The Gravel and Tar is this weekend!
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.
Gravel and Tar Gran Fondo
The Gran Fondo is a shorter event with less gravel and more tar! Ideal for a challenging Sunday Ride.
We know that lots of Road Cyclists don’t usually ride “off seal”, but we also think that this is a great opportunity to try something a bit different.
We would love you to consider entering the Grand Fondo
Online entries for the Gravel and Tar now extended until 5 pm Friday evening. You can enter on Saturday by going down, in person, to AvantiPlus on Ferguson St before 5 pm, or on the day (Sunday), but only between 6:30 am and 7:30 am.
Want to watch the Elite Race
There will be some great opportunities for viewing the Elite Race
See below viewing times (give or take 10 min) and places for Classic race:
Start 10 am in Square.
Wool shed (7.5 km north of Ashhurst) at 10:35 am (first sprint).
Highland Home 11 am.
Pohangina village 11:15 am.
Corner of Valley Rd and ZigZag Rd (basically just over the top of the Valley Rd climb) at 11:30 am.
Corner of Spur Rd and Watershed Rd at 11:45 am
Corner of Ulysses and Watershed Rd at 11:50 am.
Corner of Colyton Rd and Watershed Rd at 11:55 am (second sprint).
Hiwinui School at 12 noon.
Ashhurst at 12:10 pm.
Start of River Path at 12:15 pm
End of Raukawa Rd at 12:25 pm
Finish at 12:40 pm
