Good chilly Tuesday for another week!
This Friday officially marks the kick off of the 2018 Architecture Unlimited Corporate Pursuit, when teams will be involved in the Time Trial from 6pm this Friday 22 June. Check out the draw and make sure you head down and cheer them on – entry is free.
The race day is Sunday 1 July and we will have 13 teams competing on the day. Good luck to you all for your Time Trials and training push over the coming couple of weeks – good luck.
Flyers Early Finish
This Friday night, Flyers will finish at 5.45pm to allow for the first five Corporate Pursuit teams to warm up before their Time Trial efforts. Please ensure you pick the kids up a little early – or even better – stay an extra hour and cheer on our Corporate Pursuit teams.
Road Racing
Final tweaks have been made on the next road racing calendar, which launches next Saturday 30 June, with a 1.30pm mass race start on the Rimu circuit. Mark your calendars now and view the full season of racing
Schools Racing
The schools road racing season continues again this Sunday on the Rimu circuit from Rimu School at 11.30am. This is for students interested in road cycling no matter what your skill level is. Cost just $2 per week and racing includes individual time trials, team time trials, school team relays and road races. The series culminates in the Cycling New Zealand South Island School Road Champs being held in Timaru on 7 and 8 July.
Under 19 Track Squad
This kicks off under the guidance of Brendan Akeroyd on Tuesday 3 July from 6-7pm, so mark it in your diaries now.
Junior Road Camp
This year’s popular camp dates have been set for the next school holiday break – just two and a half weeks away - and will be held at Borland Lodge Camp from Wednesday 18 to Friday 20 July. Check out the details
Track Timing System
A big thanks to Danielle who has spent hours sitting the velodrome in some chilly temperatures working through the installation of the new track timing system, and ironing out the bugs. It’s a cool new system – check out the new clock on the big screen – that will hopefully make life easier at the timing desk. It does need to be live-trialled to work through any kinks but it’s all installed on new computers to help with the processing and ready to go. A big thanks to the ILT Foundation for their support of the project.
New Bikes|
Another large project that has been worked on in the background for the past 13 months or so is the replacement of some of the old blue track bikes. You’ll recall we ran a club raffle last year to raise some of the money required and we also had great support from the ICC’s Invercargill Active Communities Scheme to help pay for the bikes, obtained at a low cost from the Avantidrome. We also had awesome support from Brendan McLeod at NZ Van Lines in getting them down here too – thanks for that!
The bikes are now out for use and look great. The old bikes will be given a check over to see the state of them before any decision is made on their future.
Velodrome Signage
Cycling Southland has taken over from the Stadium the management of the signage in the velodrome and the sponsorship committee has been undertaking a review of existing signs. Several signs have been identified as being able to be removed or moved, so the opportunity now exists to get your brand in front of not only the cycling fraternity but also all those playing netball, tennis, using the gym and watching the activity in here.
If you are interested in claiming a spot then please contact Mark in the office for more details.
Volunteer Week
Being National Volunteer Week, it’s appropriate to say a huge thank you to everyone in Cycling Southland who volunteers their time to cycling, whether it be coaching, commissairing, marshalling, organising or fundraising or even just being supportive. Without all the amazing support we get from throughout the organisation, we wouldn’t be able to claim to be the best cycling organisation in the country (which we do claim!).
We are seeing great growth in numbers in both senior and junior riders, and that is thanks to us all providing a great club for people to enjoy cycling. So give yourself a pat on the back!
Entry doors
Please don’t leave any doors propped open – particularly the lock-up and the two access doors. We’re lucky to be able to access the velodrome where we do through the swipe cards but Stadium management has expressed concerns about doors being left open. There are cameras in those areas and it’s getting to the point where offenders will be identified. The worst case scenario – apart from equipment being taken from under the track – is the access is revoked and riders will have to enter via the main Stadium entrance. Contact Milly in the office for a swipe card.
Can coaches please remind riders about this too please.
King House Removals Race Series
Dates have been confirmed for this year with the series launching on Friday 27 July check out the dates for your calendars.
Yunca Junior Tour Entries
Check out the details on our website – with the final race courses to be approved later this week.
Yes - entries are now open for what will be a record 35 years of this race now being sponsored by Yunca Heating! It is truly stuff that legends are made of.
Spare bikes?
Do you have a small frame track or road bike gathering dust? Or adult sizes? We’re regularly asked for bikes to hire to help young riders in to the sport – and have noticed a big lift in interest in road bikes. We have some lease bikes available, but can’t really loan bikes from the fleet as they’re needed for group sessions. If you have something that you’d like to donate, please get in touch so we can help someone fall in love with the sport.
Finalist
Congrats to Cathy Jordan, who is a finalist in the Outstanding Contribution to a Bike-Friendly Future category for the 2018 national Bike to the Future Awards. While looking after two children aged under two, she’s been involved in co-ordinating the Aotearoa Bike Challenge Southland – and running various cycling-related events, and has been involved in revamping bike stands in the inner-city area.
Big Bike Film Night
Back by popular demand the Big Bike Film Night will return to the St Jame Theatre, Gore on Wednesday 27 June, 6pm, and SIT Centrestage Theatre, in Invercargill, Thursday 28 June, at 6pm. Showcasing a collection of short movies that have everything a Bike Centric audience could want - action, drama, humour and plenty of inspiration. This is a scintillating line-up of cycling films from New Zealand and around the world. Get your tickets online
Tour of New Zealand
The excitement builds with just nine months before race start, 6 April 2019. Entries are again coming in from all over the world. With chartering aircraft and booking hotels and other logistical needs, we, your race crew are bringing the race in sharp focus - and we need your help. If you haven’t entered yet enter online now
Well that is more than a little epistle to get you warmed up for the week, so I will just stop right there.
Take care and stay cosy everyone!