Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
Bike packing/gravel adventure through the South Island of New Zealand
The early morning snow is disappearing on the ranges behind Tekapo after a sunny day
Dazza gives a fist pump for a job well done
Dazza and Hodges, with their patient and understanding better halves in the background
These bikes have seen a few miles!
From: Peter Barrett - Linnburn Station
Sent: Friday, 29 January 2021 10:37 AM
To: greatsouthernbrevet@gmail.com
Cc: clachanburn@xtraz.co.nz
Subject: 316 Puketoi Runs Rd Patearoa Accommodation & Garden
Hi Dave
I am writing of Jane from Clachanburn – last night she two guests and four tonight from your
http://greatsouthernbrevet.
Jane would be delighted to host more and would appreciate if you could put her details on your map….
https://clachanburn.co.nz/
Costs are:-
Thanks
Peter
Linnburn Station Ltd
902 Puketoi Runs Rd
Paerau
Central Otago 9398
Ph: 03 4447702
Mob: 0273 103031
Farm: www.linnburnstation.co.nz
Seed: www.symbiosis.co.nzDate: Fri, 29 Jan 2021 at 06:41
Subject: [SMS] Susie Bates
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Another day of perfectly flat straight riding in ideal weather yesterday. To tired to text last night. Susie and Tom.
Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2021 at 06:54
Subject: [SMS] Susie Bates
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
FYI Accommodation available at Clachanburn B&B - you ride past the gates 30km shy of Ranfurly. Go and see Jane.
Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2021 at 08:48
Subject: [SMS] Jo Holden
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Big Breakfast in Kurow with Dazza & Hodgy, before the last push to Tekapo
Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2021 at 10:19
Subject: [SMS] Kane Thornburrow
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Kurow check in. Put in a big day yesterday and got over Dansey's Pass. Was stunning scenery at sunset but bitterly cold!
Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2021 at 14:00
Subject: [SMS] Andrew Scott
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Diana and Andrew at Roxy heading for a camp in the Maniototo.
Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2021 at 14:08
Subject: [SMS] Karl Arndt
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Tekapo. Karl A. Am done.
The waiting official GSB 2021 welcome committee at the Church of the Good Shepherd
Karl arrives to a warm welcome and a cold beer!
Riders enjoying a catch-up and 2nd, or 3rd for some, breakfast at the Greedy Cow in Tekapo
Lake Tekapo was at its best this morning for our first morning finishers. The quintessential sprinkle on snow on the mountain tops against the turquoise lake, spectacular.
Scott and Bruce happy to be off the bikes finally
More hospitable conditions for catching up this morning with the finishers
This is a view worth finishing for!
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 15:47
Subject: [SMS] Kane Thornburrow
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Ranfurly check in. Weather was freezing past Lake Onslow. At least the southerly was helping us along!
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 17:14
Subject: [SMS] Kelvin Eden
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Tekapo. Awesome event thanks
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 17:40
Subject: [SMS] Mike Brien
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Mike Brien is in alexandra
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 18:15
Subject: [SMS] Dominic Green
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
At tekapo godly church
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 18:16
Subject: [SMS] Dominic Green
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Forgot to check in at Kurow
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 18:40
Subject: [SMS] Dean Marshall
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Dean Arrived in Ranfurly
All good
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 19:59
Subject: [SMS] Karl Arndt
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
In Duntroon. Karl A. Will go on to Kurow tonight. You should have had that meal in the Dansey's Pass Hotel as they opened the road about 10 min after I arrived!
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 20:27
Subject: [SMS] Anne Lowerson
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Whoop whoop...made it to Tekapo!!! Thanks guys for organising the awesome adventure
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 20:31
Subject: [SMS] Nina Stupples
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Great day today with a bit of everything, wind, sun, rain lots of food and spectacular scenery. Nina, ian Rachel and jo.
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 20:52
Subject: [SMS] Andrew Scott
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Diana and Anaru found the senior citizens hurtbox opened it up and had a wee peek inside. In Alex since 5.00pm
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 21:53
Subject: [SMS] David Johanson
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Staying at the pub in Ranfurly tonight! Nice place!
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 22:00
Subject: [SMS] Chris York
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Made to to the finish. Amazing course.
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 22:29
Subject: [SMS] Al Cory-Wright
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Al Cory-Wright. Ranfurly.
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 22:35
Subject: [SMS] Al Cory-Wright
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Message from Ranfurly campground Manager. Turn up anytime day or night. Cabins are all unlocked. If you're arriving at night just grab one and leave cash on the table if you're away early. $68 for 2 people.. Don't know single price. Suggest $40. Showers are $2 coin.
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 22:47
Subject: [SMS] Fay Cunningham
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Tahi is in T for Tekapo done and dusted
The road over Dansays Pass has been closed for a couple of days now but the intrepid GSBers were not put off by such obstacles. It reopened 10 minutes after this photo was taken!
More lenticular clouds forming indicating that the wind was still keen to have a say on whether the finish would be easy or hard to reach.
Late evening photos of those making a dash for the finish in Tekapo. Andie is making good progress but is yet to decide to ride all the way tonight.
The Roxys had definitely made up their minds to push to the finish tonight.
And the Coastal Crew were a blur as they raced past with 64kms to go
But wait! Could there be more obstacles in their way?
Contrasting the fine weather in the Hakataramea Valley was the finish line at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Tekapo. Rain greeted the first evening finishers Fay and Chris. Nathan and Pete as part of the official welcoming party.
Next in was the Coastal Crew. They managed to dodge the rain, just.
Something tells me this isn't their first beer since starting the ride
The Roxys were fast approaching so the team decided to stay and await their arrival
The Roxys and Andie elated to arrive full circle and complete the GSB2021
Doesn't anyone want to go to sleep?
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 08:24
Subject: [SMS] Paul Magner
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Hi Dave I am withdrawing from the event this morning. Family commitment. Awesome event. Cheers Paul Magner
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 09:12
Subject: [SMS] Andrew Laurie
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Hi Dave, I'm finished at 09:05 Thursday. Great course, thanks! Stunning bluebird day here. Andrew Laurie
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 09:20
Subject: [SMS] Dean Marshall
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Dean
In Roxburgh, cooler today
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 09:33
Subject: [SMS] Alex Grigg
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Hi Dave Thanks for organising a awesome ride that got the better of us this time heading home now
Cheers Alex and Di
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 10:22
Subject: [SMS] Katie Smith
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
3hrs 45 to Roxburgh- amazing what sleep and a load of food can do! Lovely morning so far. Katie
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 11:07
Subject: [SMS] Dan van Asch
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Heads up that Ranfurly is hosting a big cricket event this weekend so camp ground and cabins fully booked. Not sure about accom on Naseby. All crew left here before we got out of bed! We going back over Omarama Saddle and will rejoin at Kurow
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 11:41
Subject: [SMS] Kelvin Eden
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Kurow. Food for final push
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 12:20
Subject: [SMS] Daniel Jessop
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Kurow
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 13:38
Subject: [SMS] Jo Holden
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Rejoining course in Naseby
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 13:41
Subject: [SMS] Karl Arndt
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Ranfurly. SWer kicked in at the right time! For me ;-)
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 14:14
Subject: [SMS] Michael Hoogeveen
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Arrived at the church of the good shepherd.
Felt flat this morning, but conditions were perfect so I rode my bike and came away with a result.
I've never had it so easy
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 14:28
Subject: [SMS] Anne Lowerson
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
In Kurow. Loved the downhill with a tailwind from Dansey's Pass. 11 down, 1 to go....Yippee!!!
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 15:07
Subject: [SMS] Alan Christensen
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Check in Roxburgh. Biting southerly on the tops with sleet at times
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 15:28
Subject: [SMS] Naomi Wright
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Married my bike wife in Garston church and had a bewdiful night in the Nevis range. Excellent ride out today. Nomez and Sarah on to Roxburgh!
A large contingent were up early to tackle Knobby Range and onto Roxburgh.
Katie well provisioned for the Lake Onslow leg coming up.
Spoiled for choice
Might need extra water for this leg, David fits a full bottle to under the downtube
Ouch, the temperature at the top! Remember it was 29.5 degrees in Alexandra last evening. That's 24 degrees drop 😱
Dean on the final push up Wright's Road. Unfortunately that is the first of many hills to come 😰
The golden ribbon winds it's way to Lake Onslow
Lake Onslow Outlet into the Teviot River
Literally in the 'middle' of nowhere!
New Zealand's oldest fence-post? Geologically speak that is 😎
Makes for easy Cue Sheet notes 👆
Tony and Karen enjoying the tailwind to Ranfurly, and a hot chocolate for afternoon tea.
Daryl, Nigel and Karl filling up the legs in Ranfurly
A large group of riders are posed for the push to the finish today. Some as near as Kurow while others May try from as far as Ranfurly. All will be looking for favourable winds!
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2021 at 21:56
Subject: [SMS] Jo Holden
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
In Alex, tough trip through the Nevis but spectacular country
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2021 at 22:22
Subject: [SMS] Chris York
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
In ranfurly. Hot and windy. Glad to be in the pub.
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2021 at 23:03
Subject: [SMS] Sasha Smith
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Made.it to Naseby. Skipped the Naseby forest section as it is closed because of extreme fire risk. Not gonna complain about getting an extra 30 mins for zzzzzzs back though.
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2021 at 23:35
Subject: [SMS] Margaret Leyland
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Made Kurow. Feeling good. Going to push on a bit further. No wind. Novel!
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2021 at 23:47
Subject: [SMS] Fay Cunningham
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Tahi just rolled into Ranfurly... the distance gets less and the days get longer... awesome moon tonight lighting up the irrigator spray
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 00:04
Subject: [SMS] Anne Lowerson
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Finally made it to Ranfurly!
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 00:15
Subject: [SMS] Marta Zanetti
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Marta and Paul in Kurow. Sweet dreams
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 01:13
Subject: [SMS] Benjamin Carrell
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Done like a dogs dinner. Nothing left. Thank you GSB
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 02:52
Subject: [SMS] Joe Fagan
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
2.48 am on Thursday. Joe F back at our favourite church in soft rain. Great ride, wonderful people, amazing landscapes. Cheers for organising
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 06:56
Subject: [SMS] Dominic Green
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Just leaving ranfurly
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 06:58
Subject: [SMS] Alan Christensen
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Belated check in from Alex. Will have delayed start today as Scott's BB has got the wobbles and bike shops don't open till 9. Alan
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 07:15
Subject: [SMS] Michael Hoogeveen
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Arrived kurow after the best sleep out in the biv.
Light rain overnight and there's cloud hanging in the valley. A pleasant 17°c this morning.
Conditions are favourable for riding bikes.
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 07:16
Subject: [SMS] Bryce Lorcet
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Full credit to the late opening pub in ranfurly, kept us motivated last night. Coastal Crew checking and out from Ranfurly.
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 07:51
Subject: [SMS] Andie Lowry
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
In ranfurly
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 08:03
Subject: [SMS] Andrew Scott
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Diana, Andrew, Gordan, Mike at Garsten Ski Hut for 2nd breakfast. Weather good but cold so far.
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2021 at 08:05
Subject: [SMS] Mike Brien
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Mike Brien Gaston ski hut continuing on
Alexandra cranked the thermostat up to a uncomfortable 29 degrees this afternoon. After enduring high wind, the riders baked for a short while till a very short sharp squal came through. Not enough to dampen down the dust, but enough to get out the rain jacket for the first time on GSB 2021.
Txt Check-ins from late on Day 5
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2021 at 16:19
Subject: [SMS] Kane Thornburrow
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Alexandra check in. Nevis was tough. Too hot for North Islanders here!
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2021 at 16:20
Subject: [SMS] Bill Brierley
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Gordie has a front wheel/brake issue. We can fix that, but my plan of getting to a chemist in Alex is shot now. IF you have the time and going to be in Alex tonight, could you buy me a small bottle of Dettol, some Betadine, some of that fancy 'fix stuff or paraffin gauze and a bandage - please
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2021 at 16:23
Subject: [SMS] Dean Marshall
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Dean in Alex
Too hot, for another hill so will hang around for a bit
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2021 at 16:27
Subject: [SMS] Daryl Collier
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Roxburgh and Hodgy
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2021 at 17:12
Subject: [SMS] Nigel Hodges
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Roxbough.
Hodgy and dazza.
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2021 at 17:13
Subject: [SMS] Alan C
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
At Duffers saddle. Wet and windy! Hoping not so bad on other side. Alan C
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2021 at 17:34
Subject: [SMS] Benjamin Carrell
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Just left Kurow, stinking hot
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2021 at 18:31
Subject: [SMS] Joe Fagan
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Kurow Loved Danseys Pass, but the lovely tailwind suggested I don't smell so good. Time for ice cream
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2021 at 19:20
Subject: [SMS] Kelvin Eden
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Ranfurly. Food
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2021 at 19:30
Subject: [SMS] Bob Vaile
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Vaile. Garston Ski Hut. All good
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2021 at 20:37
Subject: [SMS] Kevin Crowley
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Checking in from Athol. Not been well again today so won't continue from here. Awesome event Dave!
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2021 at 20:39
Subject: [SMS] Susie Bates
To: <greatsouthernbrevet>
Tom and Susie fed and watered after a big day out- Mossburn to Alexandra. I would like the Wind to feck off.
