Iona McCarthy – Board member

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.

My involvement with Bike Manawatu started when our sons took up competitive cycling during their secondary school years. I have spent many hours anxiously waiting on roadsides in New Zealand and overseas, clutching bottles and spare clothes, chasing around the course to a good vantage point to watch the peloton flash past in a blur. When my husband, Peter, was Club Chairman we took responsibility for organisation of the local events and I have done my time with a stop watch and road signage!

By 2004 I was no longer needed for support person duty and Peter bought me a bike; but it took three years before I started riding it. He then had to suffer through very slow rides, pushing me up hills, helping me “click in and out” while I built up confidence. Now I am an enthusiastic social rider, heading out with the Velo Girls each Tuesday and Bike Manawatu on Sundays.

I do understand the differing needs of the competitive and social rider and our club caters well to both groups. We have an excellent group of talented competitive cyclists in the club and we have a very supportive group of experienced social riders.