Crispin and Rainer Wilton from Canberra Cycling Club for running the road races and collaborating with Vikings on our cycling advocacy. Finally, thank you to all our members for your support in making this a fantastic cycling club. [...]
December 17, 2023NewsOver the Christmas and New Year’s season, we’ve pulled together all the upcoming rides so you can plan your summer break or your Festive 500 rides! Check our socials for any last minute changes. Little Pickle is closed from 2pm Friday 22 December and reopens Monday 15 January 2024 SuperCrits return Thursday 4 January 2024 Track training returns Saturday 6 January 2024 Track racing returns Monday 8 January 2024 Week starting Monday 18 December 2023 🎄 Christmas track carnival – Monday 18 December🎄The Christmas handicap trophy is up for grabs on Monday, plus there will be a sausage sizzle and prizes for the juniors. Oh, and Santa might even show up!!! From 5pm at the Narrabundah velodrome – sign up now. 🎄 Women’s Christmas ride – 6am Tuesday 19 December 🎄 We aren’t expecting Santa to show up on our special edition Women’s Christmas Social ride, but we do expect lots of smiles, gaudy Christmas jerseys and festive cheer! Leaving at the usual ANU meeting spot at 6am, and the club will be shouting everyone coffee ☕️ afterwards at the Little Pickle. 🚴 Majura Wasabi – 6am Wednesday 20 December 🚴‍♀️Not everyone is on holidays yet, so Majurasabi will be running as usual from the ANU from 6am. You can still wear those Christmas jerseys! 🏁 Final 2023 SuperCrit – from 5:50pm Thursday 21 December 🏁 Round 11 will be our final crit for 2023, the season will take a brief break and then return on Thursday 4 January 2024. 🎄 Christmas Norman – 6am Friday 22 December 🎄 The Sprinter’s Norman will run as usual on Friday 22 December from the ANU, except it won’t be the TGA sprint everyone will be competing for, but who has the best Christmas outfit (extra points for decorating your bike). Everyone who turns up will win though, as the club will be putting on treats afterwards! You buy the coffee, we’ll buy the banana bread! 🎄 Christmas Eve Condor Creek PROD – 7am Sunday 24 December 🎄 The Condor Creek PROD will depart the ANU from 7am on Sunday 24 December, meeting the southsiders at the intersection of Swallowtail and Cotter roads at 7:35am. This is your chance to get some kilometres in early for the Festive 500 and pre-burn off those Christmas calories! Week starting Monday 25 December 2023 ⚠️ Check the later start times for the rides ⚠️ 🪨 Alt Gravelsabi – 7am Wednesday 27 December 🪨We will be holding a special end-of-year Gravelsabi route through Ainslie and Majura Pines on Wednesday 27 December. Leaving a little bit later at 7am (because it’s the holidays!), the group will head out for an anti-clockwise Ainslie loop before adding on some extra kilometres through Majura Pines. Coffee at where the group can find open afterwards. 🚴 Belcosabi – 7am Wednesday 27 December 🚴‍♀️For those who didn’t get a gravel bike for Christmas, the road Wasabi is heading out at 7am on the Wednesday. The route is Belcosabi, but for those feeling adventurous or need to get extra kilometres, then there is the option of adding in Majura Parkway for double the kudos! 💕 Double Norman – 7am Friday 29 December 💕 In our yearly tradition, we will be heading out at 7am for a Norman with all the trimmings! The usual bunches will head out to do the TGA loop before turning left back up Mugga Way to loop around and climb Red Hill too. Keeping both sprinters and climbers happy! Coffee will need to be workshopped on the day, as the Little Pickle is closed – mostly likely one of the cafes on Lonsdale Street. 🎉 NYE Extended Sutton Loop PROD – 7am Sunday 31 December 🎉 The final chance to achieve Festive 500, the PROD will be doing the extended Sutton Loop. The Little Sutton Bakehouse is closed, so it is recommended that the group head to The Knox in Watson for their post ride coffee and treat! Week starting Monday 1 January 2024 🎆 Happy new year everyone! We hope it is full of great rides. 🎆 This week our rides return to their usual times. Coffee still needs to be workshopped on the day as the Little Pickle is still closed. 🚴 Majura Wasabi – 6am Wednesday 3 January 🚴‍♀️ 🏁 SuperCrits Round 12 – From 5:50pm Thursday 4 January 🏁 🚴‍♀️ TGA Norman – 6am Friday 5 January 🚴  🚴‍♂️ Track training – returns Saturday 6 January 🚴‍♂️ 🚵‍♀️ Mountain Creek Road PROD – 7am Sunday 7 January 🚵‍♀️ 🏁 Track racing – returns Monday 8 January 🏁 [...]
December 6, 2023NewsThe Club’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held at 10:00am on Sunday 17 December 2023 at Stromlo Forest Park Pavilion (Dave McInnes Rd, Stromlo). The plan is for the AGM to be held after a modified PROD/ PLOD ride. For those who want to ride, we will be leaving ANU as usual at 7am, returning to Stromlo where e breakfast BBQ will be on offer prior to the commencement of the meeting. The key purpose of the AGM is to provide all members with an update on how the Club has fared over the year, thank the current Committee and vote in a new Committee for the next year. Refer to the attached agenda. Office Bearer positionsCurrently held by:President          Michael BuergerVice President   Melany Toombs Secretary          Vanessa JudgeTreasurer          Stephanie BatesMembership Officer       Alys BuchtmannGeneral CommitteeGeneral Committee Members (Maximum of 5 in 2023)Sam Cuninghame, Matt Dyne, Charlotte Hempenstall, Andrew Steele, Ross Taylor, Jim Veal, Alex Carder Other Roles (non-committee) Club Captain Matt Dyne (Charlotte Hempenstall – interim)Race Secretary  VACANTClub Handicapper VACANTClothing Officer Alex CarderCoaching CoordinatorVACANTDevelopment Squad CoordinatorVACANTTrack Coordinator Jim VealNovice Program Coordinator     Alys Buchtmann / Alex Carder / Vanessa JudgeSocial Media OfficersCharlotte Hempenstall / Alys BuchtmannWomen’s Development OfficerMelany ToombsJunior Development CoordinatorVACANTNews Coordinator Alys Buchtmann / Charlotte Hempenstall If you are interested in taking a more active role in the running of the club, information on the roles of the committee members are available here or have a chat with a current committee member. Attached is the nomination form for those who are interested in joining the committee, refer to the form for additional details. All nominations forms are to be submitted by email to secretary@vikingscycling.org.au by 10 December 2023. Minutes from the 2022 AGM. AGM_2022_-_MinutesDownload [...]
December 6, 2023NewsThe 2023 edition of the legendary Tour of Bright will go down as one with amazing performances, determined efforts, bad luck and epic weather. A hardy band of 7 Vikings lined up across 6 grades, with a total of 5 debutants. As the great Vikings Simon Claringbold is fond of saying: “getting to the start line is half the race”. So well done to all riders for making the journey from both a training and travel point of view. Stormy skies greeted riders on Saturday as they rolled out on the famous ‘Gaps Loop’ stage. While the racing was on in earnest, the weather also had a part to play. Everyone seemed to get over Rosewhite Gap without getting too wet, but for most bunches this changed after the descent. The normally baking hot trip up the Kiewa Valley Highway turned into a series of epic rain bursts. The good news was that bunches generally rode sensibly in the wet. While everyone got soaked, it wasn’t cold until you reached the top – just as well some people got there extra quick! Vikings excelled on the Tawonga Gap summit finish, with Andrew Foster (Mens Masters B) the pick of the results with a brilliant 5th place. Hugo Young (C grade) managed 7th, but will have to work on his Rosewhite Gap descending skills to climb further up the podium. And Zoe Sinclair (Womens C) also rode well for 8th place. After a big effort on Tawonga the stage 2 Time Trial is aways tough in the afternoon. The showers were still around – some got a dry run in, others got wet. Our Vikings put in solid times with most holding their position in the General Classification (GC) going into Sunday’s Queen Stage: Mt Buffalo. It’s the Queen Stage for a reason: a solid hour of climbing at your limit always decides the Tour of Bright champions. Hugo Young stunned the C grade field, pinning the ears back early and taking the stage win – well done Hugo! Andrew Foster (who’s form went vertical in the weeks leading up to Bright) also contested for the win in a three-up sprint for the line, coming away with 2nd place on the stage. Andrew’s Bright debut featured a podium GC finish in 3rd place, and a 2nd place in the King of the Mountains classification. A well deserved result after a lot of hard work and training. Chapeau! Felix Koninx, who’s form-build mirrored Andrew’s, suffered some very bad luck after puncturing on the last day – don’t worry Felix your Bright destiny is still to be written. And as usual “stage 4” at the Bright Brewery is always a great way to top off the weekend. And so concludes another Tour of Bright campaign – the best stage race on the amateur racing calendar. Congratulations to all riders. If you’re thinking of doing this race next year, be sure to ask the debutants how they went – I’m pretty sure they’ll all be back! Results: Women’s C Grade Zoe Sinclair – GC 8th (on debut) Mens B Grade Felix Koninx – GC 53rd (on debut) Mens Masters B Grade Andrew Foster – GC 3rd, KOM 2nd (on debut) Michael Rosser – GC 13th Mens C Grade Hugo Young – GC 6th, Queen Stage winner, KOM 2nd (on debut) Mens Masters C Grade Sam Cuninghame – GC 23rd Mens Masters 6 Col Young – 13th (on debut) [...]
October 3, 2023NewsAre you ready to take your cycling journey to the next level? Do you need structured training for your next event? Cheryl Hulskamp will be running a 6-week ACT Development Squad from 31 October until 7 December 2023. This squad is open the all genders and aims to empower you to elevate your skills and abilities, improve your fitness, and make connections with fellow cyclists. Designed to build your fitness for events such as Tour of Bright or Peaks Challenge, together you will train with others to improve fitness, tactics, and nutrition. All ages, backgrounds, abilities, and cycling clubs are welcome. The cost of the entire program is $200. Express your interest: The Squad is now inviting expressions of interest from riders looking to join us. Applications close on Wednesday 25 October 2023. Register your interest via Expression of Interest form. What to expect Tailored Weekly Training Plan: Receive a customised weekly training plan designed to suit your fitness level and cycling goals Masterclass Skill Development: Engage in masterclass-style skill development sessions that target specific skills Duration: The program goes over 6 weeks starting on 31 October 2023 Inclusive Community: Join an inclusive community that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds, ages, abilities, and cycling clubs Weekly Training Sessions: Tuesdays and Thursdays (6:00 AM to 7:15 AM) there will be on-road coaching sessions focusing on fitness and cycling skills. Sessions cater to various fitness levels Masterclass Session: Saturday (8:00 AM to 10:00 AM) there will be an extended 2-hour masterclass session offering advanced climbing and descending skills training. What you need Road bike in a roadworthy condition, that is all brakes and gears working correctly, tyres in good condition, handlebar plugs installed, etc Helmet that meets Australian standards (AS2062:2008) Bike computer with cadence meter Tools, such as Allen key, spare tubes, tyre levers, pump/CO2 canister Lights (front and rear) Current AusCycling membership Water/food Location Tuesday and Thursday training sessions: Most sessions will start from Lennox Gardens in Yarralumla Meet at 5:55 AM for a 6 AM start Sessions expected to finish by 7/7:15 AM There will be a post-ride debrief session to discuss the training and ask any quesitons Optional post-ride coffee First session Tuesday 31 October 2023 Time: 6:00 – 7:00 am Location: Pavilion, Stromlo Forest Park Session Focus: Introductions, helmet and license check, initial assessments and the first skill development session Remember to bring your AusCycling license, bike and helmet Meet the coach Cheryl is a Level 2 NCAS Certified AusCycling Coach, with over 25 years of coaching experience guiding athletes in various cycling disciplines and abilities. She is passionate about helping individuals reach their full potential and is an accomplished athlete, having represented Australia twice a the World Masters Championships in Velodrome cycling, earning 6 medals. She has also competed in the National Road Series (NRS) and excelled in mountain biking (cross country and downhill) winning the NSW State Downhill Series. More information For further information, please contact Cheryl Hulskamp at cheryl.hulskamp@icloud.com [...]
July 17, 2023NewsThe Spring Novice Program is now open for registration! The VCC Novice Program is aimed at bringing new riders into the world of road cycling and racing in a safe and supportive environment. The program is a highlight every year, for participants and mentors! The 8-week program will start from 5 September and go until 26 October 2023. Entries close Monday 28 August 2023. Signing up for the program To participate in the program you will need to register through EntryBoss and have an AusCycling membership (Race licence or Lifestyle). We recommend only signing up for the program if you can commit to attend at least the first 2 weeks. If you miss these sessions we have found that riders will not have enough confidence to participate fully in the rest of the program. You can chose to sign up for either the: Tuesday group (session 1) – for those comfortable riding with an average speed of 25km/h or more – starts 5 September Thursday group (session 2) – for those more comfortable riding with an average speed below 25km/h – starts 7 September Each group will be limited to 15 and the full program costs $165, which includes a free Vikings Cycling Club jersey valued at $130! Which group is right for you? While each group will follow the same program, we try our best to align people’s goals and speeds so you can get the most out of the program. However, if you can’t make the day more aligned to your ability, don’t worry you can still join the other group. Tuesday group (Session 1) This group is best for those who have ridden a bit and have some fitness under their belt. In particular those flirting with the idea of giving racing a go or pushing their limits in some endurance events. If you are a bit speedier but looking for people to ride with regularly, or maybe you just want to nail some commute segments on Strava, then this group is probably best for you. Thursday group (Session 2) This group is good for those who have ridden a little bit on their own and want to meet other people to ride with (safely). If your wanting to challenge yourself by taking on an organised participation event for the first time, or just keen to see where cycling takes you, then this group is probably best for you. Questions? Email us at novice@vikingscycling.org.au [...]
July 12, 2023NewsThe wait is over! Your dedicated committee has collaborated with local company MVMNT to bring you the next generation of the Vikings club kit. Our new custom clothing portal is now open! Order now to get your new VCC kit so you can look your best before SuperCrits start back this spring. The store will close 11.59pm Friday 4 August. Following the portal closure, delivery is expected within 4 to 6 weeks. The drop includes a range of men and women’s kit including: Club and race fit jerseys Long and short bibs Thermal jackets Gilets Aerosuits Baselayers Socks Caps Arm and leg warmers Some items will have a minimum order 5 per item, so don’t hesitate and add to your cart now! Looking for junior kit? Don’t worry, we are still pulling together the final range with MVMNT for our juniors. We expect the junior kit to be available in spring and at similar bargain prices as our adult kit. Discount code So you can look your best head to toe, we are offering a 10% discount when you purchase 3 or more items. Use the discount code Vikings_Bundle when putting your order in. If you have any questions, email us at clothing@vikingscycling.org.au  [...]
May 9, 2023NewsJim with his gold medal from the Track National Championships Following his recent successes at the Track National Championships in April, Jim Veal has now been awarded the Vikings Group Champion Award! The Vikings Group Champion Award is designed to celebrate individual athletes, teams and volunteers, associated with the Vikings Affiliated clubs. The Vikings Group selects a Vikings Champion Award recipient each month and the winner gets a cash prize of $500. Jim has been a member of the club since 1999 and is a key volunteer of our junior track program out at the Narrabundah Velodrome. This includes running training each Saturday, organising and running the Monday Night Track races at the Velodrome. Jim also runs a junior race clinic for club juniors at Stromlo Forest Park each Thursday afternoon developing bike handling and racing skills. Jim is a strong advocate for inclusiveness within cycling and plays an integral role in the Club’s community engagement. As a club based on volunteers, without Jim’s involvement we would not be in position to run the programs that we do. Jim is also on the Club’s Committee and regularly volunteers his time in supporting the club and it’s members. He is a fantastic contributor to cycling development within the ACT and has provided great support to new and ongoing ACT cycling initiatives, especially in supporting increased junior involvement within the sport. The Vikings Group said Jim was a standout from all the nominees! The club congratulates Jim on winning this award and thank him for his continued dedication to the club and ACT juniors. Jim racing at the National Track Championships in April 2023 [...]
April 18, 2023NewsOur 2 Vikings National Champions – Jim Veal and Bailey Macdonald. What an incredible week at the 2023 AusCycling Junior and Masters Track National Championships! Held over 6 days in Brisbane from 11 April to 16 April 2023, our juniors and masters hit the boards and proved that the ACT really punches above our weight. A highlight had to be the double gold medals for both Bailey Macdonald and Jim Veal, who has coached Bailey from his very first hit out on the track. It’s amazing that they are both now winning Gold and achieving national championship results at the same events. ACT juniors Junior Track National Champions Notable highlights were: Georgia Gardiner (CCC) last lap effort for under 17 individual pursuit gold. Luke Rogers (CCC) application and progression through his first Nats, those Kierans were amazing. Sara Buerger (VCC), Chloe Pratt (CCC) and Natasha Sitsky’s (CCC) resilience and drive to hang in there and get PBs and top 10s. Chloe Pratt (CCC) for digging in as well and producing the goods when it got tough for the team. Emily Watch (VCC) for hitting it out against the 2nd years and getting the silver,  Our Pursuit and Sprint Bonze medals – congrats Sara B, Tash S, Emily W, Georgia, and Chloe P. Bailey Macdonald (VCC) for destroying the field for the Scratch Race Gold. Bailey Macdonald (VCC), Angus Withington (CCC) and Hayden Stevens (CCC) for beating Queensland in the hottest Team Sprint field ever!!  What a team! The medal tally was: 3 gold 🥇 3 silver 🥈 4 bronze🥉 Bailey Macdonald (VCC), Angus W (CCC) and Hayden Stevens (CCC) Silver Women’s under 17 Sprint – Emily Watch (VCC) Gold women’s under 17 Individual pursuit – Georgia Gardiner (CCC) Gold Mens under 17 Scratch – Bailey Macdonald (VCC) Silver Mens under 17 Scratch – Hayden Stevens (CCC) Bronze Womens under 17 Team Pursuit – Georgia Gardiner (CCC), Sara Buerger (VCC), Chloe Pratt (CCC) and Natasha Sitsky (CCC) Bronze Mens under 17 TT – Bailey Macdonald (VCC) Bronze Mens under 17 Kieran – Bailey Macdonald (VCC) Bronze Womens under 17 Team Sprint – Natasha Sitsky (CCC), Georgia Gardiner (CCC), Sara Buerger (VCC) and Emily Watch (VCC) Silver Womens under 17 Points – Georgia Gardiner (CCC) Gold Mens under 17 Team Sprint – Bailey Macdonald (VCC), Hayden Stevens (CCC) and Angus Withington (CCC) Masters Track National Champions Well what a week our ACT Masters have had! PBs were broken races were fought the boards were on fire but most importantly National Champions were crowned. Jim Veal National Champion 🥇 in the M10 Time Trial!2nd 🥈 in the M10 Individual pursuitNational Champion 🥇 in the M10 sprint 3rd 🥉 in the M10 keirin Ryan Bates 2nd 🥈 in the M3 scratch2nd 🥈 in the M3 Individual Pursuit2nd 🥈 in the M3 ITT2nd 🥈 in the M3 points race Ross Taylor M1-2 Scratch race with a DNF4th in the M2 ITT6th in the M2 Individual Pursuit4th in the M2 keirin3rd 🥉 in the M2 sprint Sarah Stevens 5th in WM1-3 Scratch race4th in the WM3 ITT4th in the WM3 keirinNational 🥇 in the WM3 Individual Pursuit3rd 🥉 in the WM1-4 Points race Peta Brill 10th in WM5-7 Scratch.4th in the WM5 keirin5th in the WM5 sprint6th in the WM5 ITT5th in the WM5 Individual Pursuit3rd 🥉 in the WM5-7 points race Alex Schaffer 2nd 🥈 in the M1 ITT3rd 🥉 in the M1 sprint And a special mention to Roger Grierson (CCC): 2nd 🥈in the M1 Individual Pursuit2nd 🥈 in the M1-2 ScratchNational Champion 🥇 in the M1-3 points race Well done to all of the ACT masters on a fantastic week of racing. [...]