MMBC Newsletter – July 19th 2020 | Manawatu Mountain Bike Club

In this issue:

11th Santoft Sizzler & CBS Winter Series Updates
Arapuke Trails Update
Financial Support For Elite Riders Information
Turakina Valley Gravel Grind
Manawatū Dirt Divas
Other Events / Notices

WINTER SERIES & SIZZLER

Central Bicycle Studios Winter Series

We have run the first 2 rounds of the Central Bicycle Studios Winter Series at Scott’s Ferry with good turnouts, especially for the junior races, which now make up about half of our fields. Due to the late start to the series we are only running 5 rounds this year with Round 3 next week the 26th July. For this round we are venturing over to our Whanganui neighbours to the Araheke MTB Park beside Lake Wiritoa. To find the park turn onto Kaitoke Road, which is left off SH 3 before Whanganui (heading north). Past Lake Wiritoa and Lakelands to the end of the road. Look for the club flags – we’ll be easy to find.

The CBS Winter Series will then break for a month so we can all ride the Santoft Sizzler before resuming at Foxton on the 30th August. The final round of the series will be on on the 13th September, also at Foxton. See the club Facebook page for more info (just click the button to the right)!

The 11th Santoft Sizzler

Santoft Sizzler is a fun MTB event held in the Santoft Forest at Scotts Ferry, 20km West of Bulls. It is open to solo’s or teams of 2-4 persons to ride as a relay over a 5 hour duration. The course is grade 2-3 single track in the mature pines of Santoft Forest, intersected with a mixture of forest roads and 4wd tracks. Lap distance will be around 6km in length,with average ride time of around 25 minutes per lap. The sand based trails are ideal all weather trails, which are at their best in the damper winter months.

The Sizzler event base will be a “village”set up in the forest on the forest road, where event timing / lap scoring will be recorded. Teams change riders in this “village area”. We have a coffee cart on site delivering your hot coffee and choc fixes and a food tent as well.

There are awesome spot prizes drawn throughout the event courtesy of My Ride, Palmerston North and The Woolshed Cafe, followed by a prize giving of unique Sizzler trophies for grade winners and place-getters. As a fun event, you are welcome to dress up for the occasion, prizes for best dress up team / solo rider from Brew Union in Palmerston North. Enter using the link below:
https://event-7715-9714.lilregie.com/booking/attendees/new

Arapuke Trails Update

Well, it’s winter time, so new trail development is going to pause for a bit as we brace for the wet of Spring! Now is the time when we turn our attention to maintenance and ensuring that all our drainage and water management is working properly. There have been tree pruning crews working in the park and it’s worth reminding everyone that the park does still have an active forestry operation inside it. We have exciting plans for later this year with the rebuild of both Ripper and Jumping Jack on the books, stay tuned.

Rhythm and Vines
The Trails Committee has decided that we will be adjusting the grading of this trail from a 3 – Intermediate to a 4 – Advanced. This reflects the evolving nature of the trail surface as well as the edge exposure in the middle 3rd of this trail.

Arapuke Planting Bee
We have an upcoming Working B focusing on planting, Sunday August 2nd at 9am – 12pm. Meet at the container near the top of the hill, opposite the entrance to Mr. Twister. We would love to see lots of people and new faces are welcome!

New Climb
The crew from Velstand Trails are putting the finishing touches on a new climb. Opening of this trail will be dependent on weather and surface conditions. The climb is a Grade 4 and certainly makes you earn your turns. It has an average gradient of 10%, which is about double the 5% we target for Grade 3 climbs. It also has a number of technical moves, rock steps, tight switchbacks and narrow lines that need to be negotiated. The trail starts at the bottom of Karearea, down by the river, so only accessible to those riders looking to do multiple laps. The climb splits mid way and you have the choice of continuing on to Check Point Charlie Hub or splitting off to the Shuttle Pickup Bay. We look forward to announcing the opening of this trail soon. Check out these stunners taken today of the new work (Sunday)!

Financial Support For Elite Riders

Financial Support for Elite Riders

MMBC has launched a new opportunity to provide financial support to club riders heading to National and International events sanctioned by Cycling New Zealand and/or the UCI; or any other elite event or activity that involves competition at a high level. The funding will be drawn from the small surpluses that sometimes accrue from club events and from grants that are aligned with this purpose (membership subs won’t be used). Covid may get in the way of international travel this year, but the fund will remain open to applications into the future to support aspiring riders in the years to come. More details here:
https://mmbc.co.nz/join/funding-opportunities/

Turakina Valley Gravel Grind

With gravel riding and off-road drop bar riding becoming a massively growing market, we’re starting to see lots of really challenging, fun rides popping up in New Zealand. If you think you’re up for 120km of almost totally unsupported riding in the Turakina Valley, featuring 95km of gravel then click here.

There is no entry fee, and you must be capable of being totally self-supported.

Disclaimer: The club is not an official endorsee or supporter of this event in any way; as always, you ride at your own risk. Make sure you’re well prepared for everything the central plateau can offer if you choose to get involved, and take careful not of the safety and gear requirements, especially those around clothing and PLB or InReach 🙂

DIRT DIVAS RIDES AND EVENTS

Manawatū Dirt Divas

Nothing new to report since the last newsletter just yet, but any further information from the group will be added to newsletters as it is shared.

Our mission is simple: To get more women and girls riding mountain bikes in the Manawatū.

Our tag line is simpler (and more fun): Getting women dirty on bikes since 2020.

We facilitate:
• Regular social rides, both in the Manawatū and away
• Women’s only events for various riding styles and abilities
• Coaching and development opportunities
• Riders to support women in club events
• Social events
• Click here to join us on Facebook and find out more!

Other Events / Notices

Aotearoa New Zealand’s thriving event calendar continues! Click here for to read about PNP’s series of MTB events for this year.

The MMBC is an award winning club, but we’d love you to join us if you haven’t already. Your membership allows an incredible range of trails, events and opportunities for our town and region. Sign up here!

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