North Canterbury Cycling Inc Rangiora

Hi folks,

Where do I start? So I’ve been in my new role as Road Captain for a couple of weeks now. With all of the hard work that Mike Messervy has put in over the last four years I feel I have some rather large shoes to fill (and I’m only a size 8.5) this could be tough.

We have started up our Thursday night rides again, leaving Pushbikes Rangiora at 6.30 sharp ( sorry for those that have just missed us), having had our first ride on the 28^th of September, we had good numbers and we look to improve on this, so if you are keen on a Thursday night ride, rock on up, bring a friend or two, and enjoy the social aspects of riding. We have also had a recent Saturday Club ride , where we left Pushbikes Rangiora at 8am and picked up a couple of club members along the way with 10 riders headed off up into the Port Hills which was heaps of fun along with a few laughs along the way.

Sunday Social rides has seen good numbers turning up with around 22 riders for the first week, and then, once again the heavens have opened up with last weekend’s ride having to be cancelled with only crazy Australians out riding in the stormy conditions. These Sunday rides tend to be between 50-70km and we will make sure we all travel out to designated point together, on the way back we generally break off into two groups, fast, and not so fast, and then back to Rangiora for a well-deserved coffee so if you feel like this could be you come along. We will make sure you won’t be left behind, and someone will always ride back with you if you feel you can’t keep up.

I remember when I went along for my first Sunday ride, I wasn’t the strongest rider in the bunch and to be fair I felt a little embarrassed as I was holding back the bunch, but as a wise person told me, the more you ride, the stronger you become (this took some time) but I have persevered, and he was correct, hence the reason we have a fast (for those that want to push themselves) and not so fast group, (for a casual ride back, for coffee). I haven’t been cycling for long, about a year and a half and used to go out by myself and thought that was fun until I found out about NCCC around Christmas time last year. Little did I realise just how much enjoyment one can have while riding with a group or peloton having met some fantastic people and I’m happy to say some great friendships as well, so don’t be put off if you feel you won’t be able to keep up, we will make sure you are looked after.

If you are passionate as I am about OUR club, come along, meet new people, and you’ll also make new friends……..and, oh yeah, ride your bike. Click here Membership-1/Membership-Form.

Road Section Meeting – Coffee Culture Rangiora Wednesday 18th October 6.30pm

Come along for a low key Road Section meeting to discuss the direction of the group, table any ideas you may have, put forward suggestions for future club rides and agree dates for our ride calendar. My aim is to pencil in some rides this side of the New Year and also throw in a social function before Christmas as these events in my opinion are important to encourage and foster stronger bonds amongst members both on and off the bike.

Have a think about some of the roads you have always wanted to ride and I look forward to hearing your suggestions. If you are unable to make the meeting but have a suggestion feel free to get in touch prior to the meeting.

REGULAR WEEKLY RIDES

THURSDAY NIGHT RIDES – MEET PUSHBIKES RANGIORA 6.20PM (Departs 6.30pm sharp): This weekly ride typically follows the same route each week of approximately 30 – 35km out Loburn way and has proved to be very popular with members. During day light savings this ride is a faster pace than the Sunday ride, but generally we stick together on the way out with the pace quickening on the return leg. Outside of the daylight savings period during the cooler darker months the focus for this ride is just on keeping people motivated to ride and the pace will be more relaxed. The group meets back at the Blackett Street round about at the conclusion of the ride for a quick natter session.

SUNDAY SOCIAL RIDES – MEET PUSHBIKES RANGIORA 8AM: The route and distance varies week to week, but typically the rides are approximately 45 – 60km in distance and always with a well-deserved coffee back in Rangiora! Normally there is always a senior rider on hand to offer guidance and advice to the newer riders. NOTE THE LAST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH IS SCHEDULED AS A LONGER RIDE OF APPROXIMATELY 75 – 120KM.

PLANNED EVENTS & RIDES

TBA: As we move into the warmer months a number of planned rides will be scheduled in. Suggestions to date are the Lake Coleridge ride again and the Motanau ride that was cancelled earlier in the year due to bad weather. If you’ve got any other rides you’d like to do or think would be suitable for our group drop me a line.

CLASSIC BIKE DAY, TBA – MEET PUSHBIKES RANGIORA 9AM: All types of bikes are encouraged on these rides except Carbon, think Steel, Aluminium, Titanium, etc. In the immortal words of Pete Daly NO CARBON OR OTHER SPACE AGE COMPOSITES, IF IT'S BAKED DONT BRING IT! So if you have a classic racer or old clunker sitting in the garage drag it out and join us for one of these chilled out shorter rides. The emphasis is on just getting out on your bike for the pure enjoyment of riding with like-minded people concluding with a natter and coffee session so don’t be shy come join us.

Regards,

Jason Wilson

Road Bike Captain

North Canterbury Cycle Club

Mobile: 0277064995

Email: [email protected] or [email protected].nz

Attachments area

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Latest and last News from Mike 27 September 2017

Hi folks,

It is with mixed emotions that I find myself writing what will be my last email as Road Captain as effective immediately I will be stepping down from this position and handing the reins over to Jason Wilson. This is not a decision I have made lightly and would not do so unless I was confident the role was going to be taken over by someone with the enthusiasm and drive to continue building on the platform that has been established over the last 4 years and above all else someone that has the best interests of the Road Section and the club at heart. I’ll still be riding with the club and supporting Jason wherever I can, so sorry you can’t get rid of me that easily J!

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting lots of interesting people from all walks of life along the way, many of whom have become great friends. I’ve also been lucky enough to witness strong growth and a number of positive changes within the Road Section. Looking back over the past 4 years I’m proud of what we as a group have accomplished together. I’ve very much enjoyed my time in the role and have been privileged enough to have been supported by an outstanding group of people, so a big thank you to everyone that has helped and supported me during my tenure no matter how big or small. I’m sure you will continue to support Jason in the same manner, especially as he finds his feet (or should that be pedals?) over the coming weeks and months.

Getting back to business don’t forget our weekly Thursday night rides kick off again this week. Generally we try to stick together as a group on the way out at a moderate pace, then on the return leg the speed of the bunch is unrestricted. That being said if there are a group of riders that do not want to go ‘full gas’ on the journey home my intention this year was to form a gentlemen’s peleton (slower group) and that these riders would stick together at a pace that is manageable. Note lights will be required for the first few weeks. Refer below for more detail.

Also another reminder this Saturday we have our Port Hills ride. While obviously there is a fair amount of climbing involved the group will regularly regroup along the way so don’t despair if you climb hills like fish trying to swim on dry land, we will wait for you. Following on from this we also have a classic bike day coming up on Saturday 14^th October so dust of that old relic, oil the chain and get out with us to enjoy the countryside at a relaxed pace followed of course by coffee.

See you out there folks!

AKAROA CLUB RIDE 2014

REGULAR WEEKLY RIDES

THURSDAY NIGHT RIDES – MEET PUSHBIKES RANGIORA 6.20PM (Departs 6.30pm sharp): COMMENCES 28/09/17, LIGHTS REQUIRED PLEASE - This weekly ride typically follows the same route each week of approximately 30 – 35km out Loburn way and has proved to be very popular with members. During day light savings this ride is a faster pace than the Sunday ride, but generally we stick together on the way out with the pace being unrestricted on the return leg. When numbers allow a slower group will be formed for the return leg for those that want to ride at a more social pace. Outside of the daylight savings period during the cooler darker months the focus for this ride is just on keeping people motivated to ride and the pace will be more relaxed. The group normally meets back at the Blackett Street round about at the conclusion of the ride for a quick natter session.

SUNDAY SOCIAL RIDES – MEET PUSHBIKES RANGIORA 8AM: The route and distance varies week to week, but typically the rides are approximately 45 – 60km in distance and always with a well deserved coffee back in Rangiora! Normally there is always a senior rider on hand to offer guidance and advice to the newer riders. NOTE THE LAST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH IS SCHEDULED AS A LONGER RIDE OF APPROXIMATELY 75 – 120KM. The September long ride will be Rampaddocks Road.

PLANNED EVENTS & RIDES

PORT HILLS RIDE, SAT 30/09/17 – MEET PUSHBIKES RANGIORA 8AM: We will ride into town, up Evans Pass, along the Summit Road, down Dyers Pass Road and back to Rangiora. This will be an approximate distance of 90 - 100km, obviously with a fair amount of climbing. For those that feel this ride is more than they could handle there is the option of driving into town or getting dropped off and meeting the group, just let me know if choosing this option so that we can arrange a suitable time and place to meet.

CLASSIC BIKE DAY, SAT 14/10/17 – MEET PUSHBIKES RANGIORA 8AM: All types of bikes are encouraged on these rides except Carbon, think Steel, Aluminium, Titanium, etc. In the immortal words of Pete Daly NO CARBON OR OTHER SPACE AGE COMPOSITES, IF IT'S BAKED DONT BRING IT! So if you have a classic racer or old clunker sitting in the garage drag it out and join us for one of these chilled out shorter rides. The emphasis is on just getting out on your bike for the pure enjoyment of riding with like-minded people concluding with a natter and coffee session so don’t be shy come join us. The route will be decided on the day to suit the bikes and riders in attendance.

AKAROA RIDE, DATE TBA (NEW YEAR) – MEET AT PUSHBIKES RANGIORA 8AM: The intention is to ride up to Akaroa on the Saturday, enjoy the afternoon there, have an evening meal together, then cycle (or drive) home the following day. Accommodation and return transport (if required) will be the responsibility of individual member’s but I can assist with coordination as required. This will be a challenging but enjoyable ride, especially for those contemplating doing it in both directions on consecutive days! We’ll look to schedule it in around Feb all going well so you will have ample time to get some training in the legs to take on this beast of a ride!

Regards,

Mike Messervy

Road Bike Captain

North Canterbury Cycle Club

Mobile: 027 286 8854

Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Hi folks,

Firstly apologies for the rather erratic nature of the Road Section updates of late, things have been rather hectic recently and I’ve not had the time to get these out more regularly.

Well I'm guessing everyone is as excited as I am that day light savings time is nearly upon us, hopefully we’ll get some sunny spring weather so we can get out on the bike and make the most of the longer days! With the onset of daylight savings our regular Thursday night rides will commence again on 28/09/17. Our Sunday rides will revert back to the 8am start time from Sunday 24/09/17, this will also be the last Sunday of the month so a longer ride, apologies to those that like to sleep in! The long ride this month will be out to Rampaddocks Road.

With regard to the Thursday night rides the format will remain much the same as last year, that is moderately paced on the way out with the return leg being quicker. Ideally if numbers dictate we will split into a faster and slower group in both directions. If riding with the slower group the expectation is that the group sticks together, however for the faster group there are no speed limitations and attacks are allowed (typically on the return). If you get dropped from this group you can always make your way back to the slower group. This allows us to cater for those that just want to get out for a moderately paced social ride and also those that want to stretch the legs a bit and get some intensity into their training.

A Port Hills club ride has been scheduled in for Saturday the 30^th September and also a classic bike day shortly thereafter, see below for details. Further rides will be added to our ride calendar in the coming months so stay tuned. In the interim check out the Akaroa ride listed below as a teaser for those crazy individuals that enjoy riding hills!

THE FAST GROUP SETTING THE TEMPO

REGULAR WEEKLY RIDES

THURSDAY NIGHT RIDES – MEET PUSHBIKES RANGIORA 6.20PM (Departs 6.30pm sharp): COMMENCES 28/09/17, LIGHTS REQUIRED PLEASE - This weekly ride typically follows the same route each week of approximately 30 – 35km out Loburn way and has proved to be very popular with members. During day light savings this ride is a faster pace than the Sunday ride, but generally we stick together on the way out with the pace quickening on the return leg. Outside of the daylight savings period during the cooler darker months the focus for this ride is just on keeping people motivated to ride and the pace will be more relaxed. The group normally meets back at the Blackett Street round about at the conclusion of the ride for a quick natter session.

SUNDAY SOCIAL RIDES – MEET PUSHBIKES RANGIORA 9AM: NOTE TIME CHANGES TO 8AM AS OF 24/09/17 - The route and distance varies week to week, but typically the rides are approximately 45 – 60km in distance and always with a well deserved coffee back in Rangiora! Normally there is always a senior rider on hand to offer guidance and advice to the newer riders. NOTE THE LAST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH IS SCHEDULED AS A LONGER RIDE OF APPROXIMATELY 75 – 120KM. The September long ride will be Rampaddocks Road.

PLANNED EVENTS & RIDES

Regards,

Mike Messervy

Road Bike Captain

North Canterbury Cycle Club

Mobile: 027 286 8854

Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Hi all, 2 August 2017

While we have been getting some pretty wet weather of late we have been pretty lucky in that most Sundays have been fine for our bunch rides, unfortunately the same can’t be said for the Thursday night rides. With this in mind we have decided to put the Thursday night ride on hold effective immediately. This decision is due to a number of factors, not just the weather, including a reduction in rider numbers and most importantly the state of the roads. With all the rain we have been experiencing the roads have become quite pot holed along the verge in some areas and these are a hazard at the best of times let alone at night in the dark when visibility is limited! This ride will commence again with day light savings hours or sooner if interest and conditions allow.

On a more positive note the days are gradually getting longer which makes it far easier to sneak out for a quick ride after work. Before you know it Autumn will be upon us and daylight savings time won’t be far behind it, yeeha bring it on!

A further reminder our club AGM is being held on Monday 14^th August at 7pm in the Green Room (upstairs) at the Rangiora Town Hall. Meet and greet from 6.50pm in the foyer off the High Street entrance. All positions are available so if you wish to have more of a say in the way our club operates this is your opportunity.

LATEST TREND IN THE WORLD OF TT BIKES, CARDBOARD FIBRE DISC WHEELS!

REGULAR WEEKLY RIDES

THURSDAY NIGHT RIDES – MEET PUSHBIKES RANGIORA 6.20PM (Departs 6.30pm sharp): RIDE CURRENTLY ON HOLD UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. This weekly ride typically follows the same route each week of approximately 30 – 35km out Loburn way and has proved to be very popular with members. During day light savings this ride is a faster pace than the Sunday ride, but generally we stick together on the way out with the pace quickening on the return leg. Outside of the daylight savings period during the cooler darker months the focus for this ride is just on keeping people motivated to ride and the pace will be more relaxed. The group normally meets back at the Blackett Street round about at the conclusion of the ride for a quick natter session.

SUNDAY SOCIAL RIDES – MEET PUSHBIKES RANGIORA 9AM: The route and distance varies week to week, but typically the rides are approximately 45 – 60km in distance and always with a well deserved coffee back in Rangiora! Normally there is always a senior rider on hand to offer guidance and advice to the newer riders. NOTE THE LAST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH IS SCHEDULED AS A LONGER RIDE OF APPROXIMATELY 75 – 120KM.

PLANNED EVENTS & RIDES

Regards,

Mike Messervy

Road Bike Captain

North Canterbury Cycle Club

Mobile: 027 286 8854

Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Howdy folks ,21 jULY 2017

Firstly this week I’ve got a few messages to pass on from club members, so here goes.

Kiri Atkin has asked if anyone has a set of race wheels she can borrow for the upcoming season. A big ask yes, but read on and you’ll understand why. For those of you that don’t know Kiri she is a young up and coming triathlete who has been given the opportunity to compete for a French Triathlon club on the French professional circuit. She is leaving for Europe on the 9^th of August and is undertaking this trip on a very tight budget with her own bike and without any major sponsorship. Having personally ridden with Kiri on numerous occasions I can certainly attest to the fact she is a very hard working athlete and certainly deserves this opportunity. So long story short if there is anyone out there that can lend her a set of 10 speed race wheels please let me know ASAP.

On a completely different subject is there anyone out there interested in purchasing a relaxed fit 4XL club cycling top? A club member recently purchased this top but has found it’s a little on the large size for him. Sizing from Ultimo’s website is as follows; To fit chest 124cm, front length 75cm. Normally these sell for $99, but this top can be purchased for $89 as it has been worn once. If interested let me know and I’ll put you in contact with the seller.

Another one of our members recently passed on some winter riding tips to me for keeping your hands and feet warm while riding which I thought I’d share. For the hands try disposable gloves over your gloves to keep out the wind and rain. If you think this would look a bit odd, perhaps put the disposable gloves over liners and under the main gloves. For the feet try wrapping tin foil over the toes before putting in shoes. I’m unsure how successful either of these tips will be, but could be worth a try. Thanks for passing on these tips Lisa.

Also this week I’d like to briefly touch on the Tour de France, which I’m sure most of you will be aware is currently underway. It’s been great to see a strong contingent of four kiwi riders make the cut this year for their respective teams. The Tour de France is arguably the world’s most prestigious cycle race and to have the opportunity to ride this iconic race is a big deal and to have four riders from our little country make the start line is exactly that, a big deal! When you take into account the number of riders competing in the race it gives you a good idea of how hard it is to make the grade. This year sees 21 teams competing, made up of 9 riders per team and if you do the math that’s only 198 riders in total. It’s certainly a good reflection of the state of cycling in NZ to have such a good representation at this elite level.

To put the enormity of this event and the achievement of these athletes into perspective the Tour de France is widely regarded as the single biggest annual sporting event in the world. On average during the course of the race there are 12 million spectators, 1.5 billion TV viewers in 188 countries on 121 different channels. It’s just unfortunate this iconic race, and cycling in general, gets very little TV coverage here in NZ full stop. Even more annoying is the fact these top level athletes get little, if any recognition by our mainstream media despite performing at the highest level on the world stage. It’s just my opinion but I think these athletes and the sport in general deserve more time in the spotlight, especially given how popular cycling is throughout NZ.

THE NEW BANANA SEAT STORAGE SYSTEM, WILL IT TAKE OFF?

REGULAR WEEKLY RIDES

THURSDAY NIGHT RIDES – MEET PUSHBIKES RANGIORA 6.20PM (Departs 6.30pm sharp): LIGHTS NOW REQUIRED PLEASE, FRONT LIGHT TO BE HANDLE BAR MOUNTED (Recommended 800 lumen Min). This weekly ride typically follows the same route each week of approximately 30 – 35km out Loburn way and has proved to be very popular with members. During day light savings this ride is a faster pace than the Sunday ride, but generally we stick together on the way out with the pace quickening on the return leg. Outside of the daylight savings period during the cooler darker months the focus for this ride is just on keeping people motivated to ride and the pace will be more relaxed. The group normally meets back at the Blackett Street round about at the conclusion of the ride for a quick natter session.

PLANNED EVENTS & RIDES

Regards,

Mike Messervy

Road Bike Captain

North Canterbury Cycle Club

Mobile: 027 286 8854

Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Hi folks, 5 jULY 2017

I’ll start this update off by sending out a big thank you to all the members and their partners that came along to our recent mid-winter meal at CBK in Kaiapoi. By all accounts everyone had an enjoyable evening, helped of course as usual by good food and great company. I know there were a few that enjoyed the food even more than me with more than one trip to the dessert table, of course they shall remain nameless!

The cold weather is really starting to bite now with the coldest months ahead but on the plus side the shortest day has been and gone so we are now getting more day light, albeit very slowly. Some may view this as a crazy way of thinking but for me the passing of the winter solstice is always a psychological milestone that provides a little bit more motivation to throw a leg over the bike and ride as I know that the warmer weather of spring isn’t all that far away in the big scheme of things.

We are still getting good numbers on our Sunday bunch rides which is very encouraging for this time of year and shows how much our members enjoy this weekly sojourn. For most I think it’s the opportunity to get out of the house with like-minded souls and enjoy one another’s company. I know it’s certainly one of the things I enjoy most about our group and once you throw in some good natured banter before, during and after the ride it can make for a great pick me up. Our Thursday night rides are continuing and most weeks we have a small but hardy group braving the cold with an average of 4 to 6 riders. Although we have had some cooler evenings (0 degrees to be precise!) it’s certainly not that bad once you’re warmed up and like most riding at this time of year the thought of heading out into the cold is actually worse than doing it.

CLUB CYCLING KIT

Our club kit is currently available for purchase again until Sunday 16th July 2017. Orders are to be placed and paid for by individual members via the supplier website ordering portal. Ultimo have a pretty good sizing chart available via their website or alternatively you can contact me direct and I’m sure we can find some kit among current members for you to try on as this is the best way to ensure you get the correct sizing as there are no returns on the kit if you get it wrong. For those of you that have been suffering from the cold during your winter rides I highly recommend the club jackets. I purchased one last season and for me it has proved to be the single best purchase I made last year in terms of cycling kit and has certainly made my cold weather riding a lot more enjoyable. To be directed to Ultimo’s online ordering portal please click on the following link during the aforementioned timeframe; Click here

Looking ahead there are a few cycling related events you may want to pencil into your diaries which may provide that much needed enthusiasm to get out and ride through the cooler winter months. In early October there are the South Island Masters games in Nelson which offers a wide variety of sports, but more importantly for us, has a number of cycling events for road, track and mountain bike. A number of members have attended this event in previous years and very enjoyed it, with many of them planning to do it again this year. The following month November 18^th is the Abel Tasman Cycle Challenge and this event offers both road and mountain bike course options with a number of distances to choose from. Having ridden in this area myself over recent years the road course sounds like it would be a good honest ride offering up some great scenery along the way, if your pace allows you to take it in of course! We are also edging ever closer to the beginning of club racing season and a whole bunch of other recreational cycling events that will be happening across the country. So although it can be hard during winter to push yourself to ride, now really is the time to start building that fitness up again for the arrival of the season ahead.

For additional information regarding these events please click on the following links to the respective web sites; South Island Masters Games - Click here or Abel Tasman Cycle Challenge - Click here

A NEW CLUB BIKE PERHAPS FOR THE CLASSIC BIKE DAYS?

REGULAR WEEKLY RIDES

PLANNED EVENTS & RIDES

Regards,

Mike Messervy

Road Bike Captain

North Canterbury Cycle Club

Mobile: 027 286 8854

Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Hi folks, (1 June 2017)

We had a fantastic turn out for our Ram Paddocks Rd ride last Sunday with numbers in the high teens. There were a number of members with us that had never ridden this route before and by all accounts they all enjoyed the ride. As an aside it’s always satisfying to show people areas they have never ridden before and see the enjoyment they get out of riding somewhere different. It’s worth mentioning we split into two groups on the way home which seemed to work well, even if a number of us were chewing the stem so to speak on the way home with the fast group. It was a very honest run home to say the least!

As the road to Kaikoura is now open again we will be doing the Port Hills this Saturday. It’ll be a relaxed pace and we will regroup during the climbs so don’t be put off by the mention of hills!

On the horizon is our classic bike day. Please note I have pushed the date for this out a week and it is now the 24^th June which is the same day as our mid-winter meal. Apologies for this but a number of members with classic bikes were unable to make the original date so rather pointless arranging a ride if there won’t be many in attendance. These rides are very low key and a great excuse to just get out on the old bikes and go for a cruise with like-minded people. The route is decided on the day to suit those riding and more importantly the type of bikes! Don’t be shy if you’ve got an old bike in the garage drag it out and come for a spin with us.

The club has it’s AGM coming up in a few months and as some of you are aware I would like to step down from the role of Road Captain if someone else is prepared to step up and take this on. I’d be more than happy to help someone ease into the role so if it’s something you think you’d be interested please give me a call to discuss.

Other than that nothing else really to report this week other than to remind you about our upcoming mid-winter dinner at CBK in Kaiapoi. It would be great if we can get a good turn out to this event as it gives people the chance to get to know one another a bit better away from cycling and I think strengthens the dynamic of the group as a whole. If you intend on coming along and haven’t advised as such yet can you please do so before 15^th June as I need to confirm numbers.

Lastly have a great long weekend, enjoy the time off and I hope you find some time to get out on the bike.

WHO SAYS YOU CAN’T CYCLE THROUGH WINTER, GET YOUR GEAR ON & GET OUT THERE!

REGULAR WEEKLY RIDES

PLANNED EVENTS & RIDES

MID-WINTER MEAL 24^TH JUNE 6PM AT CBK KAIAPOI: These gatherings are a great opportunity for members and their partners to get to know one another a bit better. This year’s meal is at CBK in Kaiapoi and we have decided on a set menu buffet option at a cost of $37.50 per person. CBK have been very welcoming of us in the past whenever we have called in for a beer or coffee after a ride so it will be nice to return the favour and support them. See attached flyer for additional information and menu details.

PORT HILLS RIDE SAT 3^RD JUNE – MEET PUSHBIKES RANGIORA 9AM: Ride from Rangiora into Christchurch, up Hackthorne Rd, along Summit Rd, down Evans Pass and back to Rangiora. The exact route to and from town will be decided on the day based on those riding but plan for a ride of approximately 100km with a bit of climbing. We will stop for a coffee or perhaps a beer on the way home in Kaiapoi.

CLASSIC BIKE DAY, SAT 24^TH JUNE – MEET PUSHBIKES RANGIORA 9AM: All types of bikes are encouraged on these rides except Carbon, think Steel, Aluminium, Titanium, etc. In the immortal words of Pete Daly NO CARBON OR OTHER SPACE AGE COMPOSITES, IF IT'S BAKED DONT BRING IT! So if you have a classic racer or old clunker sitting in the garage drag it out and join us for one of these chilled out shorter rides. The emphasis is on just getting out on your bike for the pure enjoyment of riding with like-minded people concluding with a natter and coffee session so don’t be shy come join us.

Regards,

Mike Messervy

Road Bike Captain

North Canterbury Cycle Club

Mobile: 027 286 8854

Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

18 May 2017

Hi folks,

The frosty mornings on the bike have well and truly begun with us having a rather chilly start to last Sunday’s ride, but on the plus side it warmed up nicely as the morning progressed. The cold start didn’t put off too many people either as the number of riders was well into the teens which is good to see at this time of year. Hopefully the good numbers continue as the weather cools down even more. On the plus side at least during this time of the year if the weather is less than ideal for cycling we are spoiled for choice with the amount of international race coverage available to watch. The grand tours have begun and we are well into the Giro d'Italia which has already given us some great racing with Tour de France to look forward to thereafter.

Our Thursday night rides have seen a small but enthusiastic crew of riders venturing out to brave the cool dark evenings. It can be hard sometimes to motivate yourself to get outside and ride at this time of year but knowing other like-minded souls are also heading out does make it a little easier to drag your butt off the couch in my opinion. Also riding with others in the dark with lights certainly adds another dimension to the group ride that’s for sure! If you’ve got some good lights and would like to give this a try just rock on up at the usual time and place for a bit of banter and biking.

Coming up we have locked in the 24th June for our Road Section mid-winter meal and get together. This will be at CBK in Kaiapoi and is a good opportunity to support this local establishment as they have been very welcoming of us in the past when calling in after a ride unlike some other local bars! Please see below and attached for more information and note the cutoff date for RSVP’s as I need to confirm numbers with CBK.

Looking ahead we have a planned ride into the Port Hills on the 3^rd of June and a classic bike day on the 17^th June. Potentially if the road to Cheviot remains closed we will try and arrange a ride there and back departing from either Waipara or Amberly instead of the Port Hills ride. The next update on the road is 22^nd May so this will dictate if and when we can do this ride so I’ll send out an email update regarding this once the status of the road has been confirmed It would be good to get a good turn out for both of these rides so mark them in your calendar and come join us for some two wheeled fun.

The “Winter Worlds” racing series out at Prebbleton has now commenced. A number of club members regularly ride in these races and it provides a good way to stay motivated to ride over the cooler months. There are a number of grades on offer from A to F which accommodate the majority of riders, from the seasoned veteran through to newer riders just looking for race experience. You self-graded yourself so for the newer rides you don’t need to be afraid of being put in a grade that is too difficult for you! Click on the following link for further information regarding this race series; Click here

NO CAPTION REQUIRED, WHO WANTS A TAG FOR THEIR MEAN MACHINE

REGULAR WEEKLY RIDES

PLANNED EVENTS & RIDES

CHEVIOT RETURN (option 1) PORT HILLS RIDE (option 2) SAT 3^RD JUNE – MEET PUSHBIKES RANGIORA 9AM: Option 1: Cheviot Return - If the road to Kaikoura is still closed we will do an out and back ride to Cheviot departing from either Amberly or Waipara which would be a ride of approx. 100 – 120km depending on the start point. We will have a coffee and bite to eat on the way home.

Option 2: Port Hills Ride – If the road to Kaikoura has opened we will do this ride instead. Ride from Rangiora into Christchurch, up Hackthorne Rd, along Summit Rd, down Evans Pass and back to Rangiora. The exact route to and from town will be decided on the day based on those riding but plan for a ride of approximately 100km with a bit of climbing. We will stop for a coffee or perhaps a beer on the way home in Kaiapoi

CLASSIC BIKE DAY, SAT 17^TH JUNE – MEET PUSHBIKES RANGIORA 9AM: All types of bikes are encouraged on these rides except Carbon, think Steel, Aluminium, Titanium, etc. In the immortal words of Pete Daly NO CARBON OR OTHER SPACE AGE COMPOSITES, IF IT'S BAKED DONT BRING IT! So if you have a classic racer or old clunker sitting in the garage drag it out and join us for one of these chilled out shorter rides. The emphasis is on just getting out on your bike for the pure enjoyment of riding with like-minded people concluding with a natter and coffee session so don’t be shy come join us.

Regards,

Mike Messervy

Road Bike Captain

North Canterbury Cycle Club

Mobile: 027 286 8854

Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Last NEWS form Mike

Hi Folks,

Well we’ve knocked the Okains Bay ride off since my last email and we had yet another good turnout of riders to take on this challenging ride. Although the route is only 55.4 km in distance the elevation gain of 1716m over this distance combined with some pretty steep ascents makes for a very tough day out in the saddle. The climb out of Okains Bay known as the “Beast” is exactly that and gains 436m of elevation over 5.4km at an average gradient of 8%, doesn’t sound bad until you realise the majority of elevation gain is in the second half of the climb with a maximum recorded gradient of 28.8%! Check out the profile below (all data taken from Strava). A special mention to one of our newer members and less experienced riders Jason for taking on the challenge, he showed a lot of determination and completed the ride. We’d also like to thank him for the demonstration of slow speed hill climbing bike dismounting, this was very informative (sorry folks you had to be there to get this J).

THE OKAINS BAY BEAST…..BRUTAL!

There are still a number of recreational race events on the horizon for those that are interested and one that seems to be getting a lot of press of late is the Kaikoura Coast Cycle Classic. This route for this event utilizes SH1 along the coast and represents a unique opportunity to ride on this section of road with very low traffic volumes due to the re-routing of traffic after the November earthquakes. It’s a fantastic stretch of road with spectacular scenery and made even better at present with the reduced vehicle movements. A number of members have expressed an interest in this event so if you are keen contact me and I may be able to put you in touch with other like-minded souls doing the event. For further information check out the following website link; Click here

Another reminder commencing Sunday 14^th May is the ever popular “Winter Worlds” racing series out at Prebbleton. A number of club members regularly ride in these races and it provides a good way to stay motivated to ride over the cooler months. There are a number of grades on offer from A to F which accommodate the majority of riders, from the seasoned veteran through to newer riders just looking for race experience. You self-graded yourself so for the newer rides you don’t need to be afraid of being put in a grade that is too difficult for you! Click on the following link for further information regarding this race series; Click here

Also don’t forget the Thursday night rides are continuing but are now at a slower social pace more focused on getting individuals off the couch. We’ve had a small but enthusiastic crew coming along and riding in the dark certainly adds a new dimension to the riding experience. Just remember front lights are to be handle bar mounted (recommended 600 - 800 lumen min) and you will also need a good rear light and these are to be on a steady state not flashing please.

SORRY TO ALL THOSE STAR WARS FANS OUT THERE!

REGULAR WEEKLY RIDES

PLANNED EVENTS & RIDES

At this stage we don’t have any upcoming events planned but we will look to schedule in some rides very soon and also another social outing so keep an eye out for future updates.

Regards,

Mike Messervy

Road Bike Captain

North Canterbury Cycle Club

Mobile: 027 286 8854

Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

MIKES news 22 MARCH 2017

Hi all,

Unfortunately the long range forecast at present isn’t looking all that flash for this weekend, but if fine the plan for this Sundays scheduled longer ride is to head out to Rampaddocks Road (just for you Gary). Those doing Le Race this weekend will also be praying for fine weather and I certainly hope they get it. The course is tough enough without having bad weather to contend with! Good luck to those members doing this event.

Don’t forget our club kit is on sale this week until midnight Sunday 26^th March so if you are wanting to order some now is the time to do it as we most likely won’t do another order run until the end of this year/early next. See below for ordering details.

Unfortunately due to poor weather we had to postpone our Motunau ride which was disappointing. However we do still have our Little Akaloa/Okains Bay ride coming up on the 8^th April so if you feel like some punishment on the hills this is the ride for you. This will be a tough ride and most likely unsupported so please ensure you have sufficient food, drink etc with you. Let me know ASAP if doing this ride if you haven’t already done so to allow coordination of transport.

Also a reminder that our Sunday bunch rides will revert back to a 9am as of Sunday 2^nd April which is the end of day light savings (boo-hoo!). On the plus side this year we are going to trial continuing with the Thursday night ride rather than stopping at the end of daylight savings as we normally do. It will be a social ride aimed at getting people off the couch and out on the bike during those cold, dark evenings so the pace will be relaxed. If doing these rides you will need good night lights, for a front light I would recommend at least 800 lumens minimum as you want to see where you’re going not just be seen. All front lights will need to be handle bar mounted for safety reasons as it is too distracting to other riders and road users having helmet mounted lights when in a group. If there is not enough interest or it becomes apparent it is just too unsafe we will put the Thursday ride on hold until the commencement of day light savings time again.

NO CAPTION REQUIRED FOR THIS ONE!

REGULAR WEEKLY RIDES

THURSDAY NIGHT RIDES – MEET PUSHBIKES RANGIORA 6.20PM (Departs 6.30pm sharp): LIGHTS NOW REQUIRED PLEASE. This weekly ride typically follows the same route each week of approximately 30 – 35km out Loburn way and has proved to be very popular with members. Generally this is a faster pace than the Sunday ride, but generally we stick together on the way out with the pace quickening on the return leg. The group normally meets back at the Blackett Street round about at the conclusion of the ride for a quick natter session.

SUNDAY SOCIAL RIDES – MEET PUSHBIKES RANGIORA 8AM: The route and distance varies week to week, but typically the rides are approximately 45 – 60km in distance and always with a well deserved coffee back in Rangiora! Normally there is always a senior rider on hand to offer guidance and advice to the newer riders. NOTE THE LAST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH IS SCHEDULED AS A LONGER RIDE OF APPROXIMATELY 75 – 120KM. This Sundays long ride will most likely be Rampaddocks Road.

PLANNED EVENTS & RIDES

LITTLE AKALOA/OKAINS BAY (REVERSE): SAT 8^TH APRIL: Earlier in the year we did this epic climbing loop, to say it was challenging is a major understatement! However it was such a great area to cycle with minimal traffic and beautiful scenery and because we are suckers for punishment we have decided to do it again but in reverse this time around. As the route map below shows the ride distance is only approximately 53kms in length however don’t be fooled this is a tough ride! We will coordinate transport closer to the time and hopefully there will be a support vehicle for this ride. As always we will most likely stop for a bite to eat together on the way home.

Regards,

Mike Messervy

Road Bike Captain

North Canterbury Cycle Club

Mobile: 027 286 8854

Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

MIKES news 10 March 2017

This weekend is the next of our planned rides being the Motunau ride. Some valid safety concerns were raised last weekend by a couple of members regarding a section of the route along SH7 due to the increased traffic volumes since the earthquakes around this area. Unfortunately when we planned this ride it wasn’t really an issue and given the short notice raising these concerns I haven’t had time to prepare an alternative route, although it was discussed among members at the time. Due to this what I have proposed is that those riding on the day discuss and plan a route in the area they are all comfortable with. But probably the best option will be just to ride the route out to Motunau and return the same way along SH1 and miss the section on SH7. Obviously this will have an impact on distance but shouldn’t be too much of an issue. This may all be in vain anyway looking at the forecast for the weekend which is looking very average to say the least, so if raining the ride will be postponed until a later date.

Moving onto a more touchy subject there has been a fair bit of debate of late about our bunch rides and a lot of misinformation thrown into the public arena, some by people that either don’t ride with us at all or at best do so very infrequently and this is creating a very negative image of our group which I believe for the most part is unwarranted. Over the last 4 years the Road Section has gone through somewhat of a transformation period and this is an ongoing process and in some instances the negative comments have been based on experiences very early on in this period. A standardized bunch riding structure was developed and introduced in consultation with members a number of years ago as a means of providing a safer and more enjoyable riding experience for all to try and negate some of the earlier issues. Generally this bunch riding policy works well but it is worth noting that like any protocols there needs to be ongoing training/reinforcement with new and existing members. It is especially critical when integrating new members into our bunch rides as they come to grips with the ethos of our group and structure of our rides. The group as a whole needs to take responsibility for the implementation of the policy for it to work effectively and the key to this is good communication among the bunch. For clarity I have attached it again for review like I do most years at the beginning of the spring/summer period.

Over the past 4 years we have also tried to set clear boundaries for the format of our regular Thursday and Sunday rides. The Thursday ride has typically been the quicker ride but normally we try to moderate the pace on the way out and keep the group together. The return journey this year has been unrestricted and riders can ride as fast or as slow as they like. There has been some confusion around this and perhaps as suggested recently it is time to reintroduce a slower group that does stick together while the faster group will be unrestricted in terms of pace as we have done in the past. Whether this occurs at the beginning or mid-point of the ride would be at the discretion of the group. Our Sunday ride is a social ride and we try as best as we can to accommodate a broad range of fitness and abilities. Obviously if someone is a lot slower or faster than the group in general it can be a challenge and this is an ongoing issue that the group as a whole needs to manage. I think the key to the effective operation of the bunch for any ride is that clear boundaries are set and agreed upon before setting off so that everyone is clear about the structure, e.g. sticking together at a moderate pace, deciding to split the group at a certain point etc, etc.

Rather than concentrating on the negatives as we often do perhaps we should reflect more on the positives and look at how far the road section has progressed over the last 4 years. As a group we have introduced a bunch riding policy, the Thursday night ride, regular monthly rides over the warmer months, we have done multiday rides and enjoyed numerous social gatherings as a group. On top of that we have seen a significant growth in the number of members in the road section and on our weekly rides which almost always sees the number of riders in double figures. This a far cry from the days of old where you were lucky if you had someone else even turn up to ride with and this was limited to the Sunday morning ride! All of these things would not have occurred had we not had an engaged and enthusiastic group.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I’m always open to suggestions regarding the rides or to facilitate a meeting for members to discuss any matters they may have in an open forum so if you have concerns please feel free to contact me direct or raise it with me on one of our rides. On that note I also believe that perhaps it is time for a new Road Captain and I would like to stand down at the next AGM if someone is willing to take on the role. I’m more than happy to offer guidance and assistance to whoever wants to take this on. You don’t need to be the best or strongest rider, you just need to have the best interests of the group and club at heart. You would also be supported by a fantastic group of people and without the continued support I’ve had from them over the years we wouldn’t have transformed the road section into what it is today.

Lastly the content of this email is not aimed at any single person or group of people, nor am I attempting to stir up any discontent, it is simply my attempt to quell any further misconceptions and to offer my insights into what our group is actually about. Anyway I think that’s more than enough said on the subject, let’s get back to what we all enjoy doing the most and that’s riding our bikes!

I THINK WE’VE ALL HEARD THIS BEFORE ON A RIDE WITH MATES INTO THE UNKNOWN

REGULAR WEEKLY RIDES

THURSDAY NIGHT RIDES – MEET PUSHBIKES RANGIORA 6.20PM (Departs 6.30pm sharp): LIGHTS NOW RECOMMENDED PLEASE. This weekly ride typically follows the same route each week of approximately 30 – 35km out Loburn way and has proved to be very popular with members. Generally this is a faster pace than the Sunday ride, but generally we stick together on the way out with the pace quickening on the return leg. The group normally meets back at the Blackett Street round about at the conclusion of the ride for a quick natter session.

SUNDAY SOCIAL RIDES – MEET PUSHBIKES RANGIORA 8AM: The route and distance varies week to week, but typically the rides are approximately 45 – 60km in distance and always with a well deserved coffee back in Rangiora! Normally there is always a senior rider on hand to offer guidance and advice to the newer riders. NOTE THE LAST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH IS SCHEDULED AS A LONGER RIDE OF APPROXIMATELY 75 – 120KM. This Sundays long ride will most likely be the Ashley Gorge loop, direction dependent on wind!

PLANNED EVENTS & RIDES

MOTUNAU RIDE: SAT 11^TH MAR – MEET PUSHBIKES RANGIORA 8AM: We will travel via car to Waipara and park essentially opposite the site of the old pub. As noted above the exact route of this ride may differ from that previously advertised due to safety concerns around traffic volumes on SH7. We will have a brief meeting at Rangiora to confirm the chosen route prior to setting off to ensure everyone is on the same page so to speak.

Regards,

Mike Messervy

Road Bike Captain

North Canterbury Cycle Club

Mobile: 027 286 8854

Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

14 Feb 2017

Hi guys and gals,

I’m not sure about you folks but I can honestly say I’m getting more than a little sick and tired of the incessant winds of late. Is it just me or has this summer seemed windier than usual? Yes it’s good training to ride in the wind but I’d certainly prefer nice calm conditions any day!

Back on the subject of wind I would have to say we were pretty lucky with the weather for our Waitangi day ride through the gorges. Yes we did get some wind and it was a bit breezy in parts but thankfully not as bad as it had been in the days leading up to the ride. We even had the wind behind us for the run down Old West Coast Road which made this rather boring stretch of road a lot quicker and more enjoyable. We had a good group along for this ride, including a couple of guests and considering the forecast 31 degrees it remained a lot cooler for the duration of the ride so was a very comfortable riding temperature for us in the end. The keen ones topped off the ride with a couple of beers in Kaiapoi at the CBK bar. These guys are very welcoming of lycra clad punters so a big shout out to them for their hospitality, unlike some other bars in the local area!

Our next planned ride was to be Hanmer Springs this weekend but unfortunately we have not had enough interest for this ride to go ahead so the decision has been made to cancel it. Apologies for this if you had intended riding however with only two confirmed it just wasn’t feasible. With the cancellation of this ride our next planned outing will be Motanau on Saturday 11th March. Can you please let me know as soon as practically possible but no later than Monday 27th February if doing this ride so we have an idea of numbers ahead of time.

Our weekly bunch rides continue to see strong numbers each week with a number of newer members and guests joining us at present which is great. This can at times change the dynamic of the bunch somewhat as people find their groove so to speak and come to grips with the way our group operates. Unless you’ve been living under a rock most of you will be aware we operate two bunch rides each week, our Thursday ride is the quicker of the two and aims to give those that want to stretch their legs the opportunity to do so. Typically the pace is moderate on the way out with the return leg being as quick as the riders on the day want to go. In short this is the ride to do if you want to push yourself and the pace.

Our Sunday ride is targeted as more of a social ride and the expectation is that the group rides together and if need be regroups to wait on any slower riders along the route. With this in mind just a gentle reminder that when riding together we all need to be conscious of this and if the group starts splitting or riders start dropping off due to the pace it needs to be communicated through the bunch and the speed adjusted accordingly. If numbers allow we will split the bunch into a faster and slower group during the ride for those that want to go a little quicker or alternatively if you want to carry on at your own pace that’s fine also just let someone in the bunch know before turning on the afterburners (or slowing down for that matter) so the rest of the group doesn’t try sitting on your wheel.

Also another reminder the club does have a members only Facebook page titled “NCCC Member’s Facebook Page”. This page allows members to receive individual notifications of club rides and first notice of events but also participate in discussion regarding track condition updates (MTB), general and technical questions, gear news, report on recent events, share photos and videos, community notices, lost/stolen bikes etc. So if this sounds like your kind of thing check out the following link and JOIN; Click here

For those that use Strava we also have a club page which is great way to see what sort of riding other club members are getting up to. It can be a great motivational tool seeing the cycling activity of other members so take a look we currently have over 50 members.

NO EXPLANATION REQUIRED!

REGULAR WEEKLY RIDES

THURSDAY NIGHT RIDES – MEET PUSHBIKES RANGIORA 6.20PM (Departs 6.30pm sharp): This weekly ride typically follows the same route each week of approximately 30 – 35km out Loburn way and has proved to be very popular with members. Generally this is a faster pace than the Sunday ride, but generally we stick together on the way out with the pace quickening on the return leg. The group normally meets back at the Blackett Street round about at the conclusion of the ride for a quick natter session.

SUNDAY SOCIAL RIDES – MEET PUSHBIKES RANGIORA 8AM: The route and distance varies week to week, but typically the rides are approximately 45 – 60km in distance and always with a well deserved coffee back in Rangiora! Normally there is always a senior rider on hand to offer guidance and advice to the newer riders. NOTE THE LAST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH IS SCHEDULED AS A LONGER RIDE OF APPROXIMATELY 75 – 120KM. This Sundays long ride will most likely be the Ashley Gorge loop, direction dependent on wind!

PLANNED EVENTS & RIDES

HANMER SPRINGS: SAT 18^TH & 19^TH FEB: Please note this ride has been cancelled.

MOTANAU RIDE: SAT 11^TH MAR: Exact details of the route will be sent out at a later date but at this stage the preliminary route will be to follow the inland road from Rangiora to Waipara, onto state highway 1 through to the Motanau turn off at Greta Valley. This will be an out and back route and most likely unsupported.

Regards,

Mike Messervy

Road Bike Captain

North Canterbury Cycle Club

Mobile: 027 286 8854

Email: [email protected] or [email protected]