Great Kiwi Gravel

In the interest of keeping things simple, we have created a single blog site to manage our events. 

Great Kiwi Gravel is now the home of the Le Petit and Kiwi Brevet's. It is also the home of the inaugural Tuatara Brevet.

Check the blog out here as that is where all information will be posted going forward.

This blog will continue to exist and hold all the history that is here, it will just no longer be updated. 

Thanks for coming along for the ride. 

 

 

 

The concept of K-Two

A while ago a post appeared on Instagram that shared the following rules and regulations:

KTWO Notice

In order to complete a KTWO the individual must climb 8611 vertical meters.

The effort must be achieved without a support crew. Food, equipment and water may be stashed by the individual prior to the attempt. Any services available on the route may be accessed.

The same road, trail or route may only be used once in each direction. Repeats are not permitted.

Point to point routes are permitted.

All forms of human powered movement are accepted and a combination of these movements may be used.

To qualify as an official KTWO the meters should be accumulated in what you deem a single push. Multi day attempts are still encouraged. 

Le Petit Brevet follows these rules closely, while omitting the stashing rule. With a few slight course changes, the brevet this year is a qualifying ride. 

Challenge accepted??

2020 it is a date!

Hi there,
2020 has been a full range of challenges so far, and the Le Petit Brevet is back for 2020 to give us something to train for.

November 7th and 8th, 7am Saturday until 7pm Sunday 2020, Hansen's Park Christchurch.

Once again the process will be simple, registration, entry etc simple, the challenge will not be. 2020 sees the course reach new heights with a couple of fresh ideas in the mix.

Also, Scott has hung up his organising boots after a number of years of sorting out the fun for you all. I'm Andy and I am keen to keep creating adventures for you to accept. You may remember me from 2019 and the roll around to Diamond Harbour?

In the mean time I am going to get into scheming, you hopefully are on your bike and if you have any questions - lepetitbrevet@gmail.com

Be careful out there
Andy C

Post ride wrap up!

Thanks so much to the dirty dozen that took on the beast this year!

I've not heard many (any) full reports for the weekend's fun so I'm assuming that everything was as expected?

Without further adieu, here is the finishing order that I am aware of:
Coburn Brown 0136hrs (18 hours & 26 mins)
Martin Genet 0547hrs (22 hours & 37 mins)
Nick Kennedy 1135hrs (28 hours & 25 mins)
John Lubbe 1151hrs (28 hours & 41 mins)
James McLafferty 1249hrs (29 hours & 39 mins)
Darren Smith 1623hrs (33 hours & 13 mins)
Rachel Davies 1631hrs (33 hours & 21 mins)
Congratulations!!

The first text I received to tell me the course had beaten someone was at 1930hrs. Ashley pulled the pin at Hilltop and described the event as brutal, I think that's fair enough ;-)
Next text was at 2150hrs from the Back Alley Boys sighting chaffing and sore arms as defeating them!

Thanks again for toeing the startline!

Cheers, Scott

I've been asked to, so I'm setting a date for 2019

Hello, I've been asked by several people about a 2019 version, so here ya go.

23rd/24th November 2019, Hansen Park at 7am.

Same course as last year which can be found here https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28838995. Same direction.

Any questions please email lepetitbrevet@gmail.com

That's a wrap

Good morning!

Thanks everyone for coming along to this crazy little event. It's certainly not a mass participation event, in fact it has "limited appeal". Hopefully some, or all, of you enjoyed the ride and are contemplating coming back? I'm pretty sure this is my fifth (and suspect my final) time riding the LPB ;-)

We had perfect weather conditions this year which always helps. I'm pretty sure this is the highest finish rate of any LPB.

OK so here is the finishing order as far as I know. Please let me know if there are any mistakes.

Joshua Aldridge 10.06 pm - 14 hours and 56 minutes!!!!!!
Martin Strelka    11.40 pm
Andy Beale         1.44 am
Jeff Lyall            04.43 am
Dylan Turner      12.03pm
Nick Kennedy    12.19 pm
John Lubbe         12.38 pm
Paul Lowe          1.15 pm
Andrew Laurie   2.08 pm
Jon Jarrett           2.15 pm
David Johanson  2.44 pm
Tad Mejdr           3.10 pm (Single Speed!)
Rufus Wenlock   5.20 pm
Holly Johnson    5.20 pm
Joe Nation          5.20 pm
Rohan Butt         5.20 pm
Ross Cheesman  5.36 pm
Rod Pearson       5.36 pm
Scott Emmens    5.36 pm

Olly Pearce gets a very very honourable mention, he got all the way to Dyers Pass before the sleep monster took hold of his mind and forced him to "short" course. By the looks of it he would have been third in the above list.
Rob Dawson and Richard Lindsay had a date with a tasty beverage in Akaroa so decided to ride along the Summit Road from Hill top whilst still taking ion the delete that is Purple Peak Stock Route first.
Eva Mrazikova completed her own version of the LPB.
And Peter Page was surprised by what lay beyond his personal "Wall of the East" at Purau Saddle, especially enjoying taking his bike for a walk
across the Double Fenceline.

Thanks again you guys, you make the effort of organising this stupid event worth while.

Josh - that is a phenomenal time, as were your times Martin, Olly and Andy. I'm in awe.

Cheers, Scott

Check out this site....

I was shown this site recently. I very much like what it's saying for the weekend
https://www.windy.com/-43.825/173.021?-43.983,173.202,9,m:cr6akXx

Everyone feeling ok?

With a couple of days to go.....

.....here's the forecast

Looks like it might be a damp start but with favourable light winds. It's gonna get warm on Saturday.
The wind might change in time for a push up Bossu Rd on Sunday but it looks like it will definitely be wet on Sunday.

Any questions? Flick me an email lepetitbrevet@gmail.com

Cheers, Scott

Two weeks to go!

This time in two weeks you'll be questioning your decision to sign up for Le Petit Brevet and watching the weather closely.

In the past couple of weeks I've spent a fair bit of time on the route confirming bits n bobs. I reckon it is looking pretty good.

This is the final route https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28838995, it's pretty short and low on vertical meters this year ;-)

The Double Fencline track between Pettigrews and Western Valley roads is in awesome condition currently, there are still too many fences/gates to cross, but other than that it a great route.

If it's wet the descent down the Purple Peak Stock Route can be a little sketchy, be aware! There are also a couple of rocky sections you'll want to walk your bike on on this track.

The main thing to note is the lack of water between Little Akaloa and Akaroa. It's "only" 50km but has some significant climbing in that 50km. I would suggest camelling up in Little Akaroa before pushing on (There is NO potable water in Okains Bay not even for residents by all accounts so you'll need to carry some method to treat water in Okains Bay. I am unaware of any publicly available water in Le Bons Bay). It's also pretty dry between Little River (off route) and the finish.....

I will send out the .gpx files and cue sheets to those who have registered interest over the weekend, for those still on the fence, once you decide, flick me an email.

Flick any questions to lepetitbrevet@gmail.com, cheers, Scott

Yes I know it's been a while...

Hi, sorry for the lack of communication, life has been busy - you all know how it is.

I've just spent the weekend on the Peninsular checking on a couple of additions I was hoping to add which haven't turned out to be usable.

So I have revised the map slightly and you can find the route here https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28820323
I have not checked it absolutely - so please DO NOT export this as your final .gpx file. But it will not change much from this so you can confidently use this to plan.
I will send the final .gpx file and cue sheets this week

It is slightly shorter than in the past and the total elevation is also slightly less (but I do find ridewithgps does under estimate the total elevation) so it's 270km and 7350m climbing, all to be ridden in 36 hours, easy eh?

A mate and I rode a big chunk of the first 90kms of the event on Saturday. I can tell you, if it's a hot day you will need plenty of water for the dry section between Pigeon Bay and Little River, it's only 28km but it took us nearly fours hours, with stops!
Pettigrews Rd is steep, freakin' steep but currently it has some very chunky gravel which hinders grip somewhat. Then once your truely heartbroken you begin the Double Fenceline route, a Canterbury classic. There is NO water between Pigeon Bay through to Little River.
Please note there is water available at the last house on Holmes Bay Road just before you turn right onto Pigeon Bay Road. There is a tap on the side of the garage, I spoke to the owners on Saturday and they are happy for participants to fill up here, please be respectful. I'll be "camelling up"here and filling three bottles for the next push through to Little River.

We start at 7am at Hansen Park in Opawa here:
https://www.google.co.nz/maps/place/Hansen+Park,+Opawa,+Christchurch+8023/@-43.5608603,172.658969,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x6d32275bcdf91035:0x4b31447ee2b5f26e!8m2!3d-43.5608308!4d172.6611717

I have set up a Strava "Club" for participants who are on Strava. It is not a requirement in the slightest, so if you aren't on Strava no worries. Let me know if you are and what your Strava handle is and I'll send out a Club invite.

We don't have any form of tracking for the LPB, it's completed on a "gentle persons" agreement, if you short cut the course you're only cheating yourself. Just let me know if you did so when I post finishing times we all know who completed the entire course, and who didn't.

I will flick all who have contacted me so far an email repeating this information. If you have been waiting for more info, or want to "register an interest, want any addition info etc. then please email me on lepetitbrevet@gmail.com

Cheers, Scott

2018 - New year, same suffering......

After a couple of years off from organising the LPB I've decided the time is right to bring it back. My enthusiasm is back.
17/18 November 2018
Put your big kids pants on and get ready to start climbing. There is nowhere to hide on Banks Peninsular, you're either climbing or descending - steeply!
We're going back to where it all began, with some subtle and not so subtle changes.
Heres an image of the route as it stands today, be aware this may change as I suss out some of the subtle changes.
I'll be back in touch over the next few weeks with nuggets of information. In the meantime if you're interested let me know at lepetitbrevet@gmail.com

Getting Close

Hello one and all, as I sit here on Wednesday afternoon and look to my right, out the window towards the Port Hills and Castle Rock I can see a clearing sky, yahoo. It seems the predicted southerly blast has blown through already which bodes well for the weekend sufferfest.

We have over 30 people "signed" up for this years adventure, a large number for such a fringe event, you are all crazy!

Here's an image of the course

You can find details of the course here http://ridewithgps.com/routes/11017680

If you have not received an email containing the .gpx file of the course along with a couple of versions of the cue sheets you aren't on my list. If you want to come and play, best email me quick-smart.

Thanks to Rosie and Craig for getting out and checking parts of the course last weekend, and discovering a closed road! I have had to remove the back road section from Charteris Bay across to Purau, the real downside to this is now you will be tempted by a shop and a couple of cafes as you ride by them ;-)

I have added a couple of “zero” points on the .csv cue sheet file which allows more accurate measurements, especially if you go off route for food/water etc. Hope this helps. Please note this file is editable so you can organise you cue sheets how you like them.
The .pdf file is auto generated.
The .gpx file should have the turns loaded as waypoints to aid navigation by GPS.

There is now tracking available via MAProgress for this event for those of you with your own Spot devices. It is not compulsory and Shane is providing this service for free. If you are keen to be tracked on the MAProgress site please let Shane know via the website

There is no entry fee for this event, in the past we have passed a “hat” around at the start for donations which are then made to a nominated charity. Bring some cash to chuck in the hat if you would like too, no pressure.

This is a self supported backpacking event. No outside assistance other than commercially available services.
You are on your own once you start. I’m going to be out there suffering like the rest of you so I can’t help. It is up to you to get to the finish, or get rescued. The majority on the course, 90% is on public roads, you MUST follow the NZ Road Rules at all times.
It is likely you will do some riding in the dark, make sure you have lights, with fresh batteries!

Start time is 7am on Saturday morning from Hansen Park in Opawa.

See you all on Saturday morning, Scott

lepetitbrevet@gmail.com

On second thoughts

Hi again everyone, hindsight is a wonderful thing, it allows a female deer to see behind her and it allows humans to change there minds whilst saving face ;-)

I rode the first climbs of the LPB2015 again last night. I really really enjoy them, they are a real challenge due to the very rocky, sketchy nature of them. They are fun on a full suspension bike, the rocks on the Port Hills are unforgiving. They are not fun on a fully rigid bike (and I shudder to think what they'd be like on a 'cross bike), the challenging nature just becomes an annoyance that nobody needs at the start of a 300km climbfest.
Consequently I have taken out the Greenwood/Mt Pleasant and Castle Rock tracks from the course. You will still climb from Sumner to Evans Pass via the Captain Thomas track (please note there are three rock sections that you will have to walk) but from there we will follow the Summit Road all the way to the start of the Witch Hill track.

I have updated the ridewithgps.com map and will send out revised .gpx files and cue sheets.

Cheers, Scott

Course finalised

Hi one and all, hope this finds you all fit and well?

I have finalised the course.

The .gpx file and cue sheets (one as a pdf and one as .csv which you can format yourself) will be supplied this week to those who have emailed me. These are for planning purposes BUT be aware there may be slight changes between now and the start.

Here is a link to the course on ridewithgps.com LPB 2015

Cheers, Scott

2015 LPB info

It is about time I got this puppy up and running.

The 2015 edition of Le Petit Brevet will take place on the 7/8th November.

Leaving Hanson Park at 7am on the Saturday morning you have 36 hours to complete the 301km course.
This year we are going back to the first editions route with a couple of changes. There is a nice 8km or so singletrack climb near the beginning which is rocky in places. Cross bikes and rigid forks will make this a little more challenging.

Here is an overview of the course:

Yep, you read correctly, 8767m of climbing so 100m short of an "Everest" but in my experience these mapping programmes under estimate the elevation by a fair bit :-)

Here is a link to the ridewithgps page http://ridewithgps.com/routes/10717838

I will get the cue sheets sorted in the next week and will add resupply points off route etc. I will also provide a .gpx file.

The logistics of this ride can be challenging as there are limited resupply points on Banks Peninsular , so plan accordingly.
Here is a quick breakdown of resupply points (not down to the meter), of course all of this is dependant on when you get to the various points:
11km - Sumner
39km - Spring/Water
59km - OFF Route - Diamond Harbour
69km - OFF Route - Water at Port Levy School
110km - OFF Route - Little River
133km - Water at Little Akaloa Domain
147km - OFF Route Okains Bay Store (sporadic hours) also water at the Okains Bay School
182km - Akaroa
191km - Duvauchelle
233km - OFF Route - Little River
270km - Lincoln

The first year the LPB ran, a Southerly blew through catching some people out. Be prepared, it is very exposed at points on the course.

Sign up by sending me an email to lepetitbrevet@gmail.com

Cheers, Scott

The day after (edited 2100hrs Monday)

Thank you to the 22 crazy peeps who started this year's event.

These are the finish times that I know of on Monday morning:
Times are finish time on Sunday.
Andy Beale (Single Speed!) 0633
Dave Cooper 0633
Hamish Southcote 0650
Aaron Scott 0652
Fluer Pawsey 0753
Dean Ford 0753
Brian Alder 1204
Rob Davidson 1204
Alistair McDowell 1214
Peter Maindonald 1405
Lee Maddox 1800 (with some course deviations)
Matt Hughes 1958
Paul Harrison Lowe 2010
Noel Whiteside 2110
Jon Jarrett, pulled out at Double Fenceline
Kieran McGuigan, pulled out at Dyers Pass and headed home at 1815
Charlotte Ireland and Jude Young, pulled out before Akaroa and "toured" back to Christchurch
Rik Unthank, pulled the plug at Akaroa with sickness
Jurgen Muller, pulled the plug with sickness
Jason Flood, pulled out at Hilltop with knackered glutes!
Andre Galbraith, completed a recovery ride of 100kms between two big events bookending LPB

More to follow this week.

Please send through course reports and photos to here

Thanks, Scott

One day to go!

Last night a friend and I braved the southerly to ride the Double Fenceline section of the course. This section can be tricky in this direction, more so if it is dark or if the visibility is reduced.
It was absolutely freezing up there last night with hail, rain and very strong southerly winds. It was fantastic! What better way to spend a Thursday evening? Please take note about these conditions, there are some VERY exposed sections on this course, be aware.

The weather is still forecast for occasional rain with northwest winds changing to southwest:

The Double Fenceline track is actually pretty easy to follow (when you can see it) with only one or two sticky points which I will hopefully with the cues. There are like about a million fences to cross and some short sections which you will have to walk. I will write up cues for this section and hand them out tomorrow morning.
I have not had many questions from people about the course so I am taking that as meaning you are all confident with the map and cues provided.
Please note that Western Valley Road, which drops down into Little River from the end of the Double Fenceline, has some really rough sections on it currently. There are a few areas with very large and loose gravel, take care on this descent.

The view down towards Little River and Lake Forsyth

There is water available in Little Akaloa at a toilet block in the Domain, on you right has you head down the valley about 200m before the beach. There is a tap at the school in Le Bons Bay which is opposite the shops which is slightly off route.

I hope you have all signed up for the tracking on VORB so everyone can track your progress.

The view down into Pigeon Bay

One last thing, I heard from a fellow participant who had been out on the course doing some training on Le Bons Bay Rd. and found a drawstring bag with some tools and duck tape in it, if you lost this please let me know.

Enjoy a relaxing day, see you tomorrow morning. Start time 7am at Hansen Park.

Cheers, Scott

Monday's update

Hi, hopefully you are all starting to get excited about the weekend's fun?

The weather is looking marginal - warm but wet:

Make sure you are carrying enough equipment and clothing. Remember this is a self supported event, you either have to carry it or buy it on the way!
The first year the LPB was run there was a pretty cold Southerly that blew in overnight on the Saturday. A few people got caught out and spent an uncomfortable few hours in the public toilet in Little River! There are some very exposed sections so carry a waterproof layer and some extra food. Understand your own experience levels and tolerance for being wet.

As an added bonus this year Rik from VORB has set up a live tracking system which can be found here. Everything you need to know can be found here: https://onedrive.live.com/view.aspx?resid=FC25F25EBFE045AE!280&app=Word 
Basically you need to sign up to VORB, grab an app for your Android phone (sorry only Android, no iPhones) follow the instructions from the link above.
Make sure you tell all of your friends and loved ones then ride, ride, ride :-)

I am assuming everyone who had registered an interest via email has received the cues, if not flick me an email here

Until tomorrow, Scott

This time next week it'll be all over

Hello one n all,
Well this time next Sunday evening you will be all finished and probably tucked up in bed with a mug of Milo.
I have adjusted the map on mapometer here to reflect the Packhorse Hut section more accurately. I rode this section today with a friend, it's in primo condition and really adds something to the ride. I wish we had been up here before now!
The cues are ready also and I will email these out to everyone who has emailed me with an intention to start.
If you haven't received the cues and you think you should have or you would like to receive them please flick me an email at lepetitbrevet@gmail.com
The cues are in an Excel file are designed for you to format however you want them.
The .gpx file can be downloaded from the mapometer link above.
That's all for tonight.
Start getting some sleep in the bank, cheers, Scott

Back in the country!

Hi everyone, I am back in the country and am ticking away on bits in pieces.
I have the cue sheets which Brian did up for us and am just going over them. I hope to release these by Sunday evening.
We have about 16 names in the hat so far.
More to follow.
I hope your training and prep is all going well.
Cheers, Scott