A further update on Colin’s marathon.
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.
Friday 15 March saw my second trip up to Taupo to get in two laps of the lake with Colin. At the beginning of the month I had been up and ridden laps 26 and 27 and marvelled at the way Colin kept going day after day.
Now two weeks on I was there to ride laps 41 and 42. He was still knocking off the laps but with his left knee causing considerable pain after about the hundred kilo mark he was slightly slower, but not by much.(It was great to hear that after the lap on the following Monday the knee was improving.)
The lasting impression my trips up to the lake have left is what a full time job Wal’s challenge is. A 6.00am start means up at 5.00 for breakfast,make sure all drinks, gels and bars are on bike and lights etc. working. With a stop at Turangi to mix more drink and have a feed and a bit of a rest Taupo is reached by about 2.00pm then it is home to mix recovery drink, eat, shower, put washing on, check e-mails and txt and reply,grab a nana nap, mix tomorrows drinks, check bike etc. etc. etc..
Anyone that can find the time to ride a lap with Colin will, I am sure, come away feeling better for the experience. He is hoping that he will raise a dollar amount equal to the kilometers he has ridden so for those wishing to help his cause, CanTeen, jump on his fund raising site and give him a boost.
Cheers John Lithgow
