Bike Manawatu is proud to be supporting our local Arohanui Hospice.
This is a great opportunity to grab your mates, create a workplace team and get training to fundraise for a fantastic cause, all while getting fit and having a great time!
Sunday 14th May 2023
Once the fundraising link (Givealittle is all set up – entries will go live)
The Manfeild 6 hour race combines a fun community atmosphere with a significant sporting challenge -see: https://bikemanawatu.co.nz/manfeild6hour/ This event will best suit solo riders or teams of reasonably experienced cyclists.
To maximise the riders’ enjoyment on the day, some training and preparation is strongly recommended.
We recommend all bikes are serviced prior to the event and the brakes and gears are all working smoothly.
Unfortunately mountain bikes and e-bikes are not permitted for this event this year.
An approved cycling helmet must be worn at all times while riding in the event, and we recommend other necessary cycling equipment and clothing such padded shorts, gloves, glasses and a water bottle etc.
The Manfeild 6 Hour Cycle Challenge is a simple formula… Ride as many complete laps of the Manfeild racing circuit as you can in 6 hours. Although some riders complete this challenge solo (or riding in pairs) for most teams this race involves a group of four riders each taking turns (i.e. tagging in and out, with just a single rider on the track at any one time) to ride as many complete laps as they can in the 6 hour time period. This competitive event is a great opportunity for fit healthy athletes from other cycling (i.e. triathlon, cyclo-cross and mountain biking) and other sporting disciplines to test themselves at cycling, in a friendly environment and the wide open spaces of the Manfeild track (no vehicles).
Each team sets their own ride strategy – only one person from each team is allowed on the track at a time. A timing transponder is passed from one team member to the next like a baton in a relay race. It is essential that riders maintain their hydration and re-fuel through-out the race with suitable drink and foods to replace the energy they are burning-off on the track. Sunscreen is also recommended and in the event of cold, wet or windy conditions (this never occurs in the glorious Manawatu…) a variety of clothing layers is important. Teams will often ‘set up camp’ with a gazebo to provide shelter and chairs and a chilly-bin and hot food etc to provide a bit of a comfort stop for team-members when not taking their turn on the bike.
The field of competitors will encompass: a number of elite riders who will competing seriously and racing at high speeds, community-based recreational level riders just having a fun-active day out, through to teams of junior cyclists from the Manawatu Schools cycling programme. These young cyclist will have been training hard and have been taught road cycling skills and bunch riding etiquette.
The categories are:
$65.00 – Solo – Male / Female,
$140.00 – Adult Team – Male / Female / Mixed,
$100.00 – Schools Team – Year 7 & 8 Boys / Girls / Mixed,
$100.00 – Schools Team – Year 9 & 10 Boys / Girls, and
$100.00 – Schools Team – Year 11 – 13 Boys / Girls.
The number of riders and the mix of ages and abilities participating in the Manfeild 6 hours challenge and the resulting variation in speed, experience and bike handling skills makes the event’s a real spectacle an enjoyable event for all.
A race briefing will be offered to all competitors, before racing starts and the event will be managed (especially the transition zone where teams swap over riders) by a group of experienced volunteers.
Whilst it is expected that competition will be fierce and the racing will be fast, this is primarily a fun community orientated event and all riders will be asked to keep an eye out and take care of each other out on the track – especially as fatigue sets in later on in the day.
The basic rules of cycle racing are simple: keep left and obey the road rules (even on the track), holding a steady line (not swerving around), respect other riders, keep a watchful eye around you and communicate your intentions to the other cyclists in the peloton. Although accidents are rare, unfortunately sometimes incidents do occur. In this event we will have qualified first aid personnel on-site to offer the necessary care.
When the racing is on, this is a spectacular event and it is awe inspiring to see the effort riders put in as they whizz down the home straight.
The Manfeild 6 hour challenge is a great day out and spectators and supporters are all welcome to come and cheer their riders on.
Manfeild will have their catering cart available selling a range of food and drinks at the venue.
We want to publicise the event widely and make people feel welcome – so as to increase the spectators on the day – and help with on-site fundraising for hospice.
Cycling is a safe, healthy and fun form of sustainable transport.
Bike Manawatu is committed to promoting the benefits of cycling as a part of our community’s transport strategy and to grow the sport of cycling as a great way of staying fit and healthy, meeting great people and keeping your competitive spirit alive and kicking.
After COVID forced cancellations in past years Bike Manawatu is committed to growing this keynote event on the regional cycling calendar and sharing the benefits by supporting the fundraising efforts of the great team at Arohanui Hospice.
For more information, any queries, or if your business would like to become a Bike Manawatu sponsor to help grow this event please contact secretary@bikemanawatu.co.nz or to register online https://bikemanawatu.co.nz/manfeild6hour