Welcome to season 2017/18…it’s all about Gosling
Hello Piranhas and welcome to season 2017/18!
It is now Spring…hooray. Great to know our first event for the season will be later this month with our traditional season-opening duathlon on Sun 24 Sep. It will be followed by ‘Breaking the Ice’ which is a dunk in Gosling Creek to celebrate the start of the season.
Schedule: We have a handy attachment here OCTC 17-18 calendar that shows our season on a single page to help you plan your own race calendar for the season. Lots of events to sink your teeth into.
Venue: One word sums up this season: “Gosling”. Last season was a hybrid with the events shared between Lake Canobolas and Gosling Creek. This season will be a clean transition with all our events out there in 2017/18. Why the move? Lake Canobolas had just got too busy in the car park, on the water with Dragon Boaters, and the out and back bike course simply meant we could not host NSW Club Champs at the lake (has to be a loop course). Combine all those reasons with a very accommodating Orange City Council, and Gosling Creek was our solution.
We just ask our members to be patient this season as there might be tweaks to courses and start times through the season so we continue to deliver safe and enjoyable events. Pls keep your eye on the events on our website for times and distances.
Juniors: We are so fortunate to have Mel Ashton-Garard to lead our Junior Piranhas. She has already got new equipment for the coming season, and you’ll see in the schedule two new Junior gala afternoons and the return of the Junior weekend – all before Christmas. Exciting to know there are new school programs coming to a couple of schools in our region to build triathlon grassroots even more.
Volunteers: We haven’t forgotten the survey results and volunteers who nominated – one of the committee will be in touch soon to see how you can help out on Sun 24 Sep.
Uniforms: We do plan on an online shop, but in meantime, contact Bernadette or Steve Robinson at Orange Clothing (6362 8572) who have about 8 different sized women and men tri suits, and tops and bottoms, and lots of hats in store. You can visit directly at 4 McNamara St, Orange, just around the corner from the pre-polling station if you’re voting early this week. Our Junior suits are sold out, but watch this space for a new development in this area.
Bikefest: This is a celebration of all things cycling, hosted by Orange Council and supported by our triathlon club. It is on Sun 22 Oct at the velodrome in Orange – more information to come.
Facebook: We encourage our members and supporters to use the Orange Supporters page on FB (look up ‘Piranhas Supporters Group’ if you’re not already on and we’ll accept you straight away). If you are racing, on the lookout for a swim buddy, or have a second hand bike for sale, pls post and share with your Piranhas. Scott W was already on the case with his Father’s Day run this morning. Let’s see if we can start a regular Tuesday Training Tip – I’ll do the first one next week.
Members: Remember to nominate to be a member of Orange Cycle and Triathlon Club to enjoy all the benefits this season, which includes to be part of the team that defends our triple NSW Club Champ crowns on 24 Mar 18. Go to www.triathlon.org.au and follow the prompts.
All the best to those riding in the OLO (Orange-Lithgow-Orange) event on 16-17 Sep and for your own training in the lead up to an exciting season ahead. If you need to contact us any time, pls email octc@octc.org.au or message us on Facebook.
Thanks Dave Hunter
