Pre-Brevet Shakedown No2

The second shakedown weekend was a last minute decision upon hearing the weekend prior that a road linking the Rainbow and the Acheron Valley's, through the Alma Valley was open by DoC for January and February.

Scott was super keen (as always) and he soon rounded up Andre (a fellow Brevet virgin) to join us. It also gave us the opportunity to check out one of the optional legs (as if 1100 kilometres wasn't enough!) in the Kiwi Brevet. Which was UP through the St James Cycleway ...

Leaving Christchurch early Saturday morning it was a quick drive through to Hanmer with only one coffee stop along the way, we saddled up and headed over to the bakery ... where else do you start a big ride!

With tummies full and pockets stuffed, we saddled up again and headed north over Jacks Pass, up the Clarence Valley until we got to the St James Homestead turnoff and turn off we did.

Quickly through Peters Lookout we started descending when a big pffffttttt came from my front tyre! Slowly coming to a stop, my tyre was spewing Stan's sealant at a great rate of knots ... just like Scott was descending in front of me! Andre was behind me and pulled over to help. It was obvious that a rock had sliced the side wall and we would need to put in a tube and boot on the inside of the tyre. Scott had reached the bottom of the hill and realised something was going on without him! Not one to miss out, he started back up the hill!

We were soon back on the track heading down into the Edwards Valley, up over Charlies Pass and into the Waiau valley, it was starting to warm up and we taking every opportunity to refill our bottles, we crossed the river a few times over the bridges, pushed on a few points, took in some magnificent views, rode through a group of wild horses and foals.



After five hours we stopped at the Lake Guyon turnoff in some shade and had a snack, feeling slightly refreshed we headed on up the valley and soon got to the bottom of Mailing Pass, from the bottom car park to the Pass is about 6 kilometres and climbs 810 metres. It soon ramped up and we spread out, finally all walking pushing our bikes up ... tired and hungry I was not in my happy place, in fact it was a pretty dark and deep hole!  I had never been so happy to make it to a top of climb before as I was then!

We bombed down the other side until we reached the Clarence River just near Lake Tennyson. We stopped  for a snack, lie down and to relive the climb! Well, we still had Island Saddle to climb which we could see and then an unknown distance to the turn off and find somewhere to camp. It was just on seven in the evening, so we threw our legs over and headed off when Scott's rear tyre went pfffttttttt! See doesn't want to miss out!

The tyre wouldn't self seal! So it was a tube insertion, not too major surgery but time consuming when you are tired. Ten minutes later we were back on the road again! Again we were climbing for once I wasn't trailing, must of been the Ems Power Bar I had just consumed, holding the sausage roll fueled Andre off until 100 metres from the summit when he jumped out of my slip stream and made for the top!

Regrouping, a quick look at the map, we headed off down hill 10 kms of it ... pure bliss ... huge grins spread across our dusty and grimy faces! We were soon at Lake Sedgemere Shelter our turn off just on dusk and 2900 odd metres of climbing behind us ... What a day!  

I set up my tent and tucked into dinner, it was not long before I rolled into my sleeping bag to stack plenty of ZZZZZZ's

Morning came around to quickly, but dawned another stunning day. Sunrise was beautiful , the coffee was even better!

By seven we were back on our bikes, riding through the Alma Valley, this was a quick 24 kms through to the Severn bridge. We soon saw the new shelters/toilets and information boards which are part of the National cycle way, we pushed along the rolling road down towards the Acheron/Clarence confluence and homestead at a reasonable rate.

This caught up with me a few kms later when the tank started to feel empty ... so stopping I dug out some food and feed the worms to stop them screaming! We cruised along beside the Clarence river until we got to Jollies Pass, by twelve we were back where we were 25 hours earlier ... the bakery!

The discussion was whether it was a one pie or two pie day? After 170 kilometres and 4200+ metres of climbing it seemed the most important decision to be made. These were scoffed in the shade of the trees on the lawn when the second most important question needed to be asked ... Where for coffee?

But that was side tracked when I noticed that my front tyre was flat again! So back to the van load the bikes in and a quick change into some reasonably clean clothes - coffee was back on the agenda!

A great weekend, with some interesting terrain, stunning scenery and bloody good company!

I thought I was 99 % sure of my kit before this weekend, but after another night in the tent, it's been given the boot and I have gone back to my bivy bag, probably only 1 or 200 grams heavier but won't flap about keeping me awake. I had been using my Garmin 705, the charge was only lasting 12 hours and would take four hours to charge when plugged into the wall, with navigation and pace being reasonably important  it too got the boot and I am know the proud owner of a Garmin etrex (again, I had one of the original ones years ago) on AA lithium batteries these last 3-4 days, problems solved!

With having been away for the last two weekends and the next two on the Brevet, this one has been spent at home cleaning and sorting out gear, getting last minute items sorted, along with a few chores.

I am sure this week will go quickly and Friday evening will see me arriving in Blenhiem ready for the noon departure on Saturday. I have mixed feelings, nerves, excitement, can't wait for it to start ... which will no doubt change to can't wait for it to finish! Moments of doubt ... can I finish! Can I finish within my goals!

What ever happens it is going to be a great adventure!

Pre-Brevet Shake Down

Three weeks until the Kiwi Brevet starts ... I joined some friends Scott, Jo, Mark and Hana for an overnight trip up past Lake Sumner in North Canterbury for a bit of a shake down!

It would be a good opportunity to make sure everything worked as it should and that the gear choices were appropriate. The only difference was that I carried a Jetboil stove, probably an extra pound or two, but otherwise it was as close to what I am planning to carry on the Brevet.

Travelling with Scott ... it is compulsory to stop for coffee! no complaints from me :-)

We left Waikari and headed in land, initially on sealed road then a gravel road, which in turn became a four wheel drive track eventually petering out into a sheep track ... it was getting on in the day at this point ... so a decision about a campsite was made ... now with this group it couldn't just be "the next nice grassy spot we ride past" oh no it had to be "a spot on the otherside of the valley ... 2 kilometres ... 4 river crossings away!"

The campsite was guarded by swarms of man eating sandflies, these natives have a fearsome reputation for attacking naked human flesh on mass! Many methods of tactical avoidance were taken, basically fully covering up and sitting in the wind worked.

Morning came ... with flesh intact! The head of the valley had disappeared under a brewing nor westerly, packing we were soon on our way ... with a strong tail wind. At one point I was pushed along for nearly two kms without peddling - wahooo!

We cruised along making good progress, unfortunately the wind was getting stronger and at times we were being pelted with fine gravel ... not very pleasant! As we headed up over Jacks Saddle things weren't going to get much better, the wind was funneling through here probably gusting 100 kms an hour!

Scott slinked through, Mark followed but started to slide towards the telegrapgh pole and fence (I thought he was stopping to take photos, but soon realised there wasn't much control going on) Hana then demonstrated the aireal dismount with a double somersult with a half twist scoring a solid 9.5! I jumped off my steed to grovel my way around the corner trying to hang on my bike. Scott went back to help Jo.

Mark had picked up Hana and taken her out of the wind to attend to her scrapes and bruises. I unwound her carbon baby from the barb wire fence. A bit of attention to both and we were back on the road, both tough cookies!

Just over an hour later we were back at the vehicles getting change and looking for a fresh coffee!

A great couple of days out 147 kms, 2900 metres of climbing 8 hours 45 minutes of riding.
Thanks for Scott, Jo and Hana for sharing their experiences of the last Kiwi Brevet, plenty of good lessons shared

Pretty pleased to find that just about everything worked as planned! I had a couple of questions going into this weekend ...
One, do I need to go to a larger diameter tyre on the back? No, the 1.95 will be fine! I have a 2.25 on the front.
Two, are the tyre pressures going to be right? Yep, 30 psi is too much will try 26 psi.
Three, will the tent be suitable? I have a ultralight terranova laser photon elite weighing just under 800 grams! It is pretty good we did have some wind, I would think that I will need to choose my campsites carefully, protected from the wind. I have upgraded the pegs probably adding a 100 grams.
Four, do I use a camel back or bottles? I had trained with bottles all summer but have used a camel back extensively over the years. The result ... bottles and after a discussion I will carry a litre foldable bottle for those legs where I need extra fluids.

Other items which need attention, longer merino socks for evening wear, rear brake needs adjusting.

My bike is heading into the day spa for some TLC this week. Otherwise I feel that I am pretty set for that start on the 1st!

 Just got the good news from the day spa ... need a new chain, cassette, chainrings, jockey wheels, brake pads, bottom bracket ... the joys of riding ... you ride things wear out!

Central Otago Rail Trail

The time finally arrived for Anja's and my own adventure to head south to the beautiful region of Central Otago, one of my favourites spots!

Anja arrived at work with her bike and gear, a little bit apprehensiveof the journey ahead. We left Christchurch about 10am for the 6 hour trip south on what would be a stunning day passing through the Mackenzie country with Mt Cook brilliantly displayed for us.

Finally arriving in the historic town of Clyde, once we had checked into our accommodation the Hartley Arms, we went for a wee walk around town to look at the buildings and find a pizza for dinner.

  We woke to rain ... how ironic we are in the driest area in New Zealand and hottest! Once packed we took the advice from the cycle shop we took the River track to Alexandria, this extended on first leg by four kilometres but was more sheltered from the rain and wind. An hour later we had arrived like a couple of drowned rats we hit the nearest cafe for a hot chocolate, it was still raining and I was getting pretty cold, so we went and found the local hunting and fishing store brought a couple pairs of polypro gloves and a thermal top for me and headed on our way ... next stop Chatto Creek! About half an hour out it stopped raining I had started to warm up.

Chatto Creek was our lunch stop and we headed to the pub, with the fire roaring and a great feed we sat there chatting to other riders, when the publican came in and asked Anja whether she would like to feed the lamb, next minute the lamb appears around the corner!

Once the lamb was feed, we headed off on our journey heading to Lauder arriving about 3 ish taking 6 and 3/4 hours (3 hours 40 of riding) to cover the 51 kilometres.

Anja arrived tired but happy with her achievement and I was one proud dad!

Staying at the Lauder Hotel, which had recently reopened we did our chores washing our cycle kit ready for the next day and tucked into a large country pub dinner ... it wasn't long before we were stacking the zzzzz's!

Day Two. With breakfast done and dusted, we jumped on our steeds and headed off in to a classic Central Otago day, absolutely clear skies, the sun was out and so was our grins. Today was our biggest day 58.5 kms, but would be our most interesting.

The Trust which operates the Rail Trail has done a great job putting all the history/information boards together and to keep everyone interested. We purchased a Rail Trail Passport which at every station we could get a stamp in it, this certainly was motivating!

We had tunnels and viaducts to ride through and over

One of the high lights of the trip was the stop at Hays Engineering, this property is run by the Historic Places Trust and is a stunning example of early buildings, workshops and lots of ingenuity!

Soon after leaving here we reached the highest point of the Trail from here it would be all downhill (well pretty much) it is pretty much half way too!

Lunch was at Wedderburn, made famous by Graham Sydney's painting. We pushed on to Waipiata ... not much pushing since it was an easy peddle in the sunshine!

We had spent 6 and half hours getting there but only 3 hours fifty of that we were  actually riding, Anja finished strongly and was meet by the Waipiata Man ...

... Staying at the Waipiata Hotel we enjoyed the hospitality and great food here ... we  discovered that our my Great Grandmother (Anja,s Great Great Grandmother) lived here Isabelle Dowle working for the Post Office (1905) and probably meet her Husband, Walter Webb (Creamery Manager) here. Isobella's father William Dowle was the Post Master here having arrived in New Zealand (circa 1887) from Gloucester, England. This was a surprise to us!














All of a sudden our journey had a lot more value to it!

Day Three, rolled around we packed up and headed out, the day was going to be our quickest with the 52.5 kms covered in three hours riding and stopped in Hyde for morning tea. Anja was flying this particular morning, the end was in-sight. We had one other stop along the way which was at the memorial of the 1943 Train Accident in which 21 lives were lost.

Middlemarch appeared on the horizon we had traversed 168 kilometres in three days had seen a whole lot of country we hadn't seen before, learnt about the history of the area, discovered some family history and made some too!

For me this was a special trip, to spend three days one on one with Anja, to see her grow in confidence, to share an adventure together ... it was a trip to remember! Can't wait for the next one.

We spent the night in Middlemarch, caught a shuttle back to Clyde to drive back to Christchurch in time for Christmas :-)  

Nearly time ...

Well ... there is only two and a bit days of work left before the end of the year and a couple of weeks holiday! But more importantly it is nearly time that Anja and I head off on our own adventure to cycle the Otago Rail Trail.

Talking with Anja's mother last week, there is a wee degree of apprehension!  That's a healthy thing in my eyes ... it shows respect for what's about to be undertaken ... 150 kilometres is a long way in anyone's books! Even over three days as a twelve year old.

Interestingly we were talking at Anja's School prize-giving, her School Principal announced that the theme for the School next year will be "Challenge" ... we said that this was a great way to start her next year!

For me I am really excited about spending five days with Anja and sharing this challenge with her.

We will report back afterwards ...

Healing

A fortnight ago we finished the second leg Deep South - Southern Alps Tour. A five day 783 kilometre stage race, organised by two very passionate friends Daniel and Kay. Their goal for this event is to give weekend warrior the opportunity to experience what it is to be on a fully supported Five Star stage race.

Everything is provided great accommodation, food, all the race nuitrition, sag wagons, massages, traffic management, there is daily awards for GC (General Classification) KOM (King or Queen of the Mountain) Sprint jerseys. They are pretty cool events challenging and fun!

My role in this is the Traffic Manager a position which carries a fair degree of responsibility! But I am going to jump back to 2001 ... back then I worked as a full time outdoor instructor my  specialty was kayaking ... sea, whitewater and multisport ... I had been "living the dream" for the twelve years previously. As a guide or Instructor you take on that responsibilty of sharing your knowledge, experience and making sure everyone got home safely at the end of the day! Well, one day I couldn't fufill the last part of that equation and a family lost a dearly loved son ... my worst nightmare came true.

I was devastated, depressed, lost my passion for sharing my knowledge and experience about kayaking, eventually stopping paddling altogether, I left working in the outdoor industry and went back to my trade as a Carpenter to pay the bills. During my apprenticeship I had hated building, one evening I had left the site and was heading home when I remembered I had left something on site, so turned around and headed back, when I got there the client was sitting on the deck of their half built house was the sun set over Christchurch with the Southern Alps in the back ground ... it dawned on me that by building this home, that I was helping this couple acheive their dream of a new home ... a similar experience of helping someone to learn to kayak or guide someone into a wilderness area. A wee first step of recovery ... I started to enjoy my building ... there was a purpose behind it!

A few years later my path crossed Daniels, we were both helping out on a Triathlon training camp known as HTFU camp, I was being camp mother and Daniel was sharing his vast Ironman experience. A few years later Daniel and Kay took over the running of the 5 Passes cycle tour and asked if I could help out. It is their passion to help out the small triathlon and cycling industry which really impresses me, they GIVE in a big way and from individuals to events, sure it helps their own business, but the time and the advice they share is huge.

During the next twelve months Daniel and Kay put together their own tour the first leg of the Southern Alps Tour - 800 kms West Coast tour. Somehow traffic management was an issue, not only was it expensive it caused a few headaches, well over a few ales we discussed some options and I volunteered to help out on that side ... this I admit certainly was scary, it put me back into that position of responsibility for people in an environment that is not fully controllable. There was several times I wanted to pull the pin on it!

Finally, the first tour came around and we set off, 22 riders eight staff, six vehicles, 800 kilometres, five days ... what the f#*k was I doing!  I had already lost so much of what I had loved and worked for and I had rebuilt that and was doing it again!

It was pretty intense for me and I am sure that came out at times when riders crossed the centre line or were riding more than two abreast!

We got to the end of the event just outside Wanaka and everyone had packed up and was heading to the Resort, I sat in the car by myself and sobbed ... finally some of the demons haunting me I had faced ... I hadn't beaten them and I don't think I ever will.

Twelve months later, we start the second Tour ... we left Dunedin heading to Queenstown (the long way) with 24 riders,6 staff, 5 vehicles 783 kilometres and a few challenges for them along the way ... for me the challenge was still there, along with those demons, but they were a lot quieter this year. I felt more comfortable in the role and technically we had a few bigger challenges on the management side.

We had got permission to allow the riders to cycle through the Homer Tunnel on the road from Milford Sound to Te Anau. With the help of Downer the tunnel was shut while they rode up the 1 in 10 gradient, through the 1.2 kms basically hand hewn granite route, I stood at the exit with the stopped traffic watching the riders burst into the daylight with the biggest grins on their faces!

I got the same buzz from that, as I used when I was guiding and instructing, it was something I had not felt for nearly thirteen years!

I know that the riders grow their boundries of what is possible on these tours, for me I have felt there has been a lot of healing gone one. I can't reverse what happened to Tim on the river that day, but I also can't stop being passionate about helping people acheive their goals or dreams. I have a skill set which can do that and my confidence has grown again to do that ... time!

Christine, Daniel and Kay thanks!

Officially Entered!

Well, I am fully committed now! The funny thing about the Brevet is there is no entry fee ... but there is always a but ... and this is a good "but". Simon the Organiser just asks that you email him your confirmation to enter and make a donation to one of two organisations. Check out their websites and feel free to support these two worthy causes.

The first is the Canterbury Westcoast Air Rescue Trust http://www.airrescue.co.nz/ a very worthy and busy organisation which I hope I have to never use!


The second is Project Remeka https://www.facebook.com/ProjectRameka a conservation recreation group.



It was a hard choice which I couldn't make so donated to both!

A pretty cool idea for entry fees, considering some years I have paid over a thousand bucks in entries and don't seem to get much in return. There is a real old school adventure feel to this event!

The route is nearly confirmed and there is a Brevette (700 kms) option and there a few changes from the previous two courses - a few refinements which look interesting.

Keep pedaling ... catch you later!

Training Partners ...

Training has been steady for the last six weeks and I am starting to feel the benefits, fitness wise. Study for the year is nearly over one more assignment to hand in!

I have been riding three times a week, while it has been going well, it has not been all smooth sailing, for a while I had a wee niggly knee injury. With a few adjustments to my set up and changing my massage routine from a one hour session a fortnight to a 30 minute session once a week, it has disappeared!

Thanks to Keith Boot, my masseuse for the help, even though I met Keith in the mid nineties while out sea kayaking I have been going to Keith for massages for six years now and he has not just been a masseuse but a mentor as well, Keith's huge background in endurance racing has definitely been freely shared!

One of the joys which makes cycling fun is getting out there with friends, family or colleagues.  Each week has pretty much been one mountain bike ride and two road rides which has been good to break up the boredom, also breaking up the boredom has been the different training buddies ...

Fridays after work mountain bike ... I have been joining a small group from work who range from the total newbie 22 year old to the cunning sinewy 60 year old! A very competitive bunch, plenty of entertainment along the way with smack talk all Friday prior to departure.

I have been able to get in one or two evening rides which have been fun, my favorite trials take on a different persona and keeps it interesting!

Looking over Christchurch early evening from the top of Kennedys

Saturday's ride I often get to ride with one or both of my favourite two riding buddies. My wonderful partner Chris (catch her blog a velolassie.blogspot.co.nz ) normally involves coffee then ride then more coffee! Chris is in training for Ironman Taupo this will be Ironman number 7! Having finished six and crashed out of 1. The house is fairly busy coordinating training, meals, etc.

My other buddy is Anja, my 12 year old daughter.

Anja after finishing the Little River Rail Trail

Anja and I have our own adventure the week before Christmas, we are off to ride the Otago Rail Trail, a 150 kilometre route in Central Otago about five hours drive from Christchurch. We will let you know how it goes!

Meanwhile November is looking good for heaps of riding with a small interruption, while I manage the safety of the riders during the Southern Alps Tour, leaving from Dunedin heading through the Caitlins to Invercargill upto Te Anau into Milford Sound before finishing in Queenstown. Some very spectacular country and am looking forward to it! I am a firm believer that it is good to give back to the sport, as sports/events run on volunteers ... apart from that it will be a BLOODY good time!