Al Lees Christchurch Cycle Race is cancelled for obvious reasons. Sounds like some of the cycling community did not get off lightly in the earthquake. Check with your mates to see if they need help.

Fergie wrote:Al Lees Christchurch Cycle Race is cancelled for obvious reasons. Sounds like some of the cycling community did not get off lightly in the earthquake. Check with your mates to see if they need help.

Thanks for the update. Such a good day for a ride too.

Sorry we had to cancel the Al Lees today - such a great day for a ride as well. I went out to Ladbrooks to post a notice at lunchtime and I'm glad we cancelled - Halswell and SH75 is a mess - the start at Leadleys Road has had a significant rearrangement with lots of big chasms in the road and the Halswell River Bridge on SH75 both at Leadleys and at Tai Tapu has risen 100mm or so with large cracks.
Michael Vink turned up - only back in NZ 2 days - glad to have the chance to congratulate him for selection for the World Champs.
Came back along Old Tai Tapu Road to check for damage for schools racing next week - don;t even think about going down this road - large sections missing and/or fallen by up to 1/2 metre in places . We are looking at finishing off the schools season next week with another hill climb on Kennedys Bush Road - looks ok at the present. Will confirm with Bruce and schools on Monday.
On a personal note house ok but major rearrangement of furniture and ornaments. Looking at other parts of town, especially Kaiapoi, got off lightly though.
ps - we will endeavour to reprogramme this popular race again soon as we can
Take Care

Sufferfest III is on Saturday. Pigeon Bay and return. In lieu of no Benchy and a fair few cyclists and officials having to sort stuff out. Usual rules apply: THERE ARE NONE!!!

Support Race on Saturday at Cust is also CANCELLED
Cooptown course driven this morning, mostly ok except Tai Tapu Bridge which has lifted a few inches, and some minor cracking on the bridge at Little River. Hudsons Road for the last 5-6km to the finish is suffering from a lot of liquefaction, and there are one or two cracks across the road.
Get the wind trainers out and leave the roads to the repair gangs for a few days until things settle down.

Sufferfest III is on Saturday.

What's that?

Sound like a few boys are going to hit up a big hill ride seeing there is no racing on.

Anyone know if we're back in business this weekend?

emjay wrote:Anyone know if we're back in business this weekend?

Yes - see http://www.pegasuscycling.co.nz
All looks ok so long as nothing else happens to the roads - check the website again later in the week for any updates

Just a reminder (assuming nothing else goes wrong with the road network) that the Cooptown Classic 88km Handicap is still on for this Saturday.
Race starts on SH75 at the junction with Leadleys Road at 11am, with registrations commencing at Ladbrooks Hall at 10am. Even if you are a scratchie, please turn up early to avoid a big queue at the desk.
Check out the details on http://www.pegasuscycling.co.nz and also remember we are using a new finish on Ellesmere Road, so you need to turn off SH75 on the return leg much earlier at Duck Pond Road (just past the Blue Duck Cafe at Motukarara - the road which goes to the Motukarara horse racing track).

Any more problems - check the website or listen to any updates on the race line - 0832 43615

See you all there

Extra protein snacks available en route - keep your mouths shut riding past Lake Forsyth, dense clouds of midges lurking there.

rochie wrote:Extra protein snacks available en route - keep your mouths shut riding past Lake Forsyth, dense clouds of midges lurking there.Extra protein snacks available en route - keep your mouths shut riding past Lake Forsyth, dense clouds of midges lurking there.

Is there still that dairy farm down that road that always has a load of frame sticking poo on the road too? Just hope it's dry!

Claude wrote:

rochie wrote:Extra protein snacks available en route - keep your mouths shut riding past Lake Forsyth, dense clouds of midges lurking there.Extra protein snacks available en route - keep your mouths shut riding past Lake Forsyth, dense clouds of midges lurking there.

Is there still that dairy farm down that road that always has a load of frame sticking poo on the road too? Just hope it's dry!

Yes there is a dairy farm on Ridge Road on the way back - don't put your bottle in your mouth!!

DerrickN wrote:

Claude wrote:

rochie wrote:Extra protein snacks available en route - keep your mouths shut riding past Lake Forsyth, dense clouds of midges lurking there.Extra protein snacks available en route - keep your mouths shut riding past Lake Forsyth, dense clouds of midges lurking there.

Is there still that dairy farm down that road that always has a load of frame sticking poo on the road too? Just hope it's dry!

Yes there is a dairy farm on Ridge Road on the way back - don't put your bottle in your mouth!!

And pick a good line the road and that cattle crossing is rutted and big pot holes.
That farmer should have been made to repair the road years ago, I know the locals are not too impressed with him and that crossing either.

Cooptown Classic
Results now posted on the website http://www.pegasuscycling.co.nz
Many thanks to the riders who stopped to assist at the accident at Little River.
Also many thanks to all prize winners for donating their winnings (and all race officials who worked for nothing also). This money will be donated to the New Zealand Red Cross Canterbury Earthquake Appeal - will work out how much this is and let you know.
Thankyou all again.