PNP have been running women's only track training sessions for all comers at the Wellington Velodrome since October, with excellent results. Fifteen different women have attended during this period with a core set of regulars, and some choosing to race at the regular Sunday afternoon Speed League meetings.

Run on Thursday evenings from 6pm, the sessions have focussed on skills as well as fitness. Coach Rachel Southee, with assistance from Ele Pepperell, is extremely happy with how the programme has progressed.

"We have a great bunch of ladies of all ages and abilities where we provide a supportive and fun environment for women to give track cycling a go, or to get a decent training session in," says Rachel. "I am looking forward to kicking off our 2018 sessions and building on what we have started. We welcome anyone who wishes to come along and join us."

"We're delighted to be able to offer Wellington's female cyclists dedicated track time and coaching for virtually no cost," says PNP Track committee member Nick Warren. "Programmes like this usually take time to develop and grow, but the women's sessions have exceeded expectations and we look forward to more."

"Track cycling is a fantastic way to improve your confidence and bike handling, and should form a part of every cyclist's training."

Club track bikes are still available to rent, and the sessions run every Thursday at 6pm through to the end of March. Contact track@pnp.org.nz to get involved and check pnp.org.nz/training-at-the-track for more info, no previous track cycling experience required.

With three major national events next year, it's going to be a busy second half of the season. Here's how things are going to work from a PNP club and Wellington Centre perspective.

Elite National Championships (inc. Elite, Para and Under 19 Omniums), Invercargill, 21-25 February 2018:

Team organisation is being coordinated by Jamie Hodgkinson, Lee Evans and Nigel Saywell and the following riders will be representing the Wellington Centre:

Glenn Catchpole Open/ elite

Lee Evans Open/ elite

Russell Pepperell Open/ elite

Max Uivel Open/ elite

Daniel Shepherd Open/ elite

Kate Horan Open/ Para

Daniel Shepherd Open/ elite

Grace Saywell Under 19

Caleb Moyle Under 19

Bridget Olphert Under 19

Louis Hodgkinson Under 19

Age Group National Championships (under 15, 17 and Masters) Invercargill, 7-11 March 2018:

A slimmed down team of Masters have indicated they'll be travelling to Invercargill to race the Age Group Championships for the Wellington Centre. The team will have to organise themselves and appoint a Team Manager to arrange entries and perform the usual duties.

Bruce Cook

David Bernard

Hubertus Buyck

Johnathan Leonard

National Schools Championships, Cambridge, 20-21 March 2018:

A strong contingent of junior riders are expected to contest these Championships. Given it's neither a club nor centre event, we won't be organising support but will advise and encourage the Wellington entourage.

3 December – 10am start

Meet at Pollhill Reserve, Aro Road, Aro Valley

Fast riders can go hard, slower riders can cruise, and we will have a tail-end Charlie to ensure everyone gets around safely.

Children without parents are welcome, but we need to know who they are before we set off and exchange numbers so that parents can be contacted at the end.

Proposed Circuit:

Meet at the Pollhill Reserve, Aro Street, Aro Valley. From there we'll head up Hollaway Road and take the single track up Pollhill. Once we join up with the track that runs around the reserve, we'll take a left and continue up. We'll cross the road and do the final section up Carparts to the windmill.

Then the fun part will be the return down. This track is not technical, it's very flow and fun. I expect this ride will take around 1.5 hours if we have younger riders.

Mike and Krissy are leading this ride, so if you have any question please text or phone Krissy on 021492231 or email pnp@pnp.org.nz (phone is best on the day).

Note:

If the weather is bad, this ride will be cancelled and not rescheduled. Follow us on Facebook for any notices.

There are a couple of recent top results by PNP club members on the road which we think are worth sharing.

Firstly Rob came third in Masters 2 in the latest round of the Trust House NI Team Series in Martinborough and is rocking the club kit on the podium (photo supplied by the series).

And secondly Andy hit it up large in the Tour of Southland, winning the Black Mount KOM on Tuesday, then getting up Coronet Peak in the top 20 riders yesterday and riding himself into the silver jersey for best masters rider (photo by Digby Shaw).

Well done fellas!

I was recently introduced to a mobile app for the 22 NZ Great Rides that I want to share with you.

The app is the only one that focuses on these cycle trails, once downloaded it works offline using mobile GPS to track and is completely free! The app contains over 600 pages of content to help riders pick, plan and plot their way along the trail.

Download it and give it a try, it is very intuitive and simple to use.

Apple App Store - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/great-rides/id1181203029?mt=8 Google Play Store - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mytoursapp.android.app906

The 22 NZ Great Rides offer cycling for a range of riding abilities from easy trails (Hauraki, Hawkes Bay, Queenstown Trails), intermediate trails to advanced back-country rides such as the St James and The Old Ghost Road. If you'd like to know more about the App check out their website: www.greatridesapp.nz

The Wellington Velodrome becomes the focus for track cycling in the capital again as the sixth season of the weekly Burkes Cycles Speed League run by the Port Nicholson Poneke Cycling Club (PNP) promises another summer of exciting racing.

Kicking off on November 5 at the Wellington Velodrome in Hataitai, every round features up to 20 races for ability-based grades, and overall prizes for age grades from under 11 right up to under 19s and seniors.

Four-time women's champion Ele Pepperell will return, hoping to use her consistent place-getting to earn a further Champion System winner's jersey. Pepperell just scraped together enough points to nab last year's title on the final weekend of racing after early competition leader Lisa Hunkin dropped out of the running following a heavy crash in February.

Hunkin is back but this established duo may see previously unheralded rivals emerge from the new women's coaching programme which was set up in October and has attracted a large number of participants.

The men's contest, backed by Coffee Supreme, is wide open with Nick Warren aiming to defend his title but it will be a big ask with long time rivals Grant Perry, Matt Sharland and Mike Thomas, plus back-in-form sprinter Lee Evans, keen to take it off his hands.

Craigs Investment Partners sponsor a new under 19s category, which should see strong competition amongst the capital's top youth riders. Henry Levett will be gunning for the boy's title after a blistering winter during which he won the PNP Criterium Series. His training partner Liam Cooper will be hot on his heels however, as will fast-finisher Louis Hodgkinson, while Grace Saywell will be gunning for the girl's under 19s title.

A refreshed format for The Lanes Bar and Bowling Lounge Sprint Ace contest means six riders each week will race a one lap, all out sprint to gain points towards the coveted Sprint Ace men and women's trophies.

The teams prize is sponsored again by Zeal Commercial Interiors and 2016-17 winners Rivet Racing are likely to receive tough competition from the newly formed Wellington Sprint Squad, as well as last year's runners up Lone Rangers.

"It's going to be another stellar year for track cycling at the Wellington Velodrome," said PNP Track head, Peter Mitchell. "I'm looking forward to some close competition and plenty of new faces using this great facility."

As well as organising Speed League, PNP run training and taster sessions for rookies on the Wellington Velodrome throughout the summer, helping dozens of riders from age 7 enjoy safe cycling.

We're excited to be racing in a new area this year, and after the pre-ride today think you're going to love it. Thanks to everyone who came along, and to those who helped guide us around the course.

Entries are now open and all the course information is on our website.

Please note, we are not racing next weekend (29 October), Round 4 is scheduled for two weeks from now (5 November).

Next weekend 29 October we will have the pre-ride for Round 5 – Belmont Regional Park. Our ride leader for that day will be Marco.

Attention all mountain bikers!!

Online registrations for the Giant Wellington PNP Spring Series Race 1 closes today.

Enter for the series and you make the greatest savings (one race free). Enter online for the race and it's cheaper than if you enter on the day.

Online entries close tonight at 9pm, on the day entries close at 9:30am on Sunday – no exceptions.

We need time to ensure everything is set up in the system before the racing commences. This allows us to get the results out quickly after the races finish. We need your help to achieve this and entering early helps us enormously.

We are really looking forward to seeing you all this weekend at Wainuiomata – it's going to be awesome – so what are you waiting for......Enter online now!

Link from CBD to Eastern Suburbs – big plans – but what’s best for PNP?

Please get your comments to Mark: coburn_mark@hotmail.com by 10 September regarding the staged approach for Miramar Avenue, and by 24 September regarding the two-way cycleway.

We really need to think about this! Segregated cycle lanes are the best for getting 8-80 years olds on a bike, they provide confidence and safety. But how will our bunch rides use the areas? What speed would you travel at within a two-way cycle lane? At what point do you use the road? What message does that send to car drivers?

PNP will again put in a submission, but if you want it to reflect your views, than I need to know what they are. Please email me directly: coburn_mark@hotmail.com

Details: With work on Cobham Drive about to get under way – it’s time for the wider community to help shape proposals to connect the two-way cycleway with the harbour route to the city, the gateway to Miramar and other parts of the eastern suburbs. Two open days are planned next week so people can look at the work done to date and give their thoughts on the various options for Miramar Avenue, Evans Bay Parade and some 20 other roads linking Kilbirnie and Miramar with Strathmore Park, Seatoun and Newtown.

The open days are at the ASB Sports Centre in Kilbirnie on Wed 6 Sept, 4pm–7pm and Sat 9 Sept 10am–4pm. Information about what’s proposed will be available at: transportprojects.org.nzfrom Monday 4 September, and at the open days.

Initial feedback is required by 17 September on: a staged approach for Miramar Avenue, including options for the section between Tauhinu Road and Park Road

· options for Evans Bay Parade (Cobham Drive to Carlton Gore Road)

· options for Miramar and Kilbirnie that will provide connections to Seatoun, Strathmore Park and Newtown, involving changes to about 20 streets.

Submissions can also be made before 2 October on a plan to put in a two-way cycleway on the seaward side of Miramar cutting between the intersection of Shelly Bay Road and Tauhinu Road, consistent with the new two-way cycleway going in along Cobham Drive.

CyclingNZ Coaching Course, Wgtn or Kapiti

Date: 15-17 December 2017

Times: Friday eve is 6 to 9pm, and then all day Sat & Sun.

Venue: TBC – Kapiti BMX have kindly offered their track and clubrooms for the course. This may suit unless we are offered a central location free of charge.

We have people interested from Wainui BMX, Kapiti BMX and PNP road & track. We are keen for more though, especially PNP MTB.

Course Fees: The fee is $260. This includes course administration, manuals/resources and accreditation. It does not include travel, accommodation and meals.

Course content/resources:

All resources will be provided on day one, there is no pre-course reading requirements however below is a list of the modules that we will be covering over the two + days:

• Your role as a coach

• Coaching Principles – current worldwide research and practice

• Risk assessment/management/child safety/protection

• Session Planning

• Coaching language, communication & presentational skills

• Youth specific training guidelines and raising performance riders.

• Coaching practicals

Contact: – Education Manager, Cycling New Zealand

The final race of the Capital Cycles/PNP criterium series was cancelled due to cold wet southerly front that ripped through the district on Sunday morning. The weather was the main feature in the other two races as well with wet slippery conditions making it very tricky to navigate the difficult course at speed. Whist there were a few crashes the handling skills on display were impressive particularly in the junior grades which made for excellent racing and some very close sprints. Thanks to all who braved the wintry conditions.

Final placings are below.

U13 Boys

First

Elliot Robertson

Second

Matthew McDermott

Third

George Tompkin

U13 Girls

First

Millie Donald

U15 Boys

First

Josh Turnbull

Second

Freddie Dossor

Third

Toby Braun

U17 Boys

First

Boston Bright

Second

Louis Hodgkinson

Third

Stanley Riddle

U17 Girls

First

Bridgit Olphert

U19 Girls

First

Grace Saywell

grade/ U19 Boys

First

Henry Levett

Second

Matthew Cryer

Third

Matthew Webb-Smith

B grade

First

Kerrin Allwood

Second

Boston Bright

Third

Toby Fuller

C grade

First

Gary Moller

Second

Troy Turner

Third

Giancarlo Vidamo

D grade

First

Patrick Lane

Second

Tony Evans

Third

Marty Bennis

Attention all riders: Today's criterium race – the final race of the Capital Cycles Criterium Series – has been cancelled de to poor weather.

PNP Track is excited to announce a greatly expanded track coaching team for the 2017-18 season, with planned sessions at the Wellington Velodrome seven days a week starting mid October. The wealth of knowledge between these coaches is massive, and a fantastic opportunity for cyclists of any experience or ability.

Here's what's in it for you:

- Learn essential cycling skills and race craft for minimal costs - we’ve got track bikes to rent too.

- Set new goals: personal bests over timed distances such as the pursuit, or become a contender at the National Track Championships.

- Different skills, different coaches. Sprinters, endurance riders and women - choose the sessions that suit you.

- Our well established junior coaching programme is extended so that under 17 and 19 riders are catered for across the board.

- The opportunity to train for the Wellington squads heading to the elite or age group national championships, either as an individual or team pursuit or team sprint member.

Meet the team:Women’s endurance coach (under 17s and up): Rachel Southee - NZ rep at junior level with a wealth of training knowledge.

Men’s endurance coaches (under 17s and up): Mike Meadowcroft and Jamie Hodgkinson - experienced track cyclists who have run a highly successful regular training evening at the velodrome for the last season. Mike was an NZ squad member, and has also managed national teams at major championships.

Women’s sprint coach (under 17s and up): Chris Taylor - former junior national champion and record holder with decades of racing experience.

Men’s sprint coach (under 17s and up): Lee Evans - sprinter extraordinaire who knows track racing inside out.

Sprint coach (under 17s and up): Ian Ellis - New Zealand representative at under 19 level, available for self-directed sprint training.

Juniors (under 11s through to under 17s): Gary Gibson - with oodles of knowledge and experience, Gary is an expert on getting kids on bikes and racing.

We have the equipment and knowhow, you just need the motivation to take on a new challenge.

Got questions or want to get started? Contact track@pnp.org.nz or Nick at 021 0299 0632.

The Champion System shop is now open.

If you have an existing Champion System account your will not need to register again, it will automatically integrate together with your existing login information. If you don't have an account, please register first, then place your order.

Once you have placed your order, you will go through to the check-out and pay. Unlike the first time we set up the shop, all orders will be delivered to me (Club Secretary) and I will dispatch your orders to you or arrange pick-up. This is a trial to see if it's faster, cheaper.... or painful, then we'll settle on a process going forward. This is also to ensure the North Island Series Team get their orders in time for the first race.

The shop will open again in time for Christmas gifting, so if you don't get your order in this time, you'll have one more opportunity before the end of the year. I'm also in discussions with another provider, now that we have our designs sorted, to make sure that we are getting the best possible deal and products. So, in the not-too-distant future you may be have a choice between two providers of our kit.

Please note: I strongly recommend you pay close attention to the size guides, and where possible try on Champion System clothing before you order items as sizes vary a lot between styles.

SHOP NOW

BLOOD ROAD

A remarkable film has been offered to PNP for a limited time only, from an on demand platform demand.film.

BLOOD ROAD is the story of Rebecca Rusch who cycled 1,200 of the Ho Chi Minh Trail to find the crash site of her father who had been shot down 40 years before. Described by the LA Times as "a triumph......far beyond the extreme sports film one might expect”

Sue Thompson (of Demand.film) thought that our membership might be interested in the Club hosting a screening for the film. Or alternatively, someone within the Club amy wish to organise a screening as a bike-related or Club-related fundraising event.

I have attached a link as to how demand.film works. If anyone within the Club is interested in setting this up, or hosting night as a fundraiser etc a screening guide which shows how to host a screening and more information about BLOOD ROAD itself is available from Sue.

I have also attached a link to the BLOOD ROAD trailer https://nz.demand.film/how-demand-works/ https://nz.demand.film/blood-road/ for you to check out.

Here are Sue Thompson's details if you'd like more information – Demand.film New Zealand 0274 400 914.

If you'd like to organise a screening for Club members and their friends and families, please let me know and I'll help you make that happen.

Cheers, Krissy

Next week marks the start of an new initiative for PNP. After the feedback session with our riders in March, we learnt that people would like us to run more social-type rides and events. It's hoped that this will encourage more riders to engage with PNP, build camaraderie within our members, and help develop the skills of our junior or less-experienced riders.

This months ride leader is Ray Kemp. He asks that you meet and are ready to ride at 10am, Sunday 6 August in the Waiu Car Park (Wainuiomata). He's planned a circuit that's manageable for riders of all levels – see all the details on the website.

We really hope you will come and participate. The more riders we get, the better the experience will be for everyone. And, if you have some skills, it'd be great if you can share your knowledge with beginner riders. This is also a family friendly event, so bring your partners, your kids, your parents.... Let's get them off the sidelines and encourage them to be part of the fun.

Although it's not necessary for you to register for our social rides, it's great if you do as it helps us be better prepared. You can always change your mind on the day if you want to. Click here to .

If you'd like to lead a ride in the future, please contact Krissy.

Hi all, we’re once again seeking interest in entering a Masters 45 Plus team in the North Island Teams Series. You can find out more about the series here; http://www.cyclingseriesnz.co.nz/

PNP will fund the team series entry, then riders will be responsible for their own entries on a race by race basis. We need to enter a minimum of 4, and maximum of 8 riders per round.

You will need to wear at a minimum a PNP jersey when riding, and the club store will re-open again soon if you need to get shopping.

If you are interested could you please email Mike O’Neil at mikoneil@gmail.com Once we’ve confirmed we’ve got the numbers needed we’ll confirm with everybody interested and will take care of the team entry.

If you have any questions, likewise contact Mike using the email address above.

Thanks

PNP Road Committee

More information

I recently attended the North Island Summit held by MTB NZ.

At the same time CNZ was hosting their annual general meeting (AGM). Speaking of AGM's, please don't forget our PNP AGM is on this weekend – click here for information aboutPNP's AGM

Here are the documents from the CNZ and MTB NZ gatherings.

Some great results from PNP members at last weekends Grassroots Trust Age Group Road National Championships in Cambridge.

Here's a list of all our finishers - some evergreen performances from Andy Hagan, Dave Rowlands, and Paul Lundon, proving they're always dangerous when they line up.

Congratulations everyone!

Road Race Andy Hagan 5th Senior Men Calvin Standrill 16th U23 Men Henry Levett 11th U19 Men George Jackson 28th U19 Men Liam Cooper 40th U19 Men Lachie Macdonald 45th U19 Men Finn Sherlock 20th U17 Men Boston Bright 30th U17 Men Louis Hodgkinson 59th U17 Men Joshua Turnbull 13th U15 Boys Freddie Dossor 17th U15 Boys Kirsten Hagan 7th= Masters Woman 2 Brendan McGrath 23rd Masters Men 2 David Rowlands 2nd Masters Men 3 Christopher Stevenson 10th Masters Men 3 Craig Chambers 16th Masters Men 3 Leonard Smith 11th Masters Men 4 Kerrin Allwood 25th Masters Men 4 Andrew Eales 36th Masters Men 4 Andrew Ivory 37th Masters Men 4 Mike Sim 13th Masters Men 5 Kyle Davey 15th Masters Men 5 Mark Sherlock 16th Masters Men 5 Ian Paintin 22nd Masters Men 5 Paul Lundon 3rd Masters Men 6 Glenn Owen 17th Masters Men 6

Time Trial Andy Hagan 4th Senior Men George Jackson 20th U19 Men Henry Levett 29th U19 Men Joshua Turnbull 7th U15 Boys Freddie Dossor 14th U15 Boys Boston Bright 35th U17 Boys Leonard Smith 12th Masters Men 4 Kyle Davey 15th Masters Men 5 Richard Young 10th Masters Men 5

Is this Wellington's toughest, fastest event? 446 metres of vertical gain, pitting riders of dirt and tar against one another, while those who are light of foot potentially step around them to take the glory. Are you up for the challenge? To find out more – Hawkins Hill

Regular group rides kick-off on Sunday 23 April, all kids and parents new to cycling are invited!

Over the winter months we invite all young riders (10-13 years of age) and their parents to join us on our Sunday bunch rides.

Rides will include some basic skills training (in the carpark and out on the road) to help you improve your bike handling ability, defensive cycling skills, and bunch riding techniques.

Beginners

Riders are generally aged around 10-13 years, but anyone new to cycling – who doesn't have a group to ride with – is welcome to join us. Parents are welcome to participate in these rides too.

Rides can be adapted to suit newbies who only want to do 17km, but for those who want to we can continue for up to 35km. Our beginner rides include basic defensive road riding skills.

Intermediates

Riders are generally aged around 12-13 years, but anyone relatively new to cycling – who doesn't have a group to ride with – is welcome to join us. Parents are welcome to participate in these rides too.

Rides are generally 35km-50km long, depending on the day.

Details

We meet each Sunday at 8:30am in the Evans Bay Marina car park (near the wind wand). We'll do some skills training first, and then break into two groups (beginners and intermediates). Allow 1.30-2hrs total, as we aim to be back at the carpark by 10:30am.

Most riders use road bikes, but contact Gary if you want to discuss this or to find out about rental road bikes if you don't have one.

Bring snacks with you for eating on the go.

Cancellations

Updates are put on the juniors Facebook page and rides may be changed to an indoor spin session in Hataitai Park if raining.

Contact

Contact Gary, the Junior Coach: Tel 386 1262 or juniors@pnp.org.nz

For more details, check out our Buch Rides page

There’s over $1400 in prize money to be won at the Laykold Cup Carnival to be held at the Wellington Velodrome on February 26 from midday (registration from 11am).

While riders from other regions are expected, it’s a great opportunity for local riders to win some of the cash on offer for every race. As well as the main trophy races - the historic Laykold Cup for open/ elite, the Poneke Plate for women and Stayers’ Cup for masters – there’s plenty of supporting races for all ages and abilities. It’s the biggest event on Wellington’s track cycling calendar so make sure you're part of it. Check out the Facebook page for details. If you have a Speed League season pass, entry is free but you do need to register with Katherine.Thanks to our sponsors:

Wellington Windows and Doors: www.wwd.co.nz

Wellington Powdercoaters: 04 232 3222

Scotties Potties: scottiespotties@gmail.com

The Lanes Bar and Bowling Lounge: www.thelanes.co.nz

Coffee Supreme: www.coffeesupreme.com

Hutt City Panel and Paint: 58 Pharazyn St, Lower Hutt 04-939 3625

Wellington Spouting: www.wellingtonspouting.co.nz

European Randonneur: www.europeanrandonneur.blogspot.com

Aaron Anderson Building: www.aabuilding.nz

Jackson Electrical: www.jackselectrical.co.nz

Think Turf: www.thinkturf.co.nz

Hodgkinson Family

Turnbull Family

Mike Meadowcroft and Kirsty Fleming

The annual Kevin Smith Memorial and PNP hosting of the Wellington Interclub HRR series was held at the Otaki race course circuit on a (rare for Wellington) fine summer day. The race consisted of seven laps of the 7.6 km circuit with the Strava circuit record falling on the day.

Over 60 riders took to the course across six groups with scratch (A grade) and break (B grade) attracting full fields. The break 2 riders rode well together and managed to stay away from the larger chasing groups with break 1 and scratch bearing down on them in the closing laps.

First Masters rider and winner of the Kevin Smith Memorial trophy was Aaron Anderson riding in the break 2 group. Also from break 2 was the first finisher Sam Wilkinson keeping the older riders honest.

The fastest time was closely contested with George Jackson outsprinting Dave Rowlands and Anthony Nalder by a second.

First women home was Jenni Davenport, narrowly outsprinting Sheri Wales.

Huge thank you goes out to everyone who raced on Saturday, to Rachel for running prize giving, Deirdre for the timing and Trafficwise for race marshalling.

The next Interclub will be on the 26 February held by the Masterton Club.

Photos from the day were posted on Facebook by Rachel Anderson-Smith

Hey MTB riders.

The event organisers for the Tunnel Gully MTB Relay have asked us to help spread the word about the fantastic event they are trying to get off the ground. So here are some of the details.

Your team can include up to five riders, racing relay style through some of the best 4wd and single track around. You can race for either 6 or 12 hours.

You pick the number of people in your team, you pick the length of time you want to race, you pick your team race order, and you pick how often you ride. It's as easy as that! 12 hour teams will start at 8am on Saturday morning. 6 hour teams will start at 2pm on Saturday. All riders finish at 8pm Saturday, with a prize giving to follow. Each team gets allocated their ‘home’ spot. This is where you will transition. You can take along anything that you need to make yourselves comfortable (that can fit in a 3m by 3m allocation). Gas BBQ’s are permitted but no open flames. Parking will be separate to the team base areas. There are several event categories that cater for the wide range of skill and fitness, from weekend warriors to hard out racers. It also caters to those that want to ride the whole thing solo. So, grab a few mates, complete the details below and get entering.

They have the tracks ready and bedded in. They have the course defined. They have helpers, supporters, and a great commitment from Upper Hutt City Council and Greater Wellington Regional Council. And, not just for this year, but for this race to become an annual event. What they don’t have however are ENTRIES. Registrations are open at https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=77763 and you can check out the event details at www.facebook.com/TunnelGullyRelay.

PNP are running the Kevin Smith Memorial Race combined with the third round of the Interclub on Saturday 11th February.

Sign on/registration will be open from 8:30am at the Otaki race course. The race will be held on the Otaki course from Otaki-Maori Horse Racing Club.

Online entry is now open and closes at 6pm on Friday 10th February at 6pm. It will also be possible to enter on the day.

Afternoon tea and prize giving will be at the Otaki Race Course after the race.

The Kevin Smith Memorial trophy will be awarded to the first masters rider on handicap. Interclub handicap points will go towards the series held over four races by the Kapiti, Wellington Masters, Masterton and PNP clubs.

The race is 53 km - 7 laps of the circuit , more details available here.

Handicap/grades are:

A Grade - Scratch

B Grade - Break

C Grade - Break 1

D Grade - Break 2

E Grade - Limit

A total of 25 riders have been named in the two teams representing Wellington at the National Track Championships in 2017. The Elite and Under 19 Championships are in Invercargill from 2-5 February 2017, while the Age Group and Under 19 Omnium Championships are in Cambridge 15-19 March 2017.

Wellington teams have performed increasingly well over the past few years resulting in the last year’s impressive medal haul. The teams are managed and selected by volunteers from PNP in the form of team managers, handlers and mechanics accompanying the riders. The PNP Track Committee and Wellington Centre wish to extend their thanks in advance to all of them.

Wellington Elite/U19 Track Cycling National Championships Team, Invercargill 2-5 February, 2017 George Jackson (U19) Grace Saywell (U19) Ruby Straugheir (U19) Lisa Hunkin (F) Dan Waluszewski (M)

Wellington Age Group Track Cycling National Championships Team, Cambridge 15-19 March, 2017 Freddie Dosser (U15) Josh Turnbull (U15) Zoe Perry (U15) Amelia Taylor (U17) Dylan Reid (U17) Boston Bright (U17) Bridget Olphert (U17) Camden Feint (U17) Louis Hodgkinson (U17) Caleb Moyle (U17) George Jackson (U19) Grace Saywell (U19) Grant Perry (M1) Matt Sharland (M1) Regan Bang (M1) Gideon Burke (M1) Nick Warren (M1) Johnathan Leonard (M2) Hubertus Buyck (M2) Jamie Hodgkinson (M2) Bruce Cook (M2) David Bernard (M3)

Lisa Hunkin continued her domiance of the women’s competitions at the seventh round of the track cycling Burkes Cycles Speed League Spring Series held at the Wellington Velodrome in Hataitai on Sunday December 11. Hunkin picked up another 12 league points with a great win in the B grade 2 lap Sprinters’ Scratch and second in the 8 lap Scratch.

Hunkin, last season’s overall women’s victor is well in front of her nearest rival on points and well poised to take another Champion System winner’s jersey. With her focus on the shorter events, she has been unstoppable in the one-on-one The Lanes Sprint Ace races, and Sunday was no exception, as Hunkin smoothly beat Grace Saywell into second.

With Speed League taking a pause until the Summer Series kicks off in January 2017, riders can reflect on an excellent first half of the season. Race official and former Cycling NZ selector, Kirsty Fleming says the standard of racing has been really high.

“A real highlight for us is to see new riders coming along and improving really quickly,” says Fleming. “They also get really good support from riders who have raced for a long time which makes for a really positive environment.”

As usual, some of the most competitive action has been in the junior grades where Millie Donald has had a ding-dong battle with Alex Baguley for the overall lead in the under 11 girls. She holds a slender four point lead over Baguley who racked up a whopping 20 points during round seven, partly thanks to two wins in the D grade Hare and Hounds and Sprinters’ Scratch.

Likewise, Jackson Moyle in the under 13 boys is ahead by only 13 points over Elliot Robertson after the duo exchanged the lead a number of times since the season started at the end of October. Caleb Moyle took advantage of rival Louis Hodgkinson’s absence and jumped into the top position in the under 17 boys with a highly profitable win in the C grade Hare and Hounds.

In the Coffee Supreme open men’s grade, Nick Warren maintains a comfortable lead ahead of Matt Disney and Bruce Cook with wins in the 10 lap Scratch and 12 lap Points Race. Cook resumed his The Lanes Sprint Ace battle with Gideon Burke taking this week’s ride off by a bike length and leads the competition by just one point over Burke.

Rivet Racing lead the Zeal Commercial Interiors Teams’ Prize by two points from Lone Rangers.

Burkes Cycles Speed League 2016-17 category leaders: Open and under 19 men: Nick Warren Open and under 19 women: Lisa Hunkin Under 17 girls: Grace Saywell Under 17 boys: Caleb Moyle Under 15 girls: Amelia Taylor Under 15 boys: Josh Turnbull Under 13 girls: Zoe Perry Under 13 boys: Jackson Moyle Under 11 girls: Millie Donald

The Lanes Sprint Ace men: Bruce Cook; women: Lisa Hunkin Zeal Commercial Interiors Team Prize: Rivet Racing

This years edition of the Rice Mountain Classic was run on Sunday 11 December.

First held in 1996 the race honours the contribution to the club by Alan Rice. The Rice Mountain is without question one of the regions highest prized titles, being raced over extremely demanding courses, it has always found worthy winners.

Past winners include Jeremy Vennell, Jeremy Yates, Scott Lyttle, Antosh Kowalewski, Hayden Roulston, Andy Hagan, Dave Rowlands, Wayne Hiscock and Brent Backhouse. The womens trophy has been won by Serena Sheriden, Tracey Best, Catherine Dunn, Susie Wood (4 time winner) and Nadene Boyle.

A Grade

A small but quality field of 17 riders started this year’s (A grade) Rice Mountain Classic over a brutal course of 110km with 2500 metres of climbing. It was the same course used in 2014 that saw PNP stalwart Dave Rowlands get the better of rising star and then 16 year old NZ rep Robert Stannard. Both riders were in the field this year along with some of the best local riders all expecting a tough day at the office.

The pace was solid from the start with the majority of the field staying intact up the west side of Kourarau. Tristan Thomas and Matt Webb-Smith slipped away shortly after and were joined by Calvin Standrill, these three worked well together and lead by around 30 secs at the Limeworks hill turnaround. The break was reeled in by a Robert Standard surge up a climb on the return trip from Limeworks, the surge resulted in 6 riders going clear for around 5km before 7 riders joined them.

The 13 riders stayed together at all the way to the Te Wharau Rd turnaround despite the crosswind and a number of smaller splits. After the turnaround things started to heat up on the climbs back to Kourarau. Robert Stannard turned up the heat and by the time the leaders got to ‘The Wall’ there were just five remaining. Stannard, Dave Rowlands. Andy Hagen, Liam Sherlock and Anthony Nalder. But not content to wait until the final climb up Admirals Robert Stannard unleashed up ‘The Wall’ and one by one all 4 of his opponents dropped off. ‘The Wall’ is a brute of a climb that must be 15% gradient for close to 2kms, at the summit Stannard had about a minute on Andy Hagan who was 30 odd seconds in front of Liam Sherlock with Dave Rowland close behind.

Not content to sit on this lead Stannard kept pushing all the way to Admirals Hill and kept extending his lead to the finish line for a convincing victory. Behind him the race was in tatters with the next 8 riders all riding solo to the finish. Andy Hagan stayed strong to the end and finished a creditable second some 3 minutes down with Dave Rowland powering through to take third place. The rest of the field filed through the finish with minutes not seconds between them all pleased to have finished and hopefully with some sense of accomplishment having completed the toughest club race of the season.

The legend of the Rice Mountain Classic lives on.

B grade

25 riders started in B grade with a good mix of young riders keen to show up the old (wiser) men.

The course, weather and wind meant the field stayed together for much of the race as riders saved themselves for the final couple of climbs. Several brave breaks were attempted by some of the younger riders, but nothing able to stick as the main bunch ensured no one established any significant lead.

The undulating hills out and back on Te Wharau Rd and the second last climb up the back side of Te Wharau Rd saw the field finally split up with riders dropping off the peloton at regular intervals and the pace remaining solid.

Ten riders started together at the base of the final climb up Admirals Hill. However, it did not take long for the field to split up with five riders heading off up the road stretching the field out. Rob Kilvington and several of the younger (lighter) riders battled it out on the upper part of the climb with Rob Kilvington (older, wiser) narrowly winning from Matt Stevens, with Henry Levett a short distance back.

C & D Grade

The C & D grade riders tackled a shorter less demanding course, but still challenging with ca. 1700 metres of climbing. Taking line honours on the day was Pete Wilkinson from Philip Sutherland in second and Nigel Mehta-Wilson in third.

First woman was Natalie Hardaker, (also 4th overall on the 65 km course) followed by Ione Johnson and Diana Borman in the minor places.

The final round of the North Island Teams Series was held around Masterton on Sunday. Across the five rounds many PNP members have raced in various teams, including a team entered by PNP in the ever competitive Masters 2 category.

Going in to the final race on Sunday Kerrin Allwood was in the leaders jersey by a single point from Gary Anderson from Velo Ronnys Trek. The PNP Masters team was also in the hunt for the team win so there was plenty up for grabs!

In the end Gary took the race win, with Kerrin coming across in third, not quite enough to retain the jersey but taking out second overall for the series. There is certainly no shame in being beaten by a former Olympian and Commonwealth gold medallist!

In the teams category, top finishes on the day by Kerrin, Graham Hall and Rob Kilvington saw the team collect enough points to take out the team title for the series.

Awesome work representing PNP in an incredibly competitive series by the various riders including Kerrin Allwood, Rob Kilvington, Andrew Ivory, John Carran, Mike O’Neil, Trevor Rice, Graeme Hawkins, and Graham Hall.

Gideon Burke won a thrilling The Lanes Sprint Ace ride off at the sixth round of the Burkes Cycles Speed League Spring Series at the Wellington Velodrome on Sunday December 4.

Burke was second to Grant Perry in the qualifying event, the A grade 2 Lap Sprinters’ Scratch, in which the first two riders go through to race a one-on-one match sprint for Sprint Ace honours.

Perry and Burke guarded each other closely until the final 200m when Perry dropped down the banking and launched his sprint. Burke was right on him though and remained out of the saddle as the raced neck and neck into the finishing straight. Burke was given the victory by less than a tyre’s width and the organisers are considering getting a camera to help capture future tight finishes!

Burke now jumps into the men’s overall Sprint Ace lead ahead of Bruce Cook. Lisa Hunkin won the women’s Sprint Ace ride off against an improving Ruby Straugheir to continue her unbeaten run in the competition.

In the ding-dong battle for under 13 supremacy, Jackson Moyle racked up 13 points to leap ahead of the absent Thomas Joyce. Millie Donald edged a few points further ahead of Mikayla Perry with wins in the D2 grade Elimination and Sprinters’ Scratch races.

Top-Dad Chris Goodger took a win in the C grade Elimination ahead of Ryan Bogardus who bounced back for a class victory in the Sprinters’ Scratch.

Meeting closer was the A grade 30 Lap Super Scratch. An early breakaway of Max Uivel and Rinze Shuurmans spent 10 laps ahead of the pack, scooping up the mid-race prime points but were caught with 18 to go. Attacks peppered the second half of the race, whittling down the field to just Mike Thomas, Grant Perry, Rinze Shuurmans and Nick Warren for the closing laps.

With Thomas and Perry closely marking Warren it was going to come down to a sprint. Warren chose to lead it out but Thomas came over the top for his best win in the A grade. Warren was second with Perry third and Shuurmans fourth. The win also helped propell Rivet Racing to the top of the Zeal Commercial Interiors teams’ prize ahead of Lone Rangers.

Burkes Cycles Speed League 2016-17 category leaders: Senior/ Under 19: Nick Warren Female: Lisa Hunkin Under 17 girls: Grace Saywell Under 17 boys: Louis Hodgkinson Under 15 girls: Amelia Taylor Under 15 boys: Josh Turnbull Under 13 girls: Zoe Perry Under 13 boys: Thomas Joyce Under 11 girls: Millie Donald

The Lanes Sprint Ace men: Bruce Cook; women: Lisa Hunkin Zeal Commercial Interiors Team Prize: Lone Rangers

The Wellington Track crew will be having a Track Working Bee on Sunday August 28 starting from midday. We hope to have a BBQ going to keep you all fed while we get the track bikes prepared for the coming season.

This has always been an easy, fun day of fixing and cleaning bikes with plenty of help, so we’d love to see you there again this year.

The general Working Bee things we do… • Clean bikes, repair punctured wheels, replace worn tyres/handle-bar tape etc. • Mechanic to do more difficult jobs on bikes: bottom/brackets, headsets, etc. • Clean floor/toilets/sink and anything else • Put up posters, signs, framed pictures, hooks, etc. • Ensure pumps are all working (including compressor) • Prepare motorbikes for new season (replace batteries/swap tyres around and ensure motor is turning over) • Check rollers/wind-trainers/ergs are all going • Tidy up first aid kit (replace items used), tidy starters bag and registration bag

Contact track@pnp.org.nz if you have any questions, see you there!