A sample from the Molesworth (thanks Dominic) and a couple more pics courtesy of Chris Charles in Nelson.
10 February 2012
A few more images from out on the course
A sample from the Molesworth (thanks Dominic) and a couple more pics courtesy of Chris Charles in Nelson.
09 February 2012
08 February 2012
07 February 2012
Day 5 Preview
Congratulations to Ollie Whalley for a super-impressive ride through to Blenheim today. He snuck in a few minutes before 9pm, completing the course in 3.5 days. Wow!
My predictions weren't too bad yesterday night it seems, with Lance, Darren, and Geof sure to make Nelson tonight.
Scott might make St Arnaud, but would have to negotiate the steep Porika in the dark to do so.
Despite what we might imagine from watching Ollie's tracker all day, the ride into Blenheim is not a piece of cake. I'd expect those who do get as far as Nelson before 6pm or so will push on up the Maitai Valley, before grovelling up the Maungatapu Track. The climb will have most off their bikes I suspect, at the very least just above the dam, where a steep rocky section had me a little nervous in the opposite direction on my fully a month or so ago.
Beyond that point, the climb isn't as steep, but it is long, and exposed to the heat. At the summit,the views to the north-east are amazing, and well worth stopping to absorb.
The descent on the other side should be an absolute blast. It is less steep, and apart from the top, is pretty smooth going. At the bottom of the track, they follow the Pelorus River down to Pelorus Bridge, where if they're early enough, might still have a cafe open.
After Pelorus Bridge, the road is sealed all the way through to Picton, and a little beyond. Supplies are plentiful too, with the Canvastown Trout Hotel, stores and cafes in Havelock and the store at Linkwater all good options.
Riders might feel like they're almost there once they hit Picton, but treating the Port Underwood Road as a done deal would be a terrible mistake. Pat Hogan (now making his way to Springs Junction) only got as far as Picton on Day 1 of the inaugural Kiwi Brevet, such were the climbs, and loose gravel surface. Ollie took almost 4 hours to ride this final section this evening, so those who do make Picton late in the day might well need another night out on course before knocking the bugger off the next morning.
It'll be fascinating to see how the 5th day on course plays out!
I hope y'all have enjoyed the previews, and hope that they've made following the riders on the map a bit more fun with the added context.
My hat's off to all those who lined up for this Kiwi Brevet, and can't wait to start reading some of the blogs about it. Also, a nod of thanks to Pat Hogan and Jeff Lyall who helped Simon out with some key jobs this year!
I can't wait for the 2014 Kiwi Brevet. Will be a hard choice between riding again, or spectating again! Both are great options!
My predictions weren't too bad yesterday night it seems, with Lance, Darren, and Geof sure to make Nelson tonight.
Scott might make St Arnaud, but would have to negotiate the steep Porika in the dark to do so.
Despite what we might imagine from watching Ollie's tracker all day, the ride into Blenheim is not a piece of cake. I'd expect those who do get as far as Nelson before 6pm or so will push on up the Maitai Valley, before grovelling up the Maungatapu Track. The climb will have most off their bikes I suspect, at the very least just above the dam, where a steep rocky section had me a little nervous in the opposite direction on my fully a month or so ago.
Beyond that point, the climb isn't as steep, but it is long, and exposed to the heat. At the summit,the views to the north-east are amazing, and well worth stopping to absorb.
 |
| The view from the top of the Maungatapu is worth admiring |
The descent on the other side should be an absolute blast. It is less steep, and apart from the top, is pretty smooth going. At the bottom of the track, they follow the Pelorus River down to Pelorus Bridge, where if they're early enough, might still have a cafe open.
After Pelorus Bridge, the road is sealed all the way through to Picton, and a little beyond. Supplies are plentiful too, with the Canvastown Trout Hotel, stores and cafes in Havelock and the store at Linkwater all good options.
Riders might feel like they're almost there once they hit Picton, but treating the Port Underwood Road as a done deal would be a terrible mistake. Pat Hogan (now making his way to Springs Junction) only got as far as Picton on Day 1 of the inaugural Kiwi Brevet, such were the climbs, and loose gravel surface. Ollie took almost 4 hours to ride this final section this evening, so those who do make Picton late in the day might well need another night out on course before knocking the bugger off the next morning.
It'll be fascinating to see how the 5th day on course plays out!
* * * * *
I hope y'all have enjoyed the previews, and hope that they've made following the riders on the map a bit more fun with the added context.
My hat's off to all those who lined up for this Kiwi Brevet, and can't wait to start reading some of the blogs about it. Also, a nod of thanks to Pat Hogan and Jeff Lyall who helped Simon out with some key jobs this year!
I can't wait for the 2014 Kiwi Brevet. Will be a hard choice between riding again, or spectating again! Both are great options!
06 February 2012
Day 4 Preview
Day 3 is officially done and dusted at 9am on Tuesday, 72 hours after starting. On the fourth day, Ollie Whalley will finish the 2012 Kiwi Brevet. He'll be in St Arnaud before I drift off to sleep tonight, and my guess is he won't stop there. With a downhill run into Nelson, a tough but manageable 8 hours' riding (or thereabouts) are all that lie between him and the end.
Those in his wake with have to leave the West Coast via Rahu Saddle, a nice sealed climb, before taking a gravel road out of Springs Junction on the western side of the river. A bit more seal, and then a right turn off SH65 and a climb up to Maruia Saddle in some sweet bush.
The climb to there last time was tough, so the descent should be awesome. At the bottom they hook into a bridge across the Matakitaki River before heading north on fast gravel roads to Murchison.
They'll eat well at Murchison, before taking the Mangles Valley through to the Braeburn Track. In the opposite direction, this was a highlight of the 2010 event, so should make for a nice mellow climb. After a short descent, they'll be at Lake Rotoroa. Hopefully they'll be feeling good, cos the Porika Track is about to smash the living daylights out of them. It is steep and rough, though the roughness shouldn't bother them too much on foot. I'm sure someone will ride it all, but whether it's worth doing so is another story.
The summit of the Porika is a gold-fossicking area, and hopefully the riders stop to read some of the signage. The descent isn't as steep, and should give them a bit of respite after the brutal climb. There will be a few kilometres on gravel before hooking onto SH63 for the run into St Arnaud. There will be the last shops before Richmond down near Nelson. It's entirely sealed roads to there so the going should be fast.
They're losing a lot of altitude to Nelson, so I wouldn't be surprised to see the guys who make Reefton tonight get to Nelson. There's a large posse building in Blackball, so it may be that those guys are too hungover to ride far. Hopefully the hapless Thomas will have good company and will avoid any further off-course deviations!
Those in his wake with have to leave the West Coast via Rahu Saddle, a nice sealed climb, before taking a gravel road out of Springs Junction on the western side of the river. A bit more seal, and then a right turn off SH65 and a climb up to Maruia Saddle in some sweet bush.
 | |
| Simon, at the top of Maruia Saddle |
The climb to there last time was tough, so the descent should be awesome. At the bottom they hook into a bridge across the Matakitaki River before heading north on fast gravel roads to Murchison.
They'll eat well at Murchison, before taking the Mangles Valley through to the Braeburn Track. In the opposite direction, this was a highlight of the 2010 event, so should make for a nice mellow climb. After a short descent, they'll be at Lake Rotoroa. Hopefully they'll be feeling good, cos the Porika Track is about to smash the living daylights out of them. It is steep and rough, though the roughness shouldn't bother them too much on foot. I'm sure someone will ride it all, but whether it's worth doing so is another story.
The summit of the Porika is a gold-fossicking area, and hopefully the riders stop to read some of the signage. The descent isn't as steep, and should give them a bit of respite after the brutal climb. There will be a few kilometres on gravel before hooking onto SH63 for the run into St Arnaud. There will be the last shops before Richmond down near Nelson. It's entirely sealed roads to there so the going should be fast.
They're losing a lot of altitude to Nelson, so I wouldn't be surprised to see the guys who make Reefton tonight get to Nelson. There's a large posse building in Blackball, so it may be that those guys are too hungover to ride far. Hopefully the hapless Thomas will have good company and will avoid any further off-course deviations!
05 February 2012
Day 3 Preview
Well I totally suck at this crystal ball-gazing lark. As I type, Ollie is getting pretty damn close to Blackball (not that the course passes through there...).
The crew have had a bit of a shocker with navigation today - the turnoff to MacDonald Downs was an issue for some, and quite a few turned away from the Wharfedale in Lees Valley.
For a large chunk of the field, Day 3 will start from Sheffield or Springfield, followed by a big old sealed climb up to Porters Pass. The traverse to Arthurs Pass is riddled with small climbs, but a big feed, and a huge descent await. The drop down through Otira and to Jacksons should be very fast, and then riders turn off to do a mostly gravel lap out the back of Lake Brunner. Then, they cross the Grey River and make there way north-west to Ikamatua on the unsealed side.
The riders will be stocking up at the Ikamatua store, assuming its open on Waitangi Day. The Waiuta-Big River loop awaits.
DOC took to it with dynamite since the last Brevet, so it should be a bit less arduous than two years ago. Reefton might be a good place to call it a night for some, though, we'll no doubt see some going over Rahu Saddle to Springs Junction or beyond.
At the rate Ollie's going, I wouldn't be surprised to see him get as far as St Arnaud. Surely Nelson's out of reach, just...
The crew have had a bit of a shocker with navigation today - the turnoff to MacDonald Downs was an issue for some, and quite a few turned away from the Wharfedale in Lees Valley.
For a large chunk of the field, Day 3 will start from Sheffield or Springfield, followed by a big old sealed climb up to Porters Pass. The traverse to Arthurs Pass is riddled with small climbs, but a big feed, and a huge descent await. The drop down through Otira and to Jacksons should be very fast, and then riders turn off to do a mostly gravel lap out the back of Lake Brunner. Then, they cross the Grey River and make there way north-west to Ikamatua on the unsealed side.
The riders will be stocking up at the Ikamatua store, assuming its open on Waitangi Day. The Waiuta-Big River loop awaits.
 |
| Not the Big River hut at Big River |
At the rate Ollie's going, I wouldn't be surprised to see him get as far as St Arnaud. Surely Nelson's out of reach, just...
Riders without SPOT trackers
Just to let Jimmy Finlayson and Michelle Cole & Josh Kench's fans know - they are out there and doing fine. Rather than using a SPOT tracker, they're carrying personal locator beacons.
We'll know when they get to various key locations around the course when they text in (all texts will be forwarded to the Kiwi Brevet twitter feed).
We'll know when they get to various key locations around the course when they text in (all texts will be forwarded to the Kiwi Brevet twitter feed).
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