Stadium Southland closed

Stadium Southland is closed as required under current Covid-19 restrictions. That means you will not be able to access any bikes or equipment stored at the velodrome - swipe cards will not work.

Road season suspended

In consultation with the road race convenor, the decision has been made to abandon the rest of the Cycling Southland Summer Road season, including Wednesday Worlds. The three races that were still scheduled to take place, including the Outdoor H&J Smith Southland Road and Time Trial Championships, will be rescheduled to take place in the new racing season.
In the current climate, limiting the potential exposure of our members, volunteers, and staff is of utmost importance, and in the constantly changing environment abandoning the rest of the season is not only the best option for our members, but also for the sponsors of the remaining three races, Kennedy Building, Outdoor H&J Smith, and Dominator, and we thank them for their understanding.

Zwift racing

Given the absence of road racing, club members have set out to organise some Zwift racing instead - keep an eye on the Cycling Southland Facebook page for updates! Join us for a virtual Monday Night Racing along with our friends from Cyclng Otago, this Monday from 6pm. There will be three grades, A, B, and C, with entry through Webscorer, closing 2pm Monday afternoon.
We will also be hosting a virtual Wednesday Worlds, again with Cycling Otago, 6:30pm on Wednesday, with A, B, and C grade. Entry through Webscorer, closing 2pm Wednesday afternoon.

• 6 April - Zwift - Monday Night Racing - 6pm - enter here
• 8 April - Zwift - Wednesday Worlds - 6:30pm-7:15pm

Covid-19

All Cycling Southland events have been suspended under Level 4 restrictions. We will reasses the timing of our events as and and restriction are lifted or updated.
We expect that our members will exercise caution and vigilance in line with Government regulations and Ministry of Health guidelines.

Message from our local police (which includes quite a couple of our active cycling community) around exercise and vehicle use:

"Please find below clarification on the directives/expectations relating to use of motor vehicles to access areas for recreation purposes. 
Travel to such places has been deemed NOT to fit within the definition of ”essential” travel.
Although it is desirable for our community to maintain a healthy lifestyle and exercise during this period it may be counter productive to the intent of the lockdown. Therefore it is directed that exercise be only undertaken within short range of home, by walking or biking directly from there.
There has been much discussion and confusion about such travel since the lockdown commenced and people have been identified as “stretching” the rules to suit their own ends, this needs to stop now.
We’re all in this together, together we’ll get through."

Cycling New Zealand has provided some useful guidelines on cycling during Level 4 restrictions - we have reproduced these below:

Message from Cycling New Zealand around riding in public - keeping everyone healthy and safe 

With all the uncertainty around at the moment, we recognise for everyone it is vital to look after their physical and mental health.  It’s important to look after yourself as well as family, friends and the rest of the community. We know as a cyclist, going for a ride is one of the most important things we do to reduce stress.    

However, this pandemic is bigger than sport and bigger than cycling and so whatever you choose to do, please know that Cycling New Zealand absolutely stand by following the Ministry of Health Guidelines found here at  https://covid19.govt.nz 

Their guidelines are updated regularly and will provide you with the most correct and relevant information around what you can do to keep physically active whilst keeping you and your loved ones safe and healthy.

Alert Level 4 means we must severely limit travel, with driving only permitted for essential travel such as getting food or medicine from your local area. The best way to reduce the risk of exposure to yourself and others is to stay at home.   However, we do realise that people will want to get out and exercise.

If you do go out, please limit yourself to short walks or rides, following the government’s recommended hygiene guidelines.  Here are some tips to help you protect yourself and others in the current environment

• If you can, ride indoors on a trainer or exercycle
• If outdoors, ride solo or in your family bubble.
• Ride from home.  Don’t drive and then ride.
• Don’t ride if you or your family are unwell!
• Ride short and local so that you do not increase the pressure on the emergency services if something goes wrong. This means no long-distance or epic rides away from your region or extreme riding.
• Tell people where you are going and how long you will be.
• Ride sensibly and safely to avoid accidents and putting unnecessary pressure on medical services or expose yourself to the heightened risk of infection
• If you see other cyclists just wave from a distance and do not break your bubble
• Pretend you have COVID-19 (PMs words)
• Avoid touching any surfaces that could be contaminated such as gates, handrails, fences, benches and picnic tables. The virus can remain on surfaces for three days.
• Avoid using public toilets. Go before you ride.
• Don’t touch your face while you’re riding. Wash your hands, disinfect your handlebars and clean your bike when you get home.

In essence, be calm, be kind and patient.   Show the community you care and as cyclist let’s all try to create and maintain a really responsible and positive profile for the sport of cycling during this time so we don’t lose the ability to get out and stay active.

Jacques Landry

CEO

Cycling New Zealand  

National cycling events

Cycling New Zealand have set up a page on their website that covers information on the current situation and the status of any scheduled Cycling New Zealand events. This is being updated regularly and we encourage you to visit this site for further information here

ILT Stadium Southland and SIT Zero Fees Velodrome

ILT Stadium Southland and the SIT Zero Fees Velodrome is closed as required under Level 4 restrictions.