- Details
- Written by John van Lienen
When you see one of our own Bike Manawatu people reach the pinnacle of their sport we all feel a sense of pride. Olympian Track cyclist Simon van Velthoven otherwise known as "Rhino" has thrilled us made us proud for many years with his bold style of racing and success. But inside one year Simon has had to adapt to the elite sport of Americas Cup sailing and has been an integral part of the Emirates Team New Zealand's Challenge and winning success. From the Velodrome to the Ocean, Simon has proven himself a world class all round elite athlete, maybe even the Sonny Bill Williams of cycling. We congratulate Simon and salute his decision to help Emirates Team NZ which may have opened doors for future cyclists to the elite sport of Americas Cup Sailing.
"Tour de France" Buffett Breakfast and Ride.
When; Saturday and Sunday morning 15th and 16th of July
Where; Hotel Coachman (valued club Sponsors)
Time; 7am- 9am followed by
Club ride- 10.30am from Memorial Park.
Cost: $15 per head per morning.
Register your attendance: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For all club members, young and mature, Bike Manawatu have booked the comfort of the Hunterville room at Hotel Coachman for the purpose of club unity where we will be exclusively entertained to witness a re run of the final exciting two hours of the overnight hilly stages 14 and 15. These Professional Tour riders will definitely be in the hurt box.
Saturday 15th of July: Hilly Stage 14: Blagnac-Rodez (181 Km) 7am to 9am
Sunday 16th of July; Hilly Stage 15; Laissac- Severac-Le Puy-en Velay (189 Km)7am to 9am
After enjoying watching these gruelling “Tour de France" stages we will be ready to meet at Memorial park for a 10.30am start for a variety of group rides naturally with a coffee stop at the end to finish off a great morning together.
North Island Schools Road Championships
When: from 8th July
Where: Cambridge
The Manawatu schools organising committee lead by Mike Craine is an amazing group of dedicated people who are well supported by schools, coaches, parents and sponsors. Week after week they are organising training riders and weekend races that prepare our riders for national events. This school holiday in July our club will be represented by up to 100 or more riders and there supporters who will travel to Cambridge to race against all of the leading North Island Schools for the North Island Schools Road Championships. We have a proud tradition of producing top riders and our new wave of keen young cyclist we know will represent themselves, their schools, supporters and club the best they can.
This is where our current stars like Campbell Stewart, Robert Stannard, Michaela Drummond and others where were all born in this competitive schools racing environment. We wish them success. Check out results on Facebook Manawatu schools cycling.
Spoke 'N' Word. New Club Publication
This week the club’s newest publication is out. Spoke 'N' Word was introduced to the board by Tom and Catriona Pirie and a unanimous yes was given to produce a three-monthly hard copy booklet covering what our members have been up to on off the road. If you have any stories or news email them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Copies will be available at Happy Hour, at Sunday rides and at Schools Racing
Bike Manawatu Happy Hour
When; Friday 30th
Where; Lonestar
Time;5.30 pm onwards.
- Details
- Written by John van Lienen
Bike Manawatu's first and foremost priority is to promote cycling, rider safety and enjoyment for our members. We are a volunteer based organisation in one of the fastest growing sports on the planet. As kids we all learn how to ride a bike however nowadays more adults are returning to biking to immerse themselves into the sport primarily for health and wellbeing.
The power of any great club often comes down to the loyalty, unity and passion that all members have toward their club and fellow members. We would like to encourage leader riders and club members to continue to promote safe riding etiquette at all times. Many new and existing riders are unaware of what is required to ride safely in a group and the many hazards to be aware of. They would really appreciate your guidance to help them become a safer and better club rider.
Bike Manawatu has a proud history of producing New Zealand representatives and a high level of respect across New Zealand at schools, masters and elite cycling Manu of which we highlight in our weekly newsletter and Facebook. We value our close sporting association with Marist Sports Club and associated sporting codes with over 3000 registered members.
As a club, we will continually strive for unity within the club membership between all ages and are grateful to our devoted sponsors and supporters who help make over 300 events and social rides we run per year possible.
"Tour de France" Buffet Breakfast and Ride.
When; Saturday and Sunday morning 15th and 16th of July
Where; Hotel Coachman (valued club Sponsors)
Time; 7am- 9am followed by
Club ride- 10.30am from Memorial Park.
Cost: $15 per head per morning.
Register your attendance: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For all club members, young and mature Bike Manawatu have booked the comfort of the Hunterville room at Hotel Coachman for the purpose of club unity where we will be exclusively entertained to witness a re run of the final exciting two hours of the overnight hilly stages 14 and 15. These Professional Tour riders will definitely be in the hurt box.
Saturday 15th of July: Hilly Stage 14: Blagnac-Rodez (181 Km) 7am to 9am
Sunday 16th of July; Hilly Stage 15; Laissac- Severac-Le Puy-en Velay (189 Km)7am to 9am
After enjoying watching these gruelling “Tour de France" stages we will be ready to meet at Memorial park for a 10.30am start for a variety of group rides naturally with a coffee stop at the end to finish off a great morning together.
North Island Schools Road Championships
When:from 8th July
Where:Cambridge
The Manawatu schools organising committee lead by Mike Craine is an amazing group of dedicated people who are well supported by schools, coaches, parents and sponsors. Week after week they are organising training riders and weekend races that prepare our riders for national events. This school holiday in July our club will be represented by up to 100 or more riders and there supporters who will travel to Cambridge to race against all of the leading North Island Schools for the North Island Schools Road Championships. We have a proud tradition of producing top riders and our new wave of keen young cyclist we know will represent themselves, their schools, supporters and club the best they can.
This is where our current stars like Campbell Stewart, Robert Stannard, Michaela Drummond and others where were all born in this competitive schools racing environment. We wish the success.
Bike Manawatu Happy Hour
When; Friday 30th
Where; Lonestar
Time;5.30 pm onwards.
Note; the venue maybe changed. Watch for details next week.
- Details
- Written by John van Lienen
Last week club members Carne Groube and Joel Yates left to race in the USA for three months. What an experience for the boys who must be living the dream. They are based at a University in Pennsylvania and will be racing, road, track and criterium during the hot summer months in a variety of different locations. We wish Carne and Joel all the best in their development knowing they will benefit massively from the experience and return to NZ ready for a busy summer of racing.
Last weekend Colyton-Hiwinui Club Road Racing
Once again, the clubs newest initiative of uniting the club by combining both schools and masters riders to race together was highlighted by the 100 registered riders at last weekend’s club graded road race at Colyton. The weather was fresh but without wind and ideal for riding and the numbers of supporters also was encouraging. The short 18km one lap circuit was a great circuit for graded riders. The A grade completed three laps and the B to E grade either two or one laps of racing. It was exhilarating stuff and those masters riders who gave it a try loved it.To all masters riders keep an eye out on the clubs upcoming road race events and next time bring your riding group of buddies out and try it out.Its fun.
Results
A Grade 1)Adam Martin. 2)Aiden Jones 3) Ethan Craine
B Grade.1)Cam Jones. 2)Dra's Caldwell 3) Ewan Cousins
C Grade 1)Liam Ainsworth 2) Darcy Ainsworth 3) Finn Hannan
D Grade 1) Holly McInnes 2) Sam Wade 3) Dan Johnston
E Grade 1) Fergus Doolan 2)Tanika Whale 3) Wilson Hannan
Check out all results on Facebook-Manawatu Schools Cycling
Bike Manawatu Riders contest The Powerco Tour of Taranaki
Always a tough weekend of racing in the beautiful Taranaki and one many of our club riders enjoy competing in year after year. More than 150 cyclists peddled the 5 stages around the Taranaki region at Queen’s Birthday weekend taking in the beautiful scenery in Kaponga, Stratford, Te Wera, Inglewood, Hawera and New Plymouth.
Congratulations to the many Bike Manawatu cyclists who competed.
Check out all results online. Tour of Taranaki.
West Coast North Island Individual Time Trial Open
Where; Ohau Levin
When: Sunday 11th June
Time:9.30am onwards
Bike Manawatu riders will this weekend contest the exciting WCNI time trials at Ohau with high hopes of good results. We wish them all well.
- Details
- Written by John van Lienen
Most of NZ has been glued to watching the excitement of the Americas Cup in Bermuda. Spare a thought for our own Manawatu and NZ Olympian and elite Cyclist Simon van Velthoven who switched from track racing to be an Emirates Team New Zealand member to help win the Americas Cup. For Simon to experience boat racing at this elite level at its best and worst when our boat tipped over and he found himself hanging must be phenomenal. Simon is a committed Olympic athlete and his mental strength and discipline will be an asset to the team now that they are at the business end of the Americas Cup. Together with his fellow Olympian Team mates on the boat, these boys have what it takes to win Cup and bring it home.
From Sunday, the head to head battle between Emirates Team New Zealand and Oracle USA and there two brilliant helmsman Peter Burling and Jimmy Spittle is going to be thrilling non-stop action that will stop our nation. We wish another proud Manawatu's icon Simon van Velthoven all the best.
WCNI TT Results
Time trail racing is tough and last Sunday the West Coast North Island Time Trial champs were held in Ohau with a number of our club members from under 13 years through to masters and elite graded riders for medals.
We congratulate all members for their effort in representing the club and those that won medals
Under 15 Boys; Dra's Caldwell- Silver, Ben Irvine- Bronze
Under 17 Boys; Micheal Richmond-Gold
Under 19 Girls; Libby Arbuckle- Gold.
Under 19 Boys; Dylan Simpson- Gold
Masters3; Glenn Kirk-Gold
Masters5; Nigel Doyle-Gold
Elite; Mitchell Kinghorn.
Our Club Riders Overseas
If you are interested in following the progress of our overseas club riders on how they are tracking Facebook is often a great way to do that. We know that these young men and women are living the dream and appreciate the support of club members. They are doing themselves proud but won't forget where all the hard work started here riding in the Manawatu. Check out Robert Stannard, Alex West and Michaela Drummond who are competing currently in Europe and the States.
Robert Stannard is racing in the U23 Giro d'Italia as part of the Australian Mitchelton-Scott team and is sitting at 8th on general classification with one stage remaining as I write this and secured a well-deserved 3rd placing in stage 5a. A huge result in such a prestigious event.
Tour de France.
When: July 1st to July 23rd.
We are approaching the shortest day in NZ (21 June) and the Tour de France beginning on the 1st of July.If you are grinding away doing your winter base training or you have something else much more exciting you are aiming at on your bike, what better way to get your motivation up than tune into to all that is unfolding for the upcoming Tour de France.
The club will offer a venue for you to join together and watch the last two hours of some of the key stages in the race so watch out for details in next week’s Newsletter.
"Happy Hour"
When: Friday 30th of June
Where: Lonestar
Time: From 5.30pm
- Details
- Written by John van Lienen
All club members are invited to this clubs Sunday graded road races at Colyton. No matter how fit or fast you are one thing is for sure, you and your biking buddies will get hooked on these short club bike racing events. These are the kind of club events that will help your strength and fitness for other cycling challenges you have set yourself for the year.
Also the club have formed a committee looking to firm up more race events for our annual calendar with the help of more volunteers. For those spirited Sunday riders we encourage you to try out our club road races starting this long weekend.
When: Sunday 4th of June
Where: Colyton. Graded A to E to cater for all riders
Time; Registrations at 8.30am.
Note: Racing the safe 18km Hiwinui Circuit .
100 Bike Manawatu-Schools Riders Contest Club Road Race.
Last Sunday Bike Manawatu-Schools run a graded road racing morning at the tough Colyton circuit. Close to 100 A to E grade riders registered to again confirm the passion and depth the club has for road racing.
Colyton Road Racing Results.
We congratulate everyone who entered last Sunday's road racing and full race results can be found on Facebookmanawatyschoolscycling.
A Grade: 1. Joel Yates 2. Kyle Hoskins 3.Dylan Simpson
B Grade; 1.Aiden Jones 2.Ben Irvine 3. Sam Russell
C Grade; 1.Nathaniel Leaske 2. Liam Ainsworth 3.Darcy Ainsworth
D Grade; 1.Holly McInnes 2.Adam Wilson 3.Tyler Mumby
E Grade; 1 Josh Mulcahy 2.Wilson Nannon 3.Seth Cousins
Last Weeks Club Happy Hour
"Lonestar" as a Bike Manawatu sponsor has been a great place for members to hideaway as a group on the last Friday of every month and spend some social time together.
The warmth, atmosphere and hospitality of the Lonestar has been welcoming for which we thank them. The club Happy Hour was designed to help create a club culture amongst young and mature cyclists versus the contrast of a cold club rooms. The concept seems to be catching on for a small number of members who are regulars. We would love to see more of the many great characters we have in our club as we build the culture of uniting together to become a great club.
Club Secretary Role-Applications Closing.
Since Christine Christie stepped down as club secretary recently the Bike Manawatu board appropriately employed a third party to manage the task of employing a new Club secretary. Recruitment agency "Adecco" have been advertising the role on seek and various other avenues and will soon be closing off their applications. For those who have applied or are considering forwarding an application we wish you well.
To Catriona and Tom Pirie who have taken the role on in the interim, the board would like to acknowledge the commitment and excellent job Catriona and Tom are doing.
Tour de France coming up.
When: July 1st to July 23rd.
If you are grinding away doing your winter base training or you have something else much more exciting you are aiming at on your bike, what better way to get your motivation up than tune into to all that is unfolding for the upcoming Tour de France.
Dylan Simpson Fundraiser
Fundraising is well underway for Dylan who is trying to raise money for his upcoming trip to represent New Zealand at the Commonwealth Youth Games.
If you want to support him he is putting on a night at Palmerston North golf club open to all members and their friends. Live music, dancing and an Auction. A night out for a club member.
When; Sat 24th June
Where: Palmerston North Golf Club
Time;From 7pm til late.
$30 for a single ticket $50 for a double ticket.
Call 0275058460 for your ticket.