Welcome to this week’s edition of On Your Bike, Cycling Southland’s weekly newsletter.
Congratulations to all our cyclists who competed in the Vantage Age Group Track National Championships.
Southland performed exceptionally well, claiming 48 medals with 15 gold medals, 19 silver medals, and 14 bronze medals. The number of Southland riders making it through to finals and medal ride offs was equally impressive, showing great depth and loads of determination and smart riding.
Some of the highlights included four gold medals for Erin Criglington (including gold in the team sprint with Ruth Whelan), three gold medals for Leanne Dalley, three gold medals Ruth Whelan (including gold in the team sprint with Erin Criglington), two gold medals for James Jubb, two gold medals for Caitlin Kelly, a gold medal and national record for Neil Familton, and a gold medal for Ciara Kelly and Jaz McLeod in the Madison.
A big thank you to Southland team manager Nichole Saunders (and her fastidiously neat writing on the whiteboard), all the coaches and handlers, the officials, and our invaluable volunteers – the event would not have been possible without you!
Stonewood Homes Gore to Invercargill
The Stonewood Homes Gore to Invercargill classic takes place on Saturday 14 March. It is New Zealand’s longest running club classic, with a list of winners reading like a who’s who of New Zealand cycling over the years. As a handicap race, everyone has a shot at crossing the line first, and of course there is the not insubstantial matter of $500 for the winner, and $500 for the fastest time, with the potential of a $1000 payday should a rider from the scratch group end up winning the day!
As the main race is only for U19 riders and up, there is also a shorter race for U17, U15, and U13 riders – the usual gear restrictions apply and there will be a rollout at registration.
More information here, and enter here before lunchtime on Friday.
New Club kit
Have you seen the new club kit out on the road and track? Envious much? There has been enough interest to open up a new order for club kit (the dark blue and green kit, not the Cycling Southland kit you wear for nationals) – just click here to place your order. Orders close 11 March, with delivery scheduled for around 8 May.
We also have a brand new L club jersey (short sleeve) at the office that was an incorrect size on the previous order, so if anyone is interested, contact [email protected]
Also visit the Road & Track Cycling Southland Facebook page as there are a couple of other cyclists who have incorrect sizes they would like to sell.
Track schedule
The track schedule on the website is updated every Monday (with the occasional tweak as required during the week) – keep in contact with your squad coaches as to when training will resume post nationals, and check back regularly for updates. Please note that Rockets will not take place today, and no Lunch roll on Friday either.
Ride with Tim Gudsell fundraiser
Reece Mcdonald is hosting a training ride and coffee with Tim Gudsell (former Grand Tour rider and Oceania track gold medallist) on Tuesday 17 March. The training ride will depart from the SIT Zero Fees Velodrome at 5:30pm, and finish at the Auction House around 7:00pm, where Gudsell will be speaking. The event will serve as a fundraiser for the Westpac Chopper Appeal, so participating riders are asked to contribute $5 towards the fundraising effort.
Wednesday Worlds
Wednesday Worlds will (weather permitting) take place Wednesday, with sign in at Tisbury Hall from 6pm for a 6:30pm start.
Last week’s results:
A grade – M Zenovich, H Gough, N Ungerer
B grade – D McCormick, R Akeroyd, E Patterson
C grade – A Costa, D Haggerty, W McEwan
D grade – J Hogan, S Henderson
Office closure
The Cycling Southland office will be closed next week Monday and Tuesday (16 to 17 March) to allow the office staff time to reacquaint themselves with their homes after a couple of big weekends of racing.
Peter Grandiek fundraising ride
Local cycling legend Peter Grandiek is planning another of his epic fundraising rides on Friday 3 April. He will be raising funds for St John – read more about it and donate here.
Peter is also keen on having some company on his ride, so if anyone is keen on joining him, please let Peter or the Cycling Southland office know, and we will pass the information along.
Southland TT and Road Championships
The Southland time trial and road race championships will take place from 28 to 29 March – enter for the TT here and the road race here.
Eddie Dawkins’ training guide
Eddie Dawkins has produced a training manual for track sprint workouts on an indoor trainer – great for when you cannot get to track for a while and have to find an alternative to keep yourself going. Contact the man himself here for more information.
Licence Renewals for 2020
As we are now in 2020, your 2019 Cycling New Zealand licence is no longer valid, and you need to be licenced to be allowed to race. Licence renewals can be done online through the Cycling New Zealand website - click join or login. If you have any problems the team at Cycling NZ will be able to assist you or contact Janine in the Cycling Southland office.
Cyclofit volunteer
We are looking for someone to volunteer and help those attending Cyclofit on Fridays 9am – 10am and also as a backup for our current volunteer Peter as required, this could be on a Monday or Wednesday. If you are available to help on Friday’s on a regular basis or occasionally could you please contact Janine – [email protected] and let her know your availability.
Track bookings
Please ensure that all track bookings go through the office – email [email protected] to ensure that the track is available and can be booked through the stadium’s systems, as this is a health and safety requirement and also influences the timing of maintenance and cleaning of the track.
Age Group Road Nationals
The Vantage Age Group Road National Championships take place from 17 to 19 April in Waipukurau, with entries closing on 5 April.
Please let the office know if you are racing so we can keep an eye on how your racing is going, and remember to contact the office early should you need to rent a skinsuit.
Brendon McLeod and Nathan Shearing will act as managers for the Cycling Southland riders heading up.
And to close, just another big THANK YOU to everyone who helped make track nationals a success. Now out onto the roads – let’s hope the weather plays along over the next couple of weekends!