GCCT.co.nzGreasy Chain Charitable Trust
GCCT.co.nzPrinciple and Purpose
The Greasy Chain Cycling events and activities were borne of a passion for cycling in the Manawatu to:
1. Improve public health (particularly the reduction of obesity and type two diabetes) through regular, healthy, outdoor exercise.
2. Reduce the current levels of increasing work-related stress in today’s work environment.
3. Provide greater independence for people, particularly older people unable to drive.
4. Over time, increase the amount of urban cycle trips taken by the public and thus reduce noise and carbon emission pollution
5. For the Gravel & Tar Classic and La Femme to become “cannot miss” events on the UCI calendar for elite riders, and for the Slicks and Stones 100 to become a “must do” for keen amateur cyclists.
Operational Objectives for the Gravel and Tar events
1. To grow participation of the local and wider cycling community in the supporting events for amateur cyclists.
2. To continue to host UCI Gravel & Tar Classic elite men’s and women’s races annually.
3. To support New Zealand road cyclists to inspire the next generation of athletes.
4. To reach an international audience through distribution of a first-class video production of the events.
Bob Selden is currently Acting Chair of the Greasy Chain Charitable Trust and has been on the organising committee of the Gravel and Tar events for the last three years. Naturally, he’s a keen cyclist, but only really started cycling around the age of 35 (when his Rugby days were over) and his son, Chris, who was 13 at the time, took up road cycling, seriously. So, Bob went training with Chris and was hooked.
He’s lived in Australia, Switzerland and now resides in Ashhurst, NZ. He’s cycled in all of those countries (plus a little in the US and Italy) and has been able to do some of the iconic parcours such as Alpe d’Hez and the Furka Pass in Switzerland (and at 2,429 metres altitude, that was a bit of a climb!). Highlights have been visiting the Tour de France a number of times, and being a professional photographer at the World Cup in Zurich.
These days Bob is extremely happy tootling around the magnificent countryside of the Manawatū – even the short climb up his home street, Ulysses Road is a bit of a struggle!
Bob likes being around happy, positive people. In fact he makes it his goal in life to turn unhappy, perhaps even demotivated people, into positive, upbeat people that can rise to most challenges they encounter. He’s an organizational psychologist, author, business trainer, sports coach, husband (to the wonderful, Anita) and father. Apart from writing a few business books, his business role at the moment is Senior Consultant for Family Business Central, an organization that helps family businesses be the best they can be.
In terms of cycling, Bob’s personal aim is to make Palmerston North the cycling capital of New Zealand! So he’d love everyone to help fulfill this ambition – you can start by subscribing to the GCCT.
My name is Johan Oelofse, I am a South African living in New Zealand. I moved to New Zealand with my wife and two kids in 2019. I started cycling at the age of 13 and never looked back. I am a UCI accredited coach and an eager club racer.
I am passionate about cycling and the difference it can make in people, and in school aged children’s, lives specifically. I believe the cycling provides a vehicle through which it is possible to open avenues for troubled young people to escape their circumstances and to find an island of competence in a sea of negativity. Cycling can provide individuals life skills like perseverance, integrity, resilience, self-discipline, ethic and relationship building. I am eager to share my knowledge and experience of cycling to promote healthier living and the positive impact it can make in our lives.
Bella Ives is the youth representative of the greasy Chain Charitable Trust and has been a member of the board since March 2020. She has been involved with several different forms of cycling including competitive road cycling where she has raced in a range of events such as the local Novice tour of Manawatu and Schools Cycling Nationals.
Bella’s passion for cycling doesn’t stop at just road cycling as she is an active commuter cyclist. Over the past year she has been creating the beginnings of a campaign at Palmerston North Girls High School called Up Cycling NZ. This campaign aims to empower people to start cycling as a regular form of transportation. Through activities, group bike rides, events, conferences and skills courses, Bella hopes to not only empower people to get involved in cycling but help give them the tools and confidence to bike safely on New Zealand roads.
When she’s not out cycling, Bella enjoys participating in a range of other sports such as triathlon, running, hiking, swimming and football. She is adventurous and loves trying new sports and outdoor activities. Over the upcoming years she would love to travel the world and cycle around different countries
“Go Carl” are words I have heard often in recent years.
A Bike Manawatu Club cyclist at road events as well as track cycling at regional and Masters Games levels.
A business manager for IndustrialAutomatioNZ Ltd. with a generalist approach and collaborative style. Hands on and a strong belief that doing what you say is a virtue in itself. These days I make myself available to businesses with gaps in capability as a consultant / contractor.
A background in engineering and until last year I work in operations for a world leading nutritional company.
I’m involved in GCCT because I love to see others enjoying life and the benefits of an active lifestyle through all manner of cycling disciplines.
Personal Goal is to qualify for a world champ event, hopefully before I am 50, but 60 will do fine as well.
Find me on Facebook or LinkedIn or feel free to contact me by phone Ph: +64 21 238 7351 or Carl@GCCT.co.nz
Kevin Darling is a recent addition to the Greasy Chain Charitable Trust board. Originally from the Northwest of England, Kevin emigrated to New Zealand 18 years ago and since 2007 has lived in the Whanganui-Manawatu region. He currently resides on a lifestyle block just outside Bulls. Previously a keen runner, Kevin switched to two wheels about 10 years ago as a result of his failing knees. He now considers himself a recreational cyclist, enjoying both road and mountain biking when time permits.
Kevin has worked in a variety of senior management positions with numerous multi-national companies, including BOC Gases, Mars Confectionary, 3M, and Healthscope. He is currently the Managing Director of Collagen Solutions (New Zealand) Limited, one of the world’s leading suppliers of medical biomaterials. He is also a non-executive director of Palmerston North-based animal health diagnostics start-up, Koru Diagnostics.
Joining the Greasy Chain Charitable Trust was an opportunity for Kevin to continue to broaden his board experience while also contributing to the Trust’s aim of getting more people on to bikes in order to improve fitness and reduce stress. He also believes that it will provide a much-needed incentive to get out on his own bikes more frequently!
Kevin lives with his partner, Sam, and is father to Willow (17), Laiken (10) and Arum (4). In addition to his work and board commitments, he is the ex-Chief Fire Officer of the Marton Volunteer Fire Brigade and a current member of the Bulls Volunteer Fire Brigade.