Southerly blows in as the Great Southern Brevet hits the home stretch

And yet another twist in the saga of the Great Southern Brevet 2012. A southerly has roared up the lower South Island bringing high winds and torrential rain.

Although the majority of riders had made it to shelter, a few were on the final push for Tekapo.  About an hour ago at Hakataramea Pass (947m) winds would have been gusting 70 to 80 km/h, and then the rain started. It is not ideal riding conditions to say the least.

Jasper is near Tekapo (11pm), and in good spirits, while Gord, Mark, Trev, Barryn and Paul have just turned the corner onto Haldon Road.  Another torturing 30kms to Tekapo (ouch!).


SMS with Claude Dabaliz
Date:  Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:18:04
In Tekapo thanks to some crank repairs from a kurow mechanic.

SMS with Greg Thurlow
Date:  Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:46:19
Windy as ranfurly.southerly closing in.cant wait...

SMS with Hugh Calder
Date:  Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:50:23
Camp ground closed in Middlemarch. Huge winds today. Good+bad. Amazing scenery.

SMS with Rob Davidson
Date:  Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:37:15
Lounging in room in Kurow pub..
Contemplating new life without mountain bikes..

SMS with Mark Rayward
Date:  Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:01:15
You poor guys still out there. Me still in tekapo and its been super windy and now pouring. All the best

SMS with Ken Scott
Date:  Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:28:26
In Kurow.A bit wet & sore

SMS with Shelley Friedrich
Date:  Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:34:09
Kurow. Pickd up by a friendly local and nice and dry. A good long day and saw some people!:-)