by Vaughan Hunt | Jun 9, 2017 | Board Chair's Blog
Last week club members Carne Groube and Joel Yates left to race in the USA for three months. What an experience for the boys who must be living the dream. They are based at a University in Pennsylvania and will be racing, road, track and criterium during the hot summer months in a variety of different locations. We wish Carne and Joel all the best in their development knowing they will benefit massively from the experience and return to NZ ready for a busy summer of racing.
Last weekend Colyton-Hiwinui Club Road Racing
Once again, the clubs newest initiative of uniting the club by combining both schools and masters riders to race together was highlighted by the 100 registered riders at last weekend’s club graded road race at Colyton. The weather was fresh but without wind and ideal for riding and the numbers of supporters also was encouraging. The short 18km one lap circuit was a great circuit for graded riders. The A grade completed three laps and the B to E grade either two or one laps of racing. It was exhilarating stuff and those masters riders who gave it a try loved it.To all masters riders keep an eye out on the clubs upcoming road race events and next time bring your riding group of buddies out and try it out.Its fun.
Results
A Grade 1)Adam Martin. 2)Aiden Jones 3) Ethan Craine
B Grade.1)Cam Jones. 2)Dra’s Caldwell 3) Ewan Cousins
C Grade 1)Liam Ainsworth 2) Darcy Ainsworth 3) Finn Hannan
D Grade 1) Holly McInnes 2) Sam Wade 3) Dan Johnston
E Grade 1) Fergus Doolan 2)Tanika Whale 3) Wilson Hannan
Check out all results on Facebook-Manawatu Schools Cycling
Bike Manawatu Riders contest The Powerco Tour of Taranaki
Always a tough weekend of racing in the beautiful Taranaki and one many of our club riders enjoy competing in year after year. More than 150 cyclists peddled the 5 stages around the Taranaki region at Queen’s Birthday weekend taking in the beautiful scenery in Kaponga, Stratford, Te Wera, Inglewood, Hawera and New Plymouth.
Congratulations to the many Bike Manawatu cyclists who competed.
Check out all results online. Tour of Taranaki.
West Coast North Island Individual Time Trial Open
Where; Ohau Levin
When: Sunday 11th June
Time:9.30am onwards
Bike Manawatu riders will this weekend contest the exciting WCNI time trials at Ohau with high hopes of good results. We wish them all well.
by Vaughan Hunt | Jun 1, 2017 | Board Chair's Blog
All club members are invited to this clubs Sunday graded road races at Colyton. No matter how fit or fast you are one thing is for sure, you and your biking buddies will get hooked on these short club bike racing events. These are the kind of club events that will help your strength and fitness for other cycling challenges you have set yourself for the year.
Also the club have formed a committee looking to firm up more race events for our annual calendar with the help of more volunteers. For those spirited Sunday riders we encourage you to try out our club road races starting this long weekend.
When: Sunday 4th of June
Where: Colyton. Graded A to E to cater for all riders
Time; Registrations at 8.30am.
Note: Racing the safe 18km Hiwinui Circuit .
100 Bike Manawatu-Schools Riders Contest Club Road Race.
Last Sunday Bike Manawatu-Schools run a graded road racing morning at the tough Colyton circuit. Close to 100 A to E grade riders registered to again confirm the passion and depth the club has for road racing.
Colyton Road Racing Results.
We congratulate everyone who entered last Sunday’s road racing and full race results can be found on Facebookmanawatyschoolscycling.
A Grade: 1. Joel Yates 2. Kyle Hoskins 3.Dylan Simpson
B Grade; 1.Aiden Jones 2.Ben Irvine 3. Sam Russell
C Grade; 1.Nathaniel Leaske 2. Liam Ainsworth 3.Darcy Ainsworth
D Grade; 1.Holly McInnes 2.Adam Wilson 3.Tyler Mumby
E Grade; 1 Josh Mulcahy 2.Wilson Nannon 3.Seth Cousins
Last Weeks Club Happy Hour
“Lonestar” as a Bike Manawatu sponsor has been a great place for members to hideaway as a group on the last Friday of every month and spend some social time together.
The warmth, atmosphere and hospitality of the Lonestar has been welcoming for which we thank them. The club Happy Hour was designed to help create a club culture amongst young and mature cyclists versus the contrast of a cold club rooms. The concept seems to be catching on for a small number of members who are regulars. We would love to see more of the many great characters we have in our club as we build the culture of uniting together to become a great club.
Club Secretary Role-Applications Closing.
Since Christine Christie stepped down as club secretary recently the Bike Manawatu board appropriately employed a third party to manage the task of employing a new Club secretary. Recruitment agency “Adecco” have been advertising the role on seek and various other avenues and will soon be closing off their applications. For those who have applied or are considering forwarding an application we wish you well.
To Catriona and Tom Pirie who have taken the role on in the interim, the board would like to acknowledge the commitment and excellent job Catriona and Tom are doing.
Tour de France coming up.
When: July 1st to July 23rd.
If you are grinding away doing your winter base training or you have something else much more exciting you are aiming at on your bike, what better way to get your motivation up than tune into to all that is unfolding for the upcoming Tour de France.
Dylan Simpson Fundraiser
Fundraising is well underway for Dylan who is trying to raise money for his upcoming trip to represent New Zealand at the Commonwealth Youth Games.
If you want to support him he is putting on a night at Palmerston North golf club open to all members and their friends. Live music, dancing and an Auction. A night out for a club member.
When; Sat 24th June
Where: Palmerston North Golf Club
Time;From 7pm til late.
$30 for a single ticket $50 for a double ticket.
Call 0275058460 for your ticket.
by Vaughan Hunt | May 26, 2017 | Board Chair's Blog
Bike Manawatu Happy Hour
When;Friday 26 May
Where; Lonestar on the Square
Time; 5.30 onwards.
Note:Cyclists bragging rights are allowed. Manfeild or any other event or social ride.
Just be there…
10 years of Manfeild 6 Hours Challenge
Bike Manawatu would like to thank and congratulate Mike and Christine Christie and their team of volunteers for the outstanding work they have done in making the Manfeild 6 Hour Challenge an incredible event over the last 10 years. Mike and Christine stand down this year as event organisers on a high after last weekends 10th anniversary event being able to look back with great satisfaction that all ages and stages of cyclists love the challenge of our Manfeild 6 Hour event.
Over 300 solo and team riders were registered and the weather for the day provided good blend of sunny cool safe hard riding conditions. An amazing cross section of community people from Businesses, Armed Forces, Clubs, Massey University, Social Groups, Mums, Dads, Schools and Masters riders participated in good spirit throughout the day.
This annual Bike Manawatu calendar event will grow and is already attracting riders from around NZ who thoroughly enjoyed the day. In anticipation, the club sent an early message out for next year asking for your help as a volunteer so we can build on the success of this great Club cycling day.
All Manfeild 6 Hour Results.
We acknowledge everyone who entered and all of those category winners for the day that collected prizes. The winner of the Men’s solo was Mitchell Kinghorn who completed 85 laps or 257.55km with an average lap time of 4.16. The winner of the women’s solo was Emily Shearman who completed 75 laps or 227.25km with an average lap time of 4.50.
Results can be viewed at Bikemanawatu.co.nz
Photos can be found on Bike Manawatu Facebook.
Danger Riding Sadle and Track.
We have had a number of calls from people concerned over riders and large truck almost having an accidents on the Sadle Road and Pahiatua Track.
Please be aware that while the Gorge is closed the traffic is significantly higher on both roads and therefore more dangerous for cyclists.
Respectfully we recommend not to cycle these road until the Gorge is open again.
Bike Manawatu riders Overseas
NZ road star George Bennetts win in the Tour of California must give all road cyclist in New Zealand an incredible amount of confidence that it is possible to make it as a good professional overseas. Next for George is the Tour de France where we will all be glued to the event to see how he goes. Meanwhile Robert Stannard sprints to second at the Travers Les Hauts de France opener and is living the dream in Europe after riding here as a valued school and club member. Watch for more from Robert.
Also, busy in the USA Michaela Drummond racing for Visit Dallas DNA Pro Cycling has started in three UCI races and finished in the top 10 last weekend. These are tough races and the results was a great effort.
Cycling New Zealand.
1) New Road and Track gearing and rules updates
2) Commissaires Courses
Check it out; www.cyclingnewzealand.nz
by Vaughan Hunt | May 18, 2017 | Board Chair's Blog
Manfeild 6 Hour Challenge. -21st of May
This Sunday’s Bike Manawatu Manfeild 6 Hour Challenge has been a massive success for the club since it began 10 years ago. All ages of riders have thoroughly enjoyed the day whether doing the solo or in a team. Last year approximately 300 riders were involved. If you haven’t already, be sure you organise a team or yourself to ride by registering for this fantastic event. Enter online at www.bikemanawatu.co.nz (Up till midnight Friday) or enter on the day at registration. See you early Sunday.
Manfeild Volunteers
Thank you to all of those people who put their name forward to volunteer. The old saying “Many hands make light work” is a excellent motto which is what a great club is all about. Mike and Christine Christie have once again done a fantastic job to manage this event on behalf of the club for which the club are truly grateful.
Dylan Simpson Selected for NZ Commonwealth Youth Games
Over the last eighteen months Dylan Simpson has been developing as a rider with some outstanding results. His recent podium finish at the NZ age group road Nationals seen in the above photo is testament of the hard work he has been putting in. The excitement of Dylan last week being selected to represent NZ at the Commonwealth Youth Games to be held in the Bahamas in July is all worth the hard work. The club wish to congratulate Dylan and his support team for his selection.
Manawatu Schools Criterium begins
Linton Army Camp was the perfect place for 67 riders to contest the first of the four Criterium Series races last weekend. A safe and fast circuit with quality riding once again showed the depth of junior riding in the Manawatu.
Winners: Micheal Richmond (A Grade) Aiden Jones (B grade, combined with A ), Holly McInnes (D grade) and Josh Mulcahy (E grade)
Club Members racing overseas
Chris Denholm and Jacob Sievwright competed in the 228km Grafton to Inverell Classic in Australia with Chris having an outstanding race and finishing 16th in a group just 27 seconds behind the race winner. Jacob also road well to finish in the main bunch. With most of the Australian based professional teams competing, this race was a big step up for our boys. Well done.
In the United States Michaela Drummond completed the Amagen women’s race in California a women’s world tour event. Racing doesn’t get much bigger. We understand she handled the event well and is yet again another learning step along her journey.
Meanwhile in Italy Robert Stannard and Alex West road in the 170km Gran Premio Industrie Del Marmo UCI race. What a great experience these boys are having racing in Europe. At the same time, the Giro d’Italia is the main focus of International attention in Italy.
Podium Finish for Winston Briggs
In all the hype of last week’s success at the age group road nationals we forgot to acknowledge club member Winston Griggs gallant third place podium finish in the senior men’s 23-34 road race. A tough competitor and massively supportive schools and club person. Well done.
by Vaughan Hunt | May 12, 2017 | Board Chair's Blog
Next Sunday’s Bike Manawatu Manfeild 6 Hour Challenge has been a massive success for the club since it began 10 years ago. All ages of riders have thoroughly enjoyed the day wether doing the solo or in a team.Last year approximately 300 riders were involved. If you haven’t already, be sure you organise a team or yourself to ride by registering for this fantastic event by emailing secretary@bikemanawatu.co.nz or call into your local bike shop for entry forms.
Manfeild Volunteers Please.
A note to members and their support teams: We send out a request for people who can help or volunteer yourself to make this day run as smoothly as we possible. The old saying “Many hands make light work” is a great motto. Please contact Mike Christie 0274422522 if you can help out. He would love to hear from you.
Bike Manawatu Results at Age Group Road National-Cambridge
Bike Manawatu were well represented at this year’s three day event in Cambridge where racing was extremely competitive with the best riders from across New Zealand in all age groups from under 15 year old through to masters competing for honours.
To stand on the podium is a massive achievement and Bike Manawatu wish to congratulate all of those members who travelled north and represented your club.
Congratulations to the outstanding podium finishers;
Time trial:
Under 19 Women; 2nd Libby Arbuckle,3rd Emily Shearman
Men’s Masters 2; 3rd Sam Gardner
Also in the top 10 finishers:
Masters Men 3: 4th Glen Kirk, Masters Men 5; 10th Nigel Doyle
Under 23 Men; 7th Joel Yates
Under 19 Men; 8th Madi Hartley-Brown
Under 15 Girls; 9th Rosie Obrien
Under 15 Boys; 9th Dra’s Caldwell
Road Race;
Under 19 Men; 3rd Dylan Simpson
Under 23 Women; 3rd Deborah Pain
Also in the top 10 finishers;
Under 19 Women; 4th Libby Arbuckle
Masters Men 5; 5th Glen Kirk
Under 15 Girls: 5th Rosie O’Brien
Under 23 Men: 7th Chris Denholm,9th Jacob Sievwright
Under 15 Boys: 10th Ewan Cousins.
World Masters Games-A special Memory for Members.
Firstly having spoken to a number of our club members who competed in this amazing global event, they say they have all taken away lifelong memories. To have received a medal is even more special which we acknowledged in last week newsletter.
Equally when trying to report on our members events, sometimes we can miss a person or get a placing wrong for which we deeply apologise. One such time was last week when missing Bike Manawatu member Sam Gardner’s incredible double Gold medal swept at the masters games.
Sam won gold in the men’s 40-44 MTB and Gold in the 40-44 Road race. A huge result and proud medal winning performance for Sam and his team supporters. Sam and his BikeBox branded race teams have has a great season and this personal performance by Sam is great reward for the hard work he puts into the sport.
by Vaughan Hunt | May 4, 2017 | Board Chair's Blog
Manfeild 6 Hour Challenge. 21st of May
The next Bike Manawatu fun day out is the Manfeild 6 Hour Challenge which has been a massive success since it began 10 years ago. Riders have thoroughly enjoyed the day wether doing the solo or in a team. Last year approximately 300 rider were involved. If you haven’t already, be sure you organise a team or yourself to ride by registering for this event on the BikeManawatu.co.nz website.
It’s Been a Busy week in Cycling.
We thank Steve Stannard for his weekly articles in the Manawatu Standard News Paper. This week covered some of our club’s successes.
The biggest sporting event in New Zealand in years, the World Masters Games, was in Auckland last week, with cycling events from mountain biking to road, and track. Manawatu had three riders who produced a number of podium performances.
On the track, Megan Blatchford-Peck won gold in the women’s (50-54) track sprint and silver in the 500m time trial.
On the road, Neil Pollock won bronze in the (75-79) 20km time trial and Neville Weir won a well-deserved bronze in the 55-59 20km time trial.
Grant Haggett was sixth in men’s (40-44) 750m time trial.
In the road race on Sunday, Ian Eagle was fourth in the (35-39) 95km road race and Cliff Hughes was 14th in the (50-54) 79km road race.
Te Awamutu Junior Tour
Also at the weekend was an event at the other end of the age spectrum; the Te Awamutu junior two-day tour.
Manawatu was well represented in almost all the many grades, each of which was stacked with the best junior riders in New Zealand in big fields.
In the under-15 girls event, Rosie O’Brien was fifth on final general classification (GC) at the end of the tour, but also won the sprint ace jersey.
Our under-15 boys, Ewan Cousins, Draas Caldwell, and Fergus Lloyd, were eighth, ninth and 11th on GC respectively.
In the under-17 boys Ethan Craine was 16th in the final GC at the end of the two days of racing and Aiden Jones was 33rd.
Our under-U19 women, Libby Arbuckle, Connie O’Brien and Samara Fenn were fifth, ninth and 18th on GC.
Emily Shearman was riding well, including finishing fifth in the time trial, but crashed in the sprint in the last stage. Emily was OK, but couldn’t complete the race.
The open women’s race, run alongside the under-19 women’s event, saw Deb Paine fourth on GC and winner of the queen of the mountain jersey. Lizzie Stannard was sixth on GC in her first race back after her accident.
In the men’s under-19 race, Madi Hartley-Brown was eighth, Dylan Simpson 10th, and Thomas Stannard 33rd on GC at the end of a hard-fought race, but one marred by cancellation of the last stage due to traffic issues.
Overseas Riders
Robert Stannard was second in the Toscana Terra di Ciclismo Eroica two-day tour in Italy, his first podium for his 2017 European campaign.
In the same race, riding for the New Zealand team, Alex West unfortunately crashed out on the white gravel section of the race, the same roads used in the Strade Biache Pro-Tour race earlier in the year.
Campbell Stewart’s United States campaign has also started, but was marred with a crash which saw him need a trip to the hospital.
We understand that Campbell is OK and already back on his bike ready for the next event.
NZ Road Cycling Club Championships
This weekend, the NZ road cycling season reaches a finale, with the national club championships being held in Cambridge.Bike Manawatu have a big number of riders heading north and we wish them and their support teams a safe and successful tour.
