Hi everyone for another week and it is certainly great to be back in the office and catching up with everyone again. It is also great to see there is still much happening and another busy month or so is looming with the Yunca Junior Tour – along with the Junior Track Carnival and Secondary Schools Track Champs - and 60th Anniversary SBS Bank Tour of Southland – get entries in and organised now!
Change of date for Southland Track Champs
A clash with the Oceania Champs in Australia this year have led to a change in dates for our track champs. It’s not an ideal situation, but the Oceanias are much later than usual, possibly because the Gold Coast track is yet to be completed as planned.
We can’t host it the previous week because of a clash with a tennis tournament, so it will now be held November 25-27. This will give Oceania-bound riders two weeks to prepare afterwards.
There has been some discussion that our champs are too early, and that’s possibly correct, but the coaches agree the earlier it’s held, the earlier squads are selected and the earlier they can begin preparing for Track Nats and the team events.
Because of our schedule, the only other time available is in late Jan/early Feb, which only leaves a month to prepare for Age Groups. And we’re hosting the Elites in early February which creates its own obvious headaches.
Training centre
I can finally confirm that through constructive discussions with Jason from Academy Southland and Nigel from the Stadium, the stadium board has agreed to the training centre being put on Court 8, which is at the stairs end of the velodrome, not the ramp end. It was recognised what impact having it at the other end would have on our operations, so they’ve worked to find a solution that works well for us.
Nigel and Jason also spoke at the Cycling Southland executive meeting last night to bring them up to speed with developments and how things are progressing.
It’s likely work will start on the court in the first week of December, with construction of the upstairs office space possibly beginning in October/November.
Club meeting on training centre
Now there’s more information available about the training centre, put aside Monday at 5.45pm in your diary for a club meeting. Jason and Nigel will attend to provide details on the project and its positive impact for sport and cycling in Southland. It’s in the Sarah Ulmer Lounge on Monday from 5.45pm-7pm.
Signing in
All riders must sign in at the start of any session on the track. Spot checks will be carried out and if it’s found you haven’t signed in, then you’ll be asked to leave. Too many riders aren’t signing in correctly – this is a requirement for all activity on the track.
Concession cards
All concession cards for are to be kept in the office. This is to enable us to compile an accurate report on concession card sale and usage so we can explore a digital system. It will also enable us to better reconcile our track bookings and usage with concession cards.
If you currently have a concession card in your wallet, please make sure it has your name on it and leave it in the folder or drop it in to the office.
All riders must fill out their full name – that’s first and last name! – on the form at each session and indicate how you are paying for the session. We will tick off your concession card and notify you when it runs out.
New members
We’re regularly welcoming new members to the club. It would be great if we can make these riders feel as welcome as possible and encourage more people into the sport. It can be a bit daunting turning up to an event for the first time, so if you see a new face, please encourage and help them learn the ropes.
They might not know what they’re doing all of the time – so some support and encouragement will help them get up to speed quickly.
Mark Hotton
General Manager
Tour of Southland Bluff Hill Charity Ride
Cyclists wanting to emulate their heroes will have the chance to race on a section of the 60th Anniversary SBS Bank Tour of Southland this year. Members of the public are being challenged to take part in the BDO Bluff Hill charity ride, a 7km journey starting at the Stirling Point signpost in Bluff, through the seaside town and finishing on the summit of Bluff Hill. The bonus is all proceeds raised will be donated to Ronald McDonald House. View the details here and get your entry in now
2017 Calendar
Looking to the future we are wanting to align our road and track cycling events to sit more neatly in our operational framework, accordingly some changes are proposed for 2017. View the calendar and reasoning here
Please contact the office 219 9325 with any queries/concerns.
Saturday Road Racing
On 17 September is the Waianiwa Graded Race starting 1.30pm. Register online here
Please share this information with anyone you think might be interested, especially potential newcomers to the sport. It would be appreciated if newcomers do turn up, that they’re made to feel welcomed by more experienced members of and shown the ropes. We want to boost rider numbers but it relies on everyone helping new riders feel welcome. Assembly and prize giving Waianiwa School.
A, B & C – 46km main loop
Social – 30km (3 laps of mini loop Lincoln Road block)
Junior – 20km (2 laps of mini loop)
Results of Makarewa-Winton
Friday Night Racing
We are running programme 1 this week 6-9pm so come down and be ready to race at 6pm. Results from last week’s racing are here.
It would be great to see some more senior and master riders attending as this is a great way to practise the skills you are learning in your squads.
Teretonga Training
With the Yunca Tour of Southland looming large – Enter online here now! we’ve arranged some road training sessions at Teretonga for junior riders – just $5 per session. This is a great opportunity for junior riders to practise road cycling without the hazards of cars. They’re on at 4pm on Tuesdays – September 6, 13, 20 and 27.
Junior Division Meeting Minutes
Click here to view the minutes from the meeting held August 30.
Baxter & Neilson
Series 4 of Baxter & Neilson will be held on Saturday 10 September
Club Fun Fests
Keen to improve your track racing skills then why not come along to our club fun fests.
Under 17-19 Gym Circuits
Gym circuits started back up today at World Health & Fitness Gym. Every Tuesday morning at 7.05am (50-60min duration) until Southland Track Champs. Cost is $60 or free for gym members.
Finally, Piet Bulling hit the headlines recently as he begins the next journey towards the Tokyo games in 2020. Good luck everyone, we know Southland will again be well represented in the future of International cycling!