TAUPO TRAINING RIDE 140 KM – SUNDAY 16th NOVEMBER 2014

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.

If you have entered this years Taupo Great Lake 160 km event Bike Manawatu is providing on Sunday 16^th November 2014 an opportunity for a 140km circuit training ride starting from and finishing in Palmerston North. Depending on numbers and abilities bunch(es) to depart from Memorial Park starting from 7.00AM.

StormyPoint The circuit from Palmerston North is Stoney Creek Road, Campbells Road, Feilding, Sandon Road to Mt Biggs, Ngaio Road and Mingaroa Road to Kakariki, SH 1 to Hunterville where we will make a café stop. From Hunterville proceed via Vinegar Hill to Rewa, Waituna West, turn right down Williamson Road, turn left to Dunolly Road to Short Road, to Makino Road, Feilding, Reids Line, Dixons Line, Bunnythorpe, Tutaki Road to finish in Palmerston North.

On the day we will be cycling on public roads so road rules apply and normal courtesy to all road users is expected. Please bring enough food and drink (water will be able to be sourced at Hunterville), spare tube(s), pump, clothing to suit the spring weather we could encounter and please make sure your bike is mechanically sound.

Turn up to Memorial Park 6.50AM, no prior notice required, bunches to be sorted out prior to departure to ensure cyclists of like ability keep together. Cyclists to support each other, wait for punctures, mechanicals etc and at top of hills to reform. ETA Palmerston North 1.00PM to 2.00PM for a well earned shower, feed and a snooze for some.

Contact Mike Keenan if you have any questions, ph 3586318.