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

Some random pics

Results (Hours / Minutes)

Darren Tatom Abandoned

Graeme Noble 35:10

Hamish Southcott 31:20

Jasper van der lingen (single speed) Abandoned

Michi Speck 28:09 / Ammended Course

Ollie Whalley 21:55

Paul Lowe 33:55

Scott Emmens 31:20

Sean Richards Abandoned

Simon Kennett 33:30

Tim Mulliner 27:45

Martin Nichols 36:15

Charles Afford 25:15

Lance Griffin Abandoned

Rob Wells 35:10

Geof Blance (single speed) 32:12

Jon Jarratt Abandoned

Claude Dabaliz Abandoned

Dominic Blissett Abandoned

Alastair Duff 35:31

David Drake 33:30

Ross McCulloch Abandoned

Koleighne Ford Abandoned

Rod Time Unkown / Ammended Course

Sean Thompson 35:25

Karen Collins Abandoned

Jeffrey Collins Abandoned

John McGrail 35:25

Random Facts... and the not so factual

Number of times bike had to be lifted over styles: 28

Most unpopular part of course: Bike push at Lake Ellesmere outlet

Favourite part of the course: Flying down Rapaki at the end

Best meal had: Fish'n'chips at Okains Bay

Biggest navigational nightmare: Riding over Fitzgerald with zero visibility

Grimmest part of ride: Bossu Rd between 10pm and 5am

Most historical point: We rode the course of the first ever mountainbike race in New Zealand (Harmans Track) Of course we did it backwards

Dollars raised for Hinewa Reserve: 500

Altitude gain: 7500m

Best accomadation: Toilet at Little River (Tim and Michi) / Barn on Big Hill Rd (?) / Marqee in Akaroa (Hamish & Scott) / Nowhere (Ollie & Charles) / Okains Bay Backpackers (Simon & David)

Best rest stop: Coffee at Sign of the Kiwi after 10km (Jeff)

Most intersting bike setup: Would have to go to mfw's bar protected bike