Tour Aotearoa 2018
- RonK
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Tour Aotearoa 2018
Postby RonK » Sun Dec 31, 2017 1:17 pm
"Tour Aotearoa is one of the world’s great bikepacking trips: stretching 3,000km from Cape Reinga to Bluff it follows a combination of cycle trails, tracks, paths and lanes connected by the most enjoyable country roads available."
The rules of the event are simple.
1. Do it all yourself, under your own steam.
2. Follow 100% of the course (side trips are fine, of course).
3. Carry all your own gear (i.e. no domestiques, unless you are part of a team).
4. This event is a brevet, not a race. It is not about finding the fastest rider. Riders must not complete the course in less than 10 days.
5. Riders must finish in under 30 days (that’s 100 km per day).
6. Between 9am one day and 9am the next, every rider must spend at least one block of at least six hours not travelling. In other words, the maximum time any rider may spend riding each day will be 18 hours (between each 9am-to-9am period).
7. No support vehicles of any kind meeting you along the way (the odd meeting with friends or family is OK).
8.You must have a Spot Tracker and be signed up with MAProgress.com. This is for your safety, and so that we know that you are following the course.
9.When on public roads, follow the NZ Road Code.
10. There are 30 photo control points on the course. At these places you must take a photo to prove you were there, and to collect a visual album of your journey.
11. Leave no trace. We remind all riders to respect the environment and not leave ANY waste behind them. If you have not been schooled in this department then please do some research.
In addition to the official brevet entrants, there are quite a number of unofficial riders already on the course riding it their own pace.
For information about the TA, the web site is here. Tour Aotearoa
And for dot watchers, the event is tracked on MAProgess here. Tour Aotearoa MAProgress
And for the really dedicated dot watcher there is also a MAProgress app available
- cancan64
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Re: Tour Aotearoa 2018
Postby cancan64 » Mon Jan 01, 2018 8:41 pm
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Re: Tour Aotearoa 2018
Postby RonK » Tue Jan 02, 2018 11:29 am
I have ridden much of the South Island route, so I can say you are in for a treat.
Seems likely the hardest part will be the Maungatapu Track approaching Nelson, which is by many accounts steep and rough such that it is safer to walk down than ride.
Have a great ride. I envy you very much.
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Re: Tour Aotearoa 2018
Postby cancan64 » Wed Jan 03, 2018 11:04 am
Tracking as Calvin Avison.RonK wrote: What name will you be tracking under?
The Maungatapu Track is currently closed due to high fire risk. have had little rain here so everything is dry. Hoping for some rain before it starts which should happen, rain is due at the moment.
Was funny cycling in Qld last week where it should have been dry but everywhere was green and then coming back here and its the opposite.
I am currently using my cyclocross bike with 46 x 11/40 set up but after riding back to back 250km days in the Geyserland Mega Gravel Grind in November I discovered the bike is to big so now about to order a Titanium gravel frameset from UK in the hope that I will have a better fitting bike for TA but may go back to 2x11 to save a bit of hike-a-bike... at least my kit is sorted and tested.
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Re: Tour Aotearoa 2018
Postby RonK » Wed Jan 03, 2018 1:57 pm
If you have to detour it will be a longer but perhaps easier ride over the Whangamoa Saddle (coming from the north). I rode my loaded touring bike up from the Nelson side and was an unexpected nasty sod of a climb. It would be a doozy of a descent though.
Seems like a big gear for the climbing you will encounter along the way. I have a 22x36 low and used it frequently. You must have much better legs than I.
BTW - have you condidered the Curve Grovel GMX frameset? Plenty of room for wide rubber.
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Re: Tour Aotearoa 2018
Postby cancan64 » Thu Jan 04, 2018 1:57 pm
I am looking at more gravel bike orientated than 29er but have looked at the Curves incl the new GXR as I have the original Curve Grovel which apart from being a bit big as handled everything that I have thrown at it but new versions the sizing is a bit unusual and doesnt really align with bike fitter so looking at Reilly Gradient frameset...but the head tube is border line short so just need clarification on actual measurement with headset before I purchase otherwise I will get a custom built steel bike locally made after TA, just like the Titanium and that I dont have to use miles of tape to protect paint or carbon. A big front currently moving down the country so hopefully it keeps going to Nelson...about to get drenched going homeRonK wrote:BTW - have you condidered the Curve Grovel GMX frameset? Plenty of room for wide rubber.
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Re: Tour Aotearoa 2018
Postby cancan64 » Mon Feb 05, 2018 11:02 am
Live tracking here
In Wave 2 is Phil Peterson, I rode with him a few months back on the Geyserland Mega grind. He is riding single speed. Amazing the pace he keeps and is one that I am watching.
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Re: Tour Aotearoa 2018
Postby cancan64 » Fri Feb 09, 2018 6:36 am
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Re: Tour Aotearoa 2018
Postby cancan64 » Sun Feb 11, 2018 10:18 am
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Re: Tour Aotearoa 2018
Postby RonK » Sun Feb 11, 2018 10:58 am
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Re: Tour Aotearoa 2018
Postby cancan64 » Mon Feb 12, 2018 7:04 am
I didnt see anyone going to work this morning, but the lead rider is making good progress. There is a bit of climbing from outer Auckland but once they get to the coast it is flat and the tail wind should be here.
2nd wave is getting ready to start. Phil Peterson done an amazing job driving from Wellington to get to the cape.. will be good to watch the chase.... I have itchy feet, still have 2 weeks before I start
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Re: Tour Aotearoa 2018
Postby RonK » Mon Feb 12, 2018 11:07 am
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Re: Tour Aotearoa 2018
Postby cancan64 » Tue Feb 13, 2018 7:32 am
last night the boat across Kiapara harbour broke down 20min in... they are running buses again but there was a lot of people stuck at Pouto Point who are either getting lifts to the bus or cycling back to Dargaville and then to the bus pick up... personally I am hoping to cycle the detour... a pain having to align with the boat which has only managed 1 successful trip so far.
Phil was leading wave 2... amazing ride considering his epic drive to the start and he is on a single speed but he is a master of spin
Weather has turned to poo again today...raining and a storm warning has just come through.
Saw a few riders yesterday on my way home... they looked in good spirit but still only early days
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Re: Tour Aotearoa 2018
Postby cancan64 » Tue Feb 13, 2018 11:55 am
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Re: Tour Aotearoa 2018
Postby RonK » Tue Feb 13, 2018 12:06 pm
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Re: Tour Aotearoa 2018
Postby cancan64 » Fri Feb 16, 2018 10:43 am
Wave 3 was quick down the beach, under 4 hrs for the first rider and he got to dargaville but due to the 6hr break he missed the bus whereas the 2nd guy stopped earlier and started earlier and made the bus and is now miles in front. I have now changed my tactics, I was hoping to push through to the Pouto Point (Boat will not be back...needs a new motor and no other boat wants to go to Pouto Point as there is no jetty) but will now stop (AT) 10 and start at 4. Hopefully bus is still 11:30 so can take it easy.
Couple of riders in hospital, 2 crashes, 1 broken ankle and the other badly lacerated face and a 3rd had heart issues (outside Dargaville hospital).
Weather is sunny at the moment although high 20's and humidity. I have bumped into a few riders and they all seem to be having fun.
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Re: Tour Aotearoa 2018
Postby RonK » Fri Feb 16, 2018 12:00 pm
From the posts I've seen, community support has been excellent. Very heartening.
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Re: Tour Aotearoa 2018
Postby cancan64 » Tue Feb 20, 2018 10:26 am
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Re: Tour Aotearoa 2018
Postby RonK » Tue Feb 20, 2018 11:34 am
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Re: Tour Aotearoa 2018
Postby cancan64 » Wed Feb 21, 2018 6:46 am
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Re: Tour Aotearoa 2018
Postby cancan64 » Fri Feb 23, 2018 10:30 am
Will try and post as i go but will be a bit busy... will have some spare time at Wellington...I hope
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Re: Tour Aotearoa 2018
Postby RonK » Fri Feb 23, 2018 11:40 am
Have you read the Kennett's huge list of route updates on FB?
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Re: Tour Aotearoa 2018
Postby RonK » Fri Feb 23, 2018 11:49 am
The last two or three km's up the Crown Range to the saddle (from the unnamed bridge) are tough enough without snow, you're up against the cliff face with plenty of random rockfall to avoid and a deep drain at the base on a very narrow winding road.cancan64 wrote:wave 1 are just coping the weather... there was a snow dump on the crown range which is part of the course... why you need to be prepared for anything in NZ
I walked a fair bit both times I've crossed as it's far too risky to have a wobble in the tight places. Take care. It's a fantastic view once there though.
And it is very cold and likely windy on the descent. I think the TA route takes Tobins Track down to Arrowtown, same as I did last visit. It is very steep, be sure your brakes are working.
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Re: Tour Aotearoa 2018
Postby cancan64 » Fri Feb 23, 2018 1:41 pm
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Re: Tour Aotearoa 2018
Postby RonK » Tue Feb 27, 2018 9:59 am
Go Calvin!
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