by Vaughan Hunt | Nov 18, 2016 | Board Chair's Blog
Cyclists Promoting Road Safety to each other.
The rainy weather around the Manawatu and New Zealand at the moment requires patience for all road users. To cyclist who ride or race regularly and need to train this requires an even more patient approach. Road safety day and night in wet conditions is to be respected where unexpected road works or slips are encountered. Please continually share with other riders the safest roads to ride warring visible clothing and bike lights. Our sport requires us all to be conscious of safety at all times while share the roads
Bike Manawatu Xmas Happy Hour
When; Friday 2nd of December
Where: Lonestar (on the Square)
Time; From 5.30pm
The last of this years “BM Happy Hours” will be a good time to come along and share some good membership hospitality and maybe dress up and go out for dinner afterwards for some. Our “Happy Hour” is normally the last Friday of the month but to cater for the Taupo Cycling Challenge riders we have put the “Happy Hour” back one week.
Bike Manawatu Prize Giving
When; Sunday 11 December
Where; Hotel Coachman
Time; 3pm-6pm
This is a great social barbecue and drinks afternoon for all of our cycling friends followed by the Bike Manawatu prize giving to recognise our clubs successes over the year for a wide variety of schools and masters events locally, national and Internationally. We would love to see you join us.
Returning Bike Manawatu Trophies for this year’s Prize Giving
If all Trophy winners from last year could please drop their Trophies back to Trophy Specialists 19/20 Taonui street Palmerston North please in preparation for this year’s prize giving.
Round 4 Trust House North Island Series
Positive reports that Manawatu riders had a great weekend of racing resulted in two teams, Skoda and BikeBox Rentals profiting greatly from a gusty early break and staying in front for over 100km.
In the early eight man move two riders from team Skoda including Joel Yates who was recovering from his Tour of Southland, and two other local Bike Box Rentals riders Sam Gardner and Glenn Haden.
The groups lead got up to seven minutes when Carlos Lopez blistering attack in the hills would only see Joel Yates go with him. Joel timing his finishing sprint to perfection to claim the days victory over Carlos has catapulted him into the under 23 leaders jersey. Sam and Glenn finished a very respectable 3rd and 4th.Between the two teams they have had 8 Manawatu Riders on the podiums in total which is a huge result for the region.
A special mention to Bike Manawatu masters rider Wayne Butcher for 3rd place in the Te Wharau Hill Climb and all other local Bike Manawatu Riders who are performing well in this highly recognised calendar event.
Bike Manawatu Events
It is a busy time of year for all Bike a Manawatu event organisers and volunteers. We have an amazing variety of events to cater for everyone that are run by select and very valued few doing a great job. Checkout our website for event updates and results as them come and go to keep yourself up with what’s happening. At the same time if you can roster yourself onto an event you would like to be involved in to help the club and the event organisers we would really appreciate your support. Go to secretary@bikemanawatu.co.nz or call Christine Christie on 0274422521 to help.
by Vaughan Hunt | Nov 10, 2016 | Board Chair's Blog
Cycling NZ will send a big team to next month’s Oceania Track Championships in Melbourne that will include a number of our local Manawatu rising stars and Olympian Simon van Velthooven. Former Boys High riders Luke Mudgeway and Jordan Castle and Bike Manawatu riders Michaela Drummond, Emily Shearman and Libby Arbuckle have all been selected to represent NZ. A proud time for these riders, their supporters, family, friends and our BM Cycling members. Let’s follow and support our sporting stars.
Bike Manawatu Thank Volunteers and Event Organisers
As cyclists we mostly ride weekly to stay fit and or train for events.The fact that Bike Manawatu is a non profit organisation run by volunteers and organise over 300 rides and race events per year is a credit to the club and everyone involved.Cycling people giving up their time to give something back to our sport and this club is valued by everyone. For only $45 per year and less for families, your BM membership is needed for the club to operate while you benefit from rides,events and being protected by NZ Cycling when riding events.Club membership is now made easier by registering on www.bikemanawatu.co.nz
We would like to acknowledge some of those amazing club people doing great things:
Saturday morning Ride:Stu McKenzie
BM Sunday Rides: Mike Keenan and his team
Wednesday Ride; Ken Young and Murray Boase
Velo Girls ; Christine Christie and Iona McCathy
Feilding Track; Ian Gray,and his team
WCNI Track; Kim Anderson
Manfeild Criteruim Series; Brett Tivers and Mike Craine
Wednesday TT; John Arbuckle, Steve Stannard, Mike Groube and Tom Pirie.
The Winter Road Series; John Arbuckle and Mike Groube
The Summer Road Series; John Arbuckle and Mike Groube
Feilding Festival of Cycling; Austin Smith and his team
Manfeild 6 Hour Challenge; Mike and Christine Christie
The Novice Tour; Steve Stannard and Brendon Hapeta and Team.
Gravel and Tar; Steve Stannard
Manawatu School Cycling and their full annual Calendar of training and racing; Mike Simpson and an amazing group of parents, coaches and school representatives and volunteers.
And there are many more valued people..
Behind each of these rides or events are people that work tirelessly to make sure events run smoothly all year round. A commitment that involves planning, sponsors, marketing, volunteer help, traffic management, timing, medics, race organising, registrations, results, race reports and much much more.
People we must thank behind the scenes are Peter Robson and Mike Groube – Traffic management, Kate Stewart -Track marketing and support for most BM events, Vaughan Hunt – BM Website, Catherine Stannard and Kim Anderson- event Timing, Christine Christie-BM Secretary and those volunteers who support these valued people.
Criterium Series Fun for Everyone
The beaming smiles of father John Stewart and daughter Kate is testament they both enjoyed this weeks Manfeild Criterium series on Tuesday between 6pm and 8pm.Young and old are really loving the safe well organised BM 6 week series which is free. All Bike Manawatu ask is for you to register as club member by going to the website. Racing as a club members is fundamental protection for you under New Zealand Cycling.
Tour de Manawatu
Thank you to the Fitzherbert Lions Club for yet again another fantastic event for the region. A great day had by all.
Congratulations on the men and woman’s winners:114k Chris Denholm and Emily Shearman,78k Max Taylor and Connie O’Brien,43k Kyle Hoskins and Rosie Obrien 20k, Karl Gibbs and Gorgina Ross. Also, congratulation on the Local Taupo Endurable’s who completed two laps of the 114k Tour de Manawatu starting at 2am.
by Vaughan Hunt | Nov 4, 2016 | Board Chair's Blog
It appears for all ages their is something exciting about racing on a wide safe off road track like Manfeild. The first night of the 6 weeks Criterium Series was about learning how to safely ride a Criterium event and have some fun. Race organisers Brett Tivers and Mike Craine had B and D grade racing independently on the track at the same time and grade A and C did the same. The racing was spectator friendly and great to watch.Rider feedback has been positive albeit a bit nervy for first timers.Next week we will all be better for the experience.
The firsts nights registrations set us back 30 minutes but once race briefing and the racing got under way people loved the experience and are looking forward to next Tuesday nights 2nd race of the series.
Event teething problems and rider safety are all always part of educating people and we have had constructive feedback which is valuable for everyone going forward.
One mishap on the last lap of the C grade race resulted in an accident bringing down a few riders who were quickly dealt with by medic Rob Gardner for minor cuts and abrasions.Never nice but Unfortunately is part of riding a bike.
Congratulations to event Managers Brett Tivers and Mike Craine who together with their team of volunteers did a great job.Also a big thank you to the 93 riders who registered and a special mention to the Ng Tawa Girls ,Wanganui Collegiate and the Levin Cycling Club for being part of this Series which is designed for all cyclists for fitness and fun.
North Island Trust House Series.
Keep your eye out for local Bike Manawatu riders doing well in the North Island Trust House Series. Masters rider John Stewart has quietly gone unnoticed but when you look at last weekends points after stage 3 John is sitting high up in the overall standings in the Master 2 Grade and Chris Denholm is charging up the under 23 standings.Check out www.cyclingseriesnz.co.nz
Good luck for Tour de Manawatu
Always a great event to be part of the Tour de Manawatu provides all levels of cyclists to take part and challenge themselves and their fitness. For some this is good preparation for other upcoming events such as the Taupo Challenge. The most important message we would like to send to all riders is to enjoy yourself and to concentrate on riding etiquette and safety.Especially at the start to Ashhurst and up the Colyton road Hill and later when you are tiring trying to stay with groups or race people across the finish line.Remember to keep a straight line and communicate your moves to others which will minimise the risk for everyone.
Barry Webb
All the best wishes from Bike Manawatu and our members to Barry Webb who recently had a cycling accident and is thankfully on the mend. Look forward to seeing you back on the bike Barry.
Bike Manawatu Xmas Happy Hour
Book this in everyone;
When;Friday 25th of November
Where; Lonestar on the Square
Time; 5.30pm to 7.30pm
by Vaughan Hunt | Oct 28, 2016 | Board Chair's Blog
BM Happy Hour-Friday Night
When: Friday 27th of October
Where; Lonestar on the Square
Time: 5.30 – 7pm
Joel Yates enjoying Success
Some great results for local rider Joel Yates in the current Trust House North Island Series who has the U23 leaders Jersey and is currently in second place overall after stage 2. Unfortunately Joel will miss stage three of the series as he heads down to the Tour of Southland where he will compete for the second year, last year finishing 11th in the U23 the youngest rider in the race at 17.For all Trust House Series rider results Check out www.cyclingseries.co.nz
Masters Endurables doing Two laps of Taupo
The focus for many masters riders this time of year is training and preparing for Taupo, K2 or other iconic events. With BM Legend Colin Anderson looking to conquer an amazing 8 laps of Taupo this year, there are other local masters riders (men and women) who call themselves the Endurables looking to achieve their first two laps this year. Jennette Flipp inspired the 320k team Endurables challenge for a very lovely lady cyclist we lost. Watch out for the Endurables you might see out and about on our roads or at a local coffee shop.
Stewart and Shearman win Supreme Awards
Cycling has bagged the double at the Manawatu Secondary Schools Sports awards for the second consecutive year. Campbell Stewart and Emily Shearman where named sportsman and sportswomen respectively. On behalf of Bike Manawatu to all nominees and winners and their support congratulations. We are proud of you and your achievements. Check out stuff.co.nz for the full Manawatu Standard article, nominees and winners.
Stories from Members
If you can credibly comment on an event please email it john.vanlienen@bayleys .co.nz where we will try and share a short update if we have space.
by Vaughan Hunt | Oct 21, 2016 | Board Chair's Blog
Robert Stannard and Campbell Stewart return from Worlds.
The next chance you get to meet these two local world class cyclist who have just return from the world UCI road championship in Qatar take the opportunity to say hello. They are both humble and would be proud to share their experiences.
Busy BM events Calendar provides Variety for riders.
The upcoming spring and summer Bike Manawatu events calendar presents cyclist of all ages and stages of cycling the chance to mix up your riding routines and experiences. To do the same week after week is safe but for many of you it could be the perfect time to explore the variety of exciting events BM have available to you.
From the weekends BM Summer Road series and Donaldson Cup this weekend to the new Tuesday night six week Manfeild Criterium series to the Wednesday night Kairanga (Lockwood road) Time trials and onto to Track racing at the Feilding velodrome you can only benefit as a rider from this variety of events.
The club are continually trying to give members variety and fun and always welcome your support to help running an event.We would value your help.
Also the Tour de Manawatu is also just around the corner on the 6th of November.Check out bikemanawatu.co.nz for upcoming events.
Trust House Series success for Team BikeBox Rentals
Bike Manawatu member and BikeBoxTeam leader Sam Gardiner is pleased to see his team held three out of the six podium places in last weekends Elite and under 23 grade at North Island series in the Wairarapa. BikeBox team won last weekends Criterium and a road stage.In fact for local interest, Carne Groube came third in the Criterium and Alex West was second in the road race placing Manawatu riders in five of the six podium finishes. Their were other positive local results to Check out www.cyclingseriesnz.co.nz
by Vaughan Hunt | Oct 14, 2016 | Board Chair's Blog
Under the leadership of Garry Buys and his trusted lieutenants, 38 cyclists of varying ages and experience set off into the unknown on a three day 500km ride to the Hawkes Bay in three suitable groups last Saturday.
Tackling very strong winds on the first day was a big challenge while traveling the picturesque back blocks to complete the 180km to Hastings. Some riders doing 200k just to say they could. A well deserved group dinner and some refreshments set everyone up for the second days ride with many finishing off the day with a steep climb to the top of Tamata Peak.Ara accomplishment.
The traditional final nights group dinner was a memorable evening with lots of great stories on one another’s cycling efforts and antics.Enough said. The next morning with tired legs ahead of the 174k ride home was the hot topic of conversation. Suprisingly the sun came out and after some spirited riding home everyone reached Palmerston North safely to celebrated their achievements at Hotel Coachman in true kiwi style.
Well done to all involved especially to Garry Buys and his support team for a memorable Three Day Big Easy.
