Short Course 2: Shorter

Round 2 of the quick and dirty short course series happened this fine New Plymouth evening at the Huatoki Domain. The track was indeed short - there shouldn't be any surprises there - and the field was roughly double last week's making for placing madness.

Line honours went to Darry - though we're pretty sure it's just because he's got flames on his bike. Round 1 winner Roger came in with a solid second to hold the Open series points lead.

Catie took the win in the Women's class, making it two from two, Cory again held off Caleb in the Juniors, and James made it two from two in the Rec class.

The trouble with a race that lasts 12 minutes is that it's hard to get photos that aren't blurry, so I'm going to call them arty. Click to enlarge if you're that way inclined.

Tune in next Monday for Round 3 at Marsland Hill. We're not meant to use the summit, but will try and keep the course a little bit interesting anyway.

There's also been a bit of interest in running these beyond the current 3-race series. We're currently scoping some additional courses with a view to making the most of the remaining 4 or so weeks until we lose the daylight savings. Watch this space.

Again good to meet some new riders - hope to see you at the next event on the calendar - 3-Hours of Mangamahoe - this Saturday 2-5pm (registration OTD only from 1.00 pm) at the Mangamahoe Trails, Plantation Road SH3 just south of NP.

Now, to find me a bike with some flames on...

Short Course XC Race - Fitzroy

A small but smiley field turned out for the first of the Short Course race series. The course was a little longer than anticipated, finishing with a short sharp climb, which was all okay because the race was only 15 minutes long.

Welcome to the new club members who signed up at the event, and full credit to Matt for tackling the course on a full-noise carbon roadie, Caleb for managing that hill and 2nd in the Junior class on a downhill bike, Roger, Catie, Cory and James for class wins and Mitchell Cycles Avanti Plus for the spot prizes.

Tune in next week when you'll ride a course that is a little more interesting and a little less hilly...

Huatoki Domain, 6pm Monday 22 February.

Click photos to make them bigger:

Women's Skills Clinic - Photos

 

Photos from last Sunday's Women's Skills Clinic at Mangamahoe - part of the Wild West Bike Fest. What better place to use your new skills than at Frocks On Bikes - this Saturday at 10-11am at the Wind Wand, or enter the women's class at the upcoming Short Course XC Series or 3-Hour Teams Race! 

Short Course XC Series

NPMTB is this year introducing something new to Taranaki - a Short Course XC Race Series. 

The theory is simple - multiple laps around a short (1-2 minutes per lap) course for around 10-15 minutes - a bit like a criterium for mountain bikes. It's spectator friendly, fun, and decidedly lo-fi. Courses will generally be not too technical (though we reserve the right to include nasty little hills) meaning less experienced racers can take part, and have a lot of wide open spaces for passing manoeuvres.

Riders race for a set time plus a specified number of laps - usually 10 minutes and a couple of laps. Riders will be notified when the final numbered laps begin.  Depending on turnout, we'll offer 

Junior (under18), Recreational, Women, and Open grades.

Racing will happen from 6.00pm and given it's all over in 15 minutes it's recommended you're not too late. 

Race 1: Fitzroy Domain, Monday 15 February: Meet at the end of Record Street (at the Golf Club carpark), Fitzroy.

Race 2: Huatoki Domain, Monday 22 February: Meet at the Huatoki Tennis Club, Huatoki Street, Frankley Park.

Race 3: Marsland Hill, Monday 1 March: Meet in the lower carpark by the Civil Defence Centre, uphill at the corner of Robe and Bulteel Streets. 

While the focus is on fun and there will be a handful of spot prizes accordingly, there will be series points tallied, with prizes for the overall Short Course Champions (cue gasps of awe) for 2010.

Reminder re Working Bee this Thursday

The next of the trail maintenance working bees is this Thursday evening:

Thursday 11th February, 6 pm to 7.30 pm.

Generally it's a good idea to wear suitable footwear and some gloves.

No tools are supplied, so please bring something useful for trail maintenance work; loppers, slasher, pruning gear etc.

Thanks to all those who have been turning up for this years trail building and maintenance working bees. Great work!

Skills clinic popular

21 women turned up at Mangamahoe yesterday for the NPMTB-led Women's Skills Course, part of the 2010 Wild West Bike Fest.  The group split into 3 bunches based on experience level and went for a ride through the Mangamahoe Trail network, focusing on dealing with the "little challenges" that popped up along the way.

Huge thanks to Sandra, Jenn and Andy for leading the groups, and the other club committee members that helped out. Considerable interest was expressed in both repeating the event and running a regular Women's ride, so watch this space, but in the meantime, head along to the Women's Skills City Ride.  It's on at Puke Ariki Landing, 5.30-7pm this Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and translate your newfound off-road confidence into a road riding situation.

Thomas rides again!

Club member Thomas the indefatigable is riding in the Kiwi Brevet starting in Blenheim on Saturday 6th Feb.

What is a Brevet? From wikipedia "Brevet, or randonnée, is an organised long-distance bicycle ride in the sport of randonneuring. Cyclists - who, in this discipline, may be referred to as randonneurs - follow a designated but unmarked route (usually 200km to 1400km), passing through check-point controls, and must complete the course within specified time limits. These limits, while challenging, still allow the ride to be completed at a comfortable pace - there is no requirement to cycle at racing speeds or employ road bicycle racing strategies."

You can follow Thomas and the other randonneurs around the top half of the South Island for their 1100 km ride online:

map tracking:
http://trackleaders.com/kiwibrevet

Call in recordings:
http://www.cycletech.co.nz/kiwibrevet/

Event website:
http://kiwibrevet.blogspot.com/