Call for Volunteers to support the Feilding Festival of Cycling

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.

The Feilding Festival of Cycling (FFoC) is plotted for September 20 and 21. While there is roughly six months before the event actually kicks off, planning has commenced with a small core of volunteers from within the club who have formed the nucleus of the coordination committee.

The FFoC is one of Bike Manawatu’s key events in its annual calendar that seeks to achieve a number of outcomes. In addition to making a reasonable donation to the Order of St John in 2013, the event raised over $6K to contribute to the club’s balance sheet. For 2014 the committee seeks to improve across some key areas but this is entirely dependent upon the level of support the committee receives.

Many of us are already acutely aware that the success of many clubs and other community minded organisations is based upon the contribution of volunteers. Bike Manawatu is certainly no different in this regard and in 2013 the FFoC was lucky to have the support of Anne Redgrave, Matthis van Wagtendonk, Steve Challies and a number of other stalwarts.

It is appropriate that their longstanding contribution to the club is acknowledged. However, due to other commitments and a change of circumstance for them, Bike Manawatu is now required to put together a new group for 2014. While the committee grapples with operational issues, the committee’s analysis of the event requires us to seek a pool of volunteers to undertake important secondary task to ensure the event continues to be a success.

According to Bike Manawatu’s Board Chairperson, Paul van Velthooven, it’s really the people and the contribution they give that makes all the difference to Bike Manawatu. We have a number of people that are passionate about cycling in the region. We have some fantastic people in the club who offer a range of skills and who can add some real value. As they say many hands make light work but we’d appreciate to have your support to be a part of something special.

If you can help in any way please contact Glenys Taylor (secretary@bikemanawatu.co.nz ). We are looking for people who can support the registration process, the graded licenced ride, the recreational ride, and the prize giving an awards ceremony.