Ian Gray’s Chit Chat – October ’16

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.

29 October 2016

What a great day we had for the opening meeting of the 2016-17 Track season and the weather was surprisingly good for Labour Day. There was a good attendance for the young riders using road bikes on the track.

The club created a great record when we has over 50 track bikes all ready to race, the biggets being in the under 15 grade which augurs well for the future.

All the ‘rookie’ riders adapted very well to the track and rode safely which was really good – well done!

Thanks to all the helpers who certainly ensured the day ran smoothly. Special thanks to Marty Baker and Davie Hoskins who have replaced all the numbers on our lap board – they look very professional!

The one lap time trial (standing start) competition got off to a good start. We will ne running 2-3 more rounds over the season with $250 of prize money up for grabs. Everyone has a chance of winning as the dollars are for the riders that improve his/her time by the most from the first round, by the greatest amount.

It was a great day for the Ainsworth’s, with Darcy being picked by Kate as the rider of the day and Hamish was picked as the rider of the day for road bikes on track. Jack Carson’s won the 5 lap U15B’s handicap and takes the $10 for first place.

TRACK POLICY: If there are any changes in rider grades it must be approved by the track committee.

Administration notes…

The updated track programme leading up to Christmas can be found here. Take special note to our carnival on 11 December, as this will be a great 1^st carnival of the season, and a change to win some good money.

Thanks to all those who registered online here and paid on the day. If you haven’t done this yet please register online and bring $20 to the next track meet you come to.

Grant Haggett is our BikeManawatu Publicity Officer and is working with the Manawatu Standard to put some of our results each week in the paper under the ‘scoreboard’ section. Thanks for doing this Grant! If you happen to see our results appear in the paper please take a photo and share it on our Facebook page so the rest of us know to check it out.