The Labyrinth

Christchurch – Taster & 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
There are two official rides – the Brevet and the Taster, but remember you can do as much as you want.
Yes really.
We kick off at 8am.
We don’t have minimum numbers, and we don’t cancel if it it’s raining and/or cold, so enter early!

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.
The Team Captain does a full registration and the other team members need to follow the team registration details carefully.

SPOTs (or InReachs) and tracking are compulsory – for your safety – and for friends, family and the flahute to stalk you!
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 Taster
Distance > 61.1km
Elevation > +249m
Categorised Climb/s > (0)
Surfaces (approx.):
Paved – 85%
Unpaved – 15%

The Labyrinth TASTER
The Labyrinth TASTER

The Brevet
Distance > 265.4km
Elevation > +1,310m
Categorised Climb/s > (0)
Surfaces (approx.):
Paved – 88%
Unpaved – 12%

The Labyrinth
The Labyrinth

 

Difficulty Rating
Ok so this is a one star ♦ (difficulty out of three) weekend brevet ride.

It is possible to ride in a day (if you have the mettle) or you can chill and take two or do the Taster or do whatever you want!
Just a few things to note:
  • superb navigation skills required (it’s all Flahute aka “tricky” loops in there)
  • good resupply options
  • intriguing terrain and views
  • consider lighting options, you may run out of daylight
  • nice mix of gravel, seal and some secret singletrack
  • It will be cold and/or wet
  • roadworks will inevitably change the nature of the course – so have fun adapting!
So plan well, be prepared for anything and loads of Type-2 fun, but hey you’re in the driver’s seat….
Enjoy it, it is an adventure more than anything else.
That’s probably enough for now!
Feel free to post up any questions that you may have.
Thanks
Shailer & Candice