Rules?

Do we really need them?

Think of these as guidelines to make your adventure safer and more enjoyable. The Kiwi Brevet rules were loosely interpreted by many and that seems to be the kiwi way. It is the spirit of the gathering rather than strict adherence that should tell you what to do.

First up: this is NOT a race!
May not be obvious to some but the intention is for a long distance unsupported cycle adventure. Speed is up to the rider but some discouragement of sleep deprived mega-cycling efforts may be needed. This is as much for your own safety as for others with sections sharing the road with vehicles being a very real  risk.

Taking a leaf from the inaugural Brevet's book the following is a starting point (with a few minor edits):


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

2- Riders must carry all their own gear (i.e. no domistiques).

3- No outside support (deliveries only to business addresses, no support from friends along the way). No posting stuff to anywhere prior to the race.

4- Follow 100% of the course. If a rider leaves the course, they must return to the course where they left it, under their own steam. If a rider takes a shortcut (or long-cut) they will incur a time penalty for the section they miss, equal to twice the slowest riding time taken for that section during this year's brevet.

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 - Times under 4 days and 12 hours will be recorded as 4 days, 12 hours.

7 - Between noon one day and noon the next, every rider must spend at least one block of at least four hours not travelling. That is, the maximum time any rider may spend travelling along the course will be 20 hours (between each noon-to-noon period).   If a rider fails to take a four hour break they will incur a time penalty equal to twice the mandatory break time (penalty of eight hours for each infringement).

8 - Riders should finish in under 8 days.

9 - Drafting is OK.

10 - Follow the Road Code at all times. Many roads appear only as tracks but traffic may be encountered at any time (4WDs, farm bikes, etc.).

11- Txt-ins to be made from designated towns to a designated mobile number (resources for call-ins may not be available so txting is a practical alternative).

12- Riders arriving at Christie's Hut (head of Waikaia Bush - Whitecoomb Road) after 4pm in the day are strongly advised not to proceed up and over Old Man Range. It is an exposed section of track and the climb up is significant.

13- No entry fee; no prizes.

14 - Roady tactics are strongly discouraged. If you catch up to someone, don't blow past and leave them eating your dust (you know who you are), slow down and say hello. Remember it is NOT a race and some may need a bit of encouragement to keep their spirits up.

Comments:

Non-traveling time is an issue for a few riders but the risk is very real of a sleep deprived rider  being involved in an accident. Please take this guideline seriously.

The Great Southern Brevet

After the successful inaugural Kiwi Brevet of 2010 a number of riders expressed interest in doing it all again (?). Many were keen for a new route and so a move to the lower South Island seemed logical. With many summers spent in the Lakes and Central Otago a route was developed quickly. After waiting for the Banks Peninsula and Wanganui Brevets to take their course the date was set for Waitangi week 2012.

The intention is to take in as much of the central High Country while avoiding more trafficed main roads. This time round will be more opportunity to commune with nature and less with cars. Of course that also means more time climbing up for those great views!

The route is a mix of high country pastoral tracks, historic gold mining tracks, early settler routes and even a touch of rail trail. A Google map will be posted soon but to whet the appetite the following is a list of tracks:

Begin Tekapo
Tekapo-Pukaki River Road
Black Forest Road (Private road, do not ride this before the event)
Broken Hut Road
East Manuherikia
The Mt Ida Water Race
The Central Otago Rail Trail (taking in Ida Burn)
Thomson Gorge Track (sometimes known as The Sunshine Road)
Cardrona Valley Road
Cardrona - Roaring Meg Pack Track
Bannockburn and the Nevis Crossing
Waikaia Bush
Old Man Range and Prospect Hill
The Old Dunstan Road (including Rohan, formerly know as Poolburn Reservoir) 
The Central Otago Rail Trail (again)
Naseby - Kyeburn Diggings
Danseys Pass
Hakataremea Pass
Finish Tekapo

There is one section with land access to be negotiated and the rest uses public or Conservation Area access. Once the route is up on Google feedback and suggestions are welcome. Some fine tuning will be in order as more local knowledge is bought to light. The Cardrona section was originally via Lowburn but a wise man told me bikes and Spaniards don't mix well for great distances! The majority of the route has been checked but as departure time grows near detail directions will need updating so input is invited.