Just to let you know in case you haven't had a look at the calendar for this week we are holding the Essex Cup on Saturday.
 
Ian Gray has been out this morning and riden the course. He has informed me that the metal section of the road is in very good order so shouldn't cause any problems.
 
The Essex Cup is an open handicap race. Ian Gray along with Mark Waterland are doing the handicapping so you need to have your entries to me by Friday morning please.
 
There is $400 in prizemoney up for grabs.
Registration is from 1pm at Ashhurst.

The course is out to Pohangina Village, about 4 km past Pohangina the seal ends and you will race on unsealed road for approximately 6km. When you get back on to the seal you ride for about 1.5km before a right hand turn off Pohangina Valley West Rd to go to Totara Reserve. Head up the hill to Highland home where you again turn right and head back down Pohangina Valley East Rd to Raumai. Across the bridge left turn at intersection and straight back to Ashhurst. 47.5km

There is also a shorter race for those not wanting to tackle the big course. It will be out to Pohangina village and return. 

Also to hold a race like this we need helpers on the day. So if you can help please let me know. We  want someone to go and put some signs out. You will be told where to put them. 

We need someone to be race manager. Or an assistant to the race manager. As an assistant you will get a good insight in to what is involved. These roles are not performed by professional cyclists - no special skills are required - just common sense. The same applies to time keepers and starters. A timekeeper needs to conduct a prerace timing check. ie check that the stop watch is working. Then the timekeeper needs to give countdown to race start at 5 minute intervals. He/she will check the rider at the start, records the start time of each person or group and records the finish times.
 
Please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or phone me at home on 3289 862 on Friday morning before 9am if you want to enter or if you are able to help.