A couple of track bikes have been returned and are available to be hired for the second half of the season

Despite the current ‘cost of living challenges’ facing all community events, Bike Manawatu is 100% committed to ensuring the 51st year of the Novice Tour – once again provides a safe, fun, competitive cycle racing event.

We will adopt a high-quality assured approach in implementing the Local Roading Authority’s/Cycling New Zealand’s ‘Safe Traffic Management System’ (STMS) standards which ensure best practices and rider and spectator safety.

If the level of community funding secured is not sufficient to contract in external road management service providers with the ability to stop/go traffic, the Novice Tour will proceed on a ‘local club racing’ model, whereby our team of trained/experienced road marshals will, where necessary, pause racing in order to give way to traffic and ensure rider safety.

Although funding external road management services with the ability to stop/go traffic is ideal, if this is not feasible – we are confident that the event’s ‘Safe Traffic Management System’ (STMS) will provide a competitive, fair, enjoyable and importantly safe racing environment.

Irrespective of which model of traffic management/racing is finalised, as with all CNZ/Bike Manawatu events, normal road rules will apply and a full rider briefing confirming the event rules will be provided to all riders prior to the start of each race.

One orientation session for those who want to race on the track and haven’t up until now will be held soon. The hardest part at this time of year is to find a suitable time that works for everyone.

So the suggestion has been made that this be done just before the 2013 track season starts again early in the New Year. This is compulsory for everybody who has not raced a track bike so far this season – even if you have raced a track bike in the past.

Returned Bikes available for hire

There are a couple of bikes available for re-hire. First in first served and only a couple of sizes available so if you want to have a go for the second half of the season send your details of height and road bike frame size and we will see if we can match you up with a bike

To keep things simple, you have the option to adjust the bike yourselves and arrange a time later with Ian Gray or go to one of the local bike shops and sort it out yourself.