E for Adminstration

Despite the current ‘cost of living challenges’ facing all community events, Bike Manawatu is 100% committed to ensuring the 51st year of the Novice Tour – once again provides a safe, fun, competitive cycle racing event.

We will adopt a high-quality assured approach in implementing the Local Roading Authority’s/Cycling New Zealand’s ‘Safe Traffic Management System’ (STMS) standards which ensure best practices and rider and spectator safety.

If the level of community funding secured is not sufficient to contract in external road management service providers with the ability to stop/go traffic, the Novice Tour will proceed on a ‘local club racing’ model, whereby our team of trained/experienced road marshals will, where necessary, pause racing in order to give way to traffic and ensure rider safety.

Although funding external road management services with the ability to stop/go traffic is ideal, if this is not feasible – we are confident that the event’s ‘Safe Traffic Management System’ (STMS) will provide a competitive, fair, enjoyable and importantly safe racing environment.

Irrespective of which model of traffic management/racing is finalised, as with all CNZ/Bike Manawatu events, normal road rules will apply and a full rider briefing confirming the event rules will be provided to all riders prior to the start of each race.

I often think of why I and others get involved in the administration of a club like Bike Manawatu.

What motivates us? Is it a sense of duty, is it a passion, is it our past-time or is it power……no, no, no, not power!

I would like to think that for Bike Manawatu, we as a Board are motivated and get involved because of a passion for the sport and a desire to see our sport continuing to grow so that we truly are “ the heart of cycling in NZ’. There is also a bit of “ giving something back”.

But I am sure that it is the many little success stories and small victories that are regularly displayed by our members that keep the Board, Glenys our Secretary and our team of volunteers keen, enthusiastic and working towards the common goal.

Stories of a personal best on time trial night, a new record on the track, a medal at West Coast Champs, a new recreational rider getting up Valley Road the first time, organising the inaugural La Femme Tour, or one of our schools entering a team in the NZ Champs for the first time….or just new faces trying the sport…..that’s what keeps us all passionate and focussed.

You will also see it regularly…the Effort, Enthusiasm, Energy , Excellence , Enjoyment , and Events that cycling on our region brings ……these are the key words that keep the club going….and going …and growing!

If it was not enjoyable then we would not be doing it.

And much of that Enjoyment comes from the Events that Glenys, our volunteers and the Board provide. Events like the Time Trials, Road Races, Recreational Rides, Track Cycling, Schools Cycling, Novice Tour, La Femme Tour, Manawatu Schools Champs . Manfeild 6 Hour, Feilding Festival of Cycling…..the list keeps growing. And the Board loves to see the Excellence displayed by our members when representing their club, their school , the region,or our country here and all over the world.

However , due to the growth and our own success, the burden of administration does fall on a few shoulders. Our hardworking regulars need a hand. Please be forthcoming where you can and do not be afraid if you know “ nothing”. We all started at that point!

On that note, we have two looming vacancies on the Board.

Due to promotions and overseas job opportunities two of our members have tendered resignations. That means we now have two more Board members to select at the next AGM. Give it some thought. We want to be the “heart of cycling in NZ”…. you could help and it is satisfying!

And remember that the Board and Glenys expect nothing less than a big “E” when it comes to administration.

Paul van Velthooven

February 2012