by Glenys Taylor | Mar 4, 2014 | Member Profiles
Growing up in Switzerland gave me a solid base to be involved in a number of different sports –cycling was something I did for cross training purposes to balance my competitive running. Funny enough I never competed in a bike race in Switzerland – looking back now I wish I did of course!
It wasn’t for some decades and after I settled in NZ (and Palmerston North) that the cycling bug got hold of me. First I simply rode to stay fit, then I started to train “a bit” to keep up with the other Masters riders and in 2001 I did rather well in the Lake Taupo challenge with 4hr19min. After that I got hooked on road and track racing and trained a bit more! One of the highlights was the World Masters Games in Edmonton (Canada) where I sprinted to a Bronze medal in the road race. I also went to Manchester twice for the Masters Track World Championship – an amazing event and memories I will cherish.
In 2003, I completed a commisaires course as a way of supporting the club and cycling. Over the years I started to help other cyclists with some training advice and in 2012 I finished the coaching course offered by BikeNZ. Currently I assist a handful of junior riders with their training needs, something I thoroughly enjoy.
I work at the Fonterra Research Centre here in Palmerston North as the Maintenance and Development manager.
I hope I can pass some of my knowledge and passion on to many within the Club and the wider community in the Manawatu. It’s a fantastic sport – where you alone set the limits!
by Glenys Taylor | Mar 3, 2014 | Event Reports
It was pleasing to see the number of riders increasing week on week for the Saturday club races. And even more pleasing to see a good number of D grade riders. For the Akers Rd circuit the D grade riders were asked to complete 3 laps a total of 22km with c grade completing 4 laps and B grade completing 5 laps. The first lap was completed in less than 12 mins by a small bunch of B grade riders including Cameron Huston, Andrew McKenzie, Toshi and Andy and Adam Martin who was a C grade rider that was hanging on to the lead bunch. They were quickly followed by Tom Pirie and Nigel Doyle. The wind along the back straight was picking up which was sure to make the coming laps interesting especially for anyone that was dropped. Less than a minute back was Greg Baker the first of the D graders followed by Max Taylor and Kelly Levin and Peita Ransom, Fergus Washington-Smith and Michael Richmond clearing the line for the first time in 15mins.The lap times were to remain pretty consistent throughout the race but a split on lap 2 had Cameron Huston crossing the line 1 minute ahead of the chasing bunch of 4. Cows crossing the road on the back straight had little effect on the lead group and the dry matter that was warned of in the race briefing was notably moister as the riders crossed the path of the cow crossing. Cameron was able to maintain his lead in the front eventually making it across the finish line in 1hour 1 min and 57 secs nearly a 2 minute gap back to the chasing bunch. First of the c grade riders was Adam Martin and first of the D grade was Greg Baker.
Thanks to the helpers on the day, marshals Julie Washington-Smith, Kirsty Levin, Linley McKenzie and the bell ringers Charlotte and Emily
Results below.
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by Glenys Taylor | Mar 3, 2014 | General Cycling
The first session for the 2014 year was held at PNINS school playground. The kids all had their bikes and helmets checked and several seats were adjusted. The riding part of the session started with the kids riding around the netball courts in 2 big circles. They were instructed on overlapping wheels and correct following distances and what to look at when following behind another cyclist. Although most were competent around corners they were reminded about pedal positioning when cornering.
They were then taken on to the nearby mown field that was a bit softer to land on if someone happened to fall off for the next few drills.
A demonstration on braking was given by Cody Simpson. Firstly just applying the back brakes, then only the front brakes and finally both brakes. Feathering the brakes was explained before all of the riders were given chances to apply what they had been shown including controlling the bike if it skidded and keeping the bike straight when braking.
The final challenge for the morning involved riding through a decreasing distance set of cones. The challenge was to not hit a single cone and race back to the finish line in the shortest time. This proved to be a challenge for a lot of riders but the eventual winners ( a boy and a girl ) will each receive their prizes next week.
Next weeks skills session will be held at Massey University at the entrance to the Athletics track at 8am until 10 am.
by Glenys Taylor | Feb 28, 2014 | Event Reports
Click here for results
Another fine night and lots of new faces. And although I was specific at the race briefing about being aware of other traffic at the end and staying off the seal and returning to the yard once finished, people continue to congregate on the side of the road. The natural thing for traffic that is passing someone on the side of the road is to move out away from the obstacle. This creates a hazard in itself. Next week no body will be allowed to sit on the side of the road when they are finished and all people will be told to either go in to the yard or do a cool down and not to congregate on the side of the road, especially not the side of the road where people are finishing.
Thanks to Rob and Megan who went out to the turn point. Thanks to all the helpers on the start and finish line.
Some very good times in the results with Matiu Kaihau posting a time of 15 mins 57 secs – a few seconds off the time he achieved in 2013 and Barry Gilliland chopping exactly one second of his time from last week.
by Glenys Taylor | Feb 27, 2014 | Club Documents
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