Bike Manawatu Winter Series

Despite the current ‘cost of living challenges’ facing all community events, Bike Manawatu is 100% committed to ensuring the 51st year of the Novice Tour – once again provides a safe, fun, competitive cycle racing event.

We will adopt a high-quality assured approach in implementing the Local Roading Authority’s/Cycling New Zealand’s ‘Safe Traffic Management System’ (STMS) standards which ensure best practices and rider and spectator safety.

If the level of community funding secured is not sufficient to contract in external road management service providers with the ability to stop/go traffic, the Novice Tour will proceed on a ‘local club racing’ model, whereby our team of trained/experienced road marshals will, where necessary, pause racing in order to give way to traffic and ensure rider safety.

Although funding external road management services with the ability to stop/go traffic is ideal, if this is not feasible – we are confident that the event’s ‘Safe Traffic Management System’ (STMS) will provide a competitive, fair, enjoyable and importantly safe racing environment.

Irrespective of which model of traffic management/racing is finalised, as with all CNZ/Bike Manawatu events, normal road rules will apply and a full rider briefing confirming the event rules will be provided to all riders prior to the start of each race.

Bike Manawatu are excited to be able to bring our “Winter Series” to those people who are interested in another level of cycling that will help improve your fitness and strength while mixing with liked minded people before, during and after the events for some good banter and fun.
From this Saturday the 6th of August through to 2nd October experienced duo John Arbuckle and Mike Groube together with our valued volunteers and support people (more volunteers always need if you can help) will be running the “Winter Series”and would love to see you step out of your comfort zone and register for these events.
The benefits to you will be huge. Events that will take in some amazing country side from the flat Kairanga time trial to the rolling hills of Pahiatua, Halcombe, Pohingina and Cheltenham.
You will assured of riding improvement and lots of fun which will set you up for the summer months of riding ahead.Your support will alway be appreciated. Check the Winter Series out on this Newsletter and our Facebook.

Masters Riders Return from France.

Welcome back to Stu McKenzie and Wayne Butcher last week who cycled for six weeks on a Tour de France circuit that sounded incredibly scenic and very hard. Stu showed up at last Friday’s “BM Happy Hour” having only arrived back in NZ the day before looking extremely fit and tanned. I am yet to see Wayne who know doubt will be looking the same if not better. You be the judge.

Simon van Velthooven

Simon riding at the peak of his career over the last few months unfortunately missed out on the Rio Olympics games team which is so unfair. The Rhino is our hero here in the Manawatu and with the Commonwealth games in the Gold Coast around the corner I hope will spur him on to win a place back in the NZ team for those games. He is a great guy and a great ambassador for our country and region.