Hi Everyone,
 
The Spoken Cycles 2017  Ten Week Summer Series kicks off on Tuesday 10 October and runs weekly until Tuesday 12 December.  
 
Weeks 1-9 will be Graded Road Races (A – E Grades) using the Kakepuku Mountain circuit. Please select the grade most appropriate for your ability - after Week 3 of the Series, riders cannot switch grades without first discussing this with us at registration.  Please see us if you are unsure which grade is best for you.
 
Registration opens at the velodrome on Armstrong Ave, Te Awamutu at 5.30pm with Under 15 s (12km) starting at 6pm and Grades (26km) starting at 6.25pm.  
 
Week 10 will be an individual time trial based near the cemetery on Te Rahu Rd, Te Awamutu.
 
Please note the following points regarding the use of the timing system:
 
* Riders will be issued with a transponder and a number when they register each night – both will need to be returned to the cycling shed at the end of the race.
 * If you don't have a transponder holder on your bike, we'll issue you with one at registration – please keep it on your bike as we'll only have sufficient holders for new riders from   Week 2 onwards.
* If you lose your transponder, the fee is $20 payable to Dynamo Events.
      
 The cost of each race is $10, however, TA Sports Cycling members / associate members can take advantage of a substantial saving by prepaying for the entire 10 week series for only $80.  We are also offering a family ‘rate' of $160 for 3 or more TA Sports Cycling members (from the same household) who will ride in the grades. U15 entry fees will remain at $2 per race or $15 for the series. 

If you wish to pay for the entire ten week series, you can deposit your series payment into our account via internet banking or bring your payment to registration in Week 1.  If paying by internet banking,  please clearly reference this deposit with your name and S. Series - the account number is 12 3134 0062913 00  

Safety 
The issue of riders crossing the centre line remains at the forefront of discussions at Committee level.  This not only affects the safety of the rider and the bunch but also jeopardises the running of the Series as we run the very real risk of having racing shut down should an incident occur.  Therefore ‘marshalls'  will continue to appointed in each grade and they will report back to the finish line at the conclusion of the race.   For deliberate, reckless and intentional crossing of the white line, riders will be disqualified and stood down for one week's racing.  If you are disqualified more than once, you are not welcome back for the remainder of the series.
  
Further Points  to Note:

·    Points will be awarded to the first 15 riders across the finish line with each rider from No. 16 onwards receiving a point for finishing the race. 

·    Club members who complete 9 or 10 races will go into a prize draw at the conclusion of the series - this will be awarded at the Prizegiving on 12th December.

·    Women's Points:  Female riders will receive points along with the males (Top 15 across the line).  The top 3 female riders in each grade (provided they've competed in at least 5 races and are TA Sports Club Members) will be awarded prizes at the end of series prize giving.  
 
·    Cambridge riders are to meet at the Cycleway by 5.10 pm if they wish to bike over together. Club captain, Mike Gascoigne will split the group if there are too many riding over together. 

-    Second year U15's are able to ride in grades for this series  - please talk to Brian about which grade you are best suited to.

·    A big thank you to Tene McGrath, who has once again volunteered to drive the Lead Vehicle for the Series.  
 
·    Riders must have adequate lighting on their bikes to participate in the Summer Series – it is vital you have lights on your bike for those biking home to Cambridge and Hamilton. 

      We   envisage that Week 1 will be particularly busy at registration so we ask  riders to pre register for the series by clicking on the link below and filling in your details (name, grade, club…) to ensure we can start racing at 6.25pm: 

http://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/53842

Please email me at tasportscycling@gmail.com  if you have any queries.                                                                                                                                                                   
 
Regards
Melinda