by Glenys Taylor | Oct 13, 2014 | Archive(News)
A new course – fine weather and the opportunity to get more points towards prizemoney.
The new course certainly ticked all the boxes for all the riders.
I personally felt like Mother duck sitting on the back of my clutch of ducklings as we headed down Kimbolton Rd to the finish line. And it was nice to just sit back and relax just as a couple of riders were spotted doing on the way to the turn point. Unfortunately they didn’t even get to the official turn point before turning around, with thoughts of what was on offer at the finish line.
And it was these two riders who also held back to allow the old duck a chance at glory and a sprint to the finish. The old duck didn’t dare turn to look to see if they were chasing.
The new course will obviously be used again next year and I only hope that “the ducklings” will be there to pull “the old duck” back down Kimbolton Rd again.
Prizemoney was awarded to each grade and the amount paid was relative to the entry fees for each grade. So the more riders in a grade the more prizemoney awarded.
Thanks to all helpers over the series and for this weeks event to Grant Shearman at the crossroads who did a very professional job of directing riders. Also Rebecca Allan, Lynley McKenzie who was waiting for a few riders who didn’t get to the turn point and Matt Levin. And also to Louisa Regan who competently controlled the finish line and recorded all the results assisted by Rebecca.
Click here for results. and here for points tally
by Glenys Taylor | Oct 13, 2014 | Archive(News)
What is a Bone Collector – Apart from being a movie it is also a fun event that we have held on different circuits over the past few years. This years course is relatively flat.
Each lap is just under 15km. so the first rider will complete a total of 60km, 2nd rider will complete 45km, 3rd rider will complete 30km and 4th rider will complete 15km.
The first rider for each team starts and they can ride as a bunch for the first lap, when they get back to the start point the second rider from each team joins them and from this point on they ride as a team. Then the third person or bone joins them for the 3rd lap etc.
Register at Glen Oroua School at 1pm on Saturday 25th October.
Race will start at 1.30pm
If you would like to race but do not have a complete team please enter and place “0” in the team names that you are missing and we will match you with other riders in a similar position.
Teams will determine their own race order ie who goes first and completes all 4 laps, who goes next and completes 3 laps etc.
Each team must have at least 1 under 17 rider, 1 female rider and 1 rider over 35.
Entry fee for a team is $15.
If you are not riding and are able to help please send an email to secretary@bikemanawatu.co.nz
by Glenys Taylor | Oct 13, 2014 | Archive(News)
Catriona and I are going to do some long slow rides again. The first one will be on Sunday the 19th starting from Memorial Park at 7.30am.
This Sunday we are going to do the 80 km Tour De Manawatu course. Anyone is welcome and it would be a good chance for beginners to get a look at the course.
We go as fast as the slowest rider. Riders need to bring everything they might need as there will be no outside support.
Look at the calendar for dates for future long slow rides and where they will be going.
by Glenys Taylor | Oct 8, 2014 | Archive(News)
SIMON VAN VELTHOOVEN
Cambridge, New Zealand
Since the Commonwealth Games I was lucky enough to complete the second half of the Keirin season in Japan incident free with no crashes or training injuries.
Japan post Commonwealth Games was an entirely different feeling as I wasn’t concerned about training for the games, having to be careful about everything and ultimately avoid crashing; I could race a little more ruthlessly and take a few more chances….
This newsletter update comes with mixed feelings. I had an excellent race win in Ogaki against a number of great Japanese riders, yet it is time to say goodbye to Japan this season, set up shop at the Avantidrome in Cambridge and train my arse off through to Rio, 2016.
However back to Japan and my win in Ogaki – it was a huge milestone for me as it was a dream since getting the initial contract back in 2009 which I remember well as it was on my 21st birthday! To get the 1-1-1 in Ogaki was awesome as it’s bloody hard to get. Many riders get a number of wins, but to get the winning streak is very rare and unheard of.
The following week after the race win I had another great race in Fukui and gave my fellow international rider a lead out and he secured the race win. It was a great battle against two other strong Senko riders which meant I had to start my sprint bloody early and ended up sprinting for around 700m flat out.
After arriving home from Japan I was straight down to Cambridge for New Zealand’s annual Class 1 UCI race meet over the weekend of the 20th September.
I was not expecting much as racing in Japan is like chalk and cheese to the indoor boards however I knew I had some strength in my legs, just not much speed of tactical nous. A mix of Jetlag and lifting boxes into my new pad wasn’t the best build up plan.
The first day was the match sprint and after qualifying in a 10.2 I managed to race my way through the rounds right into the finals and ended up 4th overall being beaten my two Aussies and Sam Webster. The next day was the Keirin which I knew I had some legs for but was absolutely buggered from the full days racing previously. My heat went well but then drew a harder heat and decided I just had to hit it with full steam which I did whilst also riding a bigger gear than usual! After winning the semi the final was going to be a barn burner with all the top NZ and Aussie Keirin riders.
I drew second wheel behind Shane Perkins which I was very happy with as he had great legs coming off racing in Japan like me. Sam and Matt both attacked early and came over but I stuck to my guns and followed Shane who attacked over the last lap and then I punched it over him around the last corner and crossed the line first. Bloody fantastic.
For now I am tucking into a much needed training block from now until the end of the year. It will be a crucial time as it will help me become stronger in the gym and therefore a reliable team sprint rider and not just a Keirin rider.
Regards,
Simon van Velthooven
New Zealand Sprint Cyclist
World, Commonwealth, Olympic Medalist
Proud Volkswagen Ambassador
by Glenys Taylor | Oct 6, 2014 | Archive(News)
The windy cold weather didn’t deter all riders on Saturday 4th October. With a limited number of people available to help on the course it was a matter of having Lenka marshal firstly in Ashhurst and then drive back to the turn point for the C grade riders. Stu McKenzie was the marshal at the A & B grade turn. Thanks to these people as without them there would have been no race.
A grade was first off the mark from Colyton School and with a brisk tail wind headed down to Ashhurst before heading back up Valley Rd in to a head wind. There was little shelter offered by being in the valley. At the end of Valley Rd there was already a split in the bunch of 11 A grade riders. Some were swallowed up in the B grade riders as the headed up to the turn point just before the gravel on Finnis Rd. The C grade riders turned at Forlong Rd which was a nice way to extend their race to 40km.
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by Glenys Taylor | Oct 2, 2014 | Archive(News)
It is that time of the year where stocks of uniform items is at its lowest and a new order is about to be placed.
If the order is placed by the end of October it will be available for Christmas.
If riders are intending on riding at WCNI track champs or National Road cycling champs next year then they will need to wear Bike Manawatu kit. Only a limited number of extra items are ordered so please don’t get upset when we don’t have what you want in stock if you have not bothered to order it now.
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