Thanks for keeping us tuned in Scott.

Good luck to all involved.

Everything seems to be coming together for the Kiwi Brevet. The course is finalised, cue sheets typed, SPOTs arrived and summer is finally on the way. We have 66 starters at this stage (including 10 women).

Looks like there will be a fairly even mix of 29ers, 26" hardtails, fullys, and cyclocross/touring bikes.
You can follow along at www.kiwibrevet.blogspot.com after the start on 6th Feb.

Big thanks to Scott Morris for sorting out the technical side of the SPOT coverage.

I like the dinottes, but you do have to be real careful to keep the batteries dry.

John Nobile use a lightweight dyno at the GDR 08 and seemed to keep up a pretty good pace. I seem to remember him say it cost about $150. When he gave it a spin it looked incredibly efficient

Yeah a lot of tar seal - unfortunately we don't have such a huge network of forest roads and singletrack over here. But a fair chunk of the sealed road riding is still very quiet and beautiful. Paul's put some footage of the first descent onto the brevet blog (taken in '87, but not too much has changed). It may be road riding, but it certainly isn't boring!

[Kiwi Brevet]

This isn't actually a race, but this seemed the most appropriate forum to post in, so here it is:

Kiwi Brevet
New Zealand

Proposed start date: noon, Sat 6th Feb 2010

(trying to get long days and good weather, but little holiday traffic).

Proposed course:

Start Blenheim, round Port Underwood road, Queen Charlotte Drive, Maungatapu Track, backroads to St Arnaud, Porika Track to Lake Rotoroa, Braeburn Track to Murchison, over Maruia Saddle backroads to Springs Junction, Rahu Saddle to Reefton, Big River and Waiuta Tracks, then backroads to Blackball, backroads to Jackson, over Arthurs Pass to Sheffield, Wharfedale Track, Lees Valley to Hanmer via back roads (?), Molesworth Station, Taylors Pass and then singletrack back to Blenhiem.

Approx 1200 km (note: our Google Map takes micro-shortcuts and under-estimates the total distance).

http://maps.google.co.nz/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=112695328976832403070.00047034cc217e43981f8&z=8

Approx 50% sealed roads, 40% gravel roads, 6% 4WD, 4% singletrack

Proposed rules:

Do it all yourself, under your own steam.

Riders must carry all their own gear (i.e. no domistiques).

No outside support (deliveries only to public addresses, no support from friends along the way).

Follow 100% of the course.

Riders must carry a personal locator beacon, and agree to cover the cost of rescue in the event they need to be evacuated.

Times under 4 days will be recorded as 4 days, 0 hours. (We're not after an exercise in sleep deprivation). Riders must have a minimum of one four hour block of time every day when they do not travel along the course.

Riders must finish in under 8 days.

Drafting is OK.

When on public roads, follow the Road Code.

Cell phones OK.

Call-ins to be made from designated towns to an 0800 number.

In the event of Molesworth Station being closed to cyclists due to fire risk, riders are to proceed through the Rainbow Station and North Bank road.

No entry fee; no prizes.
Some sort of koha will be requested for community charities along the route (yet to be determined).

Check it out at http://www.kiwibrevet.blogspot.com/