September….what a month
September has flown past and its safe to say it’s been busy would be an understatement.
It all started on September 1 with race 2 of the Bike Manawatu Road race series. Race 1 was back in August at Akers Road combined with BM Schools Cycling and saw a great turn out, the question was if the change to Saturday afternoon racing was going to be a popular one. BM chairman Mike Craine and I had a side bet on this and I can assure you that when it’s time for him to square up the debt I’ll make sure I’m thirsty.
40 riders over 4 grades raced on the new Taonui A1 course with some fantastic racing on course. Thomas Stannard led home Ethan Craine and Michael Richmond in a 7 rider sprint in A grade which is clearly a grade not for the faint hearted. Lincoln Jones (aka The Captain) got line honours over Dean Wade and Rob Duff who was let out on leave for the weekend, Tane was left dwelling on a poor lead out and bad communication from Paul Cole who was saving his best for Trusthouse.
In a battle between youth and exuberance over experience and cunningness ( I was going to use treachery as the saying goes but Colin deserves better than that) Riley Tunnicliffe edged Colin Anderson and Sam Wade over the 3 lap distance…Sue Hoskin raced away to a D grade win over the Yvonne Clarke who showed no mercy to her son Derek for the top 3.
All in all a great success and awesome start to the BM road series…
The next weekend the focus shifted to The Trust House series in the Wairarapa on Sunday the 9th. BM was well represented in the masters 1-3 grades with a good spread of Lonestar, BM and Ashhurst kit up and down the pelotons. Plenty to work on with tactics but certainly a great start. Big ups to two of our Bike Manawatu Sponsors Rob Ryan from Palmfeilds and David Hoskin from Ashhurst Engineering who took on the challenge in Masters 2 knowing they were in for a tough day and coming out the other end better for the experience
Next was the running of the Novice Tour for the 45th consecutive year. This event was initiated by Ian Gray in the early 70’s and has been regarded for many years as one of the premier junior tours in the country. With a shift to September this year, and March for 2019 to ensure we didn’t miss a year, the weather was a concern when we set the date very early on in the year. We needn’t worry as Ashhurst turned on an absolute stunner. A two day event like this cannot happen without the cooperation of the local community, councils, sponsors and a mass of volunteers…Ashhurst Engineering was once again the naming rights sponsor and David Hoskin was also part of the organising committee. We cannot thank Ashhurst School enough for the use of their facilities. BM has a great template now to grow the tour on as we are already into the planning for 2019.
Had a chance to catch our breath for 5 days and it was back into club racing at Taonui on the A1 Course for the last of the flat tracks (BM Race 3). Initially we were going to use the loop through Nannestads, Reids, Taonui and Campbell for our second Taonui loop but with 3 of the 4 intersections a give way we opted out…for this year anyway.
A double up of courses didn’t deter riders with a solid 40 turning up to learn from their previous visit. The pleasing aspect for the organising group was the different make up of the fields. With a lot of the A grades away on Dynamo duties and riders away out of town it was particularly pleasing to see more masters women and junior women taking part. Along with Sue Hoskin we welcomed Erin, Cheryl, Neriah and Kyra all in C grade.
A grade was taken out by Thomas Stannard again over Madi Hartley-Brown covering the 50 kms in a shade under 78 minutes with Adam Francis 3rd. The solid pushes out of the turns stretching the A grade field as the race went on. Big Dan Mackay (Crinkle Cut) took out B grade from Phillip Vranek and Mike Craine (The Boss). The Lonestar bunch and Ross Rainham all finished with the top 3 in a bunch sprint… Tane vocal again, The scribe not learning at all…no wonder he left school early…slow learner.
Erin Wollard took out C grade from Riley Tunnicliffe and Nelson Doolan. Austin Tunnicliffe took out D grade.
So as you can see what a month. Massive thanks go out to all of our volunteers. James Denholm and Carne Groube for Registration and Finish on Race 3 , Nigel Doyle, Phillip Wilson, Paul Cooper, Toshi, all for helping out. Most of all…. The many many BM riders that are making a difference and coming to race at our events…It makes it all worthwhile.
October is ITT month. Starting on Wednesday the 10th is a four week ITT series at Kairanga. On the 20th we have BM Race 4 – Sutton Cup, the Halcombe Road Race on Saturday afternoon. October also sees the start of track orientation and bike set ups. Grant Haggett , Megan Blatchford-Peck and a great crew are leading the charge there under the eye of Ian Gray.
This weekend sees the highlight of the Schools Cycling Calendar with the Nationals in Christchurch. Over 60 riders from BM Schools are travelling to the South Island for the Nationals, first time in the South Island for this event. A handful of Riders take the opportunity to head to Invercargill for the Yunca Tour a week later.
October 13th is Feilding Festival…please see details on this website and come and support the races there is on offer. The day after is Trusthouse 2…best wishes to riders on both days
October 1 also sees the opening of the Licence window for the 2019 CNZ Licence. I find it’s a great idea to get in early, avoid the end of year rush so I have my licence all ready for the races coming up….more on that next month.
In the meantime, ride safe, ride with your head and for your heart.
To our Sponsors. AEC, Bayleys, Ebony Coffee, Hughes Joinery, Palmfeild Motors, Cash Converters, Capture signs, The Tank Guy , McIntosh Brothers, Octane Automotive, Rider Levett Bucknall, Central Bicycle Studios, Bike Barn, Tineli, Rosebowl Bakery & Cafe, Morgans Property Advisors and Bulls Medical Centre.
To our organising committees and Keryn, our secretary,who keeps us on our toes..a massive thanks.
