Pongaroa Ride Debrief

by Bike Manawatu | Oct 13, 2019 | Notices

We had 29 people join us on Saturday for our 2nd long endurance training ride to Pongaroa, with a few new faces in there, and some that have never ridden this loop before. After keeping a close eye on the forecast all week, hoping we wouldn’t get rained off, we couldn’t have asked for a better day – blue skies, not too hot and not a lot of wind either.
Bike Manawatu Sponsor, Garry Buys of Bike Barn let us use his car park as our meeting point, and went above and beyond what I was expecting by bring there to meet us and having the doors open if anyone needed a last minute bathroom stop – thanks Garry.
From there, we split up in to our two groups and headed off with our first scheduled meeting spot at Pahiatua with the support van driven – supplied by Rob Ryan of Palmfeild Motors and driven by Neil Vertogen. Both groups had a quick catch up, and group 2 were joined by Pahiatua father and son, Marcus and Jackson Fellowes bringing our numbers to 31 for the day.
Normally when we ride this loop, we head out of Pahiatua on to Pa Valley Rd and Route 52 to Pongaroa, however this time we did it in the opposite direction. We carried on to Pongaroa with group 2 having a photo stop at the wooden seat that someone has carefully crafted at the front of their property, with only carol and Jackson climbing up for a photo. We climbed up the Puketoi range and were treated to some stunning views at the top. Normally when we ride this loop, we do it in the other direction and the climb is fairly sharp and steep in spots, but the way we travelled, it was longer, but a lot more gentle on us. Neil met us along the way in a few spots to check our progress, bunnyhopping between the 2 groups.

Upon arriving in Pongaroa, Neil met us with our lunches that were provided by Bike Manawatu sponsor Derek McNabb and the team at Rosebowl Bakery and Cafe. The lunches were a big hit, everyone enjoyed what was supplied, and not having to order and wait for meals at the pub meant we were back on the road quickly. We also had ice cold water and coke supplied by Palmfeild Motors in the van (and they also supplied lollies for us all). Both groups were able to have another catch up here before arranging to meet at Rendezvous for a drink at the conclusion of the ride.
After leaving Pongaroa, we headed towards Pahiatua – there were a number of small undulations before we had the biggest climb of that section, and like the Puketoi range, the climb was longer in this direction, but again, more gentle on us. Neil was there to meet us at the top of this climb, with some welcome ice cold water and coke. When we turned from Route 52 on to Pa Valley road – for most of us we were in familiar territory from here, as we’ve all ridden this road at one time or another. As we turned on to Mangaone Valley Rd for Pahiatua, Marcus and Jackson headed off home towards Rongomai – thanks for joining us, we really enjoyed meeting you both, and hope to see you again soon. We had two more climbs, before one last van stop in Pahiatua. We were 160 kms in by this stage, and a lot of us were feeling very tired, but we were all determined to see the ride to its conclusion. We rode on through Ballance and Post Office Road, before climbing the Pahiatua track, descending and one last climb at Aokautere before our Duval meeting point – Rendezvous.
Here we met with most of group 1, and enjoyed a few drinks, some hot chips and plenty of banter about the day.

The ride was a resounding success and enjoyed by all, approximately 200 kms and 2300 metres of climbing. A big thank you to all of the riders who came along – well done everyone and thank you to Garry Buys, Derek McNabb and his team at Rosebowl Bakery and Cafe and to Rob Ryan of Palmfeild Motors – your support is really appreciated and contributed to the success of the day


Team Hughes Joinery are doing two laps of the Tour de Manawatu course on Sunday 27 October, the Feilding Festival of Cycling on Sunday 10 November is followed by the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge on Saturday 30 November. This is probably enough long distance events as most people will be busy with Christmas and their summer holiday – but if you’re keen to join us in February for a 2 day trip, Rob Ryan is arranging a trip to Ohakune on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23 February 2020. Included in the $155 cost is transport for your bike, bus travel to Ohakune, 1 nights accommodation in Ohakune and a support vehicle, Once we are in Ohakune there will be a 65km ride finishing at the top of Mt Ruapehu, before returning to our accommodation for the night. On Sunday morning we will ride approximately 200kms to Raetihi and on to Pipiriki and Jerusalem along the River Rd to Whanganui, then home to Palmerston North via Marton. This is a spectacular ride, with some stunning scenery – this is a great chance to ride somewhere new, and take in some beautiful scenery – if this is something you would like to do, please register your interest here
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MKZGLG9

Busy Month of September 2019

by Bike Manawatu | Sep 27, 2019 | Notices

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

Manawatu Festival for Women & Girls 12th–20th October 2019

by Bike Manawatu | Sep 27, 2019 | Notices

The first annual festival for Women and Girls in sport and active recreation aims to improve opportunities, experience and outcomes for young women and girls in sport and active recreation.
The forum is a great opportunity to meet local and national leaders in the field of sport and active recreation. We look forward to seeing you at the forum and other events throughout the week.

Forum & Marketplace

Sunday 13 October
Silks Lounge, Awapuni Racecourse

Forum Programme

9.30am  Registration

10am  Welcome & Keynote Panel
Facilitated by Sarah Leberman – Co-founder, Women and Sport Aotearoa
Panelists
Angela Armstrong-Lush, Netball NZ Umpire
Carla na Nagara, Chair, Manawatu Cricket
Hannah Rowe, Co-captain Central Districts Hinds & NZ Women’s Cricket White Fern

11.15am  Workshop 1 (choose one)
Participation: Empower Her
Speakers: Fran Mcewen & Chloe Bryan, The Shift Foundation
Leadership: Governance
Speakers: Johanna Wood, NZ Football & Carla na Nagara, Manawatu Cricket

Noon  Lunch

1-1.45pm Workshop 2 (choose one)
Participation: Parent Education
Speaker: Janette Smith, Recreation Advisor, Sport Manawatu
Leadership: Coaching & Umpiring
Speakers
Dr Lana McCarthy, Sport Manawatu
Brittany Andrews, Manawatu Rugby Union

1.45 – 2.30pm  Workshop 3 (choose one)
Participation: The Physiology of Female Athlete Development
Speaker: Fiona O’Connor
Leadership: Careers in Sport
Speakers
Kelly Evans, Cultivate Group
Shanelle Barrett, SB Events
Tania Garrett, Sport Manawatu

3pm Wrap-up and close

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