Rides will be once a month, around the same time and mostly all off road. Cancellations will be posted on Facebook – Bike Manawatu by 8.15am prior to ride
Once every three months we will plan a bigger day trip excursion
Anyone interested in being a trail ride coordinator, or can suggest possible rides around the region and beyond please contact the ride organisers:
Megan Blatchford blatcford@xtra.co.nz
Christine Christie secretary@bikemanawatu.co.nz
I am in the learning phase as club chairman and I am sure you will agree that there are a lot of great characters in our club across the many different riders and volunteer groups. The banter between people is a huge part of why we enjoy biking so much apart from the health and fitness cycling brings.When we talk to members they often share funny stories about fellow club members or how proud they are of both past and present club riders who have enjoyed, local, National or International success.These are humble people who ride amongst our riding groups today who we can learn from.
At last years Bike Manawatu prize giving held at Hotel Coachman we were treated to some great insights by our former Olympian and Commonwealth games racers Mike McRedmond and Anthony Cuff as well as our young crop of NZ rising stars Campbell Stewart,Robert Stannard,Michaela Drummond and Elizabeth Stannard.They shared the hard work they put into their training programs and racing lives.Brilliant to listen to and a great people asset our club can share with all members.
The growth phase within our club is all about the members helping each other improve whatever area of participation as a cyclist or volunteer you are involved in. By each taking some responsibility for your riding group or racing event to support “cycling etiquette and safety” is top of mind and has to be a continual priority for us all.
When it is required,just saying to a fellow cyclist who is not riding safely “safety is one of our key cycling protocols”. The right encouragement to help them become a safer rider can only help build a great culture amongst all members.This also gently removes bad habits such as “half wheeling” which for most cycling enthusiasts is dangerous.
A culture change occurs both on and off the bike by members committing to more time talking together.We can all learn more from each other especially being around knowledgeable cyclist who ride in our weekly riding groups.This could be at the after ride coffee catchup or the Bike Manawatu “Monthly Happy Hour” where you get the chance to connect with more members more often.
Bike Manawatu First “Monthly Happy Hour”
Feedback from last Friday’s first Bike Manawatu “Monthly Happy Hour” has been excellent. Roughly 30 people mingled and shared a very social get together at Hotel Coachman.
Positive comments from, “it was a relaxing way to end the week” and “it didn’t interfere with family time” or any weekend ride time made it enjoyable”.All in all this is positive club initiative for our cycling community and we look forward to seeing more people join us on at our next “Happy Hour” Friday 27 May 5.30 to 7pm at Hotel Coachman.
With a number of riders taking well-earned breaks following the National Championships the previous weekend, the field was smaller than expected for a handicap race on the Halcombe/Stanway circuit last Saturday. Nevertheless, with some good handicapping and some quality riders made for a very competitive race.
The limit riders on the 41 km course (first to go) were Sam Russell, Katherine Stannard, Ben Irvine, Zoe Croton, Jamie Dennis (‘limit’ group). Tom Pirie was next, on his own 4 min later, then a small but strong group of Mike Craine, Chris Pinkney, and Toshi were at 12 min. Angus Claasen and Ethan Craine were given the hardest task, off ‘block’ with Joel Yates, Steve Stannard and James Denholm on scratch (20 min) only 6 min behind. All the groups worked hard, and the race all came together on the last hill on Tokorangi Rd before the descent into Halcombe.
In the end, Joel was just too strong for the rest of the bunch finishing just ahead of Angus in 62 min (average 39 km/h). James was third across the line just a few seconds behind. Three of the younger riders did one lap, with Kyra Craine first home in 69 min, Josh Mulchay 2nd, and Alex Croton 3rd.
We have reduced the late fee from $20 to $10 which will apply after the 29th. (no fee applies to Schools)
Contact secretary@bikemanawatu.co.nz for any information.
Thank you if you have already entered, and I’ll see you there!
A solid contingent of green jerseys made it down to the bottom part of the South Island for the 2016 National Club Road Championships. For all but the Open and U23 riders, this is the pinnacle event of the NZ road calendar where selections for World Champs (junior and masters) are on the line. Not surprisingly, the competition and the standard of racing was very high, especially from the South Islanders, some of whom are “enigmas” who we hear about, but see rarely this side of Cook Straight.
Michael Groube led the team, firstly organizing transport of most of the (many) bikes and wheels, and driving them all the way down to the race. He was also in charge of team management and ensuring all riders were prepared for their races. Much thanks should go to Michael, without whom participation would have proven impossible for most.
Thursday the 21st was the individual time trial; 15 km for U17 and younger, and Masters 4 and older. The rest did 25 km. The course was fast for the first 5 km before a nasty little climb and some rollers. The longer course turned left and went up a very long false flat before turning around to a very fast second half. Those with the leg speed were rewarded with good times; the best of the BM riders being Robert Stannard who placed second in the U19 men.
The road races were held over the next three days starting with the U15s and U17s on the Friday. The course was on an undulating circuit with no long climbs, but little chance for recovery if the going got tough. The finish, however, consisted of a left turn off the main course up a climb which began steeply, but gradually leveled out and finishing after around 2 km from the turn.