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A Club Culture is Caught not Taught

I am in the learning phase as club chairman and I am sure you will agree that there are a lot of great characters in our club across the many different riders and volunteer groups. The banter between people is a huge part of why we enjoy biking so much apart from the health and fitness cycling brings.When we talk to members they often share funny stories about fellow club members or how proud they are of both past and present club riders who have enjoyed, local, National or International success.These are humble people who ride amongst our riding groups today who we can learn from.

At last years Bike Manawatu prize giving held at Hotel Coachman we were treated to some great insights by our former Olympian and Commonwealth games racers Mike McRedmond and Anthony Cuff as well as our young crop of NZ rising stars Campbell Stewart,Robert Stannard,Michaela Drummond and Elizabeth Stannard.They shared the hard work they put into their training programs and racing lives.Brilliant to listen to and a great people asset our club can share with all members.

The growth phase within our club is all about the members helping each other improve whatever area of participation as a cyclist or volunteer you are involved in. By each taking some responsibility for your riding group or racing event to support “cycling etiquette and safety” is top of mind and has to be a continual priority for us all.
When it is required,just saying to a fellow cyclist who is not riding safely “safety is one of our key cycling protocols”. The right encouragement to help them become a safer rider can only help build a great culture amongst all members.This also gently removes bad habits such as “half wheeling” which for most cycling enthusiasts is dangerous.

A culture change occurs both on and off the bike by members committing to more time talking together.We can all learn more from each other especially being around knowledgeable cyclist who ride in our weekly riding groups.This could be at the after ride coffee catchup or the Bike Manawatu “Monthly Happy Hour” where you get the chance to connect with more members more often.

Bike Manawatu First “Monthly Happy Hour”
Feedback from last Friday’s first Bike Manawatu “Monthly Happy Hour” has been excellent. Roughly 30 people mingled and shared a very social get together at Hotel Coachman.
Positive comments from, “it was a relaxing way to end the week” and “it didn’t interfere with family time” or any weekend ride time made it enjoyable”.All in all this is positive club initiative for our cycling community and we look forward to seeing more people join us on at our next “Happy Hour” Friday 27 May 5.30 to 7pm at Hotel Coachman.