by Glenys Taylor | Feb 20, 2014 | Archive(News)
According to the nightly TV weather report Palmerston North got the hottest temperature across the country today. But at 5.45pm the temperature was cooling but the remnants of the hot day lingered. The sun was at the right level to make it hard to identify people as they appeared with the sun blaring behind them at registration. At race briefing it was stressed the importance of cyclists remaining vigilant after they crossed the finish line about traffic following them and staying off the road in and around the start / finish area. Also the time trials are individual time trials which means no drafting. Drafting is when one cyclist is riding behind another. This conserves energy for the rider behind but also can allow them to go faster as they don’t have to push through the wind as much as the rider in the front. Any rider drafting penalises themself.
It was great to see some more new faces. So far for the 3 weeks of this series we have had 50 riders participate. And each week we are slowly building our numbers.
Thanks to everyone who helped last night – Pete Robson on the turn and a family effort from John and Jan Arbuckle along with the regular helpers of Kirsty and Stu on the start and finish line.
Riders please remember to bring your numbers as it makes it a lot easier at the finish line.
Click here for results
by Glenys Taylor | Feb 19, 2014 | Archive(News)
For those wishing to enter the Club track Individual Pursuit champs on Saturday 22nd February Approx. start times will be U15 – 3.30pm U17 – 4.00pm and U19/open/masters 4.30pm. Please send Mike Simpson your name to mikesimpson30@gmail.com and he will be able to get a start list out. If you know riders who don’t go on this site could you please give them my details.”
by Glenys Taylor | Feb 19, 2014 | Archive(News)
Our uniform order was placed on 20th February to ensure all requirements are available for club nationals at the beginning of May. If you did not order by the time orders closed your requirements may not be filled out of the extras that are available.
To order please either send an email to secretary@bikemanawatu.co.nz stating what items your require and what sizes. Or text Glenys 021 260 5536 The prices shown are a rough guide as the final price is dependant on the number of items ordered. A deposit of 50 % will be required when order is placed.
by Glenys Taylor | Feb 17, 2014 | Archive(News)
First of all a big thank you to all the officials and helpers on the day. Without you “The Hour” would not have been possible. Ian Gray not only lent me a set of wheels to meet the regulations, but also gave me lots of insights and tips in preparation. John Stewart and Oods as my official callers did a great job in keeping me posted on progress. Then the timekeepers and commisaires: Matt van W.; Glenys Taylor; Wayne Fenn and Steve Perry, maybe not the most glamorous job to count laps but you made it official. Thanks also to Phil Ryder for keeping the time splits for my records and Kirsty Kaihau as always ready to capture the event on camera. And lastly, a big thanks to my wife Sharon for the months long encouragement and enduring many dinner conversations with “The Hour” as a topic.
As you recall the day didn’t start terribly well weather wise. However the forecast talked about improvements and calmer conditions later in the day.
I spent the day with as little strenuous exercise as possible – washing cars and vacuum cleaning was about it.
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by Glenys Taylor | Feb 17, 2014 | Archive(News)
A fine evening was just what Marcel had ordered and as the evening drew on the wind abated. The decision was made and the call went out to everybody that tonight was the night.
Marcel had done a lot of planning for this night. He had a schedule that mapped out his planned ride, how fast the first lap was going to be, and subsequent laps. He had helpers engaged in letting him know how he was doing. No special gear was required, he was aiming to set a record based on the same equipment as Eddie Mercx. Not even a skinsuit was allowed so it was pleasing to see him in his Bike Manawatu jersey.
The gun was fired and he was off. Sixty minutes. One Hour. THE HOUR.
The first lap was faster than he had planned. So was the second and the third. He had planned to do the first lap in 40seconds and then because that was from a standing start reduce to 37 or 38 seconds for the rest of his laps.
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by Glenys Taylor | Feb 15, 2014 | Archive(News)
Cool but fine with the promise of better weather on the way is what greeted riders to the 3rd la femme fun ride.
A smaller field than previous years with no rush of late entries left Palmerston North right on time. 
One small hiccup as the first rider from the 20km headed to the finish line and in her eagerness followed the Police car that was the lead vehicle in to the parking area rather than continuing straight ahead to the finish line. One other unfortunate mistake on behalf of a rider who had read the maps and seen the arrow pointing in the direction of the ride but decided to set a new course eventually making her way back to Memorial Park and the brunch that awaited. Soon after tales of other riders heading in the wrong direction just going straight past the marshals or taking short cuts were being laughed about. So it is a good thing that it is a fun ride and that the food and drink and a sit down at the end was on offer.
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