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Despite the number of tweets you make and your blog race reports and how many people know you know you by your 'footyname', I simply cannot follow everyone on facebook to work out their current form. All I really need to know is a little information week to week. This is the information which we ask you to provide when entering a Northern

Combine race: Stronger, same, weaker and a line of text.

Just pick some names...

Who broke on the first lap last week? Hey there's a “weaker”

Who has been pushing the pace too hard? Hey there's a “stronger”

Who do you often train with? Hey there's a “same”

Don't know names? Try socialising a bit after or during the race ? Introduce yourself. Shy ? Well estimate- "The thin guy with a beard from Sunbury", "The three bikebug blokes", "The Cipolini wannabe in the brikos". It's going to be more instructional than:

(yes that's an intentionally blank line and basically all I get from many riders.)

Dropped last race ? Put it in your comments. Just keep it brief.

It will take you like 5 minutes MAX, and since it means a lot to you - it will probably be fairly accurate. It takes me approximately 20 minutes per rider to even start to get this information right. So if you've ever wondered why it is sometimes wrong, there's your answer.

From now on, and next season. If there is no information with your entry, I will simply assume you are good mates with Mr Cavendish, and place you in A Grade or Scratch, and no further correspondence will be entered into. Entry desk volunteers have no discretion so please do not hassle them on the day.

Good grading is up to you and your peers. So please treat your entry with the same amount of respect you expect to receive from the handicapper, and things will most likely turn out just right. If you have a better way, then please feel free to contact your Club Rep to take it to the Committee.

Many thanks, and best of luck.

Nathan Fraser

Northern Combine Handicapper.

All riders please note that the Combine scheduled ITT Hill Climb out at Humevale has been cancelled for the 30th of July.

Best efforts were made to try and run this event but due to unforeseen events and lack of support we have had to cancel this race. 

Putting on a combine race involves a number tasks and duties all coming together from member clubs.  If the Combine committee feels they can't meet all council, police, and rider safety requirements we will cancel an event.  If you're a member of the combine and regularly race with the combine please ask your combine delegate how you can further help out with future races.

You may have noticed the committee opted to retain the same roster and volunteer system as previous years. It works but only just and over the last couple of years we have seen increasing participation by riders. We still need more. A compulsory roster system is always an option but we decided to stick with the status quo for another season. We have a long season and lots of racing.

What this means is we are relying on riders to volunteer or bring someone along to volunteer at least once over the season.

Note - we had a good response on Saturday and the vols roster is filling nicely over May and June but as always the 3 day tour is always in need of more vols.

We also opted to keep pricing at $10 and $20 for vols non vols respectively. This is cheap. Possibly too cheap but we are not in the business of making a profit/surplus over the season. However we do need to bank funds for "rainy days". Given our out of pocket expenses each week a bout of bad weather and low numbers could easily push us into deficit. For this reason we may have to be conservative with prize pool payouts on occasion. Please remember to put your prize money in the context of your small entry fee.