The brevet is like the Tour de France, you have to get up day after day and ride. And like the Tour it takes planning and Strategy. Will you be a Phillipe Gilbert and go for glory the first week of the Tour or will your wait for opportunities later in the Tour? Are you a GC contender, and you just need to stay out of trouble the first week and survive the mountains?
The Great Southern Brevet has some substantial rides within the ride. How you plan and attack these can have a big impact on your survival. Hit them hard and fast suits some, but for others it is slow and gentle. Are you planning on lasting the week, or is it just another head down, bum up ride? Mix in variable weather conditions, and a good dose of mental stamina required. The brevet is a bit more than an extended weekend mountain biking.
You wake up Day 3, and after a punishing second day, it is raining!! That is enough for some. After all where is the fun in that? The brevet is subject to the conditions, both the tracks it uses change and the weather changes. If your mood doesn't change to match and you battle it then you may not win. Have a second breakfast in Wanaka, do some bike maintenance or just some people watching. Either way, wait a few hours and the rain is gone and the riding conditions are sweet again!
Make no mistake, the Great Southern Brevet is physically and mentally demanding. Any mutli-day would be. But add traveling through some of the toughest, and most beautiful, countryside that New Zealand has too offer and it can be rewarding, and demanding, at the same time.
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| Exercising the 'hunker down and wait for the rain to lift' option in Wanaka |
Date: 18 January 2016 at 01:36
Subject: SMS with Max Doesburg
Max in Hawea. Lost tent poles on the decent down from Grandview. Not ideal, hours searching to no avail. Sleeping in kitchen of holiday park. Probably heading to Wanaka in morning to attempt to replace poles or come up with alternative plan.
Date: 18 January 2016 at 07:27
Subject: SMS with Rob Davidson
Great breakfast in Cromwell at the Goose. Onward😃Rob D.
Date: 18 January 2016 at 07:46
Subject: SMS with Wendy Riach
Ian and wendy are in wanaka. Thank you for excellent company over grandview yesterday. It was certainly a memorable ride. Just the Pisas today.
Date: 18 January 2016 at 08:00
Subject: SMS with Craig Shakespeare
Craig and Rosie just maded thru to Wanaka! Roll on the Pisa ranges
Date: 18 January 2016 at 08:02
Subject: SMS with Hana Black
Big breakfast in Wanaka. Hb
Date: 18 January 2016 at 08:02
Subject: SMS with Aliesha Pile
Super yummy breakfast in wanaka! Aliesha
Date: 18 January 2016 at 08:04
Subject: SMS with Max Doesburg
Max arrived Wanaka.
Date: 18 January 2016 at 08:14
Subject: SMS with Stew Thomas
Justin Stephen and Stew in Hawea after the not so impressive Gandview track
Date: 18 January 2016 at 08:16
Subject: SMS with Stew Thomas
In wanaka. Had enough walking for the year so making our own way back to tekapo. Thanks for trip Spot off unless in trouble
Date: 18 January 2016 at 08:38
Subject: SMS with Stephen Grant
I'm letting you know that I have pulled out
Date: 18 January 2016 at 08:46
Subject: SMS with Jason Brown
Check in Wanaka. Nice way to start the day on the trails from hawea.
Date: 18 January 2016 at 08:50
Subject: SMS with Keith Payne
Keith Payne pulling out of the GSB16 in Wanaka one day earlier than expected (other commitments) don't want to aggravate my knee any more. Good luck and tail winds to all!
Date: 18 January 2016 at 09:07
Subject: SMS with Stephanie Smithson
@wanaka. Stephanie
Date: 18 January 2016 at 09:26
Subject: SMS with Mike Sherwin
Still in hawea not feeling well so am calling quits will slowly make my way back through lindis to tekapo
Date: 18 January 2016 at 09:27
Subject: SMS with Mike Sherwin
Ps if anyone is driving that way give me a bell 0212801966
Date: 18 January 2016 at 09:28
Subject: SMS with Scott Dunavan
Rainy Wanaka for breakfast
Date: 18 January 2016 at 09:35
Subject: SMS with Brenda Owens
Tony and guy are moving. And are close together.
Date: 18 January 2016 at 10:02
Subject: SMS with Russell Lawry
Slow start from Wanaka this morn after getting in at 1am.
I'll be happy never ever to go up Grand View again!
When you need both brakes on to stop the bike from slipping back at each breather break you know it's steep.
Date: 18 January 2016 at 10:04
Subject: SMS with Russell Lawry
Rick at Outside Sport is the man. New cassette and other quick repairs we are good for more punishment :)
Date: 18 January 2016 at 10:44
Subject: SMS with Dean Marshall
Wanaka
Date: 18 January 2016 at 10:45
Subject: SMS with Dave Cooper
Dave C - just got the best plate of beans on toast ever in Cromwell.
Date: 18 January 2016 at 11:10
Subject: SMS with Pascal Saker
Pascal and phil in wanaka
Date: 18 January 2016 at 12:09
Subject: SMS with Andy Jones
Hi Dave
I've now got 3x broken spokes so heading back to Wanaka.
Date: 18 January 2016 at 12:22
Subject: SMS with Jon Jarratt
In wanaka. Loved the grand view ridge. Classic sweet riding
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