Merger of 3 Clubs got a mention

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.

We got a very brief mention in the Manawatu Standard recently. On 20th September the following article appeared. If you read the complete article you will spot that we are making news in the Manawatu.

Weather hits Turbos in the pocket

By PETER LAMPP and DANIEL RICHARDSON – The Manawatu Standard

Last updated 11:00 20/09/2010

Rugby Union

Shelford keen to return to coaching Kia Toa gets French flair Mexted firm on unions stand Here’s hoping – Thompson Sorovaki banned from country Mangatainoka Hurricanes game sells out Players’ sevens match fitness crucial in Fiji heat, says Claridge Suspension helped me prepare – Baker Santa arrives early for Turbos Manawatu Rugby Union chairman ready to stand down

Friday’s was the foulest weather to hit a Manawatu Turbos rugby game in their five years in the premier division. It will mean a financial hit.

A rough estimate counted about 3000 souls ventured out in the rough conditions. That was probably half the number budgeted for a usual crowd-pulling game against Auckland and it will hurt Manawatu in the profit-and-loss department.

There was no trouble on the terraces because there were few there, not after Manawatu Rugby Union chief executive John Knowles invited them all into the grandstand. Let’s pray for a bright Saturday afternoon when Aaron Cruden is due back, against Tasman at FMG.

A memorial match is being planned between the Freyberg Cricket Club and air force personnel.

It is planned to be an annual fixture, commemorating club members Flight Lieutenant Hayden Madsen and Flying Officer Dan Gregory. They were killed in the Iroquois helicopter crash near Wellington on Anzac Day.

Two trophies have been made up, one with the knee brace Madsen wore. He had 14 years with the club, when it was Freyberg, then Kia Toa-Freyberg and Freyberg again. Gregory had a season with the Freys 2nds as a keen wicketkeeper-batsman.

When the Palmerston North Boys’ High School 1st XI football team won the national title last week, it was the third national title for coach Steve Burnley.

He started with the 1st XI in 1992, the year his son Billy was born. This year Billy Burnley was the captain of the 1st XI that won the title coached by his father.

We hear that the process of merging the three cycling clubs into an entity called Bike Manawatu is almost complete.

Apparently Bike Manawatu Inc has been granted affiliation to Bike New Zealand and so from next year, riders will be racing for a new club. Presumably it will be a happy marriage.

The three clubs, Feilding Cycling Club, Palmerston North Marist Cycling Club and Manawatu Masters Cycling Club ran the recent Feilding Festival of Cycling to see if they could all gain from the experience.