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!
Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
Bike packing/gravel adventure through the South Island of New Zealand
Saturday, 27 April 2013
Tuesday, 28 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.
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 ;-)
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| The Three Musketeers! |
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| And it got wilder as the ride continued! |
Tuesday, 31 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.
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.
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.
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| 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.
Sunday, 29 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.
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.
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| Rolling into the finish with smiles intact! |
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| 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 ...
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 ...
Saturday, 28 January 2012
Penultimate Day Evening Photos
Even the locals talk about the weather here :-)
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| Unseasonal? Otago Daily Times authoritative reporting |
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| Before..... |
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| After...... ...We Believe! |
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| Dirk heads out for another lap |
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| 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.
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.
Penultimate Day Photos Winter and Summer!
Summer has returned and is rewarding the thin end of the group with conditions and views more typical of the season. So it is appropriate to show some winter photos!
Paul (Conner) had some fantastic shots showing conditions riders enjoyed (?) over the last couple of days ;-)
Paul (Conner) had some fantastic shots showing conditions riders enjoyed (?) over the last couple of days ;-)
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| Nic enjoying a hike-a-bike of a different kind on the Old Man Range |
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| NOT a photo they use in a Central Otago Rail Trail brochure |
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| The best winter riding in the country (in January!) |
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| Paul and Nic in Tekapo, it's not the same without the snow ;-) |
Penultimate Day Morning Txts
Another beautiful Mackenzie District morning with riders enjoying the "real" South Island summer.
SMS with Barryn Westfield
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:26:11
Almost a day after finishing,,,,, rolled in with Trev last night at quarter past midnight (had to be rude and gap other boys by a couple of minutes as pace equaled warmth) - DAVE fantastic week, thanks! enjoyed catching up with you around the course - see you next time
SMS with Graeme Noble
Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 03:01:29
Tekapo, 2am. A big day but no biking tomorrow. Cafe coffee etc etc :-) paul and nic are looking to arrive around 9am.
SMS with Ken Scott
Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 08:56:59
Thanks Dave for organizing an awesome week.We got to see some of the best Central has to offer. Weather not seasonal but added to the adventure. Thanks & look forward to GSB 2013
SMS with jenny cossey
Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 10:46:42
Kurow at last . Matilda has requested a new black bar bag to match her tyres for her birthday.
SMS with Nathan Mawkes
Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 11:09:36
Arived into Tekapo at 10:55 am, what a great journey, Thanks. Nathan
SMS with Barryn Westfield
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:26:11
Almost a day after finishing,,,,, rolled in with Trev last night at quarter past midnight (had to be rude and gap other boys by a couple of minutes as pace equaled warmth) - DAVE fantastic week, thanks! enjoyed catching up with you around the course - see you next time
SMS with Graeme Noble
Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 03:01:29
Tekapo, 2am. A big day but no biking tomorrow. Cafe coffee etc etc :-) paul and nic are looking to arrive around 9am.
SMS with Ken Scott
Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 08:56:59
Thanks Dave for organizing an awesome week.We got to see some of the best Central has to offer. Weather not seasonal but added to the adventure. Thanks & look forward to GSB 2013
SMS with jenny cossey
Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 10:46:42
Kurow at last . Matilda has requested a new black bar bag to match her tyres for her birthday.
SMS with Nathan Mawkes
Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 11:09:36
Arived into Tekapo at 10:55 am, what a great journey, Thanks. Nathan
Friday, 27 January 2012
Day 7 Evening Photos
After the ferocious southly passed along came another picture perfect Mackenzie Country day. Blue skies, big mountains, open plains and a gentle push along from the south. The finishers enjoyed the expansive views.
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| Ken you're not quite dressed for church |
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| That wasn't hard, Shelley showing the relaxed form that made it through |
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| The Hakataramea Pass, sans snow |
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| Big country, big smiles, Greg and Geof enjoying the southly breeze |
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| Dan grinning as he knows it time to put his feet up for a few days |
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| Lake Tekapo at it's best |
Day 7 Evening Txt Update
Snow still makes it's presence felt. Most managed to enjoy it and made good progress through the pervasive white blanket.
SMS with jenny cossey
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:31:28
Matilda did not want mud and snow on her nice new bearings and heading so headed up the trail trail which also has snow on it.
SMS with Ken Scott
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:51:48
In Tekapo..Fizik Gnbi seat for sale
SMS with Shelley Friedrich
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:24:37
Dam great southern brevet Dave. I've neva seen so many dams! Tekapo-warm afta the snow this morning. Thanx for all of your organisation and help.
SMS with Graeme Noble
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:15:34
Kurow just one hill to go :-)
SMS with Dirk Naish
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:37:19
In kurow tonight. Last leg tomorrow
SMS with Phil Chapman
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:14:15
Round and round, round and round, round and round... Awesome day in th snow, it's lovely here in winter.
SMS with James Hardisty
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:14:38
In kurow after some snow riding
SMS with Geoff Tilbrook
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:15:01
Arrived tekapo. Ta Dave. Fantastic.
SMS with Daniel Roberts
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:37:56
Phew - that's my mid life crisis over - now where's the 29er shop?
SMS with jenny cossey
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:31:28
Matilda did not want mud and snow on her nice new bearings and heading so headed up the trail trail which also has snow on it.
SMS with Ken Scott
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:51:48
In Tekapo..Fizik Gnbi seat for sale
SMS with Shelley Friedrich
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:24:37
Dam great southern brevet Dave. I've neva seen so many dams! Tekapo-warm afta the snow this morning. Thanx for all of your organisation and help.
SMS with Graeme Noble
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:15:34
Kurow just one hill to go :-)
SMS with Dirk Naish
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:37:19
In kurow tonight. Last leg tomorrow
SMS with Phil Chapman
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:14:15
Round and round, round and round, round and round... Awesome day in th snow, it's lovely here in winter.
SMS with James Hardisty
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:14:38
In kurow after some snow riding
SMS with Geoff Tilbrook
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:15:01
Arrived tekapo. Ta Dave. Fantastic.
SMS with Daniel Roberts
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:37:56
Phew - that's my mid life crisis over - now where's the 29er shop?
Brevet Blogs
Need a bigger fix of Brevet lore then try out these Great Southern Brevet Riders Blogs. Might take a day or two to recover but you should see some interesting perspectives on this years week long wanderings.
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| Oliver Whalley - Mountain Pedaler NZ |
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| Arran Pearson - Wannabe Racer Blog |
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| Greg Thurlow - Gingaonasouthernbrevet |
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| Jasper, the Black Sheep |
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