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Written by John van Lienen

Created: 15 September 2016

Well done to Austin Smith and his team for running yet again another fantastic BM Feilding Festival of cycling event.This is a proud iconic and historic Bike Manawatu event and the weather this year was absolutely breathtaking for the riders and their supporters. The Joe Allen Classic has been won by some of the best cyclist in New Zealand over the years.This years winner was Bike Manawatu and NZ Cycling rising star Robert Stannard who raced the brutal 85km Apiti course and back in record time 2.01.31 closely followed behind by Joel Yates in 2.01.33 and Glenn Haden 2.07.31.  Check out all results online.
The enjoyment and most probably the relief of riding and completing what ever distance you ride to the best of your ability is what most recreational riders take away from an event and one such group were the overall teams winners Team International Allstars lead by Tom Pirie,Chris Hall, Peter Turner,Brad Johnson,Mathew Schipper,John Edwards.

Well done to everyone who rode.

Club Spirit and Culture

The support and rider numbers for the events Bike Manawatu advertise and hold for our members is an important part of what the club offers its members throughout the four seasons of a year.  To socially catchup before the ride, chat during the ride and then share your ride experience with an element of banter and humour is what club spirit is all about and something I think many of our riders love. Your support is appreciated and we will continually ask you to encourage all cycling enthusiasts to join the club and ride our events.  For the bigger calendar events it does cost money, time and event management organisation but we hope this is offset by the enjoyment of our Bike Manawatu club memberships riding and spending more time together and building friendships.

Upcoming Events to Watch.

This weekend; Trust House Cycling Series starts in the Wairarapa; I wish good luck to our two local teams BikeBox lead by Sam Gardner and Bike Manawatu lead by Lee Yates.  Fit talented local riders competing is a respected race series.

North Island Secondary Schools Cycling Nationals 24th to 26th of September.
24th: Koputorua Levin Teams time trials. 25th: Hiwinui Palmerston North Road Race. 26th; Manfeild Points racing.
If you have never witnessed racing at is best this is a must to take some time out to watch.
Every year Accommodation is pre booked out in Palmerston North by the leading schools across NZ the year before. The town is a buzz of cycling mad people and our local schools are some of the best riders in NZ.

Congratulation to UCI Gran Fondo riders

Congratulations to Mike Thompson and Toshi Yamauchi who competed in the Cycling Amateur World Champs - Road Race - in Perth earlier this month.

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Written by John van Lienen

Created: 02 September 2016

65 Attend "BM Happy Hour" at Lonestar

New Sponsors Craig and Tracy Smith of the Lonestar and their staff treated 65 Bike Manawatu members with great hospitality last Friday night at our monthly "BM Happy Hour".
A cosy venue and a group of keen and enthusiastic cycling people enjoying a night celebrating International Success amongst our BM talent.
Our 5.30pm to 7pm "Happy Hour" has been well supported and we would love to see those members who haven't yet joined us to come along for our next "BM Happy Hour" the last Friday the 30th of September at Lonestar.  All are welcome.

BM Feilding Festival of Cycling-11th of September.

As always Austin Smith and his BM committee have done a great job and are ready to stage yet another one of our most popular community events. If you are up to enter riding 50 or 100km this is a fantastic event to start your spring and summer riding.

Find out more at www.feildingfestivalofcycling.co.nz

BM Winter Race Series

The wind last Saturday did deter a few cycling enthusiasm from racing the Halcombe circuit but those hardy cyclist who raced have shared some fantastic stories.The Winter Series is well organised by John Arbuckle and Mike Groube so be sure to support great Club events like this to have some fun and improve your cycling.

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Written by John van Lienen

Created: 09 September 2016

BM Feilding Festival of Cycling-This Sunday.

This Sunday get your bike and yourself across to Feilding for the popular annual Feilding Festival of Cycling rides followed by a fun lunch together and our prize giving. Four fantastic rides cater for all cycling people wanting to ride either the recreational 20k,50k,90k rides or for the serious riders the Joe Allan classic,85k to Apiti and back.  At only $10 or $20 for the recreational rides this is something every rider no matter what level should say "Yes" too.
Registrations start from 7.15am but no later than 30 minutes before your ride at Timona Park.Simon street off Kimbolton road.
Start times are:1)8.30am Joe Allen Classic 85k,2) 9.30am Morgans Property Advisors 90k 3) 10.30am Property Brokers 50k 4) 10am Bulls Medical Centre 20k.
Full details at www.feildingfestivalofcycling.co.nz    See you there.

BM Winter Series.

Last Saturday I congratulate a variety of different ages and levels of 23 Bike Manawatu Riders challenge there own abilities in stage 3 of "BM Winter Series" held in the picturesque Pohingina valley.  Our region is a stunning place to ride and this two lap 25k circuit definitely challenges people of equally ability who like to ride together.  The young guys and girls battling to win there respective duals and the masters men and women keen to do well also.  Check out the results and well done to all who competed.
We would like to improve on the numbers of masters riders for these events and invite all masters riders to consider getting your riding groups together and joining us for the next stage of our BM Winter Series on the 2nd of October.
As the weather improves Check out all up coming events and details on the BM website, newsletter or Facebook. Cycling can only help your fitness and it's fun meeting lots of different people in the process.

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Written by John van Lienen

Created: 25 August 2016

Racing; BM Winter Series THIS Saturday.

This Saturday starting at 1pm in Halcombe just out of Feilding( a great circuit by the way) the "Bike Manawatu Winter Series" continues.The weather is on the improve and for those who are training what a great way to step up your riding. The course is fun, challenging and safe all at the same time.So give it a go and enjoy the outing.

Racing; The Trust House Cycling Series

Two local teams have put a team together and entered in The Trust House Cycling Series in Masterton which is the fantastic five race team series to be held in September.
New to the Manawatu and of great value both on and off the bike for his international cycling credentials, Sam Gardner has entered the BikeBox Rentals Team made up of some great Manawatu talent who will represent the region well. Well done Sam. Also Lee Yates and John Stewart have entered a Bike Manawatu team of masters riders who are bound to be fearlessly competitive.
Some of these riders will be riding the "BM Winter Series" as training this Saturday at 1pm in Halcombe,so be sure to get along.

Mayor Welcomes BM Wednesday Cyclist Group

Manawatu District Council Mayor Margaret Kouvelis called into to Coffee On The Square in Feilding to say hi and welcome Bike Manawatu's Wednesday Cyclist Group. Margaret is a keen supporter of cycling in the region and it was really nice of her to make a fuss of this long standing group who each Wednesday morning do a 90km ride and stop off for a coffee in Feilding along the way.

Cycling Road Rage

As cyclist we can't be naive to the fact some drivers are frustrated by cyclist taking up their road.  It's another reason we continue to promote good cycling etiquette to minimise risk. However horror stories are all to frequent between vehicles and bikes which is not good for anyone.  One such story this year involved a group of experienced local cyclist returning to the city from a long weekend ride who encountered a deliberate and dangerous road rage incident, followed by road violence. Fortunately our riders are ok.
The key is taking the offending persons number plate and reporting the incident to the police.  This case has appeared in court and we are awaiting the outcome. Just another reminder to keep everyone safe.