The Manfeild 6 hour race combines a fun community atmosphere with a significant sporting challenge -see: https://bikemanawatu.co.nz/manfeild6hour/ This event will best suit solo riders or teams of reasonably experienced cyclists.

To maximise the riders’ enjoyment on the day, some training and preparation is strongly recommended.

We recommend all bikes are serviced prior to the event and the brakes and gears are all working smoothly.

Unfortunately mountain bikes and e-bikes are not permitted for this event this year.

An approved cycling helmet must be worn at all times while riding in the event, and we recommend other necessary cycling equipment and clothing such padded shorts, gloves, glasses and a water bottle etc.

The Manfeild 6 Hour Cycle Challenge is a simple formula… Ride as many complete laps of the Manfeild racing circuit as you can in 6 hours. Although some riders complete this challenge solo (or riding in pairs) for most teams this race involves a group of four riders each taking turns (i.e. tagging in and out, with just a single rider on the track at any one time) to ride as many complete laps as they can in the 6 hour time period. This competitive event is a great opportunity for fit healthy athletes from other cycling (i.e. triathlon, cyclo-cross and mountain biking) and other sporting disciplines to test themselves at cycling, in a friendly environment and the wide open spaces of the Manfeild track (no vehicles).

Each team sets their own ride strategy – only one person from each team is allowed on the track at a time. A timing transponder is passed from one team member to the next like a baton in a relay race. It is essential that riders maintain their hydration and re-fuel through-out the race with suitable drink and foods to replace the energy they are burning-off on the track. Sunscreen is also recommended and in the event of cold, wet or windy conditions (this never occurs in the glorious Manawatu…) a variety of clothing layers is important. Teams will often ‘set up camp’ with a gazebo to provide shelter and chairs and a chilly-bin and hot food etc to provide a bit of a comfort stop for team-members when not taking their turn on the bike.

The field of competitors will encompass: a number of elite riders who will competing seriously and racing at high speeds, community-based recreational level riders just having a fun-active day out, through to teams of junior cyclists from the Manawatu Schools cycling programme. These young cyclist will have been training hard and have been taught road cycling skills and bunch riding etiquette.

The categories are:
Solo – Male / Female,
Adult Team – Male / Female / Mixed,
Schools Team – Year 7 & 8 Boys / Girls / Mixed,

Schools Team – Year 9 & 10 Boys / Girls, and
Schools Team – Year 11 – 13 Boys / Girls.

The number of riders and the mix of ages and abilities participating in the Manfeild 6 hours challenge and the resulting variation in speed, experience and bike handling skills makes the event’s a real spectacle an enjoyable event for all.

A race briefing will be offered to all competitors, before racing starts and the event will be managed (especially the transition zone where teams swap over riders) by a group of experienced volunteers.

Whilst it is expected that competition will be fierce and the racing will be fast, this is primarily a fun community orientated event and all riders will be asked to keep an eye out and take care of each other out on the track – especially as fatigue sets in later on in the day.
The basic rules of cycle racing are simple: keep left and obey the road rules (even on the track), holding a steady line (not swerving around), respect other riders, keep a watchful eye around you and communicate your intentions to the other cyclists in the peloton. Although accidents are rare, unfortunately sometimes incidents do occur. In this event we will have qualified first aid personnel on-site to offer the necessary care.

When the racing is on, this is a spectacular event and it is awe inspiring to see the effort riders put in as they whizz down the home straight.

The Manfeild 6 hour challenge is a great day out and spectators and supporters are all welcome to come and cheer their riders on.

Manfeild will have their catering cart available selling a range of food and drinks at the venue.

We want to publicise the event widely and make people feel welcome – so as to increase the spectators on the day – and help with on-site fundraising for hospice.

Cycling is a safe, healthy and fun form of sustainable transport.

Bike Manawatu is committed to promoting the benefits of cycling as a part of our community’s transport strategy and to grow the sport of cycling as a great way of staying fit and healthy, meeting great people and keeping your competitive spirit alive and kicking.

After COVID forced cancellations in past years Bike Manawatu is committed to growing this keynote event on the regional cycling calendar and sharing the benefits by supporting the fundraising efforts of the great team at Arohanui Hospice.

For more information, any queries, or if your business would like to become a Bike Manawatu sponsor to help grow this event please contact secretary@bikemanawatu.co.nz

or to register online https://bikemanawatu.co.nz/manfeild6hour

This event will best suit solo riders or teams of reasonably experienced cyclists.
To maximise the riders’ enjoyment on the day, some training and preparation is strongly recommended.
We recommend all bikes are serviced prior to the event and the brakes and gears are all working smoothly.
Unfortunately mountain bikes and e-bikes are not permitted for this event this year.

An approved cycling helmet must be worn at all times while riding in the event, and we recommend other necessary cycling equipment and clothing such padded shorts, gloves, glasses and a water bottle etc.

Whilst it is expected that competition will be fierce and the racing will be fast, this is primarily a fun community orientated event and all riders will be asked to keep an eye out and take care of each other out on the track – especially as fatigue sets in later on in the day.
The basic rules of cycle racing are simple: keep left and obey the road rules (even on the track), holding a steady line (not swerving around), respect other riders, keep a watchful eye around you and communicate your intentions to the other cyclists in the peloton. Although accidents are rare, unfortunately sometimes incidents do occur. In this event we will have qualified first aid personnel on-site to offer the necessary care

It is essential that riders maintain their hydration and re-fuel through-out the race with suitable drink and foods to replace the energy they are burning-off on the track. Sunscreen is also recommended and in the event of cold, wet or windy conditions (this never occurs in the glorious Manawatu…) a variety of clothing layers is important

Entry Fees – Earlybird

The Online Entry fee is $65 for an individual, $100 for a school team and $140 for all other teams (female, male and mixed).
*Maximum of 4 riders per team.

Online entries close on the 16th May 2024 https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=341202

Entries Online After the 13th of May, there is a late entry fee.
Please ensure you plan to the best of your ability and pre register to avoid disappointment 

Entries on the day
Entries on the day will incur a LATE FEE
There will be a card fee on the day if paying by Eftpos / Credit.

Manual entry forms can be requested from the BikeManawatu Secretary (secretary@bikeManawatu.co.nz)

We have teamed up with Arohanui Hospice to help raise funds for a great local charity.

All fundraising will be via Givealittle which has been set up by Arohanui Hospice and all money raised via this link goes directly to them.

How to fundraise for Arohanui Hospice

Arohanui Hospice staff have set us up a givealittle page through their channels.
All of the fundraising done via this page goes directly into their bank account (minus any fees from givealittle)

The link for the fundraising is:

https://givealittle.co.nz/event/ride2raise2024

Not sure how to go about donating? Here is a guide.

You can choose to Donate directly – by clicking the Donate button and following the directions accordingly.

OR you can choose to Join an Event as an “Independent Fundraiser”.

What is this? This is where you can as an individual OR as a team can set up a space where your supporters can donate to one place and support your efforts in the Event!

Now choose how you wish to fundraise – Either on your own as a solo OR as part of a team

If you are a work place or a school you may choose just to set up 1 “Team” for all of your riders

OR

2. Go to Raise Funds(at the top of the Givealittle home page).

• Under Your Details – follow the prompts enter your info, select that this is your own account(or if you are a “group” choose that option).
• Under Beneficiary Details, select that an existing charity, school, cause or eventwill receive the funds. Then search for the Event you will participate in Bike Manawatu 6 Hour Challenge for Hospice [Event], and click on it when it comes up.
• Continue completing the rest of the sections, and Publish or Save for Later.
  

Join a Team (there are 2 ways) –

1. If Team’s page link (URL) was shared with you, OR search for your Team’s in our Explore function. *Easiest

• Click “Join Team” > select “No, this is my own page” > add a photo, and follow the prompts to complete the page
• Publish, or Save for Later.

Example :

OR

2. Find the Eventyour team is participating in

• Click “Participate” > As Part of a Team
• Find your Team > click Join Team
• Select “No, this is my own account”and the remaining required details > Publish!

Need some help? Contact Us

We will also have the ability to donate to hospice using their Paywave devices / donation buckets on the day at registration too.

Thanks for helping us support a great local charity.

Event Schedule

The registration desk will be open for transponder collection from 7.30am
The event will commence with a warm up on the track commencing at 8 am.
Transponders will be checked at 8:30. The ride briefing will commence at 8:45 am.
The ride will commence with a neutralised lap at 9 am sharp.
The last lap will be called at approximately 2.55 pm. Prize giving will commence at 3:30 pm.

Access

Access to the venue will be via South Street entrance, 59 South Street Feilding.
You will find our venue map here https://www.manfeild.co.nz/venue-map.html
Parking is in the Stadium carpark D6- Click Here for a different view of the Manfeild Map

Catering

Catering on site will be available from Gala Caterers. They will be providing coffee and a selection of food items. You are also able to bring your own food.

Hospitality

The equivalent of 4 large covered garage facilities are available for your team hospitality area. This area is available for teams on a first in first served basis however do respect others who require space.

*Please note IF we are in the Red Traffic Light settings we will allocate groups into bubbles of 100 – This will ensure each bubble has a sheltered area.
We are constantly reviewing the government guidelines and will make updates as they come to light 

All teams must be comprised of a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 4 members. There will only be one (1) member from each participating team on the track at any one time. All riders must participate. School teams consist of students only from year 7 to year 13.
*Schools Grades – Riders may ride up a grade if they wish.
**Schools Grades – Where there is not a mixed category available, female riders may ride with boys within the male category however no boys to race among the female schools categories.

The Passing Rule

All riders are to keep on the inside line on all parts of the course. Faster riders are to pass on the outside line on all occasions.
Slower riders have the right of way and are not to deviate to make way for faster riders.
Faster riders are to clearly announce that they are coming up on slower riders.
Be aware of riders splitting away from a bunch to enter the transition area and of slower merging riders when leaving the transition area.

Transition

Riders will enter the transition zone through the Slow Down area and dismount on entry to the Transition Zone. Exchanging the transponder will take place in the transition zone and the new rider is to remount the bike only on exit from transition zone.
Entry onto the course proper will only occur when authorised to do so by the marshal. Failure to comply with this rule will see teams penalised.

Bikes

The event is open to roadworthy road bikes only. NO aero bars permitted.
We recommend all bikes are serviced prior to the event and the brakes and gears are all working smoothly.
Unfortunately mountain bikes and e-bikes are not permitted for this event this year

Marshals

All safety and security measures in place must be adhered to. Please comply with all Safety Marshal Instructions. Marshal’s decisions are final.

Pit Area

The pit area is for pedestrians and transition zone. The pit area is not a warm up area. (if you need to warm up then bring a wind-trainer).

Safety

An approved cycling helmet must be worn at all times while riding in the event. Only roadworthy bikes will be permitted onto the course. Age restriction for riders will apply this year. Only riders from Yr 7 and above will be allowed to participate.

Solo Riders will be provided with an ankle Transponder.
Teams will be provided 1 ankle Transponder per team and will be swapped between riders in the Transition Area like a relay.

Only marshals, team managers / club volunteers with a High Vis Vest will be allowed to help with transition (can be supplied by organisers) to help riders
This MUST be worn on the left ankle with the tag facing ou
If your transponder is worn on the wrong ankle or is not facing out your lap / time will fail to read as you go past the Start / Finish line to read your lap times 

The transition area will be clearly coned off to make the area safe for riders coming in and out of the transition zone area.

*Please note the current situation in New Zealand is fluid and changing therefore these guidelines may need to be updated several times before our event day. Bike Manawatu is constantly reviewing the government guidelines and will make sure we publish our requirements accordingly as we get closer to our event.

New Zealand is currently in RED Traffic Light Setting
At Red, action is needed to protect at-risk people and protect our health system from an unsustainable number of hospitalisations. Contact tracing, good hygiene and sanitation, and home isolation will continue as key tools to minimise the spread of the virus. Localised lockdowns may be considered if there is a rapid growth in cases.
https://covid19.govt.nz/
https://covid19.govt.nz/prepare-and-stay-safe/about-covid-19/our-response-to-omicron/
From 11:59pm on Thursday 24 February we have moved to Phase 3

https://covid19.govt.nz/traffic-lights/life-at-red/events-and-public-facilities-at-red/events-at-red/

Key Points we need to be aware of under RED

• PLEASE STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK
• Events can go ahead
• OUR event is MY VACCINE PASS Compliant – Please show your My Vaccine Pass on arrival – No Vaccine Pass no ride / entry unless you hold an exemption of are under the age of 12 years 3 months
  We encourage all participants to help us pre check your passes by uploading your my vaccine pass to your webscorer entry OR you can  email them through to secretary@bikemanawatu.co.nz with your entry details (or team name) and we will check these off. 
• Please scan into the venue upon arrival  
• Facemasks MUST  be worn by everyone at all times, except during the active competition / warm up 
• Sanitizer available & encouraged regularly – Hand hygiene,please use sanitizer available if touching surfaces
• Scan – Pass – Mask 
• Red = Limit of 100 double vaccinated. Our venue operator have confirmed we are allowed to run our event using multiple bubbles of 100. We will give each bubble a coloured wrist bank which identifies your “zone” you are allowed in during warm up and rest and spectating. Each bubble “zone” will be allocated with their own toilet block and garaged areas. Please do not deliberatly disobey these instructions. These are set out to ensure we can run our event.
• Social distancing is to be maintained for everyone during the event, but riders are not subject to it during the active competition part of their race.
• Cough and sneeze etiquette
• Late registrations – Due to Covid-19 guidelines we are currently unsure if we will be able to allow late registrations on the day – we encourage everyone to pre register early to avoid dissappointnment
• Avoid touching surfaces & avoid sharing equipment

Please help us provide safe, enjoyable racing while adhering to covid-19 guidelines.
Thank you

We will endevour to get clear guidelines of zones and the areas you may use aloser to the event date – Check back soon