AGRN and AGM

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.

Last weekend Bike Manawatu was well represented at the Age Group Road Nationals with 7 riders making the journey to Timaru. 3 of those riders stood on the podium during the weekend with Colin Anderson, Glenn Kirk and Filip Martin taking 3rd, 3rd and 2nd respectively in the ITT and then Colin backing it up with a 2nd in the Road race later in the weekend.

AGRN’s are always tough, it’s the next level up from Club and Centre races. Chris Hansen finished 5th in Masters 2 Road race with the same time as P2, just short of the line in a photo finish. Same went for Filip Martin who again finished 5th in the Road race, 2 seconds of podium.

Great efforts by Ben Murphy who had a tough weekend but would have learnt a lot as he continues to climb the ladder in under 17’s. Glenn kirk, Mike Thompson and Toshi featured well in their grades.

Special thanks to Toshi for being Team Manager for the weekend and for Toshi and Colin to stay back and volunteer on Sunday shows total dedication to the sport.

As previously mentioned before, and more so after the event, there’s plenty of comment about Cycling South Canterbury holding the event for the second time in 5 years with little support from Cycling New Zealand. It appears all clubs are having their battles with Road availability, Traffic management, Volunteer bases etc.

At BM we too have challenges ahead. With Keryn leaving to continue her career path we have vacancies with areas of our admin that will need to be spread amongst ourselves. There is a rolling over in Board responsibilities, a nurturing alliance with Manawatu Schools cycling and a need/requirement for fresh ideas to have other clubs join us in our racing on newer courses.

With that in mind it leads me to next Friday’s AGM. Please come along and sit in on our AGM. After that has been completed we’ll open the floor up for feedback and ideas on a Sub Committee model that Jonathon Hannon and the board has been working on.

Groups identified are (Briefly),… Events, Club Racing, Track and WCNI, Schools, Development and Hub, Finance and funding.

Come along to Marist clubrooms and join us in making BM a long term option for racing of all ages in our community and region..

Tim