Navigation Tips II

So you have your Brevet Cue Sheet (list of directions we provide), what else do you need to navigate? Well for a traditional road Brevet that would be it. Sealed roads tend to be pretty explicit and don't change too much over time. However back country tracks in Central Otago can be vague or even change as infrequent traffic and weather changes the shape of the land.

Overall the Great Southern Brevet uses well formed tracks. Problem is there are also plenty of not so well formed tracks. In general you want to be riding the one that looks more used. This should only be a problem in a few places and the following tips should help.

Would be good to at least have Topo250 Map 26 Alexandra for a overview of most of the route. A few bits go beyond this map but you can be judicious about which maps/portions you need.

So where are the tricky bits? Well there a few turns that you will need to be eyes wide open to spot (making them even more tricky in the dark!).

The first is at the Tekapo River Crossing. You arrive at the junction of two roads. There is a third but it is a gap in the trees to the steel bridge across the Tekapo River.

If you are going to put your foot down make sure it is the left one!

On the other side the abundance of 4WD tracks confuse matters but head for the fenceline, hang a right and follow it to the Haldon Arm Campground. Here it is a bit of a maze but you will find the road out the other side eventually (keep turning left).

Next turn to be sure to make is at Black Forest. You will cross a small bridge and the main farm road continues but you want to head sharp left up Black Forest Road.

The turn off Broken Hut Road (more of a farm track by the time you reach the Oteake Conservation Access) is also tricky but keep an eye out for the large DOC map boards in the paddock on your right as you arrive at the hills. Keep left and up to Little Omarama Saddle (the track to the right is much worse!).

Head down Camp Creek till it becomes the Manuherikia (you will see 2 derelict huts). Continue down to the intersection with Hawkdun Runs Road. Hang a left and cross the Manukerikia.

Maybe give the bridge a miss?

On the other side of the river hop onto Home Hills Run Road and head east. A km or so later you will see the DOC signs for the Mt Ida Water Race Track at Shepherds Hut Creek. Head up and onto the Water Race for a gentle cruise with views to match. At Hut Creek (more DOC signs below the water race)), you should drop off and head to Falls Dam.

The track out past the fishing huts at Falls Dam is used infrequently. Go through the gate by the huts and around the back of the last two huts and across the paddock. There is a gate and track heading up a small stream. The Track is better defined on the other side of the gate.

Should be a smooth run till you reach Luggate. Just after crossing the Clutha (iron work bridge) there is a small DOC sign on your right before the turn off to Shortcut Road. This is the start of the Upper Clutha River Trail. Once you near Albertown (cross the footbridge at Pawsons Crossing) keep right and near to the river as you can. You can ride under the bridge on State Highway 6 to join up to the Wanaka Outlet Track.

Can be tricky following the signs to Tuohys Gully Track at Cardrona. Follow the signs and orange warratahs (you have to open a gate to the left rather than head towards the small farm house). Once up at the saddle be sure to follow the DOC signs (Roaring Meg Track). It can be vague at times so best done in daylight. A detail map would help here.

Next bit of tricky navigation is the turn off from Canton Road to Waikaia Bush Road. The main track drops down to Canton Bridge. Waikaia Bush Road heads straight across a paddock (and gate) at the hilltop. Once through the gate the road becomes much more obvious.

Make sure you make the left on top of the Old Man Range (at the tin A Hut) and you will be good till past the Obelisk. Here keep left to the Prospect Hill Track. It can be scratchy occasionally but keep following your nose. It will turn sharply downhill to join Frasers Dam Road.

The Land of Rohan, or more correctly the road below Poolburn Dam on the Old Dunstan Road can be a little tricky (again not so good at night) as there are many 4WD tracks intersecting the road. A more detail map would help here.

That should be it! The Cue Sheet will help till you reach Tekapo (the side trip in Naseby should be OK as if you are not riding alongside a water race then you are in the wrong place ;-).

Leg 11 Kurow to Tekapo Description

You are on the home stretch now and to reward you it is easy riding with just spectacular scenery as a distraction.

One small trick may remain as late last year the Kurow Bridge over the Waitaki River had daily closures (8pm to 7am?). Will try and confirm if the rolling closure still applies as timing your crossing will affect your choice of stay on your last night on the road.

The infamous (and rickety) Kurow Bridge

After crossing the bridge, hang a left into Hakataramea Valley Road and kick back for the long cruise up the valley to the saddle.

Hakataramea Pass

Cresting the top you will feast your eyes on the expanse of the Mackenzie Country below with Mt Cook prominent in the background.

Mackenzie Country

Downhill and then flat and on to Tekapo.

Welcome back!

Coast down the hill and back to the Church of the Good Shepherd on the shore of Lake Tekapo and give yourself a big pat on the back! (and a beer).

Hope you enjoyed the inaugural Great Southern Brevet.

Leg 10 Ranfurly to Kurow Description

Hopefully the wind on the Maniototo didn't blow you back to Middlemarch. Leg 10 takes you from Ranfurly towards the hills (again?). This time though you will ride the well graded Danseys Pass Road. But first a small side trip to "2000 feet above worry level". The tiny village of Naseby is as laid back NZ as you can get, and with some sweet singletrack as well.

Lazy singletrack in Naseby forest

After a short stint on the backroad from Ranfurly, just could not go past Naseby without a ride through the forest. Head up Coalpit Dam Road and pop onto the water race (the same Mt Ida Water Race you rode a few days ago below the Hawkdun Range at its source). Enjoy the easy ride alongside the water race until you hit the aptly named Swimming Dam Road. If the temperature is a little on the high side then this is the place.

Cooling off in Naseby - 2000 ft above worry level!

With a campground across the road from the swimming dam and the Ancient Briton and Royal Hotels down the road plenty of options for a break here.

Once refreshed head out of town towards Kyeburn Diggings and Danseys Pass. Another popular watering hole (of the the drinking kind that is) awaits at Kyeburn Diggings.

Danseys Pass Hotel refreshment stop

It's a climb over the Pass and a drop into Danseys Stream and undulating as you head out and down Maerewhenua River and Duntroon. Danseys Pass Campground is part way down the river and Duntroon has a Domain Campground open in summer.

A flat ride awaits into Kurow with its sprinkling of shops and takeways.

Leg 9 Middlemarch to Ranfurly

This is easy, just start the Central Otago Rail Trail at Middlemarch and head to Ranfurly!

The start of the Central Otago Rail Trail

Enjoy the viaducts and tunnels of the Upper Taieri Gorge before crossing the great Maniototo Plain to Ranfurly.

Viaduct Central Otago Rail Trail

Leg 8 Alexandra to Middlemarch Description

Another long leg but without the big push uphill, Leg 8 takes you deep into Middle Earth and the Land of Rohan (known as Poolburn to the locals).

Leaving Alexandra you hop onto the Central Otago Rail Trail for the second time (you will cover most of the rail trail by the time you finish your Brevet, but it will be in 3 sections).

Central Otago Rail Trail

This section of Rail Trail will be short and flat as you head to Galloway. The Galloway Road runs parallel to the Rail Trail and you need to hop off the Rail Trail at Crawford Hills Road. A gentle climb takes you up over Crawford Hills and into Moa Creek.

Looking back down Crawford Hills Road

Hop onto Aston Road and head towards Bonspiel Station and the start of the Old Dunstan Road.

The Old Dunstan Road is the original route miners of the 1862/1863 Dunstan gold rush took from Dunedin to Dunstan, (today Clyde).  The road is broken into two sections, the first rises to Poolburn and crosses Rough Ridge into Styx (love it, cause thats what it feels like!). The second section takes you over the Rock and Pillar Range to Middlemarch.

The Land of Rohan

For filming the Lord of the Rings, Peter Jackson had the original fishing huts at Poolburn Reservoir covered to look like Middle Earth huts. Unfortunately you will find them back to their original tin hut condition for this visit.

Poolburn Dam

The road below the Poolburn Dam is a little tricky to navigate as it is less used and many 4WD tracks cross it. Best done in daylight and with a detail map.

The second section of the Old Dunstan Road takes you high up onto the Rock and Pillar Range and pass the grandiose named Great Moss Swamp. When dry the road is an easy ride but the area is prone to snow even in mid summer (my first ride through was in 6 inches of snow the day after New Years!).

You drop off the Rock and Pillar Range into Rocklands Station. Hang a left off the Old Dunstan Road here and onto Rocklands Road. Although it looks like you are entering Rocklands Station, the road is a public road that passes through the station yards.

Continue to State Highway 87 and head to Sutton. A short dog leg off the main road onto Garthmyl Road takes you away from traffic and straight to Middlemarch.

Leg 7 Waikaia to Alexandra Description

A big leg this one, but also spectacular. It starts out easy enough as you meander up the Waikaia valley to Piano Flat (DOC campground) and through one of the best remaining examples of mixed beech forest featuring both the red beech and silver beech.

Piano Flat DOC Campground

The beech forest provides a welcome respite from the summer sun as you continue past Piano Flat to Christies Hut and Waikaia Bush Road. If you hit Canton Bridge (locked gate at opposite end of bridge), you have missed the turn off back up the hill and to your right! At the top of the rise Waikaia Bush Road continues across the paddock and through the gate (a bit tricky to spot).

Just down over the edge of the hill, in the grass, is Christies Hut. A somewhat unmaintained but still functional tin hut with a long drop loo tucked into the beech forest above the stream.

The climb up onto the Old Man Range starts here. The track is good but the climb is steep but you will be rewarded with the views.

Waikaia Bush from Old Man Range

A popular 4WD and Trail Bike trip, the road across the top of the range is well formed and easy to navigate. Just remember to hang a left and continue along the main ridge at the start of Kopuwai Conservation Area. Another small tin hut (A Hut) marks the intersection of Waikaia Bush Road and the track along the range (you are heading to the left of the hut). For more comfortable accomodation Potters Hut sits off Waikaia Bush Road a km or two back.

Waikaia Bush Road

From here it a straight run across to the Obelisk (visible from Alexandra, a 26m high rock tor atop the Old Man Range).

Across the Old Man Range

Just after the Obelisk keep left along the Prospect Hill Track (not Omeo Gully which is to the right). You head along the Obelisk Range to Prospect Hill and a steep descent onto Frasers Dam Road. After the steepness of Prospect Hill, Frasers Dam Road eases you onto Earnscleugh flats and the banks of the Clutha River.

Hang a left into Marshall Road and pop onto the Alexandra-Clyde River Trail for some nice singletrack into Alexandra itself (pop up onto the road at the steel bridge to cross the Clutha to Alex).

Leg 6 Garsten to Waikaia Description

OK, so there had to be one leg which was less than inpiring and basically gets you from A to B, and this is it.

Original plan was to head into Nokomai and the headwaters of the mighty Mataura River. A nice ride but it would turn the middle of your Brevet into a real test of endurance and stamina with little more than two pubs to stock up on food/supplies for almost 300kms of serious riding.

The solution was to pound the pavement to Lumsden (pop 453) and some welcome shops and accomodation. Can't guarantee all food options will be available in the small Southland town but you should fair better than just the Garsten and Waikaia Pubs (although these are both worth a visit).

After leaving Lumsden it is a gentle stroll through rolling Southland countryside before heading up into the Waikaia Valley.

Leg 5 Cromwell to Garsten Description

After gorging on fresh cherries and stone fruit in Cromwell you get to do the infamous Pub to Pub Bannockburn Gutbuster, in reverse!

The fruit really is this big in Cromwell!

A brief ride alongside the Lake and then cruise past the Bannockburn Pub and start your climb to Duffers Saddle on the Old Woman Range (1300m) for some spectacular views over Cromwell and Lake Dunstan. A screaming descent into the Nevis for a cruise along the remote Nevis Valley.

The Nevis

A few (24+) stream crossings later and an ascent of the Hector Mountains for another screaming descent out to State Highway 6 and Garsten (population 12 and a dog?).

Navigation Tips I

A Cue Sheet typically forms the basis of your navigation in a Brevet. This is a list of directions/turns you make as you ride the route of your Brevet. You will be provided one for the Great Southern Brevet 2012. An example of a typical Cue Sheet:

Longest Day Ride Cue Sheet

Like your "Brevet Certificate", Cue Sheets have modern alternatives.

Paper maps would be the starting point. Reliable (if not wet) they don't run their batteries down. You can cut/copy/paste sections as needed. If you need a tool to decide which maps to buy/borrow then check out the LINZ website. The map selection tool will tell you which Topo50 or Topo250 map covers your area of interest:

Land Information New Zealand Map Chooser

Topo 250 and Topo50 maps are available on paper (at various retailers, see the website) but also are available as an image file for download to your PC (Mac?) directly from the site. The later makes printing only sections of interest so you don't have to purchase so many maps. They are large files but if you are comfortable working on a PC they can save you money.

A starting point for the Great Southern Brevet would be at least Topo250 Map 26 Alexandra. This covers the majority of the ride. Some areas can be navigated on the cue sheet alone and others are tricky and might need Topo50 type details (more on this later).

An addition (or possibly alternative if you are good at battery management) is a portable/handheld map capable GPS. There are many brands available but the most popular, and well supported, are Garmin. They have a range of models from cycling specific (EDGE 800) to small handhelds (Dakota 20) that mount on your handlebar. They feature full colour map capability and touch sensitive screens for easy selection of options.

Garmin Dakota 20

Topo Maps for GPS units are available and vary in quality and price. Some of the more popular ones are:

All feature detail Topo Maps equivalent to Topo50 series maps (they all use the LINZ data). They range from $150 to $225 for the entire country at Topo50 type resolution. A free alternative is:

The "New Zealand Streets, DOC Tracks and SRTM 10m Contours for Garmin" is a great free alternative. The map is not colour coded (eg. showing vegetation boundaries) like the others but it still features contours and the road network. Also, as a bonus  it has most of the DOC Tracks and they are routable!

You will discover that ALL GPS maps lack certain details but the majority are sufficient and given you are pinpointed by the GPS on the map the detail is pretty good.  It does however take some adjustment getting used to maps on a GPS because of colour/symbol variations. Once you are comfortable they can be handy as you can carry the entire country in a small handheld unit. Not sure what all the Topo50 paper maps would weigh if you tried to carry them ;-)

Like most things, navigating comes down to personal preference and tradeoffs. Technology is wonderful until the batteries run out. Paper is bulky and not so good if it gets wet. Maybe try a combination? And remember if you do try a GPS there is a track of the course ready to load onto your GPS (see earlier post: GPX of GSB2012 Course now available).

Ride Clarification

Just a reminder about what the ride is and isn't. It is not a race or an event. It is not run by a commercial organisation or individual for pecuniary gain.

You partake as an individual but the route is common to other interested individuals. You are not charged ANY fees or monies, donations or otherwise.

The requirement to carry a SPOT Tracker is for Private Land Access NOT public access to Conservation Areas. The SPOT Tracker allows your status on Private Property to be available to allay land owner concerns about safety. You may supply your own SPOT Tracker (beg, borrow or purchase) or hire one from a suitable place (see Great Southern Brevet Final Registration for information about hire also).

Great Southern Brevet Final Registration

You need to complete the following if you are serious about riding in January. There is important information we need. Please read fully and complete before the end of the year (31st of December, 2011). We need to have numbers for ordering SPOT Trackers first thing in the New Year.

Click on the image below to open the form. Please complete one form for each rider.

Great Southern Brevet Registration Form

When is Tubeless not Tubeless?

Well when you are still using a tube but have the puncture protection of your tubeless cousin.

Not quite ready to go tubeless; too messy, or too expensive for you. But you need some puncture resistance, especially from those fine sharp spear grass ends. Well the simple solution is to take a leaf from the tubeless book, or in this case, the sealant they use.

Adding tubeless sealant to your tubes gives great protection for about 95% of flats (a really bad snake bite will still get you). It is a cheap option (60 ml of sealant is ~$8/10) and with tubes you can change tyres without the mess or challenges of getting a good seal again (no compressor needed).

All Presta valves feature a core that can be removed. Most are fiddly monsters that require great care as they will drop inside the tube, but a few tubes have a removable core the same as the best tubeless kits.

Continental Tubes feature a removable valve core

Pop the core out of the valve (or drop it carefully inside if non-removable, remember to keep it to one side and not lose it!). Squirt ~40/50 ml of sealant (Stan's is readily available in 60ml bottles at most cycle shops) into the tube. Ensure the tube is slack and the liquid is free to run into the tube. Pop the core back in (or do some serious fiddling to work the core back out and attach the small bead). You can now pop a little air in to assist mounting into the tyre/rim as normal.

Tubeless sealant also works in Tubes!

To finish filling,  ensure the valve is between 4 and 7 o'clock so the liquid remains at the base of the tube, and fill to your desired pressure. You are now protected against the majority of small punctures. The only messy bit is you must remember is to allow any sealant to drain from the valve (between 4 and 7 o'clock position) before adding or letting air out. Otherwise you can swap tyres with ease, and no compressor is needed, and no mess to wash up.