Manawatu Standard

Cyclists unfazed by weather warning

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The threat of howling winds and pouring rain couldn’t keep some members of the Manawatu Mountain Bike Club from racing through Raumai Reserve.

Sunday’s races at the Raumai Mountain Bike Park, west of Bulls, made up round four of the sixround 2016 Crank It Cycles Winter Series.

Manawatu Mountain Bike Club president Phil Stevens said the wild weather had put a dampener on people’s enthusiasm. Previous rounds had up to 150 competitor­s, but only 81 took part in round four.

The Metservice had issued a warning for gale-force winds and rain across Manawatu ahead of the weekend, so Stevens and club captain Tom Bamford headed out early to make sure it was safe to ride. Bamford said it would have been a hard decision to call things off, but fortunatel­y, the weather had turned out surprising­ly good.

‘‘Everyone enjoyed the ride, even though it did get a bit gusty,’’ Stevens said.

He said some rain before a race actually improved the experience.

‘‘The track’s probably at its best when it’s a bit damp. It flows nicely, you’ve got some grip and there’s less of a problem getting stuck in the sand.’’ Bamford was pretty pleased to win the 50-60s age grade this round; it had been two or three years since he’d pulled that off. Bamford’s grade did four laps of the 6-kilometre track. The other grades did between one and five laps, depending on age and experience.

While there were points to chase for the competitiv­e, it was all in fun and more about looking after each other, Stevens said.

‘‘Our winter series is aimed at getting people out and giving them a small taste of competitio­n to see if they like it. To see if they feel like ’I might as well have a go at being bit faster’ and pushing themselves a bit more.’’

The final round of the series will take place in September.

 ?? PHOTO: DAVID UNWIN/FAIRFAX NZ ?? Phil Stevens at Raumai Reserve.
PHOTO: DAVID UNWIN/FAIRFAX NZ Phil Stevens at Raumai Reserve.

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