Hi everyone and welcome to another week – albeit a bit more of a wet and wintery one!
Architecture Unlimited Track Challenge
The challenge is on and some teams are already into training for the time trial night on 21 June and the race day on 30 June. We are still on the look-out for a couple of volunteer coaches for teams if anyone can help out over the next few weeks, we’d love to hear from you! Good luck to all our teams who have entered – we wish you well and, of course, lots of fun over the coming weeks!
Cyclofit Volunteer/s
Each Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9-10am we run Cyclofit sessions for people wanting rehabilitation, general fitness, people in community care etc. We have been very lucky to have our fantastic Andy Blay volunteering to oversee this in recent years. Due to his personal circumstances changing, we are on the for anyone who could possibly lend a hand on a regular or roster-style basis. It’s getting anyone who needs help sorted on a bike or trike, making sure their helmets are okay if they need help, adjusting seat heights and having a general old yarn with them all. Please holler if you can possibly help us out.
Riders for Short Demonstration
Any riders keen to be part of a wee demonstration for some tourism operators who will be visiting the venue next Tuesday 21st May, please let me know at the office. They will most likely be in the venue around 6.30pm-7pm but the track will be open for a freebie session – courtesy of the Stadium from 6-7pm. Let me know at the office if you are keen to have a whirl for the guests. We will have a speaker there to co-ordinate a couple of demo races too.
Wet Weather Rec Ride
Due to the demise of the weather we will now start the option of a wet weather recreational ride on Sundays from 11am – 1pm starting this weekend.
These are paid for by concession card or $10 cash (if there is cash can the last person to leave please leave the folder in the lock up – either push under the door as you leave or leave on the work bench thank you) – Just ensure you sign in.
Warning – there will not be a wet weather option on Queen’s Birthday Weekend 2nd June (due to the National Race Series), or Sunday 16 June due to the private booking. Keep an eye on the weekly track schedule – just go to our website home page and under the logo (top, left) you will see the second tab in the blue line says track schedule – click on this and it’s updated each week.
Sprint Squad
Due to illness, work commitments and recovery from the Westpac Chopper appeal on Friday, there will NOT be a Sprint Squad session tomorrow night (Wed 15th). From Monday 22 May, the squad will only be held on Mondays with no further Wednesday sessions until after the Architecture Unlimited Track Challenge.
Junior Division Cheese Roll Fundraiser
Back by popular demand – orders need to be in with Junior Div parents (who are all largely marketing on Facebook) or I have a form in the office by next Thursday 23rd May please. $6 dozen or 5 dozen for $25.
Under 19 Coach Assistant
We are after a coach to assist Sid with the Under 19 Squad going forward please. If anyone is keen to help or wants to discuss the role further, please contact Glen [email protected]
National Track Series
Entries for the first round of the three-round national series are now open and you have to register online with Cycling New Zealand. The first round is being held here at the SIT Zero Fees Velodrome from 31 May to 2 June and is open to U17 through to U23 riders.
Check out all the details and register here
Skinsuits & Jersey Returns
I still have skinsuits outstanding from Track Nationals and there is a swag of road jerseys out on hire from the weekend too. Please ensure you get these washed and returned as soon as possible.
Your help is essential!
Road Racing Restart
Not long to wait now as the winter road racing season will be restarting from Saturday 1st June. Watch this space for the new calendar.
Now we have an awesome list of well done, good on you achievements to commend …
Prime Minister’s Scholarship
Hooray for super-duper commissaire and mega masters racer Erin Criglington who has been successful in gaining a Prime Ministers Scholarship to assist with costs to attend the International UCI course.
Good job Erin and well done on continuing to upskill your credentials!
Canberra Junior Tour
Huge well done to our U17 Mitchel Fitzsimons who just had the weekend racing the Canberra Junior Tour with the Cycling New Zealand road team.
Mitchel won Stage 2, got 5th in Stage 4 and had totally respectable placings in the other two stages to finish 1st in the sprint classification, 4th in the KOM and 6 in the General Classification – props to the young man for a mighty fine tour!
Check out the full results
Omnium Fundraiser
Well done to everyone who competed and assisted with an awesome two nights of racing at the Old Omnium over the weekend to help raise funds to send Emily Paterson and Conor Shearing to the Junior Worlds in Germany in August.
A brilliant couple of nights and a great cause. Check out Eugene Bonthuy’s awesome photo galleries from the two nights and the full results https://www.facebook.com/cyclingsouthland/
Chopper Appeal Ride
Fantastic effort once again from all those who took part in the annual Queenstown to Invercargill Westpac Chopper Appeal ride last Friday – stunning conditions, fantastic support crew and schools and township along the way and there couldn’t be a more worthy cause. Nice work everyone involved!
Otago Memorial
Finally, well done to Hunter Gough who placed 2nd overall with the 2nd fastest time at Cycling Otago 47km Brian Woods Memorial Handicap race last weekend. The race commences at Palmerston and finishes on the famous Mt Cargill hill climb. Kees Duyvestyn of Dunedin won the event and took fastest time honours,
Southland riders competing were:
Hunter Gough - 2nd Overall and 2nd Fastest time
Andrew Lienert - 10th Overall
Josh Burnett - 24th Overall
Mind those puddles out there everyone – they’re getting pretty deep in places. Take care and keep safe and well.
Have a great week!