Saturday, 27 April 2013

Time to start thinking about another ride!

A low key kick off for the next Great Southern Brevet. As the updated banner suggests, January 2014 will see the Great Southern Brevet run for the second time.

Starting and finishing in Lake Tekapo as the inaugural brevet in 2012 did but this time with a new route, well 70%+ new ;-)  There will be the same challenging long days, truly spectacular vistas and satisfaction of having done it as the first Great Southern Brevet (and maybe a few bumps to test the gear attachments as well).

The website will be refreshed over the next few weeks and updated with the new course and leg descriptions. Still have a few land access issues to sort but thinking positive it will be equal to the first GSB with some new twists to make it worth the journey.

Hope to see you in Lake Tekapo on the 18th of January 2014!

Monday, 27 February 2012

Gore Ensign Article 25 January 2012

A good write up by Rachael Kelly in the Gore Ensign while the Great Southern Brevet 2012 was underway.

The Three Musketeers!
Wild weather? It got wilder a couple of days later with the massive dump of the white stuff down to 400 metres. The locals would probably not appreciate how crazy the riders really were ;-)

And it got wilder as the ride continued!

Monday, 30 January 2012

A BIG Thank You!

Well the week was certainly eventful. Hopefully those riding enjoyed some great rides and some great hospitality and company. And hopefully for those watching at home (or work!), it was entertaining and maybe inspiring (get out and ride ;-)

As ride organiser I would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to those brave people that showed up in Tekapo on the 21st. Most knew nothing of the eccentric behind the scheme. It was a serious leap of faith to front up to a unknown ride with an unknown organiser. But they brought along the important things needed, a sense of adventure and a willingness to tackle each day as it comes (and of course a bike :-)


And THANK YOU  to anyone that encouraged, or possibly cajoled, a rider to come along. You now have to listen to their stories for the next month! 


And to those closet Brevet riders.... you can do it! You may not want to scale mountains in a blizzard (Ian?) but there is still plenty of great riding to be had right here at home.


Tekapo returns to normal (yes, including the tour buses)

Will tidy up the website over the next day or so that reading the day by day account it a little easier with direct links.

Saturday, 28 January 2012

Final Day Photos

Whew, what a week!

A big congratulations to all GSB 2012 riders for enduring all that was thrown at them this week. Not just a slightly eccentric course designer but a rather cross Mother Nature as well. You have certainly succeeded in the face of adversity.


Rolling into the finish with smiles intact!

Unofficial GSB2012 sweeper, Chris is happy to have it done

Final Day Morning Txts

Morning high cloud and light winds in Tekapo today. The final push for the Gourmet Pedalers in perfect conditions.

SMS with jenny cossey
Date:  Sun, 29 Jan 2012 08:28:38
A big thank you to david for the wild and amazing adventure in the hills from matilda

SMS with Sandra Appleby
Date:  Sun, 29 Jan 2012 06:01:38
Leavin Kurow. Had to spend the nite in the pub while waitin 4 the southerly. Last leg, all tail winds we hope ...

Penultimate Day Evening Photos

Even the locals talk about the weather here :-)


Unseasonal? Otago Daily Times authoritative reporting

Before.....

After......     ...We Believe!


Dirk heads out for another lap

The hottest day on this years Great Southern Brevet

Penultimate Day Evening Txts

Finally starting to quiet down on the Great Southern Brevet with 5 Demi-Brevet riders due in town tomorrow, the last day.


SMS with James Hardisty
Date:  Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:53:04
I finished. time for beer and hot pool

SMS with Hugh Calder
Date:  Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:05:53
Good coffee at Flying Pig Cafe. Strong NW wind today up valley to Kurow. Off for a swim now.

SMS with Chris Manson
Date:  Sat, 28 Jan 2012 19:15:26
5 of us in the Kurow pub having a great local dinner after coming over from Naseby. Looks like a Southerly wind tomorrow, for the run home!

SMS with Phillip Pickering
Date:  Sat, 28 Jan 2012 19:46:31
High Dave, now in Kurow .....strong head winds for last 20 km into town.

SMS with Mary McBride
Date:  Sat, 28 Jan 2012 20:06:37
three pubs side by side in Kurow.  Very little else except a big headwind.  The tui pub won our custom for tea.  Last day tomorrow :)

SMS with jenny cossey
Date:  Sat, 28 Jan 2012 20:54:07
Matilda feels she is back in welly after a day of nw gale winds. After a rest in the shed frocks on bikes around oriental parade sounds appealing.