Saturday morning saw the riders leave Riverton cemetary in calm mild conditions on a testing course through Otautau, Scotts Gap and Pukemaori to Tuatapere.

Chilly conditions may have deterred some riders – or it may have been the two stage race from the day before taking its toll.

The key to writing a good column is to make sure I capture you, the reader’s, attention in the first paragraph. I’m taking my life in my hands by this week focusing on the key task facing Cycling Southland over coming weeks – strategic planning.