by Vaughan Hunt | Jul 4, 2026 | General Cycling
Yep, it’s that time again. The next 3 weeks are a great time to be your own Directeur Sportif with a fantasy cycling team.
If you have not had a go, fantasy cycling involves picking a virtual team of real-life professional cyclists who earn points based on their performance in the race.
AI kindly made me a summary of Web-Based Choices
| Platform |
Best For |
Standout Feature |
| Velogames |
Casual / Global Pools |
Classic, simple, no-transfer Grand Tour mini-games. |
| Scorito |
Hardcore / Tactical Play |
20-man rosters with daily 9-rider active lineups and captains. |
| Virtual Bike Race |
Kiwi Clubs / Custom Leagues |
Web-based manager with active budget-capped mid-race transfers. |
Virtual Bike Race is a notable New Zealand-focused, web-based fantasy cycling platform. It has historically been a popular alternative for local Kiwi cycling clubs—such as
BikeManawatu—to run their own custom leagues during major UCI WorldTour events.
- The Format: A traditional web-based browser game where you step into the shoes of a Directeur Sportif (Sporting Manager). [1]
- Gameplay: You select a dream team of real professional riders while strictly adhering to a designated team budget. [1]
- Dynamic Transfers: Unlike pure “set-and-forget” platforms, Virtual Bike Race allows you to make active tactical transfers throughout the duration of a race, letting you react to real-time form, crashes, or changing stage terrain. [1]
- Local Appeal: Because of its deep roots in the New Zealand cycling community, it is highly favored by local riders and clubs looking to set up private, competitive leagues against friends and family without dealing with mass global pools. [1]
by Vaughan Hunt | Dec 6, 2025 | News
This Sunday Vicky is putting on a morning tea as a memorial for Dave Cockburn. Dave was a regular at our Sunday rides and we want to remember all the rides together with him. This is taking place at Garry’s with a start time of 10:30.
So this weekends Sunday rides will start at the usual time and place but will finish at Garry’s. The route will likely be over to Lethbridge via Colyton and back via Sandon. Around (65km) with a longer option to go up Mt Biggs across to Mt Stewart, Penny, Waitohi, Tiapo Greens and home.(78km).
by Vaughan Hunt | Nov 6, 2025 | News
For all you riders who have ben out on Bike Manawatu Sunday rides, we owe a huge debt of gratitude to Mike for all the behind the scenes organising and route planning he has done on our behalf. Mike is handing over responsibility to Austin and Gary.
Mike writes:
The time has arrived where my time organising the BM Sunday Rides from Memorial Park has ceased as of last Sunday.
Over the past 10+ years I absorbed and enjoyed an immense amount of friendship being associated with BM Sunday Rides in the company of great people. First, as a cyclist was most fulfilling, and secondly, over the past 4 years just emailing weekly and about once a month meeting at Memorial Park on a Sunday to interact with the cyclists and announce that mornings notices and the cycling routes.
Over the past 2 – 3 weeks Garry Buys, Austin Smith and with assistance from Vaughan Hunt we have made plans for a seamless hand-over to Garry and Austin to carry on organising BM Sunday Rides from Memorial Park starting this Sunday. Austin has taken on responsibility for the weekly emails with Garry assisting with his many years experience.
Wishing only the best for everyone looking forward and see you for a last time when making the announcements on Sunday at Memorial Park.
by Vaughan Hunt | Sep 27, 2025 | News
We received this lovely thanks form Kapiti Cycling club:
Hi Mike
Thanks once again for organising last Sunday’s interclub ride. The Kapiti guys really enjoyed riding the route, particularly the rolling Valley Road section after the climb.
We all agreed that section was the most fun we’d had on a bike for a very long time.
Kapiti are keen to return the favour and host you guys on the Coast early in the New Year.
Best wishes
Gary
