Hi everyone,
And apologies in advance – this is another “War and Peace” edition in length!! But there is much to talk about, so on with it …
Waitangi Day – Closed Thursday
A reminder that this facility is shut for Waitangi Day this Thursday so no sessions as all sorry.
Coaching Forum – Tonight 6-7pm – Sarah Ulmer Lounge
There is a quick power hour tonight for coaches / anyone interested in coaching, and we’d love to see you there.
Topics we will cover including speed work, ‘walking the line’ (calling for pursuits), and Training Peaks. Racing kicks off at 7pm, so we’re definitely stuck with just an hour!
On track Coaching Keirin Festival
Get in quick there are only a few spots left for On Track Coaching’s Stu MacDonald’s Keirin Fest for riders, aged U17 and older. Please not that due to a Stadium booking on the courts now being advised that this event will now run from 4-8pm on Sunday 16 February. This will be more great build up for Track Nationals so read all about it and download a registration form here and get it in to the office quick smart
House Keeping
As we kick off another exciting big year on the track and road, there are just a few reminders we would appreciate help with.
Rollers & Rubbish at Track – Please ensure you remove rollers from the grey and tuck back inside the cycling storage area tidily when finished using – they are constantly having to be put away before morning Cyclofit sessions, which happen three times a week – so lend a hand and put them back out of the way. This goes for rubbish, food wrappings etc too which belongs in the rubbish bins – not on the ground!
Track sessions – names in folders – If you are at an unsupervised regular track roll, such as Presidents Convoy etc – the folder will be stored in the perspex holder on the rail at the top of the tunnel (bike rack side). Please ensure all riders names attending the session are recorded and the method of payment i.e. cash/concession card and whether this is stored in the office or in another folder.
Bikes in Tunnel – The number of bikes padlocked to the tunnel rail is starting to build again and just a little word of warning that there are still events being held in the Velodrome – with two over the coming two weekend – along with forklifts and vehicles travelling in and out. Damage to your bike is at your risk and we will definitely need these moved out or put under the track a week or so before the Track Nationals. There is room again under the track if you wish to keep your bike on site for sessions. You just need to ensure access to the Lock Up room will be available for when you are here. Contact the office with any queries you have.
Membership/licencing – All 2014 memberships and licencing are now ready for renewal and a reminder that you must be a licenced member to ride regular track and/or road racing. Just ask Melissa [email protected] if you have any queries or download forms and get into me at the office.
Age Group Track Nationals 5-9 March
If anyone is still able to assist with any sessions from 6.30pm on Wednesday 5 March and then 10am and 6.30pm daily until Sunday 9 March, please let Melissa [email protected] know – all help is greatly appreciated.
Saturday Racing
The always popular Donovan Points Race was a big hit to kick off the Summer Racing season on the road again last Saturday – with some terrific results Read more here
This weekend is the Waianiwa Graded Circuit – so get you entries in by Friday please
Wheelers & Flyers Restarts this week
Our much-awaited Wheelers and Flyers – beginner and intermediate student sessionskick off again tomorrow Wednesday and Friday for this term. Spread the word!
Well done Junior Division Fundraisers!
Just a note to say a big well done to the hard working Junior Committee who have been tirelessly fundraising over recent months to head to Cambridge and Te Awamutu in May. A sterling effort was put in by a team the other weekend to sort recycling (and a lot of stuff not fit to know about let along recycle) resulting in a tidy $2000 donation from Southland Disability Enterprises – now that was certainly well deserved earnings hearing – especially after hearing about all the stories!! Keep up the great work everyone.
Bike Wise Month
February is “Bike Wise” Month, which is New Zealand’s national programme of activities which promotes cycling as a fun, healthy and safe way to travel. This basic idea is to get more people on their bikes and improve bike safety – great stuff!
We are definitely keen to do our bit to help promote our awesome sport, and we have a number of school visits coming up in February, which will be “Bike Wise” visits. Our February Cyclo-Fit sessions and also Wheelers and Flyers (beginner / intermediate kids sessions) will become “Bike-Wise Cyclofit” sessions.
This Saturday (8th February), starting from 10am at Zookeepers, there is going to be a Bike Wise Coffee Ride for anyone who is keen to join in a fun, casual, social get together on our bikes (you can’t go wrong!). We will meet for a coffee and then go for a tootle on our bikes, probably stopping for another coffee somewhere at the end! Ride any bike you like (town cruisers, fixies, mountain bikes, road bikes) and wear what-ever you like (even don a dress if you feel so inclined!). It’s a great way to just celebrate the simple pleasure of riding your bike for transport and as a social activity – would love to see some of our members there!!
Bike Wise month also includes some other cool activities / competitions run by Venture Southland and the Invercargill Environment Centre. Check out the bike wise website for more details on these events.
Calling all sleuths - more history to solve
Memorabilia Master Julian is on the hunt for some more names and their centres for the U19 Road Champs Click here to see if you can help Let me know [email protected] if you have any answers.
2014 Alpine Classic
This is on March 15 so check out all information here
So if that’s enough for this week – we’ll leave it there.
Remember to always feel free to ask if you have any queries
Enjoy this great weather – there’s more to come yet!
Bye for now