Manawatu -The Novice Tour
When : 9th and 10th of December
Two days and four stages: 44 years of history and bringing most of the best young riders in New Zealand to the Manawatu to compete in this iconic four stage tour over two days. This is a tough tour and brilliant spectacle Manawatu are proud of. Some of New Zealand’s former and current stars have ridden this tour and speak highly of how important the Manawatu Novice Tour was in their development.
Be sure to find out more and registered asap; A proper Tour for the young and upcoming riders of the future:
1)Road Races: Saturday am :
2) ITT; Saturday midday
3) Criterium; Saturday Twighlight
4) Race Race; Sunday am.
Check out Bikemanawatu website or contact secretary@bikemanawatu.co.nz
Manawatu Festival of Cycling -January 27th.
Check out interview www.facebook.com/teamjvlatbayleys
1) UCI 125km Manawatu Gravel and Tar Classic-International teams.
2) The 70km Gran Fondo- All ages and abilities
3) The 35 Riverpath Challenge- All ages and abilities.
Being awarded a UCI (1.2 level) International race is a big deal for New Zealand and the Manawatu. The Manawatu Gravel and Tar Classic has been running for two years and to get UCI accreditation has been described in rugby terms like holding a Super 15 Rugby final here in the Manawatu year after year. Its that big.
Bike Manawatu are hoping our members and the community will embrace and support the beginning of something special for our region which involves an even bigger focus of people entering the Gravel and Tar 70k Gran Fondo and 30k for all ages and abilities.
The 125k UCI International race along with the recreational rides will set the stage for us to build year after year on creating our own “Manawatu Weekend Festival of Cycling” for everyone in the region and beyond.
Bike Manawatu’s concept of a summer weekend ” Manawatu Festival of Cycling” on the 27th and 28th of January at the end of the school Holidays every year will be good for all cycling age groups and abilities. Consider how the Lake Taupo Challenge got started all those years ago and where it is today.
On Sunday 28th of January our good friends the Manawatu a Mountain Biking Club are hoping to support our weekend “Manawatu Festival of Cycling” which will allow cyclists to ride the Gran Fondo on Saturday the 27th and then ride the Mountain Bike event on Sunday 28th.How good would that be.
On the 27th of January 2018 cycling fans in mid-winter over in Europe will be glued to their computers and TV to see who is going to win our tough Manawatu Gravel and Tar 125k Classic and get UCI points.
Still to be finalised-The club are looking to create a festival atmosphere in George Street before and after the three rides where registrations will likely take place at Cyclista Cafe in George
street. Neutralise starts from the square at a respectable 1pm start time we hope will capture a crowd atmosphere to give the event a Kiwi/European Vibe.
The finish line will be at Memorial Park with the usual UCI finish line structures and hoardings we see on TV at International races across the world. A nice way for all of the Gran Fondo 70k and 30k Riverpath Challenge riders to finish.
We intend trailing the gravel and tar circuit for club riders soon as part of our Sunday club rides for those who would like to learn how rode gravel better. Check out Sunday rides.
Bike Manawatu “Happy Hour”
When : Friday 1st December
Where ; Lonestar on the Square (Downstairs)
Time; from 5.30pm
End of the year celebrations are important and to catch up with your cycling buddies for the drink is what our “Bike Manawatu Happy Hour” is all about. This club initiative enjoys a small group of regulars who take advantage of this once a month. We would love to see more members. The merrier makes for a better time for everyone. Supporting the atmosphere of a club sponsors with a Bar/Restaurant is giving back. We’d love to see you Friday the 1st of December.
Taupo Cycle Challenge
The training build up was complete for most cycling enthusiasts across NZ for the annual pilgrimage of riders and supporters who descended on the Taupo Cycle Challenge last weekend. Road and Mountain bike enthusiasts put themselves to the test for the experience or maybe a better time than last year. The feedback and results reflected it was a tough ride as per normal again this year albeit a new record was set by winner Sam Gaze in a time of 3.37.51 in near perfect conditions. Bike Manawatu’s Alex West was 55 seconds behind in 21st place and Madi Hartley-Brown
We congratulate all of our members on your efforts and trust whatever your result up or down on last year, you had a great weekend enjoying the festivities amongst thousands of cycling people over a few days in beautiful Taupo.
Checkout all results taupocyclechallenge.com
Oceania Track Championships -Cambridge
Bike Manawatu NZ track riders Jordan Castle beats fancied rivals in Keirin final at Oceania track cycling champs and Campbell Stewart teamed up with Tom Sexton to win the madison.
Jordan Castle beat off a world class field overtaking Sam Webster on the final turn and holding off Australia’s former junior world champion Jacob Schmidt and world champion medallist Eddie Dawkins for the victory. Teenagers Campbell Stewart and Tom Sexton put in a brilliant display to win win the 40km elite Mens madison race.
Michaela Drummond showed her class by coming 3rd in the points race shutting out the Australians for a kiwi clean sweep.
On the back of last weeks Oceania Championships Cycling New Zealand will send a top strength team to contest the UCI track cycling world champs in Canada and Chile on December 1-3.
Congratulations to Campbell Stewart and Michaela Drummond on selection.
Sweet club success has been a highlight for our rising stars at the Oceania Track Championships in Cambridge this week.
Club Kairanga Time Trail 8 Race Series
When: Wednesday’s
Where; At Horizons yard on Kairanga-Bunnythorpe road.
Registrations from ;5.45pm and will close of at 6.15pm.
Start Times from : 6.30pm:
On Wednesdays the Club Kairanga Time Trail 8 week series continues to attract good numbers to ride the flat 12Km country time trail course to record points for the series or just have a good hit out for fitness and training for other events.
Trying to better your time and improve your fitness, strength, speed and bike handling skills gives our riders massive reward which most come to try and achieve. Stepping outside of your comfort zone is proving rewarding for those who are trying these new events.
For you to volunteer your help at any club event is appreciated by the club and fellow riders. The club put out a mayday call and asked if Time Trail riders over 18 years old would put there name forward to Organiser Mike Craine ( register with secretary@bikemanawatu.co.nz) to go on a volunteer rosters list that would require you to stand down for one time trial week only to help out for one night. For you being on the rosters and helping out for the one night you will receive 2 points towards the series. We hope you see that as fair and a great way of giving back to club events by sharing the work load which the club really appreciates. We thank those people who willingly put their name forward to help which takes pressure off those few people who volunteer week after week.
The popular Kairanga time trial has always been well supported and is always run by a small group of dedicated club members who simply are unable to sustain this year after year. Your help is really valued and its never to late to put your name forward.
Checkout results on Bikemanawatu Facebook
Manfeild Criterium- Last Night.
Between 80 and 100 riders registered weekly for this years Bayleys Manfeild Criterium Series for the four race points series.
The rider feedback has been very positive which would suggest club members are getting benefit from the series of races and enjoy the safe off race track riding.
The club would like to thank all of those people who supported this club fun event and also race organisers Mike Craine and Tim Lloyd and there team of volunteers who do an outstanding job.
We welcome Bike Manawatu Memberships
Bike Manawatu welcomes all new members and value all of our current members who turn out week after week to ride a bike. Our annual memberships cost of only $45 for adults ,youths under 19 years old at $25 and family memberships with three or more at only $80 represent great value compared to most other sports.
What is important to know is that your club membership covers public liability insurance which is a valuable benefit. With over 300 Bike Manawatu organised rides per year and loads of great people and friendships you make, what could be better for bike enthusiasts than joining our club.
With your membership contribution we hope you try out as many local events as possible.
Equally we extend a request for more members to help out with our annual calendar of club events during at events from time to time.
Standing down riding an event every now to help out would help provide an even spread of helpers versus the small few who put there hand up regularly.
Contact Keryn our club secretary on secretary@bikemanawatu.co.nz to find out how easy it is to get your membership started or renewed or to be on our list of volunteers to call on every now and then.