Mark Waterland–Board member profile

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.

I’ve been riding bikes since high school, mountain biking in Christchurch, Dunedin and Wellington but only started road riding shortly after I started at Massey in 2003. My training in those days consisted of taking my youngest daughter, Grace, on the back of the commuter bike up to Massey everyday (these days the daily commute is a gentle spin on the single-speed up to Massey). Pat Edwards encouraged me to try road racing shortly after my first Round the Lake ride (in 2005) to improve my time, and I joined the club committee the following year. I ride competitively to push myself and I really enjoy the social aspects of cycling and have made some good friends through cycling in the Manawatu. We have the people, the roads and the resources to make BikeManawatu the best cycling club in New Zealand and I bring to the Board enthusiasm, and by taking a lead in the Events Working Group, a willingness to get the job done.