NEWS

Covid

MITOQ K2 - COVID ARRANGEMENTS  -  28th January 2021

General

The MitoQ K2 cycle event attracts around 1,000 competitors and requires around 150 support personnel. Many competitors bring friends and family.

This year’s 200k event takes place on Saturday 13th March 2021, starting and finishing in Tairua, with the K1 (106K) starting in Coromandel Town and the Nicholas Brown challenge (53K) setting off from Thames.

Conditions to enable event to be run

The event will go ahead if the entire country is at Level 1. If any part of the country is at level 2 (or

higher), it will be postponed until the following year and all participants’ entry fees will be refunded (on request) or rolled over to the new date.

Specific COVID arrangements

All participants, staff, contractors and volunteers will be encouraged to practice social distancing,

hand sanitising, tracking and other hygiene precautions at all locations.

Tracking

There will be automatic and manual tracking mediums at the following locations

● Registration Venues

o Tairua Rugby Club

o Thames Squash Courts

o Coromandel School Hall

● Finish Line / Prize Giving

o Tairua Rugby Club

Hand sanitiser

Will be available at all the above sites and in addition will be available at all toilet / portaloo sites

Social distancing

Social Distancing will be enforced at the registration areas and only competitors will be allowed into

the registration halls, not their friends or family.

It is not practical to undertake social distancing during the cycle event itself. It should be noted that

group starts are limited to 60 people, leaving at 4 minute intervals.

Other hygiene factors

Cyclists will be reminded not to spit or blow snot from their noses and to generally observe hygienic practices.

Health

Cyclists will be asked not to attend the race if they are feeling unwell or have any cold or flu

symptoms prior to the event.

Communications

Communication of the above will be through the following channels:

● Website

● Race rules

● Email to competitors

● Social Media – Facebook

● Race pack notes

● Race briefing prior to start

Cycling New Zealand - National Road Series - Under 17

This years Nicholas Browne Challenge (53km) which starts in Thames and finishes in Tairua hosts the Cycling New Zealand National Road series for the Under 17's.  There are two starts, men and  women, 

Race Update 1 - Maintenance

Apologies in advance to all of you who keep your bikes well serviced. 

Please ensure your bike is in good working order for the K2. The event will not only test your mind, body, soul and buttocks, it will also test your bike.

We would highly recommend getting your bike serviced before the event and particular items to check include your tyres, brakes, bearings and the cleats on your shoes.

I remember well a few years back, I went for a spin on my road bike from Coromandel over to Whangapoau on a clear sunny afternoon. I was descending gracefully on the beautiful, sweeping, bends of the Whangapoua Hill and thinking, this is what cycling is all about. I then heard a rather unusual clicking noise coming from the front wheel. I slowed to a stop to inspect where this rude interruption to my ride was coming from.

The culprit was the inner tube which was protruding out of a hole in the side of the tyre. Another couple of corners and it could have been fatal.

So please make sure you have a good set of tyres on for the event and that your brakes are working well. The hills of the Coromandel will test them to the max for sure.

If your cleats are getting a bit brittle, best to change them. Again, the climbs on this course will place maximum pressure on them and if they snap, it will ruin your ride.

There is nothing worse than putting all the physical effort into preparing for the race, only to be let down by a simple mechanical failure. Not only that if the bike is running smoothly and is well serviced, the ride will be a dam site easier.