Monday Morning Text In's

Here are the text call in we have had overnight & this morning ...

SUNDAY NIGHT

8:58pm
James Burgess & Alex Dyer:
James & Alex have hit Hanmer powered by pumpernickel cheese & dodgy water from a greasy stream. Braaaaaaap !!!!

9:05pm
Dirk Nash:
Enjoying a meal in Hanmer will switch to Brevette tomorrow

9:15pm
Kim & Meg Carrigan:
Arrived in Hanmer Sunday night. Exhausted! What an amazing trail St James is equal to the best anywhere in the world.

9:26pm
James & Alex:
Supplementary update; David has been kicked out of the pub for not having any shoes on #soendurorightnow

9:41pm
Jeremy Brae:
Jeremy Brae still Hanmer, Hi Scott & Jo the St James has beaten my bum into feeling like pulp. I am taking the Brevette option from here in I am disappointed but finishing the short course is better than a DNF on the long course.

9:42pm
Jeremy Brae:
Its beautiful in there just bloody tough riding at a significant clip with a loaded bike.

9:50pm
Geoff Gabities:
Phil & Geoff fed & resting at Hanmer

10:06pm
Rod Davidson:
Rob Davidson texting in from springfield.... did my text not work yesterday? Pls text back to let me know you got this :-)

That was this morning seems so long ago :-) Rob.

10:45pm
Ben Weatherspoon:
All OK, (Cool tent emoticon)

MONDAY
0:04am
Keith Payne:
Keith Payne missed the sheffield text in but found reception near castle hill

6:21am
Grenval Hurst:
At the huranui Pub woken by fire alarm, girls burning toast....they know who they are.

7:13am
Team Bike Fit:
Morning guys, we have decided to switch to Brevette - team bike fit due to illness & feeling totally smashed from the St James - cheers

7:51am
Hamish Southcote:
Just arrived in Springfield looks like another hot day.

8:38am
Rod Davidson:
Sweet ... early to bed & early to rise makes a man healthy , wealthy & in Arthurs pass for breakfast.

8:42am
Beth Dunne:
Beth Dunne eating breaks at Springfield

Breakfast even :-)

8:53am
Ian & Wendy:
Ian & Wendy checking in at Murchison. beautiful ride down the Maruia west bank road & setting sun over the saddle, camped at the saddle.

9:32am
Rob Hoult:
Rob Hoult 7 Paul Chaplow at Sheffield pie shop. Shared Whalfdale hut with Chris & Bob last night. Looks like a slow slog into the NW all the way to Arthurs!

9:34am
Paul Chaplow:
Sheffield. our riding seems to be perfectly timed to hit huts close or shortly after dark, thats 2 for 2 so far! Feeling ok. Bum is a bit sore! NW is going be a bastard today !

9:36am
Marcua Peters & Kerian Tibble:
Marcus & Kerian arrived in Murch x

9:38am
Lou Perkins:
Lou Perkins in Murchsion :-)

9:46am:
Nigel Walls:
Gutted to be honest, that was not an easy thing to do pulling the pin.I have managed to get a lift later today to Blenheim, well I have started planning for the next one.

9:58am
Kirk Hamilton:
Kirk Hamilton & Jesse Patel springfield.

9:58am
Di & Alex Grigg:
In Murchison :-)

10:17am
Dale Lopaz:
10:10 at Murchison all well - last section was great.

10:26am
Grey Gallway:
Jacksons Pub

10:26am
Jo Jagusch:
Can o chick peas & a chorizo for breeky. went down ok. the cold pie an hour later not great for the acid side of things. big Caffaine mutha in AP village & some quickies & she'z ok for now. Hip Hip Hooray.... rolling off the pass! Bugger the lights stopped working last night. thou a dawn start was all good.

10:42am
Chris & Bob:
Bob & Chris in Springfield smashed, happy for someone to pick us up.

10:45am
Derek Poshtar:
Derek Poshtar,  Evan. Dead Spot tracker. Hanmer Springs

10:51
Isla:
Isla here...Pulling the pin with knee pain been hurting since hanmer :-( boys have continued on. Pickup arranged from murcheson

11:04
Gareth Rapley:
Made it to Murchison! Gareth Rapley

11:23
Brian Alder:
Stillwater. Got some chasing to do!

11:29
Craig Madsen:
Craig Madsen and Mark made it to Murchison. Awesome ride through the saddle.

11:49
Greg Thurlow:
Murcheson gt

11:56
Jonathan Kennett:
Just rolled into much. Perfect riding conditions. Maria saddle was awesome. On a riding high! Jonathan

11:57
Richie Davies:
In Murch. Kai time. Might take a few shortcuts from now on to keep to my unrealistic deadline.

Text in's from Hanmer

Hello Followers ,

Scott & I spent the day in Hanmer today welcoming in a lot of the riders, that is why Text call in are a little delayed.
A lot of people did not text in once they had seen us... but here is who text in...

9:15pm (Saturday)
Ed Mc Donald:
Ed Mc Donald checking in from Hanmer with sublime rewards, pizza time!

0:18am (Sunday)
Keith Payne:
Keith Payne in Hanmer 1 puncture a 4km detour - but otherwise all good.

5:43am
Stephen Butterworth:
Pie & coffee time in Hanmer

5:51am
Brain Alder:
Hanmer for brekky, bakery open nice & early

07:24am
Jo Jagusch:
Steve Kindly gave me directions to his home in Hanmer yesterday before we hit the highway & I said see ya later as I was beginning to hurt at his pace, he may have made it that night but I took a chance this morning scrummage around in his tool shed so I could tighten my brooks saddle. Thanks Mate.
Woken up this morning at 4:20am by Brian's headlamp. Cheers Brian you Champ!.
Decided to sing a few classic tunes to the starry sky while packing up....I want to ride my bicycle .... etc...
Morning on the 'bike' chores; 1. Saying my prayers going Chammy & lycra free may test my resolve.
2. Sweep the floor....I mean stanchions 3. Plan ahead...intensity lowered to texting while riding...oops... we. 4. Moisturise 5. Lubricate the key parts.

7:56am
Bruno Geldermans:
Bruno Leaving Hanmer at 8:10am :-)

7:48am
Matt Quirk:
Matt Q checking in. coffee time

8:18am
Stephan Butterworth:
Heading back to Blenheim with Dave S, don't fancy riding 3 days solo with a chance of rain, also lost a pink glove, maybe Molesworth homestead to Hanmer if anyone find s it.
Yesterday was awesome SS was mint through Rainbow & St James.

8:51am
Hamish Southcote:
Have just arrived & tucking into Brekky

8:48am
Dave Cooper:
In Hanmer. spot tracker keeps switching itself off ?

9:10am
Craig Madson:
Hi Scott, Jo, Mark has worn very unwell so we have made a b line for Hanmer, missing out the St James. We will rest in Hanmer then look to continue on the brevet course once Mark has recovered.
This may or may not be today. kind regards Craig Madson.

9:21am
Mike O Conner:
Hi Guys Mike O'Connor here. at Hanmer. group of 3 from Christchurch were with me at Sedgemere but took a wrong turn, couldn't catch them in time to tell them! Hope they make it.

9:36am
Kirk Hamilton:
Kirk Hamilton Hanmer springs 9:30

9:59am
Bethany Dunne:
Beth Dune & Chris Bennet finished their breakfast challenge at Hanmer Springs, ready to hit the road.

10:23am
Mitch Potter:
Mitch Potter checking in from Hamer springs

10:26am
Isla, Elisha, & Alastair:
Hanmer, Isla, Elisha, Alastair

10:37am
Lou Perkins:
Lou Perkins looking at Scott

11:08am
Dale Lopaz:
Made it

11:13
Paul Chaplow:
In Hanmer road till 9pm last night. Glad to get here before it got to hot. Looks like this afternoons section my be a scorcher, stocking up then heading off.

11:14am
Rob Hoult:
Rob Hoult Hanmer Springs now.

11:18am
Luke Thompson:
Luke Thompson; Hanmer :-)

11:24am
Ben Taylor:
Ben Taylor & Chris Todd rate Robbie's generous toast policy

11:35am
Bob & Chris:
Bob & Chris in Hanmer. Thanks to Dave S for saving our spot tracker. Found a  mint camp spot under some beech trees. Only woke to a mouse running over my head once.

11:42am
Ian Huntsman:
Ian & Wendy checking in at Hanmer. wonderful ride through the rainbow & we were part of the tent city at Sedgemere last night.

11:46
Chris Hodder:
In Hanmer. Happy Chris Hodder

12:20
Hamish Dalglish:
Hamish Dalglish Hanmer

12:21pm
Rich Davies:
In Hanmer. yay. time for a re-fuel then back uphill

1:27
Greg Therlow:
Hanmer GT

1:55pm
Jasper Van der Lingen:
jasper in Hanmer, very happy to be where there are shops and bars & other smelly Bretvetters , might change to the Brevette course

1:56pm
Phil Jones:
Phil Jones nice to see you too

2:22pm
Oliver Herdsman:
Hanmer ho! all is well except I got stung on the knee by a bee, St James trail was amazing! Oliver

2:38pm
Dean Marshall:
Dean Marshall in Hanmer

2:38pm
Kirtsy Moran & Robyn Blyth:
Robyn & Kirst checking in from Hanmer. Strategically positioned in the field for maximum rouge banana retrieval. May not carry food for next leg as a result.

2:48pm
John Etherington:
Hi Scott all good in Hanmer springs just found out my spot is not tracking any ideas - John

2:49pm
Oli De Burn:
Oli De burn Hanmer, St James is an evil Bastard, beautiful but evil.

2:57pm
Alistair Davidson:
In Hanmer having my 1st pie in 5 years - bring it on!

2:58pm
Darren Tatom:
All good spot stopped working despite 2 battery changes

3:02pm
Dan De Burn:
In Hanmer St James was hhhhard

3:20pm
Scott Symes:
Hey calling in for Scott Symes, blown up knee means the dreams over. would you guys also be able to give me a lift to chch if that's OK, cheers Scott (from Mikes phone)

3:24pm
Brendon Phesant:
Brendon Phesant in Hanmer st James beautiful but quite hard work.

4:00pm
Darren Tatom:
hey Scott, my tracker is F**ked. Been offered Barryn's 107 tracker as he is traveling with Trevor woodward, would that work?

4:05pm
Oli De Burn:
Hi Scott & Jo, I'm going to switch to the Brevette, my spot tracker has stopped working, my brother Dan is still doing the Brevet, Oli De Burn.

4:48pm
Ed McDonald:
Soggy EMCD, in Murchison

4:32pm
Barryn Westfield:
Barryn, Trev & Jackie passing through Hanmer all good to date..... confirming we have given our 2nd tracker (107) to Darren Tatom

4:40pm
Andy Gilbert:
Andy G in Hanmer staying the night, very hot through St James had nice camp at rag & danish creek

4:50pm
Jeremy Bray:
Jeremy Bray. Hanmer. Man its 5pm & still stinking hot

4:53pm
Steve Bilton:
Steve Bilton Hanmer Springs, still going after surviving massive Mechanical on day 1 & the St James today.

5:08pm
Thomas Crowley:
Switching to Brevette

5:22pm
Jackson Foster:
Hey decided to do Brevette this morning as was at Sedgmere hut overnight. head shock on cannondale so tilted forwarding n got sore knee from new position
going to limp back to Blenheim following road mainly - epic fail :-) Cheers J

Hey in Hanmer by the way Cheers Jackson

5:25pm
Mark Wattie:
Checking in at Hanmer now doing Brevette

5:51pm
Craig Moss:
Craig, Darron Gosse, Ross Fredrick, Hanmer, all good, sore arse are our spot trackers going?

5:52pm
Nicki Squire:
In Hanmer. Hope my bearded friends make it before the pub closes. Nicki

5:52pm:
Brain Alder:
Home of the doughnut (Springfield) Hot & NW, off to Arthur's?

5:55pm
GlennWright:
Hi, arrived in Hanmer, blast through the St James, off to eat & will head up the road , Glenn Wright

6:48pm
Sam Davidson & John Keyzer:
St James royally rated these 2 brovetters, kabab levels are at an all time low. Stoke points are empty & we used our #endurocard early. currently refuelling before we work on an vac plan. Springs junction is on the card with, a beer trailer, swimming hole tracker & a whole swag bag of sadness to fuel the party. "if you ain't having fun you are doing it wrong" time to realign the camo & hang out with  our....bibs out.
#StJamescycleway = #horse'enduro the trotting edition, watch that dot :-)

6:56pm
Peter Goodman:
Hi In Hanmer Springs, ok just broken, got a lift the last 20km into Hanmer springs so out of the Brevette, may still ride on , see in morning. Pete

6:56pm
Nigel Walls:
Nigel & Richard pulled the pin at Hanmer, thanks for the opportunity maybe next time

7:05pm
Dean Cameron:
In Hanmer yeah boy!

7:10pm
Steve Makin:
Safe in Hanmer, DQing myself as I had to get a lift back from Acheron campsite, the heat got to me :-( will see how I feel tomorrow hoping to continue as its been bloody marvellous :-). Steve

8:10pm
Mike O'Conner:
Hi Jo & Scott, just arrived in Murchison, eaten enough to make a fat man blush

8:33pm
Grey Galway:
Springfiled

8:43pm
Steve Halligan:
Steve Halligan Arthurs Pass, hell head wind from Sheffield & broke my chain in Whalfdale, great scenery :-)

8:45pm
David Connor:
Off to pub to get Hanmered

8:45pm
Team Bike fit:
Team bike fit, Ant & Craig in Hanmer

2015 Rules, a little late, but maybe not

What's shown below is an edited version of the rules blurb from 2014. The main thing is to complete the course under your own steam, without a support crew or ANY outside assistance (other than what is commercially available to every participant).

Text-ins (rather than 'call-ins') are to be made from designated towns along the route until you either finish or abandon the brevet. Text event HQ on 022 075 5887

The designated towns are in the cue sheets.

 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What is the Kiwi Brevet? What defines it? How does it differ from a race?

The Kiwi Brevet is a cycle touring challenge. It is defined by the course and the event rules. You can complete the course without following the rules, but you will have completed something that is, to some degree, different from the 'Kiwi Brevet'.

A really great dirt brevet has a challenging time component, but that is only one small element of what defines success in this event. If there were 'winners' in the inaugural Kiwi Brevet, I would say they were the riders who exceeded their expectations and shared their adventures with others (through photos, blogs, amusing call-ins and articles, etc). If you can meet some of the locals, enjoy some great food and scenery; and finish uninjured with a little bit left in the tank, then you have done very well indeed! And if you enjoy the company of fellow breveteers - deepening old friendships or developing new - you've really hit the jackpot.

The event culture is largely determined by its participants, but the rules lay the groundwork for how the riders tackle the course. With that in mind, here are the rules for 2015.

1. Do it all yourself, under your own steam.

2. Riders must carry all their own gear (i.e. no domestiques, unless you are part of a team).

3. No outside support (deliveries only to public addresses, no support from friends along the way, no support vehicles of any kind meeting you along the way). Prior to the race you may only post supplies to post offices.

4. Follow 100% of the course.

5. It is recommended that riders carry a personal locator beacon, and agree to cover the cost of rescue in the event they need to be evacuated.

6. Riders must not complete the course in less than 4 days (This event is not about finding the fastest rider).

7. Riders must finish in under 8 1/2 days. That is, by 10pm on Sunday the 8th Feb.

8. Between 9am one day and 9am the next, every rider must spend at least one block of at least six hours not travelling. That is, the maximum time any rider may spend travelling along the course will be 18 hours (between each 10am-to-10am period)

9. When on public roads, follow the NZ Road Code.

10. Text-ins are to be made from designated towns along the route until you either finish or abandon the brevet, text event HQ on 022 075 5887

11. Riders must observe all rules laid down by land mangers along the route (such as the Department of Conservation). Riders must not camp or light fires in the McDonald Downs Station section or the North Bank of the Wairau forest section of the course.

We intend having a finishing list, BUT please remember this is not a sanctioned RACE. Now I fully understand the competitive nature of these events, I get it but please try to take part whilst keeping these guidelines in mind. This is a gentleman agreement, no one is out there watching your every move although the followmyspot site does provide near 24/7 ability to virtually do so.

Enjoy it, it is an adventure more than anything else.

2015 Event Tracking

Hi everyone, well with two days to go until kick off things have reached fever pitch here at race HQ.
That actually sounds a lot grander than reality, but Jo and I are certainly excited to get this bad boy under way!

To follow along (stalk) this year we are using followmyspot.com
This awesome site has been developed right here in Christchurch by the wonderful Shane Davidson. Shane is an active participant and passionate endurance and adventure junkie. Thank you so much Shane for all of your hard work on the site for our wee event!
Thanks also goes out to Tony Glentworth from SpotNZ who is providing the SPOT trackers for participants to hire.
Without these two fellas there would not be a 2015 Kiwi Brevet, thank you guys!

There is a permanent link in the under the Important Links heading on the right of the page.

Please spread this link far and wide, this is after all a spectator sport!

See you all in Blenheim

Scott and Jo

Two weeks to go!

Hello Brevetters! Happy New Year to you all.

By now I hope you have got your gear sorted and have managed to get out for a couple of overnighters to find out what a loaded bike rides like!

Jo and I have been busy with the last minute preparations.

If you are signed up in the last couple of days you should have received emails from us about the SPOT trackers (if you are hiring one or have your own, otherwise you won't have received an email). I sent out a separate email with the .gpx files and the links to the courses overlaid a NZTopo map, and finally today I sent another email out with the Cue Sheets, and couple of useful links and some other notes!!

I would like to once again thank Gary Mckensie for providing the .gpx files, links to the NZTopo maps and the basis for the cue sheets, you are a champion.

We will be having a meet n greet on Friday the 30th at Dodsons Beer Garden from about 6.30pm. They have a great selection of beers along with fantastic food. We have not "booked" a table or anything but have let them know we are coming, it's pretty informal! Jo and I will be there to answer any queries of course. Thanks to Mondo for organising the venue
We would like to issue SPOTs that evening to those who are there. Tony from SPOT NZ will be there to issue the units and answer any questions.

Briefing will be held at the Top Town Cinema at 4 Kinross Street, Blenheim at 8am on Saturday the 31st January
We have a wee bit to cover off that morning so try to be on time ;-)
We will issue any SPOTs not issued at the meet n greet, collect your SIGNED any indemnity forms (emailing out next week) and take a mud shot of you and your rig and of course do an event briefing.
Please don't be shy about having you photo taken, it's all fun and I promise we won't sell them.
BIG thanks to Duncan Mackenzie for making this available to us.

OK that's it for this dispatch. Email us if you have any questions.

Cheers Scott and Jo

Topomap links to courses

Hi again everyone.

Gary Mckensie has been good enough to upload the courses to Topomap, thanks Gary!
The links for each course are below:
Brevet
Brevette
You can zoom in, print out, have fun with these maps.

Cheers, Scott

Happy New Year Brevetters

Hi everyone, Happy New Year from both Jo and I.
I hope you all enjoyed a break, some great weather, a bit of time getting in "credit" with the family and a lot of riding!
Jo and I managed to get away for a couple of quick camping trips in-between working hence the lack of communication over the silly season.

We are well and truly in the Brevet swing now though.
I will email out cue sheets and a .gpx file by the end of next week. This .gpx file will be the official .gpx file, so if you choose to use your own .gpx file and go off course don't blame me ;-) Please note I have made a couple of slight changes to the map on mapometer, so if you have downloaded your own .gpx files from that you will need to do it again sorry. You can find the updated Brevet map here and Brevette map here.

Please note that although we are providing cues and a .gpx file you need to be aware of your surroundings at all times. You cannot rely on the .gpx to be 100% accurate, or the cues for that matter.  This is a SELF SUFFICIENT adventure :-)

We have spent a lot of time trying to get these as accurate as possible but things do change over time. I have overlaid my .gpx files from last year's Brevet to ensure accuracy of the file we are providing BUT it could still be slightly different on the ground.
Don't spend the entire time staring at the pink line on your GPS, lift your head up and take in the awesomeness that you are riding through! It is a wonderful country we live in (or you are visiting), take in as much of it as you can. Stop, smell the honeydew, take photos and enjoy it!
It isn't the World Championships or the Olympics, if you see something cool, stop and check it out, remember there are no medals on offer.

The hirage of the SPOT trackers is being managed by Tony at SpotNZ. Next week I will email out a link to the registration form. The cost is $125 per unit which includes hirage, a fresh set of batteries and tracking.
Those of you who have your own units I will send a separate email out asking for your ESN and Share Site page details.
Tony will be at registration to hand out the SPOT units and answer any questions.

Speaking of registration, our plan is to have a meet n greet on the Friday night and the actual event briefing on the Saturday morning.
The event briefing will be held at the Top Town Cinema at 8am on Saturday morning, that's right 8am. Start time is 10am this year, it's a long way to Hanmer ;-)
The meet n greet venue and time TBA.
We will be sending out registration forms prior to the event requiring emergency contact details etc. PLEASE fill them out before arriving in Blenheim and give them to us on the Friday night or Saturday morning.
We also want to get a photograph of EVERYONE and their bike. We would love to get some done on Friday night so if you can, turn up on your bike (preferably fully loaded), otherwise we will do it Saturday morning. Don't be shy, we all want to put a face to the "blue dot"!

The aim is to have more regular updates from this point on.

Keep up the training, enjoy some adventures and remember to have fun.

Until next time, Scott and Jo