Conditions
could not have been more perfect for the third running of Le Petit Brevet. Dry,
calm and for Saturday anyway, a glorious cloud cover that prevented riders
getting burnt to a crisp.
Thirty six
riders faced the daunting task of a 300 km route pock marked with incessantly
steep climbs on some of the Peninsulas Roads (8000 m in all) and some rough, at
times un-rideable single track and 4-wheel drive tracks thrown in for good
measure.
Why? A
question I’m sure many of us asked many times over the course of the event, but
in reality, for the comradeship, the beautiful surroundings and the mere
challenge of completing such a daunting task.
Mood was
chippa at the traditional meeting point – Hansen Park, and with time keeping
that would see most Olympic officials completely horrified, we set off at 8 am ‘around
the dot’! It was great too see both Rod and Geof lining up for their third
successive Le Petit Brevet. No single speeders or cyclocrosses this year,
obviously both fads that have seen their time; however, for the second year in
a row, a tandem was in the field with Jon and Mel looking eager and ready to
get on with it.
The pace seemed
less furious up Rapaki than in previous years as the bunch slowly made their
way up. There was no chance for coffee at Dyers Pass
The first
‘real’ climb of the day came from Purau as riders weaved their way up to Purau
Saddle before veering right and beginning the long off-road section traversing
the Monument and Double Fence Line tracks. The distance and altitude gain are
daunting enough in themselves, however it’s the rough off-road sections, with
multiple dismounts and very slow progress that really define the Brevet to me.
Most would
have been relieved to make it to Little River, happy that the worse was behind
them, and make use of the two excellent cafes on offer before the relentless
climbs of Reynolds
Valley
Mean while
Jon and Mel on their tandem melted their brake pads on the descent down Harmans
and Jubilee, but showing true grit (and perhaps a little stupidness) pushed on
via a wee detour to descend Purple
Peak
The water
at Little Akaloa had its usual warning that it wasn’t fit for consumption, but
it’s definitely gone down hill from previous years. The meagre trickle, despite
being treated with iodine and isotonic solutions still tasted like it had come
directly from the rear end of a bovine, as it probably did. It tasted so foul I
stopped a bit later on and added more of everything.
Double
Dutch Backpackers had the vacancy sign out and I wondered how long that would
last as Big Hill Road Purple Peak
Phil Brownie highly recommends the tussocks next to the public toilets
in Akaroa for a good cheap night’s accommodation; if he had of looked harder he
would have found the remnants of Jurgen’s and my cold pie.
The short
Old French Road section was disappointingly closed and controlled by cows, but
it gave me a chance to catch up to Joe and Jurgen. However Joe then saw the
next hill (Okains Rd. Port Levy Rd.
To some the
Rail Trail and the Canterbury Plans was a blessing in disguise, to others it
just seemed to prolong the agony. Neil probably hated it the most and after 4
punctures (his tools had rubbed through all of his spare tubes), and a broken
pump, he hitched a ride back to the start… with only the flat bit and one wee
bump to go. Good enough for a finish in my books.
Special mention must also go to Alastair McDowell. Previous longest
ride…wait for it… 90 km! I’m not too sure what Alastair was thinking but he
managed to ride the entire course in 34 hours and 45 minutes!
All up we
raised $800 for Hinewai Reserve… a fantastic result. I know Hugh (an avid
cyclist himself and caretaker of the reserve) will be stoked. If you get the
chance and feel like a slightly more relaxed day or weekend away on the Peninsula , the walking trails of Hinewai are definitely
worth a visit.
Happy
cycling, and hope to see you back next year,
Tim
