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.

Not the Big River hut at Big River

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...

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).

A few Photos from Sunday

Thanks to Jasper for lurking between Wharfdale Track and Sheffield with his camera today.

Jonty at the top of Wards Pass

This is the high-point of the Kiwi Brevet course and it looks HOT. Jonty suffered a bit of heat-stroke in Molesworth Station yesterday, but recovered nicely after a rest in the shade.

Photo courtesy of Jeff Lyall.

Pics from the road to Taylors Pass

Day 2 Preview

I don't know about y'all, but I'm feeling a little pooped just keeping an eye on the field! What great fun though!

They're about 12 hours in, with:

• a large group chilling out at the northern end of the Molesworth getting a great opportunity to compare setups and backgrounds
• a few still desperately trying to clear the Molesworth after underestimating the time they'd take to get through
• another large group in Hanmer, or about to be,
• Thomas, who's just left Hanmer,
• and Ollie, who's almost in Hurunui!

Day 2 will take the front runners through MacDonald Downs, Lees Valley and the Wharfedale, and some will make the assault from the East on Porters Pass. There's a long patch with no services from Hurunui through to Sheffield, but at least there are plenty of opportunities to stock up early in the day.

* * * * *

After the riders turn off SH7 at Hurunui, it will be fast travel on gravel roads through to the only private land section on the course. It's a great section from the riders' point of view, as it connects nicely into Lees Valley.

Simon in MacDonald Downs, 2010

I don't have fond memories of Lees Valley itself- while reasonably flat, the loose and rough road surface was energy sapping.

After overcoming that, the riders will be onto the Wharfedale, and some pretty sweet singletrack through beech forest. This will be the first major test of the various gear stowage systems, but will be really enjoyed by the mountainbikers. There will also be a bit of walking - not much fun with a heavily laden bike - so look to those with too much gear to lose a bit of time here.

Soon after the Wharfedale, the riders will hit the seal again, and apart from some short and fast gravel sections, they'll be on sealed roads all the way across the Southern Alps and down to Jacksons.

Food, and perhaps a bed for the night will await at Sheffield, or a bit further down the road, Springfield. Porters Pass will be an intimidating climb, and one which I predict many will save up for the next day. At the rate Ollie and Thomas are going, I wouldn't be surprised to see one or both of them up high for the night, perhaps even at Arthurs Pass. They'd be mad to keep going - apart from the energy involved, I gather the views are off the hook!

http://trackleaders.com/kiwibrevet

More pics - At top Taylor Pass