Sunday 4 August 2013

Kiwi Brevet 2014 - the start

Here is my first foray into the world of blogging, a bit scary in itself. It comes about from the idea that I would share my experience leading into and surviving the 2014 Kiwi Brevet http://kiwibrevet.blogspot.co.nz/.

After following the last two editions of the Kiwi Brevet, The Great Southern Brevet and the Tour Divide for the last couple of years the seed had been planted and watered. In July I finally ticked the box and committed to be there on the start line in Blenhiem on the first of February 2014!

What appeals to me about this unique event, is the sense of adventure and challenge ... approximately 1100 kilometres of mountain biking, over eight days, throughout the upper half of the South Island. The route designed by one of the legends of NZ mountain biking Simon Kennett, it has some great ingredients ... distance, iconic scenery, a challenging route, very few and simple rules  ...

My starting point is a reasonably fit 85 kilo, 47 year old, part time student, full time Construction Works Manager, part time Dad, with a sense of adventure and a history of enjoying the outdoors.

Over the last 35 years (gees I'm getting old!) I have enjoyed a lot of different adventures white water kayaking, mountain biking, sea kayaking, skiing, rock climbing, hiking, multi-sport racing, triathlons all of which have enriched my life each with their own unique challenges.

It is these experiences I will be drawing on to get me through the long days of the event.

The approximate route is here there maybe some small adjustments to it https://maps.google.co.nz/maps/ms?msid=210164429420192130959.0004b1851e8718f8ab7f4&msa=0



Along the way there will be many who will be helping and supporting me in many ways, so in advance a big THANKS to my partner Chris, friends Daniel and Kay who own DCM Sports  http://dcmsport.com/osc/ suppling HIGH 5 nuitriention and Rolf Prima wheels both of which I am using, they also run some great events http://www.ultimatetriathlete.co.nz/page3.php and http://southernalpstour.co.nz/