Have you ever had a go at a cyclo cross event?

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.

Now is your chance. The first cyclo cross event was held last year and was great fun even for those just watching. This year BM is holding a series of 3 cyclo cross events sponsored by Crank it.

The first is on this Saturday with registration from 1pm at Waterloo park.

Cyclocross is normally a winter event and it is best completed on a bike that is a cross between a mountain bike and a road bike as the course normally contains gravel, tarmac, dirt tracks, grass and other obstacles including mud if any can be found.

So book this in on your calendar and come out for a go or just as a spectator.