Course firming up...

The owners of McDonalds Down Station have kindly agreed to allow access for the Kiwi Brevet again. That gives us the short-cut between Culverden and Lees Valley that makes that corner or the course a lot more pleasant (and shorter) than if we had to follow public roads.

So, the course is pretty well 99% confirmed. When I get back from a few days riding in the South Island, we'll update the Google map of the course, then start re-doing the cue sheets.

I'm also hoping to have the event charity confirmed by the end of next week. Will then be able to send out their details.

The Start of a Start List

And...Ollie Whalley is coming back (as part of his preparations for the Tour Divide). Total is 91 names on the list, but I expect some people to pull out.

Plus Mick Brown
Peter McKenzie
Claude Dabaliz
Keri Devine & Rob Smith
Hana Black & Mark Watson
Tim Collinson
Matt Kyhun

On the 29th Oct:
Lori Slattery
Mike Revell

Couple more over the weekend:
Andrew Rowe
Iain Dephoff
and Scott Dunavan

On the 20th Oct, a few more Aussies:
Heather Logie & Shane Spicer
Libby Adamson
Steve Hanley
Nathan Versey

They bring the total up to 74. We'll keep taking names up to 100, since there are bound to be several people pull out over the next few months.


On the 12th Oct:
Graeme Wingman
Christopher Boyle & Mel Boyle
Michi Speck
Matt Gerstenberger

And Pat Hogan's back.

Extras added on the 10th Oct (bringing us up to 63 names, so far - one more than last year's field):

Stephen Butterworth
Karen & John Fausch (tandem)
Tor Madsen*
Troy Szczurkowski
Shaun Timberlake

A few more names - many of the usual suspects - added 10 pm 6th Oct:

Adam Basiljet
Stan Hancock
Dean Johansson*
Andrew Carman
Rosie Shakespeare
Jonty Ritchie
Alex Revell
Phil Brownie
Bill Fry
Brenda Clapp & Chris Burr
Geof Blance*
John Lubbe

Expressions of interest as of 9pm 4th October:

Al Rynn
Alastair Brown
Andrew King
Andy Gilbert & Tony Little (tandem)*
Andy Reid
Charlotte Ireland
Chris Charles
Chris Tennent-Brown
Christopher Gilbertson & Pip Russell*
Craig McGregor
Dan Roberts
Darren Tatom
Dave Sharpe*
David Kleinjan
Graeme Head
Jakub Postrzygacz
Jane Matchett
Jeff Lyall*
Jo Smith*
Joel Mc Farlane-Roberts & Clair Graydon
Julie Williams & Thomas Ekholm
Martin Harry
Matthew Kemp & Kerrie Noonan
Matthew Leyland
Michael Kingston
Michelle Cole & Joshua Kench
Nathan Mawkes
Owen Hughes
Paul Becker*
Paul Harrison Lowe
Peter Maindonald
Peter McKenzie
Richard Davies*
Robbie Halliday
Ross Cairns
Scott Emmens*
Thomas Lindup

* = confirmed (through donation to Project K)

Want to put your name down?

OK...it's about time to start taking names for the 2012 Kiwi Brevet (starting on the 4th February, probably with a start time of 9am (not 10am)).

In order to keep things friendly, it's limited to 80 riders. Here's how we'll sort that out. Flick me an email ( simon at kennett dot co dot nz )or post a comment below this thread (with your full name) to indicate you are seriously interested. I'll create an 'expression of interest' list from those names.

In a few weeks we'll have decided on a charity to support for 2012. You'll be invited to confirm your entry by making a donation to that charity (of $50, or more if you are feeling generous). The first 80 people to make a donation will be confirmed starters. If we have less than 80 riders make a donation to the nominated charity, then entries will stay open until the 28th January (and then close, to allow time to sort out all the admin in an efficient manor).

As mentioned previously, the course will have a few changes, but be essentially the same as in 2010, BUT be run in a clockwise direction. Another significant change is that the mandatory block of rest at the end of each day will be increased from a minimum 4 hours to a minimum 6 hours. This should tip the balance in favour of greater recovery (and fewer over-use injuries).

And the other big change is that there will be two categories: Solo and (2-4 person) Team.