by Bike Manawatu | Apr 13, 2020 | Notices
Covid Lockdown and us…Over Halfway there..arrgh.
2020 started off as a stellar year with our events at Bike Manawatu. February was huge and March started with a hiss and a roar.
History will show March 2020 as the beginning of the new normal.
Covid 19 was on the radar with it’s spread throughout the Northern Hemisphere, and then…..the history is still being written.
Now that we have all had a chance to adjust to reality, we look forward to the return of closer to normal life.
I’m sure that we have all been confronted with changes and challenges and we will continue to be in the future.
With the landscape changing around us, we at Bike Manawatu are able to adapt quickly and are ready to start running events as soon as possible once the Ministry of Health, Government and Cycling New Zealand criteria are released. We have Traffic Management plans ready to submit to Councils, our Site Traffic Management and timing is in-house so it won’t take us long to reboot our racing calendar.
With that said it’s obvious to all of us that we will need to be prepared for racing in Winter
All our events 2 weeks before the lockdown, and over this lockdown period were Postponed. We have not cancelled any events. We look forward to Age Group Road Nationals in Waipukurau on July 16-20th. Bike Manawatu will have Road racing and ITT events leading up to this date. West Coast North Island championship events set down for March & April will be organised as soon as guidelines are released. Some of these guidelines will obviously include social distancing requirements and the number of people we can have at an event. With the uncertainty of when the restrictions will be lifted, we have also postponed the Manfeild 6 Hour set for Mid May. The 6 hour is one of our biggest events and also the most costly to run. We envisage this event and the Feilding Festival to not only have a change of date but in regards to the FFoC to have a totally different format.
As always we look forward to working with Manawatu Schools Cycling again this year. With an inevitably cramped calendar, we will work with MSC to give the very best build-up and racing for all members across all abilities and ages.
Spring racing is going to be..excuse the pun…a cluster. Schools Nationals, Dynamo series, Trust house series, Karapiro Flyer, Taupo Challenge all will have new dates this year. Rest assured that Bike Manawatu is committed to Club racing and will be running a full calendar, but it is going to be cramped and we are aware of the pressures this brings.
In the meantime. Our thoughts are with our young riders with careers to chase overseas who have had their contracts on hold. I’m aware of families that have not been able to be together over this period for special occasions and in one case the passing of a Senior Giant of their family. Our combined thoughts and condolences are with you all. I’m sure that there are members whose main source of socialising is cycling…..those days will be back again soon.
To all our valuable sponsors, a massive thank you for your ongoing support. To our members, please support our sponsors, support your family and friends as we look forward to carrying on our upward swing of support and participation in local cycling
Tim
by Bike Manawatu | Apr 3, 2020 | Notices
Summary of concussion in New Zealand cyclists study by Maureen O’Reilly
Please find attached a summary of my research project, knowledge and behaviour of New Zealand cyclists regarding concussion.
Thank you for your support of this project.
Stay well and safe.
Maureen O’Reilly
by Bike Manawatu | Mar 29, 2020 | Notices
Bike Manawatu’s Sunday Zwift Race – 29 March 2020
Well, it turns out 2 hours on a trainer is a really long time.
Today was our inaugural Bike Manawatu virtual Sunday ride and we had 29 of us along, which I think is a great number.
I’m keen to set up rides on a Tuesday and Thursday evening and each Sunday morning through the lockdown to help keep us all connected – can you place feedback below of what sort of time you are interested in riding for – 1 hour, 1.25, 1.5, 1.45 or 2 hours, and if you have a favourite course or route, let me know as I’d like to change the route each time.
And if anyone wants to join us, search for Michelle Turner in Zwift, and follow me, as I can only invite followers along.
by Bike Manawatu | Mar 27, 2020 | Notices
Bike Manawatu – Zwift
Bike Manawatu is working on getting some of our group rides on Zwift during the lockdown – I have been in touch with them and before they will let you run our own events, they like you to have run a few meet ups with good numbers, to prove there is a demand.
With this in mind, I am arranging a meetup for this Sunday at 8am, I will find what I think is a good course and we will be riding for 2 hours.
If you or anyone you know would like to be involved, please email me at m_turner25@hotmail.com with your Zwift username so that I can add you to the meet up.
This will be a group ride, where we all stay together and have some fun. Let’s enjoy a virtual Sunday ride and keep our community going through this.
Thanks,
Michelle
by Bike Manawatu | Mar 23, 2020 | Notices
2020 Bike Manawatu AGM Postponed due to Govt Alert Level 4
The Bike Manawatu board would like to let you know that in light of the current COVID-19 situation we have decided to postpone our AGM for the time being.
When: Monday 30th March 2020 Postponed due to government alert level 4 –COVID-19
Where: Marist Sports Club – Pascal Street
Where: 6:00 pm
2019 Previous AGM Minutes – 
Board Member Nomination Form –
AGM Protocol
Bike Manawatu Constitution
2020 Agenda
All members were sent an email on the 10th March 2020 advising:
The Board of Bike Manawatu is proposing to change our Charitable Purpose from “Providing junior development funding for the local cyclists competing nationally and Internationally and running events” to “Providing funding for our members competing nationally and internationally and running events”
The board sees this as an exciting and much needed change, meaning we can consider applications for funding assistance from all of our members, not just the junior category.
Whilst this does not change our club constitution the Bike Manawatu Board believe it is our responsibility to let all of our members know of this change which will be brought up at our AGM with plenty of time for transparency.
We would also like to have an open forum during our General Business and invite you tell us what you enjoy or would like to see changed, how we could improve etc – all feedback is welcome.
Providing solutions for any problems is always a bonus
We look forward to seeing you there
Please send any apologies via email to myself on secretary@bikemanawatu.co.nz
Please remember be kind.
by Bike Manawatu | Mar 20, 2020 | Notices
The world as we know it….
Holy Hecka.. What a couple of months. I’m going to keep this brief.
This time of the year is always compact with business , tax schedules, schools, holidays, Holden closing its doors, and Cycling when we can fit it in.
February was an amazing month for Bike Manawatu with the running of the Cheltenham Cup, three Palmfeild motors flat track twilight race meetings and the BM Road race championships.
At the BM Road race Champs 63 riders fronted up to the Colyton-Hiwinui circuit raced in age group classifications. Great numbers across all grades and results for all races can be seen on the Website..click here.
March came around and signs of what was happening around the world started to raise eye brows. We have 7 events planned on the calendar with the emphasis on ITT’s and WCNI road racing building up to the Age Group Nationals run by CHB Cycling in Waipukurau.
Wedged in there also was the 47th running of the Novice tour.
All three Road race content events have now been postponed.
Our young elite Road race riders have had their contracts put on hold..Borders are closed….None of this is new news.
ITT’s
Bike Manawatu is committed to the Health of our sport and our riders. The guidelines are changing daily and we are all hoping for normality to return in the shortest possible time.
Wednesday 25th will see the Twilight ITT planned to continue at Kairanga. Register Here
Sunday 29th the BM ITT Championships are planned to take place at Rongotea. Register Here
The criteria for this is as follows. Entries will be online only, we will not accept late on the day entries. BM will publish a start sheet with a start time before 2pm Wednesday and by lunch on Saturday 28th.
What this will allow you to do is turn up to registration, pay your entry, get your number and go straight to the start line knowing your order.
This will avoid crowding and increase social distancing. Because of this system multiple briefings will be at the start line so every rider will hear the briefing, probably twice.
After the finish of the ITT your numbers and timing chips will be collected and we encourage the riders to disperse and not to congregate in groups.
All riders are to follow MOH guidelines below, to carry their own handkerchiefs , totally avoid clearing your throat and nose into the open air, and why not carry a small sanitiser with you.
Sunday Recreational Rides
Formal Sunday rides from Memorial Park are suspended until further notice.
There will be no Bike Barn lucky draw.
What we know is that riders will still turn up to Memorial park and do group rides as Responsible, Informed Adults.
The groups will be no more than 10 riders per group. Any rider needed to sneeze, cough, clear their nose or throat is to hold their arm up, roll to the back of the bunch and “sort themselves out”.
We are all versed in calling Car back, Puncture, Mechanical, Keep it tight etc, so lets not treat the call “Medical” as a threat if a rider need to practice good Hygiene.
Once again, I encourage riders to carry a handkerchief and if possible a small hand sanitiser with them for after the ride at the coffee stop if you still choose to do this.
This is a different world than we are used to. Let’s not forget that at this stage the only positive tests have come from people coming from overseas.
Let’s all act as Responsible, informed adults, enjoy the sport that Cycling gives to us all. Look after ourselves and our friends.
Let’s not throw the Baby out with the Bathwater
Tim….my views
When it comes to disease transmission, being outside is much safer than congregating inside. However, the caveat here is that riders are encouraged to ride solo or stick to small groups. The WHO has reported that it is unknown how long COVID-19 can live on clothing, so to minimise any potential health risks, utilising common sense is the best course of action. It’s also worth noting that the CDC (American Centre for Disease Control) has reported that coronaviruses do not survive very long on objects outside as a result of exposure to sunlight (UV light).
Additionally, while cyclists are being advised to be alert and aware of their physical condition, it’s worth remembering that as we deplete our glycogen stores on long rides, or through intense training, the immune system does not function at its optimum level.
We’re all well aware of the benefits that cycling can have to both our physical and mental health, however, there are some easily actionable common sense safeguards we can put in place during this pivotal time;
· Do not venture outside if you’re feeling unwell – If you’re feeling under the weather, or presenting with cold and flu symptoms, please, do not attempt to soldier on. We all have a responsibility to one another to reduce the spread of this or any illness.
· Small Bunches, or Solo Rides – Due to the large number of unknowns about the virus and contagious nature of COVID-19, it’s best to limit bunch rides to a smaller amount of cyclists, or head out solo if you can. If you choose to go it alone, it’s imperative, as always, to let a friend, family member or loved one know where you’re likely to be riding and when you’re likely to return.
· Wash Your Hands, Look After your Hygiene – Before jumping on the bike, while stopped for a mid-ride espresso, or when jumping off the bike at the end of a ride, wash your hands. It’s also a good idea to pack some hand sanitizer and take it with you, not only on a ride but keep it on your person throughout the day. Planning to use a share bike? Great! Just be sure to wipe down the grips and saddle with your sanitizer as mentioned above and enjoy the freedom that a bike affords you!
· Ride Inside – If you’re feeling a little under the weather, aren’t confident in riding alone or want to tick the legs over, why not invest in a smart trainer and jump on Zwift! With WorldTour teams such as Mitchelton-Scott diving headfirst into the interactive world, providing punters with the chance to ride alongside their Professional heroes. Want to get involved? Check out the Where The World Rides Series for details on when the rides are happening and how you can get involved.
