More riders completing the course and mother nature throwing another challenge at those still trying to enjoy the vast scenery of the South island high country.
SMS with Geof Blance
Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:28:34
Done and dusted. . Quite an epic...Great to have good company.. Tekapo 8.55
SMS with Gary Mckenzie
Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:02:30
Geof craig and Mark just finished
SMS with Mark Rayward
Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:36:32
Tekapo. Great course. Brutal but good. Good company thanks craig and geof. Well done ian. Im glad i got to ride with you. But you the man 4 your effort
SMS with Craig Phillips
Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:47:00
Touched back down in the real world, tekapo, at 8.55 this morn with mark & geoff. Now drinking coffee & devouring icecream...
SMS with Tristan Rawlence
Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:10:37
In kurow. Loading up on food for the final 100. Insane headwind up from duntroon
Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
Bike packing/gravel adventure through the South Island of New Zealand
Thursday, 26 January 2012
Three more riders arrive in Tekapo
Geof, Mark and Craig have arrived in Lake Tekapo after a quiet evening in the Haka. They sound relieved. They arrived at 8:55 this morning for 4 days and 21 hours and 55 minutes elapsed time, and every minute of it worth I bet ;-)
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| Back to where they started from! |
Rider Profile - Jasper van der Lingen
Jasper "the machine" van der Lingen is "singularly" unique amongst Great Southern Brevet Riders in 2012. Yes, pun intended. Jasper is riding a SINGLE SPEED rigid bike.
Now when you read the Txt Updates and see the "odd" mention of a hill think again about Jasper.
To go along with his "single" mindedness Jasper's bike is a custom, hand-built rigid titanium from Black Sheep in Colorado. Not just a bike but a work of art, it sports curves a plenty with not a single straight tube in sight.
Jasper is running 34 x 22 with 29 inch wheels. My back of napkin calculation puts that at 291,667 revolutions to reach Tekapo again!
Now when you read the Txt Updates and see the "odd" mention of a hill think again about Jasper.
To go along with his "single" mindedness Jasper's bike is a custom, hand-built rigid titanium from Black Sheep in Colorado. Not just a bike but a work of art, it sports curves a plenty with not a single straight tube in sight.
Jasper is running 34 x 22 with 29 inch wheels. My back of napkin calculation puts that at 291,667 revolutions to reach Tekapo again!
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| Now where is that extra sprocket I put in here? |
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| Those legs bely the work they have done to get to Middlemarch |
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| Jasper's patented, zero emission, Chamois Dryer! |
Day 6 Morning Txt Update
A few going for the big push this morning. A soak in the Hot Springs in Tekapo could be on the cards this evening!
SMS with Arran Pearson
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:39:30
Just hit middlemarch - epic epic day... Accom a bit limited so thing I'll try the rail trail...
SMS with Rob Davidson
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:51:17
Had a tough time on the Dunstan..
Blisters from walking too much, left knee screaming, butt shredded.. Came close to losing the plot today.. Perhaps 2moro ;-)
SMS with Daniel Roberts
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:55:11
In Alex eating KFC!!! A personal reward for just keeping on plodding. Going to push on to Moa Creek tonight - I am not giving up without at least a little fight.
SMS with Mark Wallace
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:55:13
In ranfurly. Easier day today despite over 200km compared to last couple of days. Beaut ride thru rock and pillar range. Highly recommended
SMS with Barryn Westfield
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:08:57
Still haven't managed to shake off Paul, Trev or Mark, we have rolled on thru to Ranfurly for the night, thinking of pushing on to Tekapo tomorrow (Trevs tracker dead)
SMS with Arran Pearson
Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 04:13:04
Hi is there still a closing time on kurow bridge?
SMS with Arran Pearson
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:39:30
Just hit middlemarch - epic epic day... Accom a bit limited so thing I'll try the rail trail...
SMS with Rob Davidson
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:51:17
Had a tough time on the Dunstan..
Blisters from walking too much, left knee screaming, butt shredded.. Came close to losing the plot today.. Perhaps 2moro ;-)
SMS with Daniel Roberts
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:55:11
In Alex eating KFC!!! A personal reward for just keeping on plodding. Going to push on to Moa Creek tonight - I am not giving up without at least a little fight.
SMS with Mark Wallace
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:55:13
In ranfurly. Easier day today despite over 200km compared to last couple of days. Beaut ride thru rock and pillar range. Highly recommended
SMS with Barryn Westfield
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:08:57
Still haven't managed to shake off Paul, Trev or Mark, we have rolled on thru to Ranfurly for the night, thinking of pushing on to Tekapo tomorrow (Trevs tracker dead)
SMS with Arran Pearson
Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 04:13:04
Hi is there still a closing time on kurow bridge?
Wednesday, 25 January 2012
Second Rider Completes Great Southern Brevet
Ollie split from the chasing quartet earlier this evening to enjoy some quality time with just him and the open road ahead. And so a second rider has completed the Great Southern Brevet 2012.
SMS with Oliver Whalley
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:35:07
Yay. Made it into tekapo after an amazing ride off haka pass. Sun setting with mt cook and a screaming tailwind. Yea boi! Q dos to Dave King on a course that took it to another level of awesome.
SMS with Oliver Whalley
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:35:07
Yay. Made it into tekapo after an amazing ride off haka pass. Sun setting with mt cook and a screaming tailwind. Yea boi! Q dos to Dave King on a course that took it to another level of awesome.
Demi-Brevet
What? Not more french malarkey.
The Great Southern Brevet course may appear haphazard, or as Ollie calls it "an amoeba", but there was reason to the rhyme. The keen amongst you would notice that the course comes close to looping onto itself in several places. This feature was to allow "shortcuts" for those not wanting to endure post herculean efforts.
The idea was that you could still experience a lot of what the Great Southern Brevet offers even if your legs, back, hands, (insert appropriate body part here), failed you. You planned on a week of cycle touring so why not have a week of cycle touring.
You may have seen on Trackleaders.com some riders have turned "amber" colour. This denotes they are continuing with their cycle tour but are dropping a part of the course. There is still lots to see, and ride, even if you drop off a leg or two (Brevet leg, not your real legs!).
The Demi-Brevet, or loosely translated part-brevet, was meant to be a part of the Great Southern Brevet from the start. It was designed to allow those not quite sure of the full effort to start and still complete some of the course instead of having to bail out and go home early.
Unfortunately the logistics of getting enough trackers meant the idea was put aside. However a few riders are enjoying their Demi-Brevet this week and I hope they the find it rewarding.
The Great Southern Brevet course may appear haphazard, or as Ollie calls it "an amoeba", but there was reason to the rhyme. The keen amongst you would notice that the course comes close to looping onto itself in several places. This feature was to allow "shortcuts" for those not wanting to endure post herculean efforts.
The idea was that you could still experience a lot of what the Great Southern Brevet offers even if your legs, back, hands, (insert appropriate body part here), failed you. You planned on a week of cycle touring so why not have a week of cycle touring.
You may have seen on Trackleaders.com some riders have turned "amber" colour. This denotes they are continuing with their cycle tour but are dropping a part of the course. There is still lots to see, and ride, even if you drop off a leg or two (Brevet leg, not your real legs!).
The Demi-Brevet, or loosely translated part-brevet, was meant to be a part of the Great Southern Brevet from the start. It was designed to allow those not quite sure of the full effort to start and still complete some of the course instead of having to bail out and go home early.
Unfortunately the logistics of getting enough trackers meant the idea was put aside. However a few riders are enjoying their Demi-Brevet this week and I hope they the find it rewarding.
Day 5 Evening Txt Update
Yeah I know, nobody was txting cause they were riding their bikes :-)
I think the "I'm enjoying it" outnumber the "this is hell on wheels" finally.
SMS with Nic Kelly
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:49:17
Ok was saying batteries flat so wil replace now. In alex.
SMS with Craig Phillips
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:49:28
Kurow pub dinner, yum, then maybe a barn to kip in up the haka tonight? With mark & geoff ...olly went on a mission to finish tonight.
SMS with Tristan Rawlence
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:49:40
So we are in middlemarch. Slight detour at the end. There is no Kent st in Sutton. Might be a cause for confusion.
SMS with Greg Thurlow
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:49:48
Alex.shorts and tshirt on old man range.fantastic scenary and downhill .if anyone finds a jandal on the downhill....
SMS with Geoff Tilbrook
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:49:59
Found on old man range. Sun cream + jandal. May belong to sunburned red-haired man with a limp.
In Alex. Great day for a grovel over the range.
SMS with jasper van der lingen
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:50:06
Middlemarch - long day in the saddle!
SMS with Phil Chapman
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:50:26
Celebrated halfway yest with a beer and a shower and a proper bed and a beer and some food and beer. Woop Woop!
SMS with Geof Blance
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:50:34
Kurow for tea... The Ollie train went along alone. . 1 More stage to go...
SMS with Mark Rayward
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:50:41
Kurow. Hungry as. Ollie on a mission to finish tonight. Us 3 stop another night
SMS with Graeme Noble
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:51:51
Time for a beer in alex :-) good day on the old man range. Fun down needed to be after the up. Snow almost gone.
SMS with Shelley Friedrich
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:51:54
Middlemarch! Nice. Amazing country 2 see. Sleep n bed 2night. :-)
SMS with Ken Scott
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:51:55
In Middlemarch.A brutal day
SMS with Chaplow Paul
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:52:17
Just had a feed of nachos. Will head out of middlemarch shortly to get to Ranfurly tonight. Nearly lost the momentum but looks like we're moving.
SMS with James Hardisty
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:52:18
In alex hot and tired
SMS with Neil Charters
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:52:21
Reached alex, had an awesome ride along old man range, up through cloud into sun and snow. Had some food, replaced sliced tyre and now off for a swim
SMS with gordon macdonald
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:52:26
Grt to meet up with the ida valley water race again. Had an exlnt tail wind from. Middlemarch. Ruffing at ancient briton in naseby
SMS with Claude Dabaliz
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:55:31
In at Kurow on my short course/bail out route. My crank retaining bolt has sheared in half - will make for an interesting ride to Tekapo.
I think the "I'm enjoying it" outnumber the "this is hell on wheels" finally.
SMS with Nic Kelly
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:49:17
Ok was saying batteries flat so wil replace now. In alex.
SMS with Craig Phillips
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:49:28
Kurow pub dinner, yum, then maybe a barn to kip in up the haka tonight? With mark & geoff ...olly went on a mission to finish tonight.
SMS with Tristan Rawlence
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:49:40
So we are in middlemarch. Slight detour at the end. There is no Kent st in Sutton. Might be a cause for confusion.
SMS with Greg Thurlow
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:49:48
Alex.shorts and tshirt on old man range.fantastic scenary and downhill .if anyone finds a jandal on the downhill....
SMS with Geoff Tilbrook
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:49:59
Found on old man range. Sun cream + jandal. May belong to sunburned red-haired man with a limp.
In Alex. Great day for a grovel over the range.
SMS with jasper van der lingen
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:50:06
Middlemarch - long day in the saddle!
SMS with Phil Chapman
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:50:26
Celebrated halfway yest with a beer and a shower and a proper bed and a beer and some food and beer. Woop Woop!
SMS with Geof Blance
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:50:34
Kurow for tea... The Ollie train went along alone. . 1 More stage to go...
SMS with Mark Rayward
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:50:41
Kurow. Hungry as. Ollie on a mission to finish tonight. Us 3 stop another night
SMS with Graeme Noble
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:51:51
Time for a beer in alex :-) good day on the old man range. Fun down needed to be after the up. Snow almost gone.
SMS with Shelley Friedrich
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:51:54
Middlemarch! Nice. Amazing country 2 see. Sleep n bed 2night. :-)
SMS with Ken Scott
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:51:55
In Middlemarch.A brutal day
SMS with Chaplow Paul
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:52:17
Just had a feed of nachos. Will head out of middlemarch shortly to get to Ranfurly tonight. Nearly lost the momentum but looks like we're moving.
SMS with James Hardisty
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:52:18
In alex hot and tired
SMS with Neil Charters
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:52:21
Reached alex, had an awesome ride along old man range, up through cloud into sun and snow. Had some food, replaced sliced tyre and now off for a swim
SMS with gordon macdonald
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:52:26
Grt to meet up with the ida valley water race again. Had an exlnt tail wind from. Middlemarch. Ruffing at ancient briton in naseby
SMS with Claude Dabaliz
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:55:31
In at Kurow on my short course/bail out route. My crank retaining bolt has sheared in half - will make for an interesting ride to Tekapo.
Day 5 Photos
Under the hot sun....
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| Arran speeds past the Land of Rohan |
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| Water, water, everywhere...not a drop to drink? |
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| Only the right sort of traffic out here today |
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| No trees.. what would you use as a fence post? |
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| The Great Moss Swamp (I know it looks like a lake to me too) |
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| They don't build like this anymore |
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| I said "Rob can you put on a burst of speed for the camera" |
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| Brevet riders Czech Republic style (yes they are fully rigid Healings!) |
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| Le Mans Start in Middlemarch! |
Day 5 Afternoon Txt Update
Big day under the big Central Otago sun. Morning mist kept things cool for the earlier starters but it burned off late morning over Rough Ridge and The Rock and Pillar Range. Simply vast views and vast distance to cover. A challenge when you can see 40km across the valley to the road you will be climbing later in the day ;-)
Bit quiet on the Txt front, felling a bit forgotten as several have passed through checkpoints without checking in. Looks like it is serious time with head down and kms to grind out. Hope they are still enjoying the scenery.
SMS with Arran Pearson
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:54:55
Chowin down on fat boy brekky in Alex, A hut was lovely to stay in and I got to ride in snow
SMS with jenny cossey
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:15:52
Great shooting stars last night at my bivy on nevis road. Mitilda did not like highway 6 pm hitched to lumsden.
SMS with Dirk Naish
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:15:54
Arrived at middlemarch. Nice overcast day
SMS with Phillip Pickering
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:16:05
Hi David , making good progress, now in Alex.
SMS with Hugh Calder
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:17:10
Arrived Alex for a good coffee at last. Had a close Dodge of the Nevis. Phew. Did Millenium trail instead.
SMS with gordon macdonald
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:17:11
Stopped 4 a spot o lunch at middlemarch
SMS with Sandra Appleby
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:17:13
Made it to Alex, as if by magic! Picnic pedalers still going strong.
SMS with Nic Kelly
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:18:56
My tracker playing up. Tried new batteries fr torch but apparently not tracking.
Bit quiet on the Txt front, felling a bit forgotten as several have passed through checkpoints without checking in. Looks like it is serious time with head down and kms to grind out. Hope they are still enjoying the scenery.
SMS with Arran Pearson
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:54:55
Chowin down on fat boy brekky in Alex, A hut was lovely to stay in and I got to ride in snow
SMS with jenny cossey
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:15:52
Great shooting stars last night at my bivy on nevis road. Mitilda did not like highway 6 pm hitched to lumsden.
SMS with Dirk Naish
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:15:54
Arrived at middlemarch. Nice overcast day
SMS with Phillip Pickering
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:16:05
Hi David , making good progress, now in Alex.
SMS with Hugh Calder
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:17:10
Arrived Alex for a good coffee at last. Had a close Dodge of the Nevis. Phew. Did Millenium trail instead.
SMS with gordon macdonald
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:17:11
Stopped 4 a spot o lunch at middlemarch
SMS with Sandra Appleby
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:17:13
Made it to Alex, as if by magic! Picnic pedalers still going strong.
SMS with Nic Kelly
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:18:56
My tracker playing up. Tried new batteries fr torch but apparently not tracking.
Rider Profile - Arran Pearson
Arran hails for across the ditch (Australia mate). He is dead keen on his long distance cycling and possibly as touch gearhead.
Arran spent last night atop The Old Man Range. With sub-zero temperatures and snow 2 days ago that was a bit of a concern. However he assures me that A Hut was just the spot to be, he got dibs on the top bunk (the bottom bunk is the concrete floor!).
Arran spent last night atop The Old Man Range. With sub-zero temperatures and snow 2 days ago that was a bit of a concern. However he assures me that A Hut was just the spot to be, he got dibs on the top bunk (the bottom bunk is the concrete floor!).
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| Arran's digs for the night |
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| You'd be smiling if you were about to eat that breakfast! |
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| What do you mean, your bike isn't iPod compatible :-( |
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| Sleeping bag, sleeping mat, bivy bag, spare socks.. not enough for socks sorry |
Day 5 Photos (from Day 4)
Yes, I am starting to get confused with the days, especially calendar versus elapsed days. Anyway let's just keep going. Thanks to Morgan for the photos.
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| The posse rides into town under clear blue skies, they look relaxed |
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| Geof wipes a tear from his eyes at seeing the Official Alexandra Welcoming Committee |
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| Your right Geof, that ceaseless smile of his is a bit off putting |
Day 5 Early Morning Txt Updates
The big news this morning is Ian arriving in Tekapo!
SMS with Ken Scott
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:27:04
In alex.
SMS with Ian Edmond
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 01:04:09
Ian Edmond Kurow
SMS with Mark Wallace
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:45:02
Forgot a few txt ins. Still alive and plodding on. Just leaving alex. Another tough day yesterday. Hot sunny day pushing a bike thru snow. Confused? Hmmm.
SMS with Ian Edmond
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:19:18
Ian Edmond Tekapo
SMS with Mark Rayward
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:48:12
Middle march. Legs good. Arse not! Good group of 4.
SMS with Geof Blance
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:57:32
Middlemarch. . Camped Out. Breakfast at the cafe... How far to go today??
SMS with Craig Phillips
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:12:46
Bean bag in middlemarch cafe is perfect contrast to my bike seat ...this might be a long break!
SMS with Ken Scott
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:27:04
In alex.
SMS with Ian Edmond
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 01:04:09
Ian Edmond Kurow
SMS with Mark Wallace
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:45:02
Forgot a few txt ins. Still alive and plodding on. Just leaving alex. Another tough day yesterday. Hot sunny day pushing a bike thru snow. Confused? Hmmm.
SMS with Ian Edmond
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:19:18
Ian Edmond Tekapo
SMS with Mark Rayward
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:48:12
Middle march. Legs good. Arse not! Good group of 4.
SMS with Geof Blance
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:57:32
Middlemarch. . Camped Out. Breakfast at the cafe... How far to go today??
SMS with Craig Phillips
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:12:46
Bean bag in middlemarch cafe is perfect contrast to my bike seat ...this might be a long break!
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