EARLY ALERT – GIVE IT A GO
Non-competitive Bike Manawatu Masters age cyclists are targeted and invited to enter Masters age events over the 2014 remaining summer and autumn period. The events are open to all Club members, female and male, 35 years of age to 90 plus, there is no age limit and no experience in racing is necessary.
Planning is taking place to run 4 x events over 3 separate days, these events are:
- Time Trial, 20 km course on Manawatu roads.
- Hill Climb Saddle Road, 6 km Ashhurst to top.
- Track Sprint, 200 metres Feilding Velodrome.
- Track Individual Pursuit, 2000 metres Feilding Velodrome (5 x laps).
Please do not feel hesitant as these events are all ridden individually, previous experience in riding with other cyclists or racing is not necessary, you only need to ride to your own standard.
The Time Trial and Hill Climb will be held in conjunction with other Bike Manawatu competitive events on separate days. Both track events will be held on the same day, involving 2 – 3 hours, followed by a BBQ. Road bikes will be acceptable for these track events. Each event has rules which are applicable.
For entering these events you will be eligible to contest the Bike Manawatu Overall Masters Championships, female and male separate, which use a handicap system according to a cyclists age, a couple of examples follow:
- Females Time Trial – 35 year of age no handicap compared to a 50 year old with 1 min 21 secs and 60 years of age with 3 mins 19 secs.
- Males Hill Climb – 35 years of age no handicap compared to 50 year old with 1 min 22 secs.
In addition entries to the events will be eligible for the Bike Manawatu Masters Age Group Champions, female and male separate, in 5 year age groups, ie 35 – 39, 40 – 44, 45 – 49, etc.
These events have come from the Manawatu Masters Cycling Club days and records for those events are still held. One of the great records is held by the late Roger Nevatt, it was for the Hill Climb starting in a street in Ashhurst to the top of the Saddle Road in 14 mins 24 secs, Roger did this in 2002 when he was in the 44 – 49 age group and this would still be a challenge to any age group riding today.
If you are of masters age and these events appeal please keep a watch of the Bike Manawatu website for the events dates which are to be confirmed shortly and more information for each event.