Left Coast Brevet
7-15 May, Hokitika – 8 day Brevet
A MicroAdventure – a dirty weekender, an overnighter, another opportunity to use your kit instead of letting it get dusty
This ride is aimed at introducing people to the “type2 fun” of self-supported multi-day navigation that are Brevets.
It’s a no-frills “you are on your own” self-supported type affair.
Details
Yes really.
Everyone must register but you can share one tracker between up to three team members, however you must ride together.
There is a special deal through TrackMe for these rides if you need to hire a tracker, or you can bring your own.
An electronic map in a number of formats, cue sheets and a ride guide will be emailed out to you on receipt of your registration, no greater than 30 days prior to the event.
This will help the planners relax and if you register early, to get great rates on accommodation.
You will need to prepare everything else – your legs, your bike, your kit, food, maps, backup, transport, you name it.
It is highly recommended that you have a physical map as a backup. Your device will run out of batteries at some point.
Registration closes the Tuesday evening before the ride.
IF you withdraw after the Wednesday or don’t turn up on the day, there will be no refunds. There is some room for movement at our discretion.
The Rules
Stolen largely from the Kiwi Brevet – www.kiwibrevet.blogspot.co.nz.
The main thing is to complete the course under your own steam, without a support crew or ANY outside assistance (other than what is commercially available to every participant).
Text-ins (via the SPOT/inReach) are to be made from designated locations along the route until you either finish or abandon the brevet.
1. Do it all yourself, under your own steam.
2. Riders must carry all their own gear.
3. You must carry a SPOT (or InReach) and agree to cover the cost of rescue in the event they need to be evacuated.
4. Riders must finish by 9pm on the last day.
5. When on public roads, follow the NZ Road Code.
6. Riders must observe all rules laid down by land managers along the route.
The Course
The Brevet
Ok so this is more of a challenge – both in terms of length and technicality. This is an outside category (difficulty out of three) week long brevet ride.
Just a few things to note:
> As it is an epic ride, the distance markers aren’t showing in the map (above) to help give you an idea to plan. So here is a very casual ride order: Hoki > Ross > WWT > Kumara > Lake Brunner > Paparoa > Runanga > Waiuta/Big River > Reefton > Westport > OGR > Westport > Coast > Paparoa > Greymouth > Kumara > Hoki.
> high navigation skills required (many Flahute loops in there)
> ok resupply options
> magical terrain – but remote, mountainous and wet potentially all at once
> nice mix of gravel, seal and singletrack, but with a higher level of technical singletrack (Waiuta track, Paparoa Track (x2,) The Old Ghost Road and a couple of other tracks.)
> Don’t f*ck around with West Coast rivers, if they are up or it’s been raining heavily, then don’t do it > factor time delays into any planning.
So plan well, be prepared for anything and loads of Type-2 fun, but hey you’re in the driver’s seat….
Registration
You must register. Click on this link http://register.trackme.bike
Everyone must register but you can share one tracker between up to three team members, however you must ride together
Feel free to post up any questions that you may have.