(above) Seymour Square, Blenheim - 8:50am
(left) Revell, senior and junior.
Blenheim represents!
04 February 2012
Some Photos from the Start
(above) Seymour Square, Blenheim - 8:50am
(left) Revell, senior and junior.
Blenheim represents!
03 February 2012
Day 1 Preview
When I got home from the inaugural Kiwi Brevet in 2010, it was amazing to see how we'd been "watched" online, and I'm excited to be part of the spectator fleet this time around. It will be interesting to watch the crew's progress knowing at least some of the geographical hurdles they'll face, and all the while wondering how the other aspects of the event are going. What conversations are going down? What photos are being taken? What stories are being earned?
As a KB2010 vet, I hope I'm able to give those who didn't get around the course that time (or this!) some insight into the challenges of the day.
I came totally unstuck at the end of the event in 2010. The day was so simple to describe: "ride to Hanmer Springs [from Culverdon] then through the Molesworth back to Blenheim". When I saw the 1:250000 topo maps laid out in Jonty's shop last night, I was pretty shocked at how far the ride is, even despite having a pretty tough experience through there last time. There's a lot of country to pass through, and while relatively simple riding, it is arduous.
I've no doubt the riders will be totally amped come 9am tomorrow. With luck they'll have enjoyed a good sleep, and start with energy to burn. They'll need it!
The course profile has a distinct upward trend over the first 130km or so, but it amounts to less than 10 vertical metres per kilometre. It is the variation around that trend that will hurt. But, to some extent, that will be minimised by getting it done up front.
The riders have a deadline to meet: they need to clear the southern boundary by the curfew at 7pm. Simon will be advising them at the briefing on Saturday morning, that they shouldn't proceed past the northern boundary after 5pm. So, it will be an early night for some, but one which they should make the most of! There will no doubt be quite a crowd there, and it should make for some great conversation as this part of the field gets to know one another.
There's not a single shop on course between Blenheim and Hanmer Springs, so no chance to demo time sitting waiting for a plate of scrambled eggs and a latte. Those that manage to knock out the distance in time (managing an average speed of just over 16km/h), should handle the corrugations that await them in the Moleworth with aplomb, and with gravity on their sides, clear the station by 7pm. I'd be surprised to see people stopping at Acheron, and forgoing the amenities of Hanmer Springs for the sake of knocking off an hour or so early.
Those that do reach Hanmer should be satisfied with such a great start, and one which should provide a good platform for Day 2. Riding further would bring the major climb to Porters Pass forward, but at the expense of rest and recovery.
It will be interesting to see if anyone's keen to roll the dice! And ain't it cool that come 0-dark-hundred tomorrow, the trackers will let us know who's pressing on... I'm excited for them, and us!
As a KB2010 vet, I hope I'm able to give those who didn't get around the course that time (or this!) some insight into the challenges of the day.
I came totally unstuck at the end of the event in 2010. The day was so simple to describe: "ride to Hanmer Springs [from Culverdon] then through the Molesworth back to Blenheim". When I saw the 1:250000 topo maps laid out in Jonty's shop last night, I was pretty shocked at how far the ride is, even despite having a pretty tough experience through there last time. There's a lot of country to pass through, and while relatively simple riding, it is arduous.
* * * * *
I've no doubt the riders will be totally amped come 9am tomorrow. With luck they'll have enjoyed a good sleep, and start with energy to burn. They'll need it!
The course profile has a distinct upward trend over the first 130km or so, but it amounts to less than 10 vertical metres per kilometre. It is the variation around that trend that will hurt. But, to some extent, that will be minimised by getting it done up front.
The riders have a deadline to meet: they need to clear the southern boundary by the curfew at 7pm. Simon will be advising them at the briefing on Saturday morning, that they shouldn't proceed past the northern boundary after 5pm. So, it will be an early night for some, but one which they should make the most of! There will no doubt be quite a crowd there, and it should make for some great conversation as this part of the field gets to know one another.
 |
| Photo: Jeff Lyall, who's out there again |
There's not a single shop on course between Blenheim and Hanmer Springs, so no chance to demo time sitting waiting for a plate of scrambled eggs and a latte. Those that manage to knock out the distance in time (managing an average speed of just over 16km/h), should handle the corrugations that await them in the Moleworth with aplomb, and with gravity on their sides, clear the station by 7pm. I'd be surprised to see people stopping at Acheron, and forgoing the amenities of Hanmer Springs for the sake of knocking off an hour or so early.
Those that do reach Hanmer should be satisfied with such a great start, and one which should provide a good platform for Day 2. Riding further would bring the major climb to Porters Pass forward, but at the expense of rest and recovery.
It will be interesting to see if anyone's keen to roll the dice! And ain't it cool that come 0-dark-hundred tomorrow, the trackers will let us know who's pressing on... I'm excited for them, and us!
31 January 2012
2012 Start List
Here it - the start list for 2012. Fifty-seven riders, including 9 women, one tandem and a few guys who will still have crusty butts from last weeks Great Southern Brevet.
Jointly (along with a few hopefulls who have pulled out) they've donated a bit over $3,000 to Project K so that kids less fortunate than us have access to similar character-building experiences. Here's hoping that earns them all the good karma they need to enjoy a great brevet.
If you are wondering who these people are or what gear they are using, check out the profiles at
http://kiwibrevet.blogspot.co.nz/p/rider-profiles-2012.html
Alastair Brown & Martin Harry
Alex Revell
Andrew Carman
Andrew King
Andy Gilbert & Tony Little (tandem)
Andrew King
Andy Reid
Bill Fry
Brenda Clapp & Chris Burr
Charlotte Ireland & Tim Collinson
Christopher Gilbertson
Claude Dabaliz
Craig McGregor
Dan Roberts
Darren Tatom
Dave Sharpe
David Kleinjan
Dean Johansson
Geof Blance
Graeme Head
Hana Black
Jeff Lyall
Jimmy Finlayson
Jo Smith
Joel McFarlane-Roberts & Clair Graydon
John Lubbe
Jonty Ritchie
Julie Williams & Thomas Ekholm
Karin Pehrson
Lance Griffin
Matt Gerstenberger
Matthew Kemp & Kerrie Noonan
Michelle Cole & Joshua Kench
Mick Brown
Mike Revell
Nathan Mawkes
Ollie Whalley
Owen Hughes
Pat Hogan
Paul Becker
Peter Maindonald
Peter McKenzie
Peter Sullivan
Richard Davies
Scott Emmens
Stephen Butterworth
Thomas Lindup
Tor Madsen
Troy Szczurkowski
Jointly (along with a few hopefulls who have pulled out) they've donated a bit over $3,000 to Project K so that kids less fortunate than us have access to similar character-building experiences. Here's hoping that earns them all the good karma they need to enjoy a great brevet.
If you are wondering who these people are or what gear they are using, check out the profiles at
http://kiwibrevet.blogspot.co.nz/p/rider-profiles-2012.html
Alastair Brown & Martin Harry
Alex Revell
Andrew Carman
Andrew King
Andy Gilbert & Tony Little (tandem)
Andrew King
Andy Reid
Bill Fry
Brenda Clapp & Chris Burr
Charlotte Ireland & Tim Collinson
Christopher Gilbertson
Claude Dabaliz
Craig McGregor
Dan Roberts
Darren Tatom
Dave Sharpe
David Kleinjan
Dean Johansson
Geof Blance
Graeme Head
Hana Black
Jeff Lyall
Jimmy Finlayson
Jo Smith
Joel McFarlane-Roberts & Clair Graydon
John Lubbe
Jonty Ritchie
Julie Williams & Thomas Ekholm
Karin Pehrson
Lance Griffin
Matt Gerstenberger
Matthew Kemp & Kerrie Noonan
Michelle Cole & Joshua Kench
Mick Brown
Mike Revell
Nathan Mawkes
Ollie Whalley
Owen Hughes
Pat Hogan
Paul Becker
Peter Maindonald
Peter McKenzie
Peter Sullivan
Richard Davies
Scott Emmens
Stephen Butterworth
Thomas Lindup
Tor Madsen
28 January 2012
Maps, etc
Navigation is a key skill of a brevet - a challenge not to be underestimated (particularly in the dark, at the end of a long day). The cue sheets that have just been posted are intended to be used with a selection of topomaps and guidebook directions. The altitude graphs are also handy for planning each day.
You can use a GPS, but don't rely on it 100% - take a couple of maps and the cue sheets, too. I recommend making some notes on the cue sheets, chopping them up into sections and then getting them laminated.
Here's what I recommend you take in the way of Topo maps:
1 - Topo250 map 19
2 - Topo50 map BV23 Virginia
3 - Topo50 map BW22 Oxford
4 - Topo250 map 23 (top third only)
5 - Topo250 map 17
6 - Topo50 map BT21 Waiuta
7 - Topo250 map 18
8 - Topo250 map 13 (bottom half only)
We've also suggested taking some directions from Classic NZ Mountain Bikes Rides (7th or 8th edition). These are all written for travel in the reverse direction of the 2012 Kiwi Brevet, but still contain some very useful information about level of difficulty, huts and directions to or from the trailhead.
You can use a GPS, but don't rely on it 100% - take a couple of maps and the cue sheets, too. I recommend making some notes on the cue sheets, chopping them up into sections and then getting them laminated.
Here's what I recommend you take in the way of Topo maps:
1 - Topo250 map 19
2 - Topo50 map BV23 Virginia
3 - Topo50 map BW22 Oxford
4 - Topo250 map 23 (top third only)
5 - Topo250 map 17
6 - Topo50 map BT21 Waiuta
7 - Topo250 map 18
8 - Topo250 map 13 (bottom half only)
We've also suggested taking some directions from Classic NZ Mountain Bikes Rides (7th or 8th edition). These are all written for travel in the reverse direction of the 2012 Kiwi Brevet, but still contain some very useful information about level of difficulty, huts and directions to or from the trailhead.
Cue sheet for 2012 Kiwi Brevet (updated)
Here's the cue-sheet for the 2012 Kiwi Brevet in Excel format. (And here's the same file on a Google server.)
26 January 2012
Rules for 2012
What is the Kiwi Brevet? What defines it? How does it differ from a race? Can it be won?
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'.
In 2010, most riders followed the Kiwi Brevet rules perfectly, but many did not. Some missed parts of the course, some entered Molesworth Station early, some picked up gear that was waiting at private addresses, some rode as domestiques for others. This was disappointing and lead to a complete lack of enthusiasm for finalising finishing results.
After completing the Tawhio o Whanganui last February - a far more relaxed brevet style event - I concluded that results are not important. In fact they can be counter-productive, as they encourage a level of competitive riding which detracts from a truly fine cycle tour.
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 2012.
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. Riders must carry a personal locator beacon, and agree to cover the cost of rescue in the event they need to be evacuated.
6. Rider 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 days.
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 9am-to-9am 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.
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 of the course.
In the event of Molesworth Station being closed to cyclists due to fire risk, riders are to proceed through the Rainbow Station. Note that riders must not be on Molesworth Road between Old Molesworth Homestead and Acheron Accommodation House between 7pm and 7am.
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'.
In 2010, most riders followed the Kiwi Brevet rules perfectly, but many did not. Some missed parts of the course, some entered Molesworth Station early, some picked up gear that was waiting at private addresses, some rode as domestiques for others. This was disappointing and lead to a complete lack of enthusiasm for finalising finishing results.
After completing the Tawhio o Whanganui last February - a far more relaxed brevet style event - I concluded that results are not important. In fact they can be counter-productive, as they encourage a level of competitive riding which detracts from a truly fine cycle tour.
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 2012.
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. Riders must carry a personal locator beacon, and agree to cover the cost of rescue in the event they need to be evacuated.
6. Rider 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 days.
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 9am-to-9am 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.
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 of the course.
In the event of Molesworth Station being closed to cyclists due to fire risk, riders are to proceed through the Rainbow Station. Note that riders must not be on Molesworth Road between Old Molesworth Homestead and Acheron Accommodation House between 7pm and 7am.
25 January 2012
Spot Tracker Batteries & water carrying capacity
Just a wee note to let you all know that you'll need a couple of lithium AA or AAA batteries for the SPOT trackers. Anything less than a lithium battery will run flat before half-way (and possibly let you down when you need it most). We know from experience that a fresh pair of lithium batteries (like Energiser Lithiums) will last the full 8 days (if you turn the tracker off at night).
If you're not careful, lithium batteries can be bloody expensive. You still have time for a little shopping around. Your local hardware store or Warehouse might have a pair of Energiser Lithium AAs for $10-$20. See Pat's comment below for an indication of which type of battery you'll need.
Another query you might want to consider now is 'How much water will I need to carry?'. I think 4-5 litres is a good minimum. You'll need to drink a lot more before Hanmer if you plan to camp out on day one - purification tablets or a billy & cooker are required. There is some reasonably nice looking water at just one location that I'm aware of between Blenheim and Hanmer - here.
On day one there is a curfew between 7pm and 7am on the road between Molesworth Homestead (at about 130km) and the Acheron Cobb Cottage (about 185km). In order to observe this curfew, you'll need to get beyond Molesworth Homestead (130km) by at least 5pm. If you get there at 5:01pm, you'll need to wait there untill 7am - not the worst thing in the world (if you are prepared for a night out) because you'll start the next day with good legs and a lot of altitude on your side, ready to enjoy a late breakfast in Hanmer.
Good luck with the planning. If you have any questions, post a comment here or on the Vorb Kiwi Brevet thread.
Also, time is running out to get your profile information sent. Please send ASAP to jeff.lyall (at) gmail..com . See the existing profiles here. There is some very useful info in some of these. The original post regarding the details you need to send is here.
If you're not careful, lithium batteries can be bloody expensive. You still have time for a little shopping around. Your local hardware store or Warehouse might have a pair of Energiser Lithium AAs for $10-$20. See Pat's comment below for an indication of which type of battery you'll need.
Another query you might want to consider now is 'How much water will I need to carry?'. I think 4-5 litres is a good minimum. You'll need to drink a lot more before Hanmer if you plan to camp out on day one - purification tablets or a billy & cooker are required. There is some reasonably nice looking water at just one location that I'm aware of between Blenheim and Hanmer - here.
On day one there is a curfew between 7pm and 7am on the road between Molesworth Homestead (at about 130km) and the Acheron Cobb Cottage (about 185km). In order to observe this curfew, you'll need to get beyond Molesworth Homestead (130km) by at least 5pm. If you get there at 5:01pm, you'll need to wait there untill 7am - not the worst thing in the world (if you are prepared for a night out) because you'll start the next day with good legs and a lot of altitude on your side, ready to enjoy a late breakfast in Hanmer.
Good luck with the planning. If you have any questions, post a comment here or on the Vorb Kiwi Brevet thread.
Also, time is running out to get your profile information sent. Please send ASAP to jeff.lyall (at) gmail..com . See the existing profiles here. There is some very useful info in some of these. The original post regarding the details you need to send is here.
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