Saturday, February 26, 2011

Ashleigh fires up at NZCT Woman's Tour of NZ

Click on the link below for a Great read from Ivar coaching Ashleigh in contention at the Tour
Click Here

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Revolutions Bikes Sponsor East Coast Graded Club Tour

Revolution Bikes (8 Donnelly Street, Havelock North - 8778477) have kindly agreed to sponsor this event. Revolution Bikes will be supplying spot prizes for all grades. These will be awarded at the conclusion of the tour. To be eligible, riders must complete the event.
Special offers from Revolution Bikes http://www.revolutionbikes.co.nz/ will be emailed out to all those who start the tour.

Weekend Racing: 26th – 27th February 2011 East Coast Graded Club Tour

This is a graded club tour with riders from CHB Cycling and Gisborne Cycling Clubs joining Ramblers for the weekend.
Remember you must complete each stage in order to begin the next.
Saturday – Stage One: 8.5km Hill Climb
Race Circuit: Seafield Road
Venue: No venue – the race starts at the Bayview end of Seafield Road and public toilet facilities are available in Bayview.
Registration: at the venue – the tour costs $10 for the weekend
Start times: G - 2pm; F - 2:10pm; E - 2:30pm; D – 2:40pm; C – 2:50pm; B – 3pm; A – 3:10pm
Race Starter: Ken MacKenzie
Race Day Emergency Phone: 0274266895

Sunday – Stage Two: Road Race
Race Circuit: Apley Circuit
Venue: Puketapu School
Race start: 9:30am (A grade leaves first, followed by the other grades at 2 minute intervals)
Race Starter: Ken MacKenzie
Race Day Emergency Phone: 0274266895

Sunday – Stage Three: 12km Individual Time Trial
Race Circuit: Swamp Road
Venue: Puketapu School
Race start: 1:15pm (G through to A, 30 seconds between riders, 2 minute gaps between grades)
Race Starter: Ken MacKenzie
Race Day Emergency Phone: 0274266895
Time Trial rules apply - NO drafting or you will be disqualified

Riding in a Tour: Your Club is Your Team

Club members from other East Coast NI clubs riding as visitors at our club tours has brought a different and positive flavour to these events. However, some of our club members don't seem so aware of the different dynamic this brings to our club racing.
During the last tour it was commented on that some of our club riders were riding as if they were in a normal club race, treating all riders including visiting club members the same, and taking points off fellow club members who potentially had a better chance of overall success in the tour. While we want to be hospitable to visiting club members, we also want to encourage friendly rivalry. There is little glory for our club or its members in having Ramblers place 2nd to 10th in a grade when the person who wins it is from Gisborne for example. And remember visitors will be coming here to do as well as they can.

The Ramblers club tours are a good, relatively low-key opportunity to learn and practice team tactics and experience a multi-stage event. While the ITT is an individual event, we encourage members to approach the road race in particular as a teams event – us versus them.

The upcoming tour is a good place to start becoming more aware of what’s happening around you in a race or tour:
• Where do your clubmates sit as regards points in your grade going into the road race?
• When visitors attack do you all respond, or do you delegate one or two to do this, while at the same time protecting key clubmates?
• Or worse do you leave it to your clubmates with more points to wear themselves out doing the work?
• When it comes to the sprint do you all go for it with no thought about where your leading clubmates are, or where the visitors are?
• And do you know which of your clubmates it is in the club’s best interests to get to the line in the best position.
• If you are lucky enough to get a group of your clubmates off the front in the road race do you work together to consolidate your break and then sort yourselves out at the finish?
These are just some thoughts to consider and that’s the point. We encourage those Ramblers taking part in the club tour to think about these sorts of things rather than treating the tour as a race like any other. The intention is not to make it super–serious but rather to broaden the experiences of our members and hopefully make their racing more interesting as a result.

Thank You and a Sad Goodbye to Ramblers Hardest Working Marshal

Many of you will know Don Mudford who has been out almost every Saturday with us to stand on a corner, trusty thermos nearby, and help to ensure we finish our race safely. This weekend at the Club Tour will be his last weekend with us. What he will do on a Saturday afternoon remains a mystery, for what could be better than spending an afternoon in the heat, or getting drenched or blown away as you watch crazy lycra-clad individuals huff and puff past you.
Make sure you give him a cheery wave and thank him – his support has been amazing.
Thank you Don, for your dedication and reliability and genuine interest in the club, as well as in us as individuals.
You will be greatly missed.

Ramblers Uniform Order

Owing to the main order for several reasons taking a bit longer than expected to be finalised, and the inevitable higher cost of any smaller follow-up order, it has been decided the club will place only one uniform order before Club Nationals.
So the deadline for the current order will be extended to midday this Friday, 25 February. Any additional orders must be received by email to rcc.feedback@xtra.co.nz by that deadline and the order payment deposited in the club’s Westpac account 03-0642-0976208-01. Please ensure your name is in the Particulars column and “Uniform” is in the reference column.
We’re confident most, if not all orders, have already been placed but are extending the order to include any late orders for whatever reason. We hope members can see that there now isn’t much sense in having a second order when it would have to be placed about 10 days from now to have a chance of being here before Nationals (and the cost will be significantly higher).
If anyone has any real difficulties with this decision please get back to us at rcc.feedback@xtra.co.nz.
As already noted there will be another club uniform order later in the year.

Old RCC Uniform

There are a few jerseys which have been held in stock in shops. With the new uniform now available, our old colours become a curio and a sentimental investment. These will be sold from the trailer in coming weeks at $30 each.

Race Fees for Visitors

Saturday race fees for members will remain at $3.00 but from the start of the Autumn 2011 series (March), race fees for visitors will increase to $10 per race. If a person who has ridden as a visitor becomes a member they will not be charged a fee for their transponder.

Ultimo 2 Day Junior Tour, CHB

CHB Cycling host this event every year. RCC enjoys a close relationship with this club and often their members have supported us with marshals and drivers in events we have hosted. It would be fabulous if we could reciprocate.
If you are available to drive a lead car, a commissaire car or a sag wagon for CHB Cycling on the 26th and/or the 27th March, please contact Tim Mackie Tim_Mackie@amp.co.nz

Coaching and Administration Workshops

Sport Hawke’s Bay are facilitating and delivering some great coaching and administration workshops during the coming months.
For details on the workshops and how to register copy and paste the link below into your browser:
http://www.sportsground.co.nz/ClubSite.asp?SiteID=9898&PageTypeID=7&PageID=33482&Tab=6 or contact Amanda Feast at Sport Hawkes Bay amandaf@sporthb.net.nz or 06 845 9336 extension 712.

Poverty CyclePoverty Cycle

Join TEAR Fund on Saturday March 5th in the inaugural Poverty Cycle event and help raise funds to improve the lives of the poor and most vulnerable in your own community and overseas in TEAR Fund projects.
The TEAR Fund Poverty Cycle is a series of 'iconic' bike routes unique to scenic New Zealand, showcasing local landmarks on well known cycle paths in Auckland, New Plymouth, Nelson and Christchurch. If you want more of a challenge, you could join one of the National Tours (North Island or South Island) where two teams start one in Invercargill, the other Whangarei to cycle to Wellington.
For more information visit www.povertycycle.org.nz

Ride Out Of The Blue

On Saturday 5 March 2011, riders and their support crews will depart the Bluff to tackle a charity bike challenge, Ride Out of the Blue, over 27 days of gruelling riding covering 2,500 kilometres, including rest days - arriving in Cape Reinga on Thursday, 31 March.
Ride Out of the Blue will celebrate life, raise awareness for depression, and raise money for the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand.
For more information visit http://rideoutoftheblue.com/

Upcoming Events Around the Country

25th February: Open Criterium, Palmerston North
25th February: Rabodirect Elite Track Championship, Invercargill
1st – 5th March: 2011 RaboDirect Age Group Track National Championships, Invercargill
5th March: Poverty Cycle (various parts of Aotearoa New Zealand)
5th – 31st March: Ride Out Of The Blue, Bluff to Cape Reinga
12th March: Flaxmere Family Festival & Annual Bike Ride, Flaxmere College 10am
13th March: Tremains Coorporate Triathalon
26th–27th March: Ultimo 2 day Junior Tour, CHB
9th April: WCNI Cycling Centre Open Individual Time Trial
10th April: WCNI Cycling Centre Road Race
16th April: CRI Junior Tour, Rotorua
22nd April: TeA Junior Tour, Te Awamutu
17th-30th April: Life Cycle Ride – Whangarei to Wellington
5th May: Rabodirect Club Road National Championships, Wanganui
14th – 15th May: The Catlins Great Escape April
2nd July: North Island Secondary School Road Cycling Championships, Ngaruawahia

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Hastings Sunday Ride - Feb 20th

Leaving 8:00am from Outside Rebel Sport -

Short ride: - Omahu, Swamp, Apley return via Church Road, Meeanee
Long ride: - Omahu, Swamp, Apley, Patoka Return via Church Road, Meeanne.

Change of Race Starter Saturday 19th February 2011

Race Circuit: Valley/Raukawa circuit
Venue: Bridge Pa School
Registration: from 1pm (pay your $3 and be registered before your race start)
Race start time: 2pm
Race Starter: Don Kennedy
Race Day Emergency Phone: 0274266895

PUBLIC MEETING INVITE - Have your say!

Havelock Road - Heretaunga Street East Corridor Study
A “Flagship Route” for a model community
What would encourage you to walk, cycle or take public transport between the Hastings and Havelock North town centres?
- Safe, attractive routes?
- Bike stands?
- Showers at work?
- More frequent buses?
- A’ joined up” walk-cycle-bus network?
- i-Way?
- Something else?
And how do we ensure that this critical road corridor, the second busiest commuter link in Hastings, doesn’t get choked up with traffic?
How can we make sure it remains available for car and truck users?
Do you know the answer, or have some suggestions?
Hastings District Council are looking for innovative and fresh ideas to keep this corridor working effi ciently, and to give attractive, safe and sustainable walking, cycling and public transport choices for Hastings and Havelock North residents, workers, school children and others using this route.
Come to our public meeting, talk to our team, and have your say:
HASTINGS
When: Monday, 21st February 2011, 8am - 1pm
Where: Hastings Opera House,
(Shakespeare Room)
HAVELOCK NORTH
When: Monday, 21st February 2011, 2.30pm - 6pm
Where: Havelock North Community Centre
(The Gallery Room)
Project background information, pens, paper, tea, coffee & biscuits provided.
For more information on the Havelock Road - Heretaunga Street East Corridor Study
Please Contact: Nick Aiken on 06 8335 114 or nick.aiken@opus.co.nz

Saturday Racing: 19th February 2011

Race Circuit: Valley/Raukawa circuit
Venue: Bridge Pa School
Registration: from 1pm (pay your $3 and be registered before your race start)
Race start time: 2pm
Race Starter: Hilary Green
Race Day Emergency Phone: 0274266895

Yellow Jerseys

The club is grateful for the support of all its sponsors and we do what we can to acknowledge that support. A key part of what we do for our grade sponsors is to have the grade yellow jerseys out on the road in races each week.

Members need to be aware that wearing the yellow jerseys is not optional. If there is a big discrepancy between the size of the rider and the jersey we understand that, but otherwise grade leaders (the highest person on the table racing on the day) must wear the yellow jersey for their grade. We are aware that the size issue does crop up at times and we plan to address that when the jereseys are next replaced.

Heart Rate Monitor Found Pukehamoamoa School

Hanging on pool fence after the race on 5th February. You can collect it from the school office. Contact school administrator, Anna Pahi. 8743830 or anna@pukehamoamoa.school.nz

East Coast Graded Tour: 26-27 February

Over the final weekend of February, Ramblers is hosting a club graded tour for riders from Gisborne Cycling, CHB Cycling and Ramblers Cycling clubs.

To ensure your place in this tour, please email your name and the grade you ride in to Ken at cycle@ruralinzone.net

Art Deco Weekend: Art Deco Fun ride

A reminder that this Saturday you and your family can join the pageant of old bikes at 9.30am along the Marine Parade as part of the Art Deco Weekend festivities. Get dressed up in Art Deco gear an join the fun. Bring your old bike, your retro bike or a modern bike - it’s open to everyone to come enjoy. Details in the official Geon ArtDeco Weekend Programme.

Proposed Joint NZ Walking and Cycling Conference for 2012

A proposed joint event called the NZ Walking and Cycling Conference is intended to be held in late February or early March 2012. Those who have been involved in past NZ walking and cycling conferences will know that this joint concept (and accompanying debate) has come up regularly over the years.
On the one hand, it provides a great opportunity to attract a larger number of delegates and speakers, while creating a wider audience and leverage for "active transport". It also enables both of the respective walking and cycling sectors to address issues within a broader context of transport and mobility planning, creating opportunities to tackle shared barriers and opportunities.
However, the committee members readily acknowledge that cycling and walking should not be lumped together for convenience's sake. Among the downsides of doing so is that issues unique to each sector could get lost or downplayed in a joint conference. The focus will be on getting the programme content and structure right to alleviate this.
A venue for this conference is currently being finalised. A call for presentations will then be put out for submissions. We look forward to your involvement in this exciting initiative!
If you have any feedback or questions about this proposal, please forward comments to Glen Koorey (conference@can.org.nz).

Safety, Cycling and Sharing the Road

The results from some interesting qualitative research with cyclists and other road users fr??om the UK's Department for Transport are available here in downloadable PDF format http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/research/rsrr/theme1/researchreport/

Upcoming Events Around the Country

19th February: Art Deco Weekend Ride, Napier
19th February: The Rev, Hamilton
23rd-27th February: Womans Tour of New Zealand (Masterton, Palmerston North, Wellington)
25th February: Open Criterium, Palmerston North
25th February: Rabodirect Elite Track Championship, Invercargill
1st – 5th March: 2011 RaboDirect Age Group Track National Championships, Invercargill
12th March: Flaxmere Family Festival & Annual Bike Ride, Flaxmere College 10am
13th March: Tremains Coorporate Triathalon
19th–20th March: Junior training camp, Pukeora, CHB
26th–27th March: Ultimo 2 day Junior Tour, CHB
9th April: WCNI Cycling Centre Open Individual Time Trial
10th April: WCNI Cycling Centre Road Race
16th April: CRI Junior Tour, Rotorua
22nd April: TeA Junior Tour, Te Awamutu
17th-30th April: Life Cycle Ride – Whangarei to Wellington
5th May: Rabodirect Club Road National Championships, Wanganui
14th – 15th May: The Catlins Great Escape April
2nd July: North Island Secondary School Road Cycling Championships, Ngaruawahia

Friday, February 11, 2011

Saturday Racing: 12th February 2011

Race Circuit: Apley/Glengary/Puketitiri circuit
Venue: Puketapu School
Registration: from 1pm (pay your $3 and be registered before your race start)
Race start time: 2pm
Race Starter: Gavin Bush
Race Day Emergency Phone: 0274266895

Hastings Sunday Ride

Leaving 8:00am from Outside Rebel Sport -

Short ride: - Highway 50 to to of Clarksons Hill and Return (60km)
Long ride: - Tour of the Bay Circuit (110km)

Peter & Elaine Gavin Junior Coaching Scholarship:Congratulations to the Successful Recipients

Seven juniors applied for the six coaching scholarships that were available. After discussions amongst the selecting panel, all seven juniors were able to be offered a position in Ivar Hopman’s ‘stable’.
The successful juniors were:
Holly Atkins U17
Mike Garrity U17
Ben Petersen U17
Ben Ross U17
James Lochhead U17
Damien Lysaght U17
Hannah van Kampen U19

Congratulations. We look forward to hearing about your journeys on the Blog, in eNews and in Ramblin-On. Wear our colours proudly and enjoy taking your cycling to the next level.
Thank you again to Peter and Elaine for supporting our juniors so generously for a second consecutive year.

Uniform Update - last chance for the first order

It is possible that some members may be holding off ordering a new uniform until they see the new strip around our races.
If members are under the impression that you will see the new strip before the second order goes in this will not be possible. The second catch-up order needs to be with Tineli by 1 March to ensure that order is received before Club Nationals. Due to production lead times the first order will not be here before then.
In case anyone has been holding off for that reason the order cut-off will be extended by another day to Friday night (11 Feb) but orders will need to be by email and payment by internet banking.
There will very likely be another order later in the year but no decision has yet been made when this might be.
We encourage all those intending to race at the club nationals to order their uniforms in the first order. We will do all we can to get the follow-up order here in time for Nationals but it would be preferable not to rely on that.
For those who for whatever reason need or wish to order in the second order, the size samples will be at the Hub until the last week of February when order two will close.

Ultimo 2 day Junior Tour (National Point Series)

CHB Cycling are hosting the Ultimo 2 day Junior Tour on March 26th and 27th. The first day’s racing begins from Pukeora Hill (prologue and road race). On Sunday, racing begins from CHB College on Sunday (road race).
This is for U19/U17/ U15 and U13 Boys and Girls. Ivar Hopman will be running a "camp" at Pukeora Estate on March19/20th for those local young riders.

Ramblin’ On

Get your articles, photos, anecdotes, “thumbs up” (or down), and letters into Dave for the Autumn edition of Ramblin’ On.
Anyone who did the ‘Ride to Wellington’ – it would be great to have an article and/or photos from you.
Last date for submissions is Monday 21st February. Email to davemarett@paradise.net.nz

Life Cycle rides to Wellington

"LifeCycle" is a bicycle ride from Whangarei to Wellington, organised by Cycling Advocacy Network (CAN) member Dean Scanlen, that will take place from the 17th to the 30th of April and finish at a rally on the steps of Parliament. It will pass many locations in which people have been killed while cycling. The aims of this ride are:
To pay our respects to people who have been killed while cycling on our roads.
To achieve big improvements in attitudes about, and behaviour towards, cyclists by motorists.
To promote stronger and more effective driver licensing procedures.
To persuade the Government to spend 10% of its roading budget on cycle safety measures.
“LifeCycle” organisers would also like to use a HelmetCam on the ride. If anyone has one that could be used, please contact Dean dean@e-outcomes.co.nz For more details, and to register as a friend, please go to:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/LifeCycle/178434512193548#!/pages/LifeCycle/178434512193548?v=wall

Preseason Planning for Coaches Workshop: 16th February

Places are still available to listen to and talk with Tristan Kramers (Netherland National Rowing Champion, top 5 placing in the Worlds 2003, MEdSc 2007, Head Coach and Selector for Wellington Rowing Club up to 2010).
Tristan will discuss managing athletes’ workloads during training, pre-season competition, competition and recovery at the Lady Pettigrew Theatre, Pettigrew Arena, Taradale. $10. To register or for more information contact Tim Motu, 8459336 x762 or timm@sporthb.net.nz

Go By Bike Day Breakfast

Emily from HBRC has kindly organised the ‘Go By Bike Day’ Breakie, on the 16th Feb. It’s great to see Napier City Council and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council sharing this breakfast. For more details and to register go to www.bikehb.co.nz

Art Deco Weekend: BICYCLE BELLES

On Saturday Feb 19th at 9.30am join in the parade of old bikes along the Marine Parade as part of Art Deco Weekend festivities. If you want to get dressed up in Art Deco gear and join the local “Frocks on Bikes” group and their families, then come join the fun. If you don’t have an old bike (yet) but still want you join in, you are more than welcome, it’s open to everyone to come enjoy. Details in the official Geon ArtDeco Weekend Programme.

2011 i-Way Hastings Commuter Challenge

On the 21st Feb we kick of the i-Way Hasting Commuter Challenge for any of those who live or work over Hastings way. WIN a trip for two to ride the Central Otago Rail Trail or perhaps a luxury pamper at Urban Retreat followed by lunch at Elephant Hill Winery.Check out www.bikehb.co.nz for more details.

Tourism NZ and Cycling in HB

Tourism New Zealand has changed the way it markets New Zealand with a focus on online social interactions and still wants to let more people know how amazing the cycling is here, and needs your help. You can post articles about your favourite experiences, events, rides you’ve done – just about anything to do with cycling. Go to http://www.newzealand.com/travel/about/cycling Click on sign up and follow the instructions. Then get writing. The more articles the better.

Upcoming Events Around the Country

12th -13th February: Morrinsville Womens Tour
12th- 13th February:WCNI Track Championships
13th -19th February: Lion Foundation Wellington to Auckland Cycle Challenge
16th February: Go By Bike Day Breakfast
19th February: Bicycle Belles Art Deco Weekend Rotary Pathway Ride, Napier
19th February: The Rev, Hamilton
23rd-27th February: Womans Tour of New Zealand (Masterton, Palmerston North, Wellington)
25th February: Open Criterium, Palmerston North
1st – 5th March: 2011 RaboDirect Age Group Track National Championships
12th March: Flaxmere Family Festival & Annual Bike Ride, Flaxmere College 10am
13th March: Tremains Coorporate Triathalon
19th–20th March: Junior training camp, Pukeora, CHB
26th–27th March: Ultimo 2 day Junior Tour, CHB
9th April: WCNI Cycling Centre Open Individual Time Trial
10th April: WCNI Cycling Centre Road Race
17th-30th April: Life Cycle Ride – Whangarei to Wellington
14th – 15th May: The Catlins Great Escape April

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

NZ Cycling Club Championships (Communique 1)

Click on link to read the first communique from the Wanganui Cycle Club for the upcoming 2011 Club Nationals. More information will be available on www.bikenz.org.nz and www.cyclingwanganui.org.nz

“Go By Bike Day Breakfast”

Emily from HBRC has kindly organised the ‘Go By Bike Day’ Breakie, on the 16th Feb. And great to see Napier City Council and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council sharing this breakfast – well done! See attached flyer for details and would be great to see you there supporting another great commuter event.

“Bicycle Belles”

” Sat Feb 19th at 9.30am. Join in the parade of old bikes along the Marine Parade as part of Art Deco Weekend festivities. So if you want to get dressed up in Deco and join the local “Frocks on Bikes” group and their families then come join in the fun. If you don’t have an old bike (yet) but still want you join in, you are more than welcome, its open to everyone to come enjoy. Details in the official Geon ArtDeco Weekend Programme.

“2011 i-Way Hastings Commuter Challenge”

On the 21st Feb we kick of the i-Way Hasting Commuter Challenge for any of those who live or work over Hastings way. Check out www.bikehb.co.nz for more details.

Take care and hope to see some of you out on your bikes.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Get your orders in Early this week for new Club Uniform!

Uniform orders and prices
The club encourages members thinking about a new uniform to get your order in. while the first two orders will be at cost that doesn’t necessarily mean the prices for both orders will be the same.
At the moment we are about 2/3 of the way to the 100 figure to confirm the prices listed on the website. We are confident of reaching that figure but it appears unlikely that the second order will as well. If not, prices will increase as supplier discounts are offered on larger quantities.
Given this scenario the cheapest uniform prices will be in the first order. Anyone putting off ordering needs to be aware that prices for any second order will very likely be significantly higher. As an example, if we reach 50 units for the second order, the price for the jersey will climb to $88 from $71 and the shorts to $89 from $74. If numbers are lower than that the prices will rise accordingly. At 35 units the jersey and shorts will be around $100. Even at that level these prices are comparable to, (and still lower than) some other clubs but if we put in a bigger order initially the prices offered are very good value. Neither the club nor local bike shops will carry stock of the new uniform.
We also remind members that the new jersey is now the official Ramblers uniform and must be worn if you wish to compete at the upcoming Club Nationals.
The closing date for the first order will be extended to Thursday 10 February but please remember that internet banking transactions can take a couple of days so don’t leave these until the last minute.

Friday, February 4, 2011

HB Tourism would love you to vote for your fav cycling spot with the AA Travel promotion. 101 Cycling Trails Must-Do's

Here is your chance to rate some of the rides around NZ and I know you just love Hawke’s Bay ones!!!!!!!!
So have look at link below and get voting. Let’s promote our fantastic cycling facilities and tell the rest of the country. Also feel free to share around your contacts, colleagues and clients.
Have a great weekend!
Cheers Vicki

http://www.aatravel.co.nz/101/search/location/Nationwide/category/Cycling-Trails/

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Hastings Sunday Bunch Ride 6th February

In support of the velodrome this Sundays ride will be Valley Road, Raukawa return via Flaxmere to the sports park for the mass photo 10am.
For those that are keen we will then head down to Otane for the Waitangi Day Phillip Burns Memorial Criterium hosted by CHB starting at 1pm for the lower grades. This is a great picnic afternoon well hosted with refreshments at the Otane Hotel after the event. I suggest that a lift home is organized.