Southern Veterans Cycling Club (Melbourne, Australia)

The Southern Veterans Cycling Club in Melbourne, Australia is a bicycle road racing club for veteran riders. Cyclists become eligible for membership at the age of 35 for males, and 30 years for females. The club is the largest Veterans cycling club in Australia. In 2006, there are over 350 members.

History

The club's first official meeting was held on 23 March 1975. In the late seventies the Southern Veterans club formed the Veteran Cycling Association of Victoria, which later became the Victorian Veterans Cycling Council (VVCC).

The club changed its affiliation from the VVCC to Cyclesport Victoria (which is a member of Cycling Australia) at a special general meeting held on 29 September 2008.

Racing locations and details

The types of races the club provides are:

• Open road race, also referred to as a graded scratch race
• Criterium, often abbreviated to crit
• Handicap, where riders are given time handicaps in groups
• Club Championships, were riders are grouped according to their age (35-39, 40-44, 45-49 etc)

Racing is conducted all year round.

In winter, racing is based around the Mornington Peninsula and West Gippsland from April to September. These races are held on public roads for which all necessary permits are obtained. Distances vary depending on the course but are generally in the range 50–80 km.

The summer season, from October to March, is criterium races, which usually last from 1 to 2...
Read More