by Bike Manawatu | Sep 16, 2022 | Track Cycling
Welcome Back.
We’re back! Firstly we must say a huge congratulations to all of our club members as there have been so many fantastic personal achievements during the off season. Whether this has been achieving a personal best at the local time trial, competing in regional road cycling, triathlons, mountain biking, national track events or even just surviving the Covid -19 lockdown with your family. We just wanted to say we are proud of all of you!
As we look towards the opening day of the 2021-2022 Bike Manawatu track season, we have a lot of information and positive changes to share with you. Firstly, we warmly welcome all the new members that have been produced from our ‘Have a go’ days. We have been very impressed with the level of skill from all new riders who attended our orientation days. We pay special thanks Ian Gray for working so hard over the past few weeks completing the hired bike fits.
Please take note of the updated calendar which will take us through until Christmas.
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by Bike Manawatu | Sep 15, 2022 | Track Cycling
Welcome to our returning and new Rookie riders for the 2022 Bike Manawatu track season.
For those new to the sport, the BM Track season offers a good mix of competitive and fun racing in a social and supportive environment. We cater to ages and abilities as the racing is split into grades based on their previous experience (our younger Junior riders are split into their A and B categories).
The track season is run over the summer months (October to April) at Johnston Park Velodrome in Feilding every Sunday afternoon and a few Thursday’s sessions in between.
Each week’s racing will be different with a racing timetable released a few days prior. On race day, please ensure to bring your helmet, gloves, shoes, and plenty of water. You will be assigned your own race number at the start of the season, and this must be worn to each meeting or else you will be unable to compete.
For those of you that are interested in hiring a track bike from the BM Track Committee, the cost is $80 plus a refundable bond of $60. These can be requested when you complete the BM Track Membership form. Full terms and conditions will be given to you at the bike fitting.
There are two forms of licenses available to purchase for cycling:
BM Social Membership
- All riders wishing to ride this track season MUST HOLD THIS MEMBERSHIP
- For those riders only wishing to ride at BM club events. You cannot race at other regions club events, regionally or national events.
- It does not provide insurance of any kind.
NZ Cycling Licence
- This is an additional license you can purchase via Cycling NZ which allows you to compete at BM clubs’ events AND other regional club or national events
- If you are wish to attempt any records you will require a NZ Cycling Licence
- When filling out the NZ Cycling License form, select Ride Club, Ride Youth or Race options depending on your requirements
- All Cycling NZ Membership comes with their own endorsed discount programme and insurance.
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by Bike Manawatu | Sep 12, 2022 | Notices, Track Cycling
When: Saturday 8th October & Sunday 9th October 2022
Time: 1:00pm – 3.30pm
Where: Johnston Park, Velodrome – Drake Street, Feilding
What to bring: Helmet, Gloves, Water Bottle, Warm Jacket, Cycle Shoes & Pedals (if you have them)
*Free Track Bikes Provided for our Have a Go Days*
Have a go days are FREE
Track Cycling is
- Fun
- Competitive
- Safe
- Social
- For all ages
- & we have Bikes available to hire
Come along and find out more about Track Cycling.
Track Is a good mix of competitive and fun racing in a very social, off road environment. We encourage any new riders to come along to our ‘have a go day’
Track is raced on the following years licence E.g. 2023
Juniors Grade is based on your age as at the 31st December 2023
Under 13 = 12 or younger at 31 December 2023
Under 15 = 14 or younger at 31 December 2023
Under 17 = 16 or younger at 31 December 2023
Under 19 = 18 or younger at 31 December 2023
New riders who are racing with us for their first season must attend one of the two orientation days
Sunday 16th October 2022 – 2:00pm – 4:00pm (
Saturday 22nd October 2022– 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Bike Manawatu has Track Bikes available for hire:
Bike Hire = $80.00
Bike Bond = $60.00 (refundable at the end of season T’s & C’s apply)
If you are interested in hiring a Track Bike this season we have set days available where we will size / fit you to an appropriate bike
Track Season Fee = $30.00
Saturday 15th October 2022 –1:00pm – 3.30pm – Bike Hire & Fit Day – Feilding Velodrome
Sunday 16th October 2022 – 1:00pm – 2:00pm Bike Hire & Fit Day & 2:00 – 4:00pm Orientation Day – Feilding Velodrome
Saturday 22nd October 2022–– 1:00pm – 2:00pm Bike Hire & Fit Day &2:00 – 4:00pm Orientation Day – Feilding Velodrome
Please book a time and day with Ian Gray and his helpful team
Ring or Text Ian Gray 021 120 5751 for a booking.
Each Bike Hire & Fit takes approx. 45 Minutes
TRACK CYCLING – WORDS OF WISDOM
Track racing on a “fixy” is exciting cycling in its own right, and is also a great spectator sport.
What are the real benefits of riding track?
How does track racing benefit road cycling?
We can guarantee that track racing greatly improves a riders’ confidence, their ability to make rapid decisions, improve bike handling skills, and pedalling technique. It also dramatically improves a riders sprinting ability.
All these skills learnt on the track produce huge improvements in road cycling, especially criteriums raced on short road circuits.
A special tip on the benefits of riding a “fixy”:
If you set up a track bike or an old road frame with a single gear (on a low gear – 70” to 72”) for training on the road, this is excellent training. (Remember to put single brake on the bike) It is a far better investment than spending mega dollars on light weight road accessories / special light weight wheels to improve your road cycling.
Experienced coaches will be available to assist you in getting started and help you enjoy your experienced
www.bikemanawatu.co.nz
https://www.facebook.com/groups/bikemanawatutrack/
Have a go days
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by Bike Manawatu | Nov 25, 2021 | Notices, Track Cycling
📢 SAVE THE DATE 📢
Bike Manawatu Open Track Club Carnival
Sunday 12th December 2021
Johnston Park, Feilding
Please note a change of dates
Registration from 11:00 am
Track open for warm up from 11:20am – 11.55 am
Racing starts at 12:00 pm
$15 entry fee payable online
Bike Manawatu ANZ 01-0745-0284925-00 please use your name & track carnival as reference
For more information and Carnival programme please follow the Bike Manawatu track cycling facebook page
by Bike Manawatu | Sep 7, 2021 | Track Cycling
2023 – 2024 Season Info Coming Soon
2022 – 2023 Season
Our Bike Manawatu Track Season is just around the corner.
If you are keen to be involved in track this season now is the time to pencil in some important dates.
Have a go days
Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th October
Come along and find out more about Track Cycling.
Track Is a good mix of competitive and fun racing in a very social, off road environment. We encourage any new riders to come along to our ‘have a go day’
If you are interested in hiring a Track Bike this season we have set days available where we will size / fit you to an appropriate bike
Bike Fittings
Saturday 15th October
Bike Fittings & Orientation (new riders)
Sunday 16th October & Saturday 22nd October
Bike Manawatu Track Cycling’s Opening Track Meeting
Sunday 24th October
We also have a Working Bee scheduled for Sunday 25th September if anyone is keen to lend a hand we’d love to hear from you.
BM Track Membership 2021-2022 Season
Welcome to our returning and new Rookie riders for the 2022 Bike Manawatu track season.
For those new to the sport, the BM Track season offers a good mix of competitive and fun racing in a social and supportive environment. We cater to ages and abilities as the racing is split into grades based on their previous experience (our younger Junior riders are split into their A and B categories).
The track season is run over the summer months (October to April) at Johnston Park Velodrome in Feilding every Sunday afternoon and a few Thursday’s sessions in between.
Each week’s racing will be different with a racing timetable released a few days prior. On race day, please ensure to bring your helmet, gloves, shoes, and plenty of water. You will be assigned your own race number at the start of the season, and this must be worn to each meeting or else you will be unable to compete.
For those of you that are interested in hiring a track bike from the BM Track Committee, the cost is $80 plus a refundable bond of $60. These can be requested when you complete the BM Track Membership form. Full terms and conditions will be given to you at the bike fitting.
There are two forms of licenses available to purchase for cycling:
BM Social Membership
· All riders wishing to ride this track season MUST HOLD THIS MEMBERSHIP
· For those riders only wishing to ride at BM club events. You cannot race at other regions club events, regionally or national events.
· It does not provide insurance of any kind.
NZ Cycling Licence
· This is an additional license you can purchase via Cycling NZ which allows you to compete at BM clubs’ events AND other regional club or national events
· If you are wish to attempt any records you will require a NZ Cycling Licence
· When filling out the NZ Cycling License form, select Ride Club, Ride Youth or Race options depending on your requirements
· All Cycling NZ Membership comes with their own endorsed discount programme and insurance.
Entries for BM Track Season
All riders planning to race on the track or road will need to fill out a 2021-2022 Track Entry Form and purchase a Bike Manawatu Social Membership License. Click here to complete these forms
2021-2020 BM Track Meeting Calendar
by Bike Manawatu | Oct 7, 2020 | Track Cycling
SOME INNOVATIVE CHANGES TO THE BIKE MANAWATU 2020 / 21 TRACK PROGRAMME AND OTHER KEY INFORMATION
ALL RIDERS NEED TO KNOW
A bright new vision gives us a new format of racing for the 2020 / 21 Track Season
Firstly, there will be graded racing to enable riders to race with riders of similar ability (except for U13 & U15 riders).
a. The grades will be A, B, C and D Grades. There may be a separate Women’s Masters Grade, if there are sufficient numbers riding.
b. There will be U13s and U15s grades – These may be split into Junior A and Junior B according to ability.
The purpose of the decision is that all riders will be racing in a field of riders of a similar ability.
If you are racing in a grade with riders of similar ability and riders slightly better than you, this is an excellent way to improve your riding.
TIP – Racing or training with riders slightly better than you is one of the best ways to improve.
This applies to both Road & Track Cycling.
THE BIG QUESTION IS HOW DOES THIS AFFECT SEASON POINTS ACCORDING TO YOUR AGE CATEGORY?
The answer is that the Track Committee has decided there will be not be any points allocated for seasonal point trophies for graded racing.
a. To compensate for that decision, we will be running races occasionally, for all specific age groups, throughout the season for track points.
b. There will also be some new exciting individual timed events to which points will be allocated in each specific age group.
e.g. an omnium event over 3 meetings, in which a standing 1 lap time trial (TT), flying ½ lap TT and a standing 2 Lap TT will be run. These events will have a greater allocation of points e.g. 1st – 8 points and all other rider’s points determined as a percentage of eight points. The big bonus is that every rider in each event will get points! This will make the competition move exciting.
c. Also the club championships, run for each age group, the points allocated for the championships will also be added to the seasonal points.
Note: This will not affect the Club Championship where the Championship Points won will determine the Medal Winners as in the past.
WHAT AGE GROUP DO YOU RACE IN FOR THE UPCOMING TRACK SEASON
a. As in past years, as the track season crosses over the licence years 2020 & 2021, riders will race from the start of the track season in their Cycling New Zealand licence categories for 2021.
There is only one exception to that rule: Any rider from the start of the track season until the end of the 2020 year may attempt a track record using their 2020 age group Cycling New Zealand licence category.
It has been decided that riders will use their Bike Manawatu allocated numbers for the track season.
Remember if you end up on the start line with no number, it will mean you will get no placing in the race, no points or prize money (if it is applicable to the race)
If you forget your number before the meeting, see the race manager who will direct you to the right person to get a replacement number for the meeting.
If it happens a second time the rider will be asked to carry out a small duty for the club.
GEARING TO BE USED ON YOUR TRACK BIKE
All riders will race according to Cycling New Zealand rules which set the gear limits for specific age groups.
This is particularly important for the U15 and U17 age groups.
For U15s Maximum roll out allowed is 6.61m.
This can be achieved using a 47 tooth chain wheel (CW) and a 15 tooth (T) back sprocket or a
50 CW and a 16T sprocket.
For U17s maximum rollout is 7.00m.
This can be achieved using 50CW x 15T sprocket.
SOME WISE WORDS OF WISDOM
Some good advice (for all riders) is given to what gearing you should use on the Feilding Track.
You should not use a gear too big but a gear where you can develop good cadence (leg speed).
Good senior men riders should ride 49 x 15 (88in gear) or 50 x 15 (90in gear) as a maximum. This should be reduced by 2 points for good women riders.
Top U17 boys riders should ride 48 x 15 (86in gear) and only in good track conditions, with no wind ride a 49 x 15 88 gear.
It is very interesting to note before the U17 gear limit was raised by Cycling New Zealand to 7.00m in 2014, that the 2000m individual pursuit, U17 Feilding Track Record still held by Campbell Stewart with a time of 2m 27.9s set in February 2013, it was ridden when the Cycling New Zealand maximum gear for U17 was 6.61m (84in).
In windy conditions at Feilding it is advisable to drop your gear 2-3 points e.g. 88 to 86in gear for U17 riders or 84-81 for U15s.
As in the past, new riders will be advised on the gear they should use and new riders hiring bikes will set up on a gear which is thought to be suitable for the rider’s ability. This has been one of the reasons that has contributed to the great success Feilding riders have achieved in West Coast North Island (WCNI) and NZ Track Champs in the past.
Any rider wishing to attempt a track record needs to advise on the Bike Manawatu Track Facebook page 2 days before the meeting, the age group and event for the record attempt.
Numbers will be limited, and order of application will determine those accepted.
On the meeting days riders will have the opportunity to decline their record attempt if conditions are unsuitable
A ‘Rookie Track Rider’, is a track cyclist who is racing on the track for their first season. Follow the below tips to come across as less of a ‘Rookie’.
- Get your position on your track bike checked out on the track. A track position is different to your road bike. We have good coaches with lots of experience to help you set your bike up
- Most track cycling is explosive short distance and you need ti be well warmed up. Get there early to meetings to get well warmed up. If cold, bring plenty of warm clothes to keep warm
- Wear gloves and a singlet under your racing top.
- For bike fittings bring your cycling shoes and pedals and measure your seat height and know your crank length on your road bike.
- Pulling your feet out of your clipless pedals is extremely dangerous on the track as in track racing you are often putting optimum pressure on the pedals. It is very strongly recommended that you get Velcro straps fitted. We will do this for you at minimal cost
- Make sure your tyres are pumped up near to the maximum recommended pressure for the tyres specification. Don’t roll soft tyres; your bike rolls much easier at correct pressure. Check this before each meeting or training session.
- For rookie riders (new to track) it is compulsory to attend one of the orientation sessions organised.
- It is recommended you purchase a book “Beginners Guide to Road and Track Cycling” Authors Ian Gray and Jonathan Kennett. It has a lot of essential information for ‘rookie’ track riders. These will be available at half price for new track riders (normal price $20).
