2011 Wrap Up

Congrats to all who completed the Brevet over the weekend. We were treated to a near perfect 36 hour’s weather wise, which was squeezed in between some quite horrible weather. I like to think that it was recompense for the crap we had last year.

All up we raised $650 for Hinewai Reserve, which I know Hugh Wilson (caretaker) will be more than grateful to receive. Hopefully you all composed yourself enough after the ecstatic piece of single track (otherwise known as Purple Peak) to peek down at Hinewai before the short dawdle along Summit Rd. before plummeting into the abyss once more. Thanks for all the donations. If anyone still wants to donate, let me know and I will add it to the tally.

Hopefully I got all the results right, if there are any errors or omissions or if you have any photos, stories etc. you would like to share, please let me know.

There was some amazing rides in the weekend and I was absolutely astounded by some of the performances. Special mention has to go to Rose and Jackson who pounded out the course on their Tandem, imagine what they can do next year when they both pedal: “It was nice and easy once Rose started pedaling. It was about halfway about Dyer's pass I think ;-)”; Jasper and Judd who unable to afford gears for their bikes, pounded it out on their single speeds – Judd actually flew in from the USA especially for the event (well… maybe for other things too..) - he snapped his seat post at km 16, hitched a ride into town for a replacement and rejoined at Little River; the many cyclocrossers who came along for the ride – I was thinking of you on the steep gravelly descents (with a sadistic smile); and of course Charlotte and Oli (first girl and boy home) who both defied the laws of nature to speed around the course so fast, the sheep were still shaking in their wake once the rest of us plodded past.

I only received one death threat, which was less than last year, and apparently Gary “… wants us to kick him in the balls if he thinks of doing it again.” C’mon Gary, you know your already tweaking you bike set up. Speaking of next year, I was eyeing up some interesting looking roads and routes on Saturday!

Tim

2011 Photos

Photos:Michael O'Dea, Tim Mulliner,Rose Green, Jackson, Matthew Hughes and Craig Phillips

Arrivals and times

Rider hr.min
Oli Whaley 13.47
Craig Phillips 16.38
Tim Mulliner 16.38
Scott Emmens 18.38
Geof Blance 18.38
Charles Afford 18.50
Rod Vardy 20.16
Barryn Westfield 20.21
Peter Maindonald 29.24
John McGrail 29.24
Steve Alloway 29.24
Rose Green and Jackson (Tandem) 29.35
Charlotte Ireland 29.37
Gary MacKenzie 30.30
John Randal 31.00
Megan Dimozantos 31.00
Jasper van der Lingen (Single speed) 34.55
Rosie Shakespeare Abandoned
Craig Shakespeare Abandoned
Ian Edmond 15.15
Karin Pehrson (Cyclocross) 34.00
John Lubbe 32.05
Gregory Manson (Cyclocross) 26.10
Paul Harrison Lowe 26.10
Charlie Mayhew (Cyclocross) 31.30
Matthew Hughs (Cyclocross) 33.37
Julian Lowndes (Cyclocross) 33.37
Charlie Barlett 33.50
Neil Charters 34.40
James Hardisty 34.40
Roy Johnston 34.40
Judd Rohwer (Single Speed) 34.55

1 day to go!

8am Hansen Park Sat 19th (that's tomorrow). For those that want to see a strange combination of lightly loaded contraptions heading into the hills for some granny gear bashing. See you then!

Start List 2011

Scott Emmens
Tim Mulliner
Rod Vardy
Peter Maindonald
Rosie Shakespeare
John Randal
Marcus Peters
Megan Dimozantos
Gregory Manson
Ian Edmond
John McGrail
Paul Harrison Lowe
Oli Whaley
Charlie Mayhew
Charlotte Ireland
Craig Shakespeare
Jasper van der Lingen (Single speed)
John Lubbe
Craig Phillips
Geof Blance
Charles Afford
Lawrence Mote
Matthew Hughs
Julian Lowndes
Barryn Westfield
Charlie Barlett
Neil Charters
Rose Green and Jackson (Tandem)
James Hardisty
Roy Johnston
Karin Pehrson
Rob Harrow
Jo Forbes
Judd Rohwer (Single Speed)
Steve Alloway

Course notes emailed

I have just emailed out the course notes and ride details to those that have signed up. It's not too late to to do if you still wish... just flick me an email and you are as good as riding.

2011 Route

2011 route can be found here. Note that minor ammendments to this route are likely. For those that have signed up I will be emailing a more detailed guide in a few weeks time.

2011 Update

I can confirm that the date for this years Le Petit Brevet is the 19-20 November.

After much deliberation I have decided on a course that takes riders on a rough figure 8 of the Peninsula, taking in the Mt. Fitzgerald traverse twice (in both directions). The half way mark (in distance and altitude gain) is Akaroa. This makes the two day option overnighting at Akaroa or one of the northern bays a good option, with plenty of accommodation for all budgets available. The route will also go via the ferry from Diamond Harbour to Lyttleton near the end of the ride. The first ferry is at 7.05am on Sunday so those riding through the night may want to take this into consideration.

The stats? The route is approximately 240 km (considerably shorter than last year due to the omission of the Lake Ellesmere grovel). Altitude gain? Well, last year I estimated climbing was 5600 m, actual was more like 7500 m. This year, estimated is 6200 m, so actual is, I'll let you do the maths / guestimations. I doubt that includes the additional 0.5 m the Port hills are supposed to have risen in the shaking over the last 6 months either... every metre counts on the day!

Easier / hardier than last year? Don't be fooled by the 60-70 km less in distance. Many people got lost / abandoned on Mt. Fitzgerald in the fog last year (possibly the slowest part of last years course). This year, the route will take in this part of the course twice. Add in a bit more climbing and hack out the long flat road section, I think it will be just as challenging.

Final course. I will release the actual course in early November. There are still some undecided portions, mainly relating to the start / finish location. This of course will depend on what Port Hill access tracks have been re-opened by the end of winter.

Money. Again, in the spirit of the Brevet, there is no entry fee. Like last year, we will be asking for donations that will be given to the Hinewai Reserve (nestled in the hills above Akaroa). Last year we raised $500 which was greatly received. This year I am aiming to double that amount.

And... the other big news... Le Petit Brevet is going high tech this year. Wait for it... its got its very own email address. Please send all correspondence, including your commitment to turn up on the day to : LePetitBrevet@gmail.com. At this rate, we will have electronic timing by the turn of the millenia!

Hope everyone's winter is plodding along, and for those that are in Christchurch, that things are finally calming down, with a return to some form of normality taking place in your life's.

Cheers,

Tim

2011 Version

With a couple of monster Brevets happening early next year, I am planning to run Le Petit Brevet again this November... should be a good warm up for the summer of fun filled Brevets. I haven't got an exact date as of yet, but will figure it out over the next couple of months.

The course... as I said last year, I plan to change the course every year. This year will be anti-clockwise around the Peninsula, will avoid the Lake Ellesmere spit (I hear a collective sigh of relief), use a boat, and will visit some of the spots we didn't get to last year. As of last years version, it will more than likely be a hilly beast.

Sign up to the blog or keep an eye on it for updates.

Tim