Local stars in NZ Track Team to Oceania’s

by Vaughan Hunt | Nov 10, 2016 | Board Chair's Blog

Cycling NZ will send a big team to next month’s Oceania Track Championships in Melbourne that will include a number of our local Manawatu rising stars and Olympian Simon van Velthooven. Former Boys High riders Luke Mudgeway and Jordan Castle and Bike Manawatu riders Michaela Drummond, Emily Shearman and Libby Arbuckle have all been selected to represent NZ. A proud time for these riders, their supporters, family, friends and our BM Cycling members. Let’s follow and support our sporting stars.

Bike Manawatu Thank Volunteers and Event Organisers

As cyclists we mostly ride weekly to stay fit and or train for events.The fact that Bike Manawatu is a non profit organisation run by volunteers and organise over 300 rides and race events per year is a credit to the club and everyone involved.Cycling people giving up their time to give something back to our sport and this club is valued by everyone. For only $45 per year and less for families, your BM membership is needed for the club to operate while you benefit from rides,events and being protected by NZ Cycling when riding events.Club membership is now made easier by registering on www.bikemanawatu.co.nz

We would like to acknowledge some of those amazing club people doing great things:
Saturday morning Ride:Stu McKenzie
BM Sunday Rides: Mike Keenan and his team
Wednesday Ride; Ken Young and Murray Boase
Velo Girls ; Christine Christie and Iona McCathy
Feilding Track; Ian Gray,and his team
WCNI Track; Kim Anderson
Manfeild Criteruim Series; Brett Tivers and Mike Craine
Wednesday TT; John Arbuckle, Steve Stannard, Mike Groube and Tom Pirie.
The Winter Road Series; John Arbuckle and Mike Groube
The Summer Road Series; John Arbuckle and Mike Groube
Feilding Festival of Cycling; Austin Smith and his team
Manfeild 6 Hour Challenge; Mike and Christine Christie
The Novice Tour; Steve Stannard and Brendon Hapeta and Team.
Gravel and Tar; Steve Stannard
Manawatu School Cycling and their full annual Calendar of training and racing; Mike Simpson and an amazing group of parents, coaches and school representatives and volunteers.
And there are many more valued people..

Behind each of these rides or events are people that work tirelessly to make sure events run smoothly all year round. A commitment that involves planning, sponsors, marketing, volunteer help, traffic management, timing, medics, race organising, registrations, results, race reports and much much more.
People we must thank behind the scenes are Peter Robson and Mike Groube – Traffic management, Kate Stewart -Track marketing and support for most BM events, Vaughan Hunt – BM Website, Catherine Stannard and Kim Anderson- event Timing, Christine Christie-BM Secretary and those volunteers who support these valued people.

Criterium Series Fun for Everyone

The beaming smiles of father John Stewart and daughter Kate is testament they both enjoyed this weeks Manfeild Criterium series on Tuesday between 6pm and 8pm.Young and old are really loving the safe well organised BM 6 week series which is free. All Bike Manawatu ask is for you to register as club member by going to the website. Racing as a club members is fundamental protection for you under New Zealand Cycling.

Tour de Manawatu

Thank you to the Fitzherbert Lions Club for yet again another fantastic event for the region. A great day had by all.

Congratulations on the men and woman’s winners:114k Chris Denholm and Emily Shearman,78k Max Taylor and Connie O’Brien,43k Kyle Hoskins and Rosie Obrien 20k, Karl Gibbs and Gorgina Ross. Also, congratulation on the Local Taupo Endurable’s who completed two laps of the 114k Tour de Manawatu starting at 2am.

93 Race the BM Criterium Series Opener

by Vaughan Hunt | Nov 4, 2016 | Board Chair's Blog

It appears for all ages their is something exciting about racing on a wide safe off road track like Manfeild. The first night of the 6 weeks Criterium Series was about learning how to safely ride a Criterium event and have some fun. Race organisers Brett Tivers and Mike Craine had B and D grade racing independently on the track at the same time and grade A and C did the same. The racing was spectator friendly and great to watch.Rider feedback has been positive albeit a bit nervy for first timers.Next week we will all be better for the experience.

The firsts nights registrations set us back 30 minutes but once race briefing and the racing got under way people loved the experience and are looking forward to next Tuesday nights 2nd race of the series.
Event teething problems and rider safety are all always part of educating people and we have had constructive feedback which is valuable for everyone going forward.
One mishap on the last lap of the C grade race resulted in an accident bringing down a few riders who were quickly dealt with by medic Rob Gardner for minor cuts and abrasions.Never nice but Unfortunately is part of riding a bike.

Congratulations to event Managers Brett Tivers and Mike Craine who together with their team of volunteers did a great job.Also a big thank you to the 93 riders who registered and a special mention to the Ng Tawa Girls ,Wanganui Collegiate and the Levin Cycling Club for being part of this Series which is designed for all cyclists for fitness and fun.

North Island Trust House Series.

Keep your eye out for local Bike Manawatu riders doing well in the North Island Trust House Series. Masters rider John Stewart has quietly gone unnoticed but when you look at last weekends points after stage 3 John is sitting high up in the overall standings in the Master 2 Grade and Chris Denholm is charging up the under 23 standings.Check out www.cyclingseriesnz.co.nz

Good luck for Tour de Manawatu

Always a great event to be part of the Tour de Manawatu provides all levels of cyclists to take part and challenge themselves and their fitness. For some this is good preparation for other upcoming events such as the Taupo Challenge. The most important message we would like to send to all riders is to enjoy yourself and to concentrate on riding etiquette and safety.Especially at the start to Ashhurst and up the Colyton road Hill and later when you are tiring trying to stay with groups or race people across the finish line.Remember to keep a straight line and communicate your moves to others which will minimise the risk for everyone.

Barry Webb

All the best wishes from Bike Manawatu and our members to Barry Webb who recently had a cycling accident and is thankfully on the mend.  Look forward to seeing you back on the bike Barry.

Bike Manawatu Xmas Happy Hour

Book this in everyone;
When;Friday 25th of November
Where; Lonestar on the Square
Time; 5.30pm to 7.30pm