Busy Month of September 2019
Busy Month of September
What an amazing start to Spring riding and racing Bike Manawatu has had.
Winter is always a tough time to ride and everyone looks forward to dusting off the bikes at this time of the year and getting back on the horse.
Schools racing and training comes to an end this week culminating in the NZSSCC (NZ Secondary Schools Cycling Champs) held at Colyton Saturday and Sunday.
Spring brings huge variations in weather, the wind being the most noticeable…Always look at MetService and other platforms to plan your ride.
This is a busy for Bike Manawatu. As mentioned before the NZSSCC involves not only our Juniors but many BM members assisting with Marshalling and Volunteering.
On our own Race Programme and calendar Spring racing started a day early with our Akers Road Race on August 31st. After having to cancel 2 events over winter the Akers Road event was run in perfect conditions.
Run as a multi lap graded event on a flat course this circuit suits everyone. 46 riders fronted up over 5 grades, many of them first time racers, with the grade winners Max Taylor in A grade, A visiting rider from Kapiti Paul Rawlinson fronted up took out B grade.
The youngsters Riley Tunnicliffe and Ta Craw took our C and D grade with Jo Coxon grabbing E grade. Click here for full results.
Rob Ryan and Palmfeild Motors paid for 13 riders who were new to cycling or had not competed for 12 months or more..once again, a fantastic gesture.
2 weeks later was a big day for many riders and volunteers. There’s been a need and desire for new courses to race on, and if you don’t ask…you don’t get.
It needs to be mentioned now, about the amount of time and effort from many volunteers that it takes to get these events on the calendar. The behind the scenes effort with Traffic Management design and applications, and looking even further back to notable members being forward thinking enough to instigate Bike Manawatu’s traffic management system that has allowed our club to be self sufficient.
There are too many people to name……but what it has done is put Bike Manawatu in a Strong, Self Sufficient, Forward Thinking Club that can put events on for a minimal cost to our riders…hence making racing affordable and attractive.
We also need to acknowledge the assistance of PNCC and Manawatu District Council individuals.
The Woolworths Cup, 2019, is an absolute stand out event. A new course, 44 riders, 4 grades, 42 km, 420 metres of climbing, and what will become an iconic event on the BM calendar.
With riders still entering on the day the handicappers finalised the time gaps just prior to the first group away. Just for reference, it took longer to set up the traffic management than it took the cyclists to race the course.
Congratulations to Josh Mulcahy on taking the event out. Starting in C grade Josh worked away with Sam Wade and a handful of senior riders to break away from the c grade bunch and take line honours.
A and B grade worked hard right to the end but ended up 1 and a half minutes behind Josh and his group. The weather was kind…right until the end when it poured down on the last few riders in. Click here for full results
This course will probably be used again early 2020 with a WCNI Road Race Championship…it’s an absolute gem.
The next weekend was the first round of the Trust house Series in Wairarapa run by Jorge Sandoval.
A series run for Masters racing, age 35 and above, and there are 4 local teams entered in Master 2 alone.
The local WCNI team produced a solid performance led by Glenn Kirk in what is a Team series as well as an individual chocolate fish championship.
The Bike Manawatu team soldiered on all day with the majority finishing in the top half of the field. Average speed just on 39 kph so great fun…and lots of banter.
There are still a couple of spots on the BM masters 2 team (Age 45-55) so if you want to take your riding to the next level and represent your club please contact Tim.
October…..
Busy….With spring and daylight saving comes the annual ITT series at Kairanga starting on Wednesday 9th…Details here.
This series has been a huge success over the years and this year will be no different..
Two trust house Races for the masters teams on October 6th and 20th.
The second of the Long Rides on Saturday 12th …This one to Pongaroa….all registrations on the BM Website Here.
Then…October 13th…You asked for it…you’ve got it. New Hill Climb Championship course. Forest Hill, just off Fitzherbert East Road (Aokautere-Ashhurst).
A lot of cyclists have been using this road to good effect for their training. The board was approached, we submitted a plan to PNCC and the Traffic Management was approved.
All details click here…with the nuts and bolts confirmed first week of October.
This is a Age and Gender specific, Individual Hillclimb championship so you race against people of your age group and gender.
Two weeks after that is the Sutton Cup in Halcombe..again a BM Championship event.
Registrations on Line and Concession Cards.
The portal is there with our timing system to enter on line.
This works great for a number of reasons..Firstly riders can see who has entered so they enter as well.”Positive Peer Group Pressure”.
Second..It helps the organisers no end to speed the start and admin process up. This also makes results easier to collate.
If you cannot make it at the last minute, It’s easier for organisers to delete than add participants,
Concession cards for Bike Manawatu Club members are coming soon so the payment option will be easier for events.
Feilding Festival and November.
It’s going to be here before we know it.
The 3rd Running of the Manfeild Crit series every Tuesday in November..
Also the Feilding Festival of Cycling , with the new date in November.
All details on the Website and Facebook page.
Enjoy your cycling, enjoy the company, grasp the challenge
Tim….on behalf of the Bike Manawatu Board
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