19 May 2010
It is just fantastic to have record entries for this year’s Harrex Group Corporate Pursuit, and we are investing lots of time and effort to make this year’s event the best ever!
Some key new initiatives;
1. Allowing 34 teams!
2. Getting Christchurch based (owned by ex Southlander John McKenzie) media and events company enthuse on board to raise the events profile and add some exciting elements to race day atmosphere.
3. Opportunity to get your own branded cycle tops done by Blox.
4. Event pages on social networking sites Facebook and Youtube.
5. Weekly column in the Southland Times.
6. A bike valued at $1,200 can be won from Wensley Cycles this year – watch the Southland Times next month for details.
7. Increased signage around the city profiling the event, including the billboard on the north western corner of H & J Smiths – thanks John Green, who is very supportive of the event!
8. Better event programmes, and lots more...
In previous years a maximum of 32 teams could enter the event but we have increased the field by two to allow for the extra interest this year which emphasizes the calibre of the event and its popularity amongst the Southland business community.
There are a large number of businesses who are returning after racing in previous years with some businesses, including the New Zealand Fire Brigade and Fonterra, who have entered more than one team.
Nineteen businesses entered are returning for at least their second attempt and there are a large number of businesses who have competed in all three previous editions of the event, including Konica Minolta, Preston Russell Law and the HW Richardson Group.
New entries include the Southland Times, Invercargill Licensing Trust, SEC Engineering and South Port.
We know the town is buzzing about the potential battles on the ILT velodrome and we encourage you to check out the facebook site and share some training stories, images and maybe give some other teams something to think about as June approaches!
Sponsors
Without fantastic support from our sponsors this event would just not exist. We encourage you to support where possible;
• Harrex Group
• Media partners The Southland Times and Mediaworks/MORE FM
• Konica Minolta
• Wensley Cycles
• Cycle Surgery
• Vital Signs
Some of our sponsors will be offering all those entered in the event some special deals on their products and services in future newsletters, so stay tuned...
Event Info
Team training times and the Time Trial grading night start list are posted on Cycling Southland’s Harrex Group Corporate Pursuit website pages. There is also lots of other good event information here as well as news and photos from previous years.
Social Media
We really encourage you to log onto the facebook and Youtube event websites, post some comments and images! Have some fun on these sites.
Your own branded Cycle gear
Blox is on board offering quality New Zealand made Cycling Apparel designed by cyclists for cyclists who appreciate the need for performance clothing that’s comfortable as well as looks good. This is the chance to look good in your own company colours on race day. Orders need to be in by Thursday this week – that’s the 20th! Your team representative will have been sent the info!
Training tips
In the second Southland Times column we outlined some key points about training and nutrition, in case you missed it here’s some of the key points.
• Clothing; Wear fitting shorts, top and or leg warmers, gym shoes and wear a helmet that fits well and is fitted correctly, and the blokes should think about shaving their legs!! (We said think about it... for now..)
• Drink: Have your own drink bottle with water or an electrolyte (sports drink) solution.
• Eat: Try to eat high energy food with some protein (meat, fish, chicken, red meat) like rice, pasta, wholemeal bread or potatoes about two hours prior to riding. Avoid eating a large amount just prior to training. Have something to eat straight after your training session – jet planes, a banana or recovery sports drink are good ideas. (maybe a beer if you think you’ve earned it)
• Make sure you ride a bike that fits your body size. Your coach should advise you on this. Have your bike seat height checked and tyres pumped up to the correct tyre pressure.
• Warm up by riding on the grey zone and progress to the blue zone before going onto the track on the back straight.
• Remember you will be riding a fixed wheel bike – so never stop pedalling! Your legs will continue to go round when you have stopped applying pressure. You will need to relax and wait for the bike to eventually slow down while your legs continue to go round. It’s not a pretty thing to fly over the handle bars after a sprint because you’ve stopped pedalling... you’ll probably only do this once!
• Once on the track keep a steady line parallel to the marked lines so as riders who are overtaking can do so knowing that you are going to stay on the line to which you have committed. Don’t make any sudden changes of speed or direction.
• If you are in a line of riders look forward of the front wheel of the rider you are following. This will ensure you are able to anticipate any slowing in the pace line and adjust the pressure on your pedals.
• Training off the track. If you own a road or Mountain bike you should try to get out on this a couple of times during the week. Ride for half an hour at least. You should try to spin at a high speed (cadence) for 5 minute intervals with rest between, as everyone in the Harrex Group Corporate Pursuit are riding the same gearing, the team that is able to spin the fastest has the best opportunity to win.
Key dates
• Every Monday – Southland Times Harrex Corporate Pursuit column
• Thursday 20 May – cycle clothing orders
• Friday 18 June – grading time trials
• Sunday 27 June – finals day
Some important quotes
Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever. Lance Armstrong
Ride lots. Eddy Merckx
Life is like riding a bicycle - in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving. Albert Einstein
I want to ride my bicycle, bicycle, bicycle; I want to ride my bicycle; I want to ride my bike; I want to ride my bicycle; I want to ride it where I like...; All I wanna do is bicycle, bicycle, bicycle... Freddie Mercury
That’s it for now, hope you look at the clothing tops, get stuck into your training, check out our sponsors and support them where you can, log into Facebook and Youtube and have a look and if you’re out on the road on your bike, be safe be seen.
Ride safe
The ‘Crew’ |
