Manning Valley Cycle Club - Criterium Circuit

The winter race program generally commences in April and concludes in October and is held on Saturday afternoons. There are currently 7 police & MidCoast Council approved road courses to conduct events. These courses provide members & licensed visitors with a variety of terrain from challenging hills to a flat time trial course. The program also includes Club events as well as Inter-club challenges with the Port Macquarie Cycle Club.

The Club has a 1.2km criterium circuit at the Taree Recreational Ground, Bligh St Taree. The Club also utilises the Kolodong Industrial Estate off the Wingham Road as a criterium circuit. This circuit has police approval.

The Club is affiliated with AusCycling and racing, recreational and non-riding official’s licences are available with the Club providing insurance cover. For further details see AusCycling at www.auscycling.org.au

All welcome, including new members and riders considering joining the Club. Rides generally cater for differing levels of fitness and riding capability. Click the link below to view the locations and dates of rides. 

IMPORTANT: These bunch rides are not organised by the MVCC. Both club members and non-club members ride in these bunch rides and the Club has no influence over, or responsibility for the conduct of riders. Consequently the MVCC takes no responsibility for any mishaps, changes of schedule, route, distance, average speed etc. for these rides. Please be aware that anyone joining these rides does so at their own risk. 

Manning Valley Cycle Club (MVCC) officially commenced in April 1963, prior to this, cycling races in the area were conducted under the banner of Taree Cycle Club, dating back to the early 1900’s.

Major events held over the years included, Port Macquarie to Taree, Kew to Taree and Gloucester to Wingham. These events have attracted the Commonwealth games team in 1982, State, Country Championships as well as State 2 day tours for both senior and junior riders. The Club had a Velodrome constructed a number of years ago at the Wingham Sporting Complex. The surface deteriorated over the years and is now not used.

The Club has a Criterium circuit at Taree Recreational Ground 1.2km in distance. It has a “hot mix’ surface with a width approximately equal to a standard single lane road. It is used for the majority of the Summer Criterium race program and during summer offers a safe race environment for juniors. On an all year round basis it is utilised for training and junior development programs. Local schools can also utilise the facility for cycling programs for children during school hours. The Criterium track has full lighting for night riding.

The Club has constructed a clubhouse in conjunction with the Manning Valley Hockey Association.  This facility provides a meeting room, roller training room, storage and light refreshment facilities.

To provide strategic direction to the Club, ensuring the best interest of the Club and its membership are met, taking into account other key stakeholders interests such as the community, the Cycling Federation etc. While the Club Committee is collectively responsible for activities and decisions pertaining to the running of the Club, the President acts as the spokesperson for the decisions taken by the Club Committee.

In carrying out the assigned responsibilities, the Secretary should apply the relevant rules and regulations of Club, Cycling NSW, Cycling Australia and the RMS.

Responsible for maintaining and ensuring the accuracy of the Clubs books, being able and available to explain these financial records if required and sending details of the financial records to any relevant reporting bodies as required.

Road racing has been an area that has not had the full support of Members so the Race Committee is charged with encouraging members to ensure greater participation.

Sign on closes 15min before race start time for each grade, Riders must attend race briefing before the start of their respective grades. A & B grades race for 30mins + 2 laps. C & D grades race for 25 mins + 2 laps. This can vary.

7 am Sunday (all year round) – Opposite the War Memorial Clock Tower in Victoria Street near Martin Bridge Taree to Johns River and return over Martin Bridge – 75kms.  Coffee afterwards at “Raw Sugar”.

5:30 pm Monday –  Aquatic Centre Taree (During the daylight saving months) north to Jericho Road & return fast, regrouping at Mungo (Coopernook) & at the highway exit before returning to the Aquatic Centre – 40kms in total.  Front & rear lights are essential.

7:30 am Wednesday –  from the Aquatic Centre Taree  This ride is at a steady pace and heads north.  The turnaround varies but includes Johns River (63kms), Kew (92kms) or Bago Rd (108kms)  Coffee on the way at Kew, Johns River or Moorland

The Milk Run is year round – Starts 5:30 am from opposite the War Memorial Clock Tower and goes north left at Taree Airport to Lansdowne, across to Coopernook and then south down the highway to Taree South and back to Taree. Total distance is approx 60kms. The ride is of varying pace dependent upon who is attending but a reasonable level of fitness and bike skill is required due to the uneven surface and general speed. Starting times may vary throughout the year as does the course route depending on conditions.

The Club has 2 distinct racing seasons, summer and winter. In summer, Criterium races are conducted on Wednesday evenings either on the criterium circuit and at the approved circuits, at the Kolodong Industrial area. The Kolodong circuit of 1.3km is a public road. Criterium races are of a shorter duration, typically 25 – 40 minutes.

Winter events are held on most Saturday afternoons and are also held on roads still open to motorists but with police approval. These events are of a longer duration with each grade contesting events with distances of 30 to 60 km.

Manning Valley and Port Macquarie Cycle Clubs conduct regular joint races as part of the winter road programs.  See the current road program for details.

The Club has a riding membership of approximately 120 which includes approximately 25 juniors. Each consecutive year has seen an increasing trend in membership, for example there were 62 members in 2000. The Club has a membership coverage area of Taree, Wingham, Nabiac, Laureton, Forster and Tuncurry.

The Club owns a number of beginners bicycles which are available to new members at a small fee (to cover maintenance and setup).  These bikes are in the main for juniors to assist with learning bike skills, safety and racing techniques under the guidance of experienced riders. Contact the Club on [email protected] for further details.