GSB 2019 Finale!

Rachel and Jo finished their last battle with the wind gods to arrive in style back where all began a week ago for them on the Great Southern Brevet 2019

Rachel and Jo finish their final battle with the wind to arrive back in Tekapo where it all started a week ago for them

 

Finishers Rachel and Jo celebrate their Great Southern Brevet 2019 completion on a very hot Mackenzie Country day.

Back to the spot they kicked off from 8 days ago

Lake Tekapo signs off for the Great Southern Brevet 2019

Hot and Windy!

As the final day of the Great Southern Brevet 2019 unfolds, Jo and Rachel are still in good spirits as they battle high temperatures and high winds into Tekapo today.

The Wind, again!

Looks like our five riders on course are again doing battle with the wind!

Date: Sat, 26 Jan 2019 at 19:20
Subject: SMS with Jo Haines

Rachel and Jo made it to Kurow after slaying the wind monster again

Date: Sat, 26 Jan 2019 at 21:00
Subject: SMS with Alex Grigg

Awesome to be finished great event and superbly organised. Thanks to Dave for being out there and looking out for us along the way. Apricots and Cherries in Nevis were great  

 

The 3 amigos arrive in Tekapo. Another great evening with 23 degrees and the usual headwind for the riders.

 

Dean, John and Pascal happy to be done with battling the wind. — in Lake Tekapo, New Zealand.

John would be our not-so-youngest rider of the Great Southern Brevet. Not exactly putting his feet up! — in Lake Tekapo, New Zealand.

 

Arriving

Still looking surprisingly fresh and arriving at speed, Nathan Mawkes, Craig Newton and Andrew Scott

Rolling in on fine Saturday afternoon, the way you should always be able to finish the Great Southern Brevet. Richard and Robin and Alex and Di.

Riders enjoying much more settled and appropriate weather to put in that last dash to the finish line.

Date: Sat, 26 Jan 2019 at 09:26
Subject: SMS with Richard MacDonald

Kudrow last Bundy to go.

Date: Sat, 26 Jan 2019 at 09:26
Subject: SMS with Grant Fraser
Hi Dave, Grant in Kurow

Date: Sat, 26 Jan 2019 at 09:26
Subject: SMS with George Richardson
Kurow for coffee. Giorgio

Date: Sat, 26 Jan 2019 at 15:39
Subject: SMS with George Richardson
Back where we started. Giorgio

Richard, Robin, Alex and Di still smiling after 1100 km all under their own steam. — with Richard Lindsay in Lake Tekapo, New Zealand.

Cheesecake it is, to celebrate the milestone of completing the GSB 2019 — at The Greedy Cow.

Richard, Grant, and George finally done. Looking surprisingly fresh but very keen to get a beer! — in Lake Tekapo, New Zealand.

Bikes leaning against things, is apparently a thing? — in Lake Tekapo, New Zealand.

And into the Night

A couple of late evening texts and then a group of finishers just on dusk follow somewhat later (1:45am onwards) by three more arrivals.

Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2019 at 18:47
Subject: SMS with Steve Scott

Steve Scott tekapo. Great event .

Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2019 at 21:04
Subject: SMS with Alex Grigg
In Kurow and shattered only 1 leg to go, can smell the Parrot Dog APA in Tekapo

All smiles from the three musketeers, Craig, Nathan Mawkes and Andrew Scott — with Nathan Mawkes in Lake Tekapo, New Zealand.

Jeremy arrives under the cover of darkness to start a string of finishers over the next hour — in Lake Tekapo, New Zealand.

Bill Brierley done and dusted, 1100kms of the best the south island has to offer in remote bike packing — in Lake Tekapo, New Zealand.

Our final arrival tonight (morning that is at 2:30am) is David — in Lake Tekapo, New Zealand.

Tekapo Greeting

Jake and Steve roll into Tekapo to a greeting by fellow riders of the Great Southern Brevet 2019.

Tekapo welcomes more riders

More finishers arriving in Tekapo. With a brilliant morning and no wind seems many are making good progress on the home stretch.

May be a few late night finishers if they decide to keep going with the good weather conditions.

Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2019 at 09:52
Subject: SMS with Jake Stow

Arrived in kudrow. Get in. One more section to go! Woop woop😏

Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2019 at 14:03
Subject: SMS with Dean Marshall
Dean Pascal and John
Have been thru MiddleMarch
On way to Naseby

Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2019 at 14:03
Subject: SMS with Brendan Pheasant
Done. Perfect riding weather to finish off. Brendan

Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2019 at 14:09
Subject: SMS with Andrew Scott
In Kurow, miles to go before we sleep. With Nath and Craig at 2.00

Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2019 at 17:09
Subject: SMS with Jo Haines
Rachel and Jo, arrived in Middlemarch. Great day over the Dunstan trail

Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2019 at 17:16
Subject: SMS with Jeremy Barbe
Jeremy Barbe @ Kurow

Brendan enjoys arriving in Tekapo after a brilliant morning on Hakataramea Pass

Jake and Steve, just a little bit relieved that it is all over!

Mackenzie Country Sunset

Mt. Cook from the top of Hakataramea Pass this evening. You can just pick out the small Hogs Back cloud cresting off the summit indicating high winds.

Hogs Back cloud off the High Peak of Mt. Cook. The Low Peak of Mt. Cook is to the left.

A brilliant sunset in the Mackenzie Country this evening with views of Mt. Cook from Hakataramea Pass.

Debbie and Emma finish

On a clear and very crisp Mackenzie Country night Debbie and Emma finish at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Tekapo.

Keith finishes

Late night text messages and another finisher.

Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2019 at 22:55
Subject: SMS with Alex Grigg

Alex and Di in Middlemarch 20 bonus Kms on the rail trail this morning - missed the turn enjoying the flat trail to much

Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2019 at 23:48
Subject: SMS with Keith Payne
Keith Payne home in Tekapo. Great ride, thanks everyone!

Another finisher and more aiming to finish

Another finisher as Hooge powered into Tekapo early evening.

And the followers are taking advantage of the tailwind to continue the push to the finish. With a fine and crisp night many riders are extending their advantage and closing the gap to Tekapo tonight.

Meanwhile Jo and Rachel cleared their last big hurdle, the Old Man Range (with snow!).

Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2019 at 18:28
Subject: SMS with Jo Haines

Rachel and Jo, Alex, wheels still turning towards Tekapo

Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2019 at 19:51
Subject: SMS with Grant Fraser
Hi Dave, Grant in Middlemarch

Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2019 at 19:51
Subject: SMS with Michael Hoogeveen
Church of the good shepherd.
I have arrived.
Riding bikes is fun!!
Thanks for the good times😊

Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2019 at 19:51
Subject: SMS with Richard MacDonald
Middlemarch. Very parched.

Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2019 at 20:09
Subject: SMS with Rob Dawson
Middlemarch with Richard, all good!

Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2019 at 20:10
Subject: SMS with Bill Brierley
Dave and Bill at Middlemarch. 😎

Debbie and Emma Lee Tait McCosh rug up for the dash over Hakataramea Pass in the southerly. Coll but excellent riding conditions. — in Hakataramea.

Keith with his eye on the prize. About to hit the smooth stuff on Haldon Road and into Tekapo. — with Keith Payne in Hakataramea.

Riders head for the finish line

Seems some riders are intensely focused on finishing tonight. With a light southerly to push them to Tekapo the ride is on.

Brendan Pheasant in a hurry to get over Danseys Pass.

Debbie and Emma Lee Tait McCosh powering up the Hakataramea Valley

The end is nigh

More finishers and more getting within striking distance to possibly finish tonight.

Looks like the front caught out more than just those on the Old Man Range

Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2019 at 23:39
Subject: SMS with Phil Petersen

Phil P and Rob D in Tekapo, dream conditions to roll into the end :)

Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2019 at 11:33
Subject: SMS with Steve Scott
Steve Scott middlemarch

Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2019 at 11:46
Subject: SMS with Brendan Pheasant
Big brunch in Middlemarch after an early finish yesterday on account of the front going through after Poolburn. Found a derelict shack to shelter in.Brendan

Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2019 at 11:52
Subject: SMS with Jake Stow
Arrived in middlemarch. Slept in a hut with two pigeons for company

Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2019 at 14:07
Subject: SMS with Michael Hoogeveen
Arrived kurow.
Was lucky to arrive at naseby forest as the fire ban sign was folded away and the gate opened.

Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2019 at 17:03
Subject: SMS with Debbie Chambers
Emma and debbie having some food in Kurow before riding on a bit further. Who knows where we'll get to.

Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2019 at 17:04
Subject: SMS with Keith Payne
Keith Payne in Kurow. Finally found my hill climbing legs!

Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2019 at 17:29
Subject: SMS with Andrew Scott
In Middlemarch with Nath and Craig. We've misplaced Jeremy. It's not dark yet but it's getting there.

Even Brevet riders need to do the domestic chores

Steve and Jake doing the shopping in Ranfurly. Pretty sure they spent a half hour pushing that trolley round a 4Square with only 3 aisles :-) Think a touch of fatigue is setting in?

Better riding conditions today

Excellent conditions of riding in the morning with some cloud cover and moderate temperatures. However as the day wears on the temperature rises!

George, Richard and Grant adjusting the clothing for the rising temperatures — at Upper Taieri.

Bill Brierley and Davi dMoss enjoy a spot of lunch on the Rock and Pillar Range

Practical people in the Maniototo, if you have a lot of rocks, then you make fenceposts out of them!

Maniototo Plains

Descending into the Maniototo on the Old Dunstan Road. Rock tors abound as the plains stretch out below

Arriving in the Land of Rohan

 

Arriving in the Land of Rohan. Poolburn Dam is a uniquely Central Otago spot with the small huts dwarfed by the rock tors

Poolburn Dam, Central Otago. The small fishing huts were disguised for the filming of the Lord of the Rings. Apparently they didn't have corrugated iron siding in Rohan

And it goes as quickly!

As quickly as it arrived, it goes! The first photo is 8:00 am and the second 11:00 am of the Old Man Range

8:00 am

11:00 am

The morning after

The morning after, not just the wind wrecking havoc but several cms of fresh snow! Not the best conditions for riding today atop the Old Man Range.

This all fell yesterday afternoon in a matter of 60 minutes! Snow down 200 meters on the Old Man Range. — at Alexandra Township, Central Otago.

And what a difference a day makes! Beautiful clear, and slightly crisp, Central Otago morning. Perfect riding conditions at the moment but suspect the temperatures may climb later in the day.

That would be about right. The wind was something extraordinary and the speed with which everything happened, with the front hitting in a matter of minutes.

Weather Event

Another weather event for the Great Southern Brevet :-( Snow again on the ranges. Fortunately most riders took the opportunity to have an early night and extended rest and the front passed over. Some impressive snowfall in such a short period.

Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2019 at 16:56
Subject: SMS with Richard MacDonald

Frozen but in Alex

Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2019 at 17:57
Subject: SMS with Keith Payne
Keith Payne in Middlemarch. Cold and wet warming up at the pub

Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2019 at 17:57
Subject: SMS with Matty Graham
Tekapo.
Matty.

Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2019 at 18:00
Subject: SMS with Rob Dawson
Hi David, Rob & Richard here. We cut across to Alex, to avoid bad weather. rejoining route in morning...

Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2019 at 18:27
Subject: SMS with Diane Grigg
Alex & Di now thawed out in Alex. Great up old man range, until the rain came. Blown off the road a couple of times coming into town. Nearĺy forgotten about the huge push up!

Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2019 at 18:43
Subject: SMS with Dean Marshall
In the oven yesterday
Today in a blast freezer
Dean John and Pascal holed up in Mitchell's Cottage
Another weather event on the GSB

Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2019 at 19:37
Subject: SMS with George Richardson
Ice cold in Alex. George

Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2019 at 20:17
Subject: SMS with Michael Hoogeveen
Arrived ranfury.
Even this easiest leg of the journey had some surprises.
Fresh snow on the hill above naseby

The Aftermath

The aftermath! The southerly came through fast and furious. The temperature dropped to just 2 degrees (out of the wind) in less than 5 minutes and the sleet/snow arrived. John, Pascal and Dean were the only remaining riders on the range but they had to beat a hasty retreat to the nearest shelter.

John. Pascal and Dean happy to be out of the weather. A very, very cold descent to lower altitudes as the white stuff began to accumulate!

And this is what it looked like a mere 60 minutes later from Alexandra! — at Alexandra Township, Central Otago.

Rain on its way

Signs of an impending change, rain arrives in the Waikaia Valley, far below our dedicated riders on their high altitude sojourn.

Rain? Gotta dash, no time for hanging around with a southerly on its way so it is off up another hill

 The first rain arrives and the temperature drops as the riders hasten across the Old Man Range

Yeah, summer in Central Otago, really! Who's ideally was this for a summer holiday? — at Obelisk Rock.

OK, so we need somewhere out of the wind, preferably something solid that will resist the wind (for a few thousand years!). Richard, George and Grant seek shelter under the Obelisk on the Old Man Range. — at Obelisk Rock.

Riding Waikaia Bush Road

Andrew Scott arriving at AA Hut high on Waikaia Bush Road. Should I tell him he is cycling off in the wrong direction?

Alex and Di enjoying near perfect riding conditions on a dry (for now) road high atop Central Otago.

Bill Brierley navigating the top of the stone steps on Waikaia Bush Road. Eager to keep going and outrun the approaching southerly front.

Southerly Approaching

With a cold southerly blast forecast it was always going to be a tough ask today on the Great Southern Brevet. It started out fairly well but....

Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2019 at 10:07
Subject: SMS with Steve Scott

Steve Scott Alex.

Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2019 at 10:22
Subject: SMS with Jake Stow
Arrived in Alexander. Reàlly windy on the tops.

Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2019 at 11:49
Subject: SMS with Brendan Pheasant
Down in Alex refuelling after an exciting time on Old Man Range. Was less successful in preventing my bike turning into a kite. Brendan

Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2019 at 11:49
Subject: SMS with Matty Graham
Kurow
Matty

Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2019 at 12:16
Subject: SMS with Andrew Scott
Slight breeze at Obelisk worse than Sallys Pinch. Who set this fantastic course. With Nathan, Craig, Jeremy

Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2019 at 14:06
Subject: SMS with Jo Haines
Doing the cafe run to Waikaia after beaut trip thru the Nevis (following diabolical wind up to Duffers). All good in the rear camp, jo and rachel

Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2019 at 14:10
Subject: SMS with Rachel Berry
In lumsden Rachel

Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2019 at 14:25
Subject: SMS with Paul Elby
Paul Elby over and out.tekapo

Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2019 at 15:01
Subject: SMS with Andrew Scott
Spent the day having a battle with the Old Man, hard to say who won. At Alex with Nath, Craig and Jeremy parked at the bike shop

Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2019 at 15:36
Subject: SMS with Phil Petersen
Phil P and Rob D in Kurow. Blowing a gale but whats new haha

Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2019 at 15:43
Subject: SMS with Anthony Gray
Tony gray here. Sadly, going to have to bail. Flipping sore neck, can't hold head up. Only can see 2 feet in front of us on bike. Thanks very much for a great event and all your hard work and commitment. Thanks again, Tony

Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2019 at 16:00
Subject: SMS with Michael Hoogeveen
Arrived in Middlemarch.
It's just started raining properly.
Body feels good, but my head is making it hard work😒

Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2019 at 16:51
Subject: SMS with Debbie Chambers
Finally off the hills and into a dry Hotel in middlemarch. Sham we were just too wet and cold to continue. Totally pouring down woth a cold southerly.

David Moss smiling after good climb up Waikaia Bush Road (or is it that he got to wake up Bill Brierley at 6:00 AM!). — at Waikaia Bush Road.

Bill Brierley arriving, some time after David Moss. His wake up call didn't hang around for Bill to get ready to ride. — at Waikaia Bush Road.

Richard, Grant and George also still smiling after the climb out of Waikaia. Or is that more of a frown from George, a 700 meter climb at 20% before breakfast isn't everyone's idea of how to start the day.

Great Southern Brevet roadside repair station, A Hut in the Old Man Range. Andrew Scott thinks maybe there shold be a large round thing in here to help you roll along the ground better?

John Adams, Pascal and Dean arrive at A Hut smiling, little did they know what was in store for them later in the day!

Evening Replenishment

Last nights replenishing stop at the Waikaia Pub, The burger comes highly recommended by Andrew Scott

The Brevet Burger! Compliments of the Waikaia Pub. After working out how to hold it Andrew Scott struggled to fit it in his mouth! — in Waikaia, New Zealand.

Burgers finished and off for a late evening stroll up Waikaia Bush Road to Whitecomb Creek for the night. — with Craig Newton, Andrew Scott, Jeremy Barbe and Nathan Mawkes in Waikaia, New Zealand.

First finisher of the Great Southern Brevet 2019 Edition

Some very early risers on the course today. With overnight rain and still some brief showers on the southern end of the course (Waikaia/Alexandra) it will be a cooler start to the day. Although the wind has died down in the south it still seems to feature at the end of the course as our first finisher Martin battled a headwind reach Tekapo.

Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2019 at 05:16

Subject: SMS with Debbie Chambers

Good morning Alexandra

Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2019 at 06:00

Subject: SMS with John Adam

John dean pascal

leaving waikaia.

Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2019 at 07:18

Subject: SMS with Martin Strelka

7:13am Finish. Lake Tekapo where it all started. Headwind strong all the way to the finish. Thanks. Martin Strelka

And the wind continues

With riders spread out over almost 500kms it was surprising to see the wind feature for everyone.
Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2019 at 17:42

Subject: SMS with Matty Graham

Middlemarch.
Matty

Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2019 at 18:03
Subject: SMS with Paul Elby
Paul Elby. Stunning ride over Danseys pass today.i was giggling with excitement. Staying at Kurow tonight cause im not in a hurry and a beer is in order.

Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2019 at 19:13
Subject: SMS with Dean Marshall
Dean at Lumsden
Nevis was awesome
Fried by wind and sun 👍

Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2019 at 20:07
Subject: SMS with Debbie Chambers
Not quite in Alexandra- but near enough. Got invited to stay in a house and given fresh apricots and cherries!- how could we resist

Debbie and Emma enjoy some the local produce in Alex. Did they really just find it sitting on the side of the road? — with Emma Lee Tait McCosh at Alexandra Township, Central Otago.

From: Richard MacDonald
Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2019 at 21:03
Subject: SMS with Richard MacDonald
Waikia

Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2019 at 21:03
Subject: SMS with Richard MacDonald
Waikia for the night

Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2019 at 21:03
Subject: SMS with Grant Fraser
Hi Dave, just made the pub in time at Waikaia.

Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2019 at 21:29
Subject: SMS with Keith Payne
Keith Payne in Alexandra. Strongest cross winds I've tried to bike in on the old man range!

Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2019 at 21:39
Subject: SMS with Michael Hoogeveen
Arrived Alexandra.
What an experience, that beech forest is beautiful and the wind along the tops was epic.
I wish I hadn't followed the sign that said "Alexandra 27ks" I might have gotten here before the golden cobweb had closed.
Having fun riding bikes

Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2019 at 21:39
Subject: SMS with Phil Petersen
Phil P and Rob D in Middlemarch for a pizza and a jug of coke.

Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2019 at 21:57
Subject: SMS with Bill Brierley
Just out of Waikaia

OK Bill Brierley , are you saying it really is that windy? — in Waikaia, New Zealand.

 
Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2019 at 22:01
Subject: SMS with Anthony Gray
Tony gray alive and well in Alex, bike not so well! Hanging onto and fighting wind with bike most of arvo.