'Cause it's not about winning...it's about beating your mates!
Fifth Race Rankings from The Rev 2010 out now! Next event: Le Race in Christchurch!
Click on the buttons below to see the fifth rankings in the 2009-10 RaboPlus Recreational Cycling Ranking. These rankings include results from the Wattyl Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge, the Armstrong Festival of Cycling, the SRAM Tour de Ranges, the Yarrows Taranaki Cycle Challenge, and the Perry Foundation REV.
Preview video of the Around Brunner course on the West Coast- the final event of the 2009/2010 RaboPlus RCR!
The RideStrong
Recreational Rider series is a brand new concept (maybe a first in the world!)
At the 2009 Wattyl Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge,
RideStrong introduced a national recreational rider ranking- The RaboPlus Recreational Cycling Ranking- that
will integrate directly with your RideStrong homepage. All recreational cyclists, at any level, will be able to join BikeNZ's online community RideStrong, be part of the RaboPlus Recreational Cycling Ranking, and receive a national ranking.
So what does this mean? Why should I enter? Well, you'll be able to enter
various events in the series and be able to access your national recreational cycling ranking from your RideStrong
homepage. Just like tracking your golf handicap or squash ranking, you'll be
able to track your progress over multiple events in the national recreational
rider ranking. RideStrong members will be able to challenge themselves to
better last year's ranking, or even leapfrog your mates on the national
ranking! Set yourself a goal of getting into the top 500 recreational riders in
NZ.
The
reality is that many of those who take part in recreational events care about
their time and their placing (I.e. not just about finishing)...they are
competitive! This series gives them the opportunity to pit themselves against
others over a season. We are confident that riders will follow their own
ranking and that of their friends with vigour. They will set goals for the
season and strive to move up the ladder...
Prizes!
The Open Woman and Open Men overall winners receive free entry into all of the 2011 RaboPlus Recreational Cycling Ranking Series events, a free club membership to the club of their choice and national licence so they can compete in the 2011 RaboPlus National Points Series. They also receive a Free Bluebridge return crossing for two people and a car, and set of SKINS with built in BioAcceleration Technology.
The top five Open Woman and Open Men also receive a Ridestrong cycling jersey.
The 2009/10 RaboPlus Recreational Cycling Ranking
|
LAUNCH: Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge
|
Taupo
|
28-Nov-09
|
|
Festival of Cycling
|
Christchurch
|
5-Dec-09
|
|
Sram Tour de Ranges
|
Auckland
|
23-Jan-10
|
|
Yarrows Taranaki Cycle Challenge
|
Taranaki
|
30-Jan-10
|
|
The Rev
|
Hamilton
|
20 Feb -10
|
|
Le Race
|
Christchurch
|
20-Mar-10
|
|
Around Brunner
|
Greymouth
|
17-Apr-10
|
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I enter? All you have to do is
become a RideStrong paid member (RideStronger or RideStrongest). We'll do
the rest by integrating your results and calculated ranking into your
RideStrong homepage.
What events will be in the
2009/10 series? Do I have to do them all? In year
one the series will feature 7 of New Zealand's most iconic events and will be a
brilliant excuse for riders to keep fit and to travel the country with the
bike!
You do not have to do all events. However the more events you do, the better your ranking. We're anticipating most riders will do 3-4 events.
|
LAUNCH: Wattyl Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge
|
Taupo
|
28-Nov-09
|
|
Armstrong Festival of Cycling
|
Christchurch
|
5-Dec-09
|
|
SRAM Tour de Ranges
|
Auckland
|
23-Jan-10
|
|
Yarrows Taranaki Cycle Challenge
|
Taranaki
|
30-Jan-10
|
|
Perry Foundation REV Classic
|
Hamilton
|
20 Feb -10
|
|
Le Race
|
Christchurch
|
20-Mar-10
|
|
Around Brunner
|
Greymouth
|
17-Apr-10
|
How does the points system work? The ranking system is simple.
Essentially the more events a rider does in the series and the better they do
in each, the higher their ranking.
For those technical people who like to know the nuts and bolts...We put all of the finishing times inot an algorithm that calculates how close your finishing time was from that of the fastest rider. The algorithm then allocates points between 10,000 and 1 to riders depending on your finishing time relative to the winner. This is done to ensure the points allocated are fair relative to the different events, race length and race speeds.
How do we capture your results? We will be automatically picking up your results from the events you've entered within the RaboPlus Recreational Cycling Ranking Series for 2009/2010. We will then feed these into our algorithm to work out your ranking. When registering for events within the series you may be asked for your RideStrong number in order to count your result. (Your RideStrong number is featured on your RideStrong membership card and your welcome letter).
From the 2010-2011 series, we will be capturing your results and times through the use of personalised Times-7 Wheeltags that will be issued to all particpants in the RaboPlus Recreational Cycling Ranking.
When are the rankings released? We will be releasing updated rankings within two weeks of each event. These can be accessed from your RideStrong homepage. We will also be updating the top rankings within BikeNZ official magazine Endurance.
How do I access and see my ranking? By clicking on this button: within your RideStrong homepage, you will have access to information about the RaboPlus RCR and receive your ranking. Later updates will feature all of your results and a timeline tracking your progress and ranking.
What if I'm a club member? The series will be also be open
to club riders that don't wish to take part in the Sport series- the BikeNZ NPS. The criteria
for entry is simply being a paid up member of RideStrong, BikeNZ's cycling
community. All club, and therefore BikeNZ, members are eligible to be RideStronger
members for free. Just email your RideStrong username and BikeNZ licence number
to admin@ridestrong.org.nz
Why should I enter? Well, it's fun! Most of us out there are recreational riders, yet we enjoy a sense of competition and achievement. The RaboPlus RCR allows you to monitor your training and progress over an entire season, tracking progress against other recerational riders. You can also take on your mates!
The RaboPlus Recreational Cycling Ranking will also feature in BikeNZ's official magazine Endurance Sport (free for RideStrongest members!)
Prizes! The Open Woman and Open Men overall winners receive free entry into
all of the 2011 RaboPlus Recreational Cycling Ranking Series events, a
free club membership to the club of their choice and national licence
so they can compete in the 2011 RaboPlus National Points Series. They
also receive a Free Bluebridge return crossing for two people and a
car, and set of SKINS with built in BioAcceleration Technology.
The top five Open Woman and Open Men also receive a Ridestrong cycling jersey.
Times-7 timing tags coming in 2010-2011: Times-7 individual timing tags will be introduced for the 2010-2011 season. The advantage of personalised tags is that they contain your individualised data and emergency contact details, and you will be able to take your own tag to the majority of events.
Please note Personalised WheelTags will be introduced for the 2010/11 series.
What is a personalised timing chip? To record your time at cycle events, a small timing chip is attached to the front wheel of your bike. All Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge participants are supplied with a timing chip which is collected at the end of the event.
However, for the 2010/11 RideStrong Recreational Rider Series cyclists will be able to purchase their own personalised timing WheelTags, and access some exciting new features!
Your own personalised WheelTag will be able to be used can be used at various other events around NZ. RideStrong will be developing timing stations around NZ, so even on your training rides your time will feed straight into your RideStrong homepage.
The main benefits of a personalised WheelTag are:
1) entry into ranking system and / or series (for those who want to get a little more out of their events)(Entry via personlaised wheeltag from 2010/11 series)
2) ease of entry - just load the same WheelTag details - and keep it on your bike
3) access to your personal results page (and your mates) on RideStrong.
4) your WheelTag will have your emergency details on it ....just in case
5) down the track you will be able to record and access your times over certain training rides / trials etc.
We think this will definitely add value to those cyclists who want to do multiple events and have an enhanced level of competition.
What happens if I turn up at an event with my personalised timing WheelTag and the organiser has opted for another timing system to Times7?
As the ranking series grows we will publicise these so riders know what events will add to their ranking. As an aside, all licensed riders will be issued with a Times7 timing WheelTag with their national licence and our aim is to have all clubs on a common system so we can have an effective Sport points series also.
Posted
07-14-2009 12:47 p.m.
by
Benji