Manawatu Festival of Cycling

by Vaughan Hunt | Feb 2, 2018 | Board Chair's Blog

Check out results here or by following the link on the Gravel and Tar website.

UCI Gravel and Tar Classic 131km

Ethan Berends ( AUS )of Möbius Bridgelane takes the win ahead of Michael Torckler (NZ) of Blindz Direct and Hayden McCormick of the New Zealand national team. Local riders Robert Stannard,Alex, West,Joel, Yates,Jacob, Sievwright and Mitchell Kinghorn contested this tough endurance event where luck plays a major part as punctures and mechanicals can blow your race apart. Media reports reached Italy and other parts of the world with a day of the event.

Gravel and Tar Gran Fondo 70km

Mens over 19 went to Cliff Hughes followed by Brett Ismack in second and John Mudgeway in third. Womens over 19 was won by Lizzy Stannard with Margaret Leyland second and Cheryl Christie in third.

The boys under 19 race winner Madi Hartley Brown was closely followed by Dylan Simpson in second and Jack Edwards in third. Girls under 19, the winner was Rosie Obrien.

Libby Arbuckle in the Sun Tour Australia

What an achievement for Libby Arbuckle racing against some of the best female cyclists in the world at the Sun Tour 2018 in Australia.

Taranaki Cycle Challenge

Many of our club riders travelled to Taranaki last weekend for the around the mountain cycle challenge. In the heat and over a long distance many different category of riders put themselves up the challenge. The feedback from those who competed this year said once again it was tough but a great weekend was had by all in New Plymouth. Congratulations to everyone who rode the challenge.

Gravel and Tar – Thank you.

Bike Manawatu want to thank all of those people who participated and volunteered to help stage our first “Manawatu Festival of Cycling” 2018.

The people of Manawatu should feel proud this unique community event has been a success.

Designed as a community event to promote the health and fitness benefits of cycling to all ages in the wider Manawatu. Bike Manawatu with the help of a the Palmerston City Council, CEDA and SportManawatu along with the support of NZCT,Mainland, Foundation, Lion Foundation and a select number of local businesses partnered to produce a excellent fun filled weekend for cycling fans.

The “Manawatu Festival of Cycling” catered for all ages across five different ride events.

Approximate participants: (315 people)

Main Events: UCI Gravel and Tar Classic. 131km.             (11 teams and 55 riders)

                     Bayleys Gravel and Tar Gran Fondo 70km.   (50 riders)

                     Riverpath Challenge 30km.                           (20 riders)

                     Retro Ride- dress up ride on older bikes.       (40 riders)

                     Bike Movie night at the Globe.                       (80 people)

                     Mountain Bike Kahuterawa Challenge.           (70 riders)

Festival Activities included;

25th January; Manawatu Schools “question and answer” evening at Hotel coachman with the elite UCI international cycling team Möbius Bridgelane was a success. During the week our talented local school cyclist also had the opportunity to go on training rides with the elite teams. A huge learning benefit to our schools.

26th January; The formal welcome to the Manawatu dinner at Hotel Coachman (Pasta Party) for all of the elite UCI cycling teams, managers and our stakeholders and sponsors. The evening went well with 110 people enjoying two hours together.

27th January; “Cycling Central” in George street was closed off and setup for the Festival atmosphere with live all day music. The pre race “Gravel and Tar” team presentations were held on the big stage to resemble a European Cycling Festival with a “Kiwi Flavour”. Later in the day after the “Gravel and Tar” race prize giving acknowledged everyone involved in event and rider interviews.

The vibe throughout the day in George street and the square was excellent and the feedback mainly positive and proud from local people. When interviewed on stage the elite teams confirmed with their audience how much they loved the Manawatu region and being a part of the festive. Most said they will be back next year.

The UCI accredited the “Gravel an Tar Classic with 1.2 status in October 2017 giving Bike Manawatu four months to stage the event. The protocol, standards and scale of holding a UCI event, one of only six UCI events held this end of the world did extend our small clubs resources over the four months.

Of interest has been the incredible national and international attention the “Gravel and Tar Classic” has had which is humbling for our small region. Film footage of the event is currently being edited to showcase the beautiful Manawatu countryside and New Zealand.

“Manawatu Festival of Cycling” – Debrief

Not everyone in the club agreed with our club hosting the event and not everything run smoothly which all events experience. The club have now experienced new heights in event management and are currently debriefing all areas of this event with the future in mind.

We would appreciate helpful and constructive solution-based feedback from members on the following to secretary@bikemanawatu.co.nz

• Would you support riding our local “Manawatu Festival of Cycling” next year. Yes or no?
• Would you ride an event with Gravel in it? Yes or No?

3) What ride events would you like added to the event to encourage you to ride?

4) Would a day of festival entertainment be of value to your day. Yes or No?

5)Would you be a volunteer to help out next event? Yes or no?

Apologise : I have to personally apologise to all Gran Fondo and Riverpath Challenge riders for me not presenting the spot prizes at the prize giving on stage in George street. As a first for me personally, unfortunately the prize giving was long and went into the early evening. I therefore chose not to finish off with the spot prizes as many people had left and the Stage and festival equipment was due to come down.

We do however intend to present them and will notify those spot prize winners.

Kairanga Time trail series starts again.

Bike Manawatu Track Programme 2018

The City is Buzzing with Cycling Fever

by Vaughan Hunt | Jan 26, 2018 | Board Chair's Blog

After finishing their Five stage New Zealand Cycle Classic Tour in the weekend many of the leading elite cyclists from New Zealand and Australia have arrived in the Manawatu and are now focusing their attention on Bike Manawatu’s UCI Gravel and Tar Classic. Its so great to have them here in our region for the week leading up to the race on Saturday the 27th of January.

This is the main event of our “Manawatu Festival of Cycling“ and already the cycling vibe is exciting. Cycling fans from around the world will be watching with interest these rising star compete in the 131km “Gravel and Tar Classic” that leaves at 1pm from the Palmerston North Square. We are excited to have these star riders here and hope they enjoy their week and the race.

The riders will travel on the Tar road from Palmerston North to Ashhurst past Highland Home through the beautiful Pohangina Countryside and onto 40km of gravel. A tough hard out event these elite riders will be challenged by but will love once they are talking about it afterwards.

Leading local Bike Manawatu riders who now ride at elite level, Robert Stannard (last years winner),Alex West, Joel Yates and Carne Groube are riding for different teams and would love your support.

Otherwise we invite you and your families to be at George street at 11.30am for the introduction of the 11 elite teams on stage before the race at 1pm in front of a enthusiastic crowd of cycling fans. The street is closed off and the vibe we hope will be a little like a European village cycling festival with your help. All day live music while the cafes, restaurants and retails also excite in the day.

At 4.30 after the race we are back to George street for the start of the prizing giving for all three events. On big stage we will recognise 31 different prizes for the UCI race from individual to team prizes followed by the Gran Fondo and Riverpath Challenge prizes and spot prizes.

We would love our cycling community to embrace this day that is unlike any other cycling day we have had before in our region. In the inner city and our stunning Palmerston North square makes for a nice family vibe for all ages.

$2000 worth of prizes for “Gravel and Tar Gran Fondo riders.

Sponsors Bayleys Real Estate and our four City Bike Shops have got together to provide riders in this years Gravel and Tar Gran Fondo 70km ride $500 worth of prizes in four categories.
Ride starts at 1.15pm from Square January 27th for recreational riders.

Mens grade over 19; Bike Barn vouchers to the value of 1st $250 2nd $150 3rd $100
Women grade over19. AvantiPlus vouchers to the value of 1st $250 2nd $150, 3rd $100
Boys under 19; Central Bicycle Studio vouchers to the value of 1st $250 2nd $150 3rd $100
Girls under 19 : Crankit Cycles vouchers to the value of 1st $250 2nd $150 3rd $100

Online registration are best a soon as possible and are easy please. Late entries for the Gran Fondo and Riverpath Challenge open on Saturday morning at 7.30am and close at 9am at Cyclista Cafe on George street.

“Manawatu Festival of Cycling”-Saturday 27 January ACTIVITIES.

Check out video www.facebook.com/TeamJVLatbayleys.
The party starts at “Cycling Central” from 7.30am on Saturday the 27th of January which involves closing off George Street from Cyclista Cafe to Moxies Cafe. Green carpet will be laid on the road to cordon off the Cycling Central Festival and the street party will begin. All retailers in George Street are totally enthusiastic towards helping this fun event succeed. All we need is more rider entries for the Gran Fondo and Riverpath Challenge to help boost numbers.

The big stage setup on George street will be ready to introduce the Pro riders and team at 11.45am before they make their way to the start line at 1pm outside I SITE on the Palmerston North square. Followed by the start of the Gran Fondo ride at 1.15pm and The River Path Challenge at 1.30pm

Lead by the police and six international race commissaires (referees) the UCI Gravel and Tar pro Race will travel up through Ashhurst the beautiful Pohangina Valley showcasing the Manawatu region to the world followed by media and film crew capturing drone and film footage.

The 131km race is expected to finish at Memorial Park at 4.15pm and the official prize presentation starts at 4.45pm on Stage at Cycling Central in George street where we are hoping the cycling vibe of a European Cycling Village event can be felt in Palmy. The more friends you can bring along the better.

27th January day activities time line

Where; “Cycling Central” -George Street
7am to 9am: Late entries for 70km Gran Fondo and 30km Riverpath Challenge
9.45am : Retro Ride Start
9.45am Ongoing entertainment (Musicians) on Stage for the day.
11.30; Introducing the UCI Pro Team Managers and Pro race Teams on stage.
1pm: Start of UCI Gravel and Tar 131km Race from I Site on the square.
1.15pm: Start of Gravel and Tar Gran Fondo 70km ride.
1.30pm: Start of Gravel and Tar River Path Challenge 30km ride
3pm: Riverpath Challenge Finish-Memorial Park
3.30pm; Gran Fondo Finish-Memorial Park
4.15pm; UCI Pro Race Finish-Memorial Park
4.45pm; UCI Pro Race 1st,2nd,3rd Ceremony -on stage Cycling Central -George street
5pm: Riverpath Challenge Prize Giving-on stage Cycling Central -George street
5.15pm; Gran Fondo Prize Giving- on stage Cycling Central-George street.
5.30pm ;UCI teams and Individual prize giving.

Locals Perform well at “New Zealand Cycle Classic”

In one of the most exciting finishes to the five stage UCI 2.2 New Zealand Cycle classic, NZ National team rider Hayden McCormick wins over Robert Stannard who was awarded the best under 23 rider. In the NZ winning team is photo local rider Joel Yates and former PNBHS rider Luke Mudgeway. This week they compete again for the honours at our “UCI Gravel and Tar”. An exciting prospect not to be missed.

Team Möbius Bridgelane speak to school cyclist.

Bike Manawatu invited Elite Cycling team Team Möbius Bridgelane to speak to our schools cycling members for night of learning at Hotel Coachman while in our city for the week. Team manager Tom Petty and his team uncovered what life was like behind the scenes as an elite cyclist and how to mentally and tactically prepare to become an elite cyclist for a living. Local star Robert Stannard also added a wealth of experience to the night. An excellent learning for our young talented school cyclists. We thank Tom and team Möbius Bridgelane for their willingness to share such amazing knowledge.