Will you have to register for the Great Southern Brevet 2014?
The short answer: Yes.
As the route passes through several private properties it is a condition of access that we know who will be travelling through the property. This is mostly for safety reasons but also piece of mind for the property owners. Please respect their right to know who and where and when someone is on their property. They are essentially allowing us to wander through their backyard.
Many of these "backyards", though spectacular, are not without hazards so it is important we know where you will be traveling and approximately when. Although the Brevet operates on a "self-sufficiency" ethos there may come a time when even the best of us need a hand. New Zealand has some strict health and safety laws and the Great Southern Brevet seeks to abide by these.
The registration form will be up on this site next week so please check back and if you are intending to be in Tekapo on the 18th of January, 2014 please complete the details on the form.
If you are not sure please still complete the form as it will save time if you decide at the last minute you need a serious dose of great scenery and great riding. Remember there is no entry fee.
Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
Bike packing/gravel adventure through the South Island of New Zealand
Thursday, 14 November 2013
Sunday, 10 November 2013
What's the Great Southern Brevet 2014 going to be like?
Have had many questions along these lines over the past few weeks. Would guess mostly by those not sure what they will be getting themselves in for.
It will be great!
Yeah, I know too easy an answer. But really if you need an idea of what you are getting yourself into then first thing to do is read this site. Check out the Daily Txt-ins/Photos page to get a feel of what the riders experienced last time. Most of this is in their own words and their own photos.
Then check out the Leg Descriptions pages for an overview of the type of terrain and riding you can expect. And finally check out the Links page for helpful hints if it is your first big ride.
Over the next week or so the 2014 Course and Leg Descriptions will be posted. Although the scenery and riding will be fresh the idea is still the same: great riding, great country to ride through and great company.
It will be great!
Yeah, I know too easy an answer. But really if you need an idea of what you are getting yourself into then first thing to do is read this site. Check out the Daily Txt-ins/Photos page to get a feel of what the riders experienced last time. Most of this is in their own words and their own photos.
Then check out the Leg Descriptions pages for an overview of the type of terrain and riding you can expect. And finally check out the Links page for helpful hints if it is your first big ride.
Over the next week or so the 2014 Course and Leg Descriptions will be posted. Although the scenery and riding will be fresh the idea is still the same: great riding, great country to ride through and great company.
Saturday, 27 April 2013
Time to start thinking about another ride!
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!
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!
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 |
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