by Vaughan Hunt | Aug 25, 2016 | Board Chair's Blog
Racing; BM Winter Series THIS Saturday.
This Saturday starting at 1pm in Halcombe just out of Feilding( a great circuit by the way) the “Bike Manawatu Winter Series” continues.The weather is on the improve and for those who are training what a great way to step up your riding. The course is fun, challenging and safe all at the same time.So give it a go and enjoy the outing.
Racing; The Trust House Cycling Series
Two local teams have put a team together and entered in The Trust House Cycling Series in Masterton which is the fantastic five race team series to be held in September.
New to the Manawatu and of great value both on and off the bike for his international cycling credentials, Sam Gardner has entered the BikeBox Rentals Team made up of some great Manawatu talent who will represent the region well. Well done Sam. Also Lee Yates and John Stewart have entered a Bike Manawatu team of masters riders who are bound to be fearlessly competitive.
Some of these riders will be riding the “BM Winter Series” as training this Saturday at 1pm in Halcombe,so be sure to get along.
Mayor Welcomes BM Wednesday Cyclist Group
Manawatu District Council Mayor Margaret Kouvelis called into to Coffee On The Square in Feilding to say hi and welcome Bike Manawatu’s Wednesday Cyclist Group. Margaret is a keen supporter of cycling in the region and it was really nice of her to make a fuss of this long standing group who each Wednesday morning do a 90km ride and stop off for a coffee in Feilding along the way.
Cycling Road Rage
As cyclist we can’t be naive to the fact some drivers are frustrated by cyclist taking up their road. It’s another reason we continue to promote good cycling etiquette to minimise risk. However horror stories are all to frequent between vehicles and bikes which is not good for anyone. One such story this year involved a group of experienced local cyclist returning to the city from a long weekend ride who encountered a deliberate and dangerous road rage incident, followed by road violence. Fortunately our riders are ok.
The key is taking the offending persons number plate and reporting the incident to the police. This case has appeared in court and we are awaiting the outcome. Just another reminder to keep everyone safe.
by Vaughan Hunt | Aug 19, 2016 | Board Chair's Blog
Bike Manawatu Happy Hour
When; Friday 26th August
Where; Lonestar (Upstairs on the Square)
Time; 5.30om to 7pm
This months “Bike Manawatu Happy” we would like to acknowledge our exciting World Championship track stars and those other members who have competed Internationally. So be sure to join us and enjoy the hospitality of our newest sponsors “The Lonestar” where upstairs the stylish bar setting overlooking our amazing city will be the perfect place for our monthly social member outing. If you want to stay on for dinner, Lonestar will look after you as well.( Discounted drinks)
Campbell Stewart, Michaela Drummond, Emily Shearman, Carne Groube, Robert Stannard and others will be acknowledged.
We hope you can join us.
Cycling in Winter Sunshine
A fantastic week of winter sunshine has excited all cycling enthusiasts. The chance to get out on your bike and witness how beautiful our Manawatu countryside is with Mount Ruapehu in the distance has been fun for many. Remember to get your bike serviced,ride with good cycling etiquette, stay safe and watch for sun strike but most importantly enjoy yourself.Spring and Summer are just around the corner.
Get Involved in Upcoming Events
Their are plenty of exciting events coming up in September to get involved in. The Feilding Festival of Cycling, The three day School Nationals, The BM Winter series and more. So check out our upcoming events on Facebook or this Newsletter and embrace them as either 1) a rider, 2) a volunteer,or 3) a support person. Your club is working hard to make sure all members can be involved as a valued club member where possible.
Condolences for popular Velo Girls Cyclist.
Sadly this week we have lost Jenny Farmer to illness,a popular master cyclist and lovely lady. Jenny loved being part of Bike Manawatu and was one of the famous Velo girls and Wednesday morning cycling group. On behalf of the Bike Manawatu board and members we send our Condolences to Jenny’s family and friends.
by Vaughan Hunt | Aug 11, 2016 | Board Chair's Blog
Bike Manawatu Happy Hour
When; Friday 26th August
Where; Lonestar (Upstairs on the Square)
Time; 5.30om to 7pm
This months “Bike Manawatu Happy Hour” we would like to acknowledge our exciting World Championship track stars and those other members who have competed Internationally. So be sure to join us and enjoy the hospitality of our newest sponsors “The Lonestar” where upstairs the stylish bar setting overlooking our amazing city will be the perfect place for our monthly social member outing. If you want to stay on for dinner, Lonestar will look after you as well.( Discounted drinks)
Campbell Stewart, Michaela Drummond, Emily Shearman, Carne Groube, Robert Stannard and others will be acknowledged.
We hope you can join us.
by Vaughan Hunt | Aug 4, 2016 | Board Chair's Blog
Bike Manawatu are excited to be able to bring our “Winter Series” to those people who are interested in another level of cycling that will help improve your fitness and strength while mixing with liked minded people before, during and after the events for some good banter and fun.
From this Saturday the 6th of August through to 2nd October experienced duo John Arbuckle and Mike Groube together with our valued volunteers and support people (more volunteers always need if you can help) will be running the “Winter Series”and would love to see you step out of your comfort zone and register for these events.
The benefits to you will be huge. Events that will take in some amazing country side from the flat Kairanga time trial to the rolling hills of Pahiatua, Halcombe, Pohingina and Cheltenham.
You will assured of riding improvement and lots of fun which will set you up for the summer months of riding ahead.Your support will alway be appreciated. Check the Winter Series out on this Newsletter and our Facebook.
Masters Riders Return from France.
Welcome back to Stu McKenzie and Wayne Butcher last week who cycled for six weeks on a Tour de France circuit that sounded incredibly scenic and very hard. Stu showed up at last Friday’s “BM Happy Hour” having only arrived back in NZ the day before looking extremely fit and tanned. I am yet to see Wayne who know doubt will be looking the same if not better. You be the judge.
Simon van Velthooven
Simon riding at the peak of his career over the last few months unfortunately missed out on the Rio Olympics games team which is so unfair. The Rhino is our hero here in the Manawatu and with the Commonwealth games in the Gold Coast around the corner I hope will spur him on to win a place back in the NZ team for those games. He is a great guy and a great ambassador for our country and region.
by Vaughan Hunt | Jul 28, 2016 | Board Chair's Blog
Bike Manawatu and Cycling New Zealand are proud of the amazing results produced at the World Junior Track Champs in Switzerland by our three local Manawatu stars Campbell Stewart, Michaela Drummond and Emily Shearman.
Campbell becomes the most successful New Zealand rider in the Junior World Champs with four gold medals one better than the previous best of three held by Rio de Janeiro NZ Olympian Sam Webster.
Michaela Drummond won an incredible two Silver medals and Emily Shearman competing at her first Worlds, took home a proud Silver medal in the teams pursuit.
This is a phenomenal and well deserved result for our three track stars who’s families,coaches and supporters have been there for them every step of the way.
These outstanding achievements should encourage all those young local riders to dream big and never give up on the dream.
Tour de France 2016.
Welcome back to local masters riders Gary Buys, Derek McNab and Pat Nolan who returned from an epic month of their organised tour riding the big Tour de France mountains, raving about the beautiful countryside, baguettes and red wine with sore climbing legs. Well done boys.
Meanwhile in the real Tour de France the 21 days of this years tour served up an absolute treat for all of us to watch on the TV daily. It is sad that the amazing tour commentary and legendary picturesque country side of France are behind us for another year. But we can all get back on our own bikes and start preparing for the upcoming Feilding Festival of cycling on the 11th of September with the knowledge we now know how to ride better and faster thanks to the Tour de France.
Tour de France General Classification Results:
1. Chris Froome-Team Sky (GB)
2.Romain Bardet-AG2R La Mondiale (Fra)
3.Nairo Quintana-Movistar Team (Col)
53. George Bennett-LottoNI-Jumbo (NZ)
155.Greg Henderson- Lotto Soudal (NZ)
Jessie Sergent Retires
One of our biggest Manawatu and New Zealand cycling stars has retired at the tender age of twenty eight.
8 phenomenal medal/podium results for NZ at the Olympic Games,World Championships and Commonwealth Games puts Jessie right up there as one of NZ best.
Coach Mike McRedmond can vouch for Jessie’s raw talent that took him to become a very good professional who also got a stage podium finish in the famous Giro d’Italia one of a big three tours of Europe.
Enjoy your retirement Jessie and thank you for the excitement you brought us.
by Vaughan Hunt | Jul 21, 2016 | Board Chair's Blog
The Speights Ale House on Grey street is a change of venue for next Friday’s Bike Manawatu Happy Hour 29July from 5.30 to 7pm.
So take this opportunity to catchup with fellow members and share a social hour together for some fun.
When: 29th July
Where: Speights Ale House
Time: 5.30-7pm
Red Letter Box King or Queen.
We have members puzzled but interested to know if there is anyone in the club who can nominate someone more passionate on being our number one red-letterbox King or Queen than masters rider Murray Boase is. Murray has perfected the art of surprise when bunch riding with fellow members.
Surely their are others who love the red letterbox challenge we haven’t heard about yet. Provided the challenge to attack for the red letterbox is done with good cycling etiquette and safety in mind people are generally ok with it. So well done so far Murray and good luck.
BM Board Heading in the Right Direction.
I want to acknowledge a group of great club members who form our voluntary Bike Manawatu Board.We are lucky to have such good people who each have a different strength to balance out our board decisions. Brendon Hapeta, Austin Smith, Mike Groube, Rebecca Allan, Chris Sampson, Peter McCarthy and we’ll supported by club secretary Christine Christie.
The board meet once per month and regularly communicate together as a team so we are able to make those important decisions for the betterment of the club. We wont get everything right but feel the club is moving in the right direction with the big picture in mind. Club unity across all members is an important mantra for us all to embrace on and off the bike. So continue with talking to all members young or old and encourage cycle etiquette, volunteering or supporting your club.
Enjoy your week.
