On the 29^th of March 2025 we had the first organised HPV event in Christchurch in about 8 years. With support from Coach Hamish Ferguson of the Canterbury Track Cycling Club we were able to use our local velodrome for the day.

The Denton Park Oval is the only velodrome in the city of Christchurch, originally built around 1955 after the land was gifted by Mr Stanley Denton (a Christchurch businessman) to the residents of Hornby (historically an industrial town/suburb on the western side of the city) for the purpose of a recreational ground. In 1973 the original track was upgraded to international standards (with a concrete surface) as the cycling venue for the 1974 British Commonwealth Games, which were held in the city (a 6-hour Madison event was held at the new tracks opening, and it was a steep track for the time and when doing handicap races (where the riders where set back, people would occasionally slide down the track banking). The track was pre-dated by the English Park track which was to the north of the city from at least the 1920’s. As of the 70’s, it was considered the better track though it was expected to cost more to bring up to standard for the Commonwealth Games. The development of Denton Park lead to its demise and subsequent demolition in the early 2000’s to make space for an association football field. Denton Parks concrete surface is smooth, though there was slight movement of the concrete sections during the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.

Going back into the local HPV history, there was a race meeting organised on the 10^th April 1993 which had timed standing kilometre and flying 200m sprint trials at the velodrome before some circuit racing at the university campus to celebrate the presence of David Gordon Wilson who was a visiting academic for the beginning of that year. (Article on page 7 from 1993).

The event was organised on short notice to get on the track before autumn, as the trees around the track drop their leaves and it remains damp in the winter. Though the infield is used for rugby training though the winter months. I had assistance from Garry Hall getting my machines to the track and capturing photos.

We were not up at the same speeds as those at the Lang Lang record attempt! But we had around 20 people come. A few who had been a part of the KiwiHPV club spectated. For most people there, it was their first opportunity to ride on a velodrome. We started off with social laps and introducing ourselves to each other before a few laps as a group. Once people were acquainted, we rolled the University of Canterbury land speed bike Maroro out onto the track. With peoples cameras rolling, I set off on some some demonstration laps!

In my laps, I achieved sustained speeds of ~44 km/h. After me, Turner Harris had his first proper ride in the machine. He was involved with the original design and manufacture of the bike and has remained involved with me on the speed bike project and other projects. He got Maroro up to 47.1 km/h, unfortunately he does not fit when the fairing is installed… Slow progress is being made to make it more practical to operate with retractable outriggers and ventilation, the plan being to attempt both the New Zealand records:

1. flying 200m – 73.79 km/h by Robb Simpson in the Miles Kingcycle Bean on 01/05/1993 at Teretonga Raceway, Southland,
2. hour record – 52.664 km by Nigel Farrell in a homebuilt Streamliner HPV on 31/05/2009 at Trafalgar Park, Nelson.

A current group of 11 students are currently developing a streamlined trike, Mako.

Some people brought along homemade cakes, hummus and vegetable sticks for morning tea which was appreciated by all. Before the remaining few had attempts on the recumbent bikes. The recumbents present were:

• HP Velotechnik Streetmachine with Pinion C1.12 gearbox and hub drive electric assist, owned by Christoph Bartneck (playlist of his HPV videos),
• Flying Furniture, owned by Alex Paulsen of New Brighton Cycles (shop owned by Mike Toohey) made in 2002 by Ian Humphries,

• Carbonbike K2 Kneeling Hand Trike, Rob had received it directly from the the manufacturer in the prior fortnight and is getting back into hand cycling,

• Aarn Low Racer, owned by Turner Harris – FWD full suspension bike offering a soft and fast ride as always!
• Aarn High Racer, owned by Daniel Rickerby which has been modified for racing.

Unfortunately, Symon Holmes (some video of past events in NZ are on his YouTube Channel) and Hadley Pettigrew (green Quatrevelo).

Originally published in the OzHPV HUFF June 2025