Its Official….COTY 2014

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.

Bike Manawatu is home to the best coach in New Zealand.

At the BikeNZ AGM in Cambridge last weekend Mike McRedmond was awarded the 2014 Coach of the Year for Road and Track.

This is an outstanding recognition for a man who has put a huge effort into our riders achieving and exceeding their goals in 2013/14 and for many years before that. He is also an outstanding contributor to the club at many levels.

We all know the wonderful results that have been achieved this past year from Jesse in Europe, Simon on the track, the PNBHS Schools team, Kate, Campbell, Chris, Carne, Libby, Michaela and all the others who have experienced Mike’s guidance and passion.

Mikes award

Mike has a wonderful ability to pass his enthusiasm to his riders and for those who listen and take on board his direction, the results just seem to flow.

For all his athletes he can plan the strategy , clarify the process , add the belief and instil confidence like no other.

We are extremely fortunate to have Mike in our stable….and many thanks to Natalie for the support she has given Mike for a long time. Coaching with passion can be time consuming and it takes some effort and commitment.

One of Bike Manawatu’s challenges going forward will be how we download some of Mike’s knowledge into an enduring coaching structure with qualified coaches.

A Coaching panel is now being led by Peter McCarthy and progress is being made. We have a number of active coaches in the club for whom we are very grateful. Coaching can be very satisfying .Our coaching legacy continues of course with Steve Stannard now the BikeNZ U19 Head road coach.

As was noted on more than one occasion in Cambridge last weekend…as a club we are a force to be reckoned with….and long may that last.