Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => Audax => Topic started by: LittleWheelsandBig on 04 August, 2011, 09:34:07 am
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Kiwi Randonneurs in New Zealand are organising an unsupported 1200 in February 2012. Lots of scenery, lots of climbing and lots of wind on the Canterbury Plains, I'd expect. Duncan is a mate that I've known for years. He rode PBP03 and the kiwis have been Audaxing/randonneuring for quite a few years now.
http://www.kiwirandonneurs.org.nz/rides/377/the-great-kiwi-hunt-1200km
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Definitely agree about the superb scenery - we campervanned around virtually the whole route earlier this year and it's all magnificent. But beware sandflies on the W coast ;)
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Umm - I expect to be in Oz in early 2012 ( and having screwed up PAP which I could have ridden - if I had got better organised ) then this is one that I want to keep an eye on, but not sure about lots of climbing !!
May not work - will depend on family etc in OZ -- but you never know - it would get me my International thingy too!!
So please keep me posted
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You may want to consider the Great Southern Randonnee 1200 in 2012 (October I think), well supported and good fun in good weather. HK and I really enjoyed it in 2008.
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I've cycled most of that route on my 1990 Tour. Ace, would love to go back
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I chatted with a couple of the kiwi riders (Doug and Ed) during pbp (me being an ex-pat kiwi as it were), nice blokes and I enjoyed their company.
I must admit to thinking about this ride. It's been a while since I was in NZ and, to my shame, I have never really seen the South Island. I think I'd ride supported if poss, hiring a campervan that my wife would drive. Just got to price it all up and have a think.
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Just got to price it all up and have a think.
Andrew, did you have a think? Anyone else, doing this ride? Received email from Duncan, entry form will be available soon.
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No, I can't afford it right now. Hopefully, they'll do it again next year.
Coincidently, I was thinking about it only yesterday as there was a program on the TV about NZ railway journeys. The alps are spectacularly beautiful. I did feel a touch nostalgic in truth. My mother visited me here in France last year so that lessened the need for me to go to NZ.
I personally would particularly look forward to the section up west coast. It's pretty wild and rugged there in places. I'm envious. I really hope you both ride and enjoy it.
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No, I can't afford it right now. Hopefully, they'll do it again next year.
That is very unlikely IMHO. They may do it again in 4 years' time but who knows.
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Our Oz visit for Feb and March has had to be cancelled - but may be reinstated for tail end of year. So this one is out - but the Oz one may be on.
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Registration form arrived today - entered. It's going to be a luxury tour with two bag drops!
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I'm off to NZ tomorrow. Ride starts week Saturday. It feels a bit lonely on this thread, compared with PBP/LEL.
I'll tweet where I can @swarm_catcher.
Blog post (http://bikesandbees.blogspot.com/2012/02/southern-kiwi-hunt-25-feb.html)
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Have fun, Els. Watch out for the sheep!
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Yes, good luck Els. I'll be following you blog & tweets.
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Have a great time! Hope it all goes well :)
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good luck Els ...soo wish I could join you on this one ...going to be an awesome adventure! looking forward to the photos already! BON ROUTE and BON CHANCE :thumbsup:
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Have a fantastic trip. Ever so jealous. I am sure we all look forward to reading about it upon your return!
Take loads of photos!
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No idea if you'll read this or you're already on your way. Either way, I hope you enjoy it. I am envious and will follow your blog with keen interest.
A tip - peanut slabs are excellent bonk rations :thumbsup:
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I'm going to NZ and perhaps Oz as well but unfortunately not 'til later in the year and would like to do a bit more cycling than I did the last time. Won't take a bike tho'. Hope there are some events that I can do esp. on the west coast in South island.
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swarm_catcher, and only 8 others, started this adventure a couple of hours ago ...look out for her tweets and send some encouragement when you have time as it could be very long hilly ride with very little company.
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https://twitter.com/#!/swarm_catcher
First control! In group of three.
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Is there any more news from Swarmcatcher? I really must get around to looking into this tweet malarkey.
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nothing for the past 20 hours or so. Last post was at 470km so I guess she will be starting the return leg by now!
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This just in
Made it to the westcoast overnight. Now at 725 km Fox Glacier. Have very little time buffer. 1hr sleep last night.
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Go Els!
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Mark Thomas wrote on facebook:
Arrived safe and sound at motel in Fox Glacier. At 3am! Bit off an extra large portion of kms, wind, and hills. 735km done.
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swarm_catcher is in Greymouth, bracing her
loins legs for Arthurs Pass.
I can't wait for the pictures.
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Go like the bees. All the best.
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A 1200 in February.
It has a certain appeal.
I'd better read Els's report first.
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Bump - no news --is that bad? -- come on Els - keep going
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http://www.kiwirandonneurs.org.nz/news
is the latest, but it just says Els is going on from Greymouth, but no more than that, nor whether that is good or bad.
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waiting with bated breath for Els to arrive back in Christchurch. she needs to be in by 12 noon uk time ...fingers crossed.
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It's a really tough last section over the pass. But beautiful (castle rocks, wide open glacial valleys) on the other side.
Crossing my fingers for her.
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This was always going to be a tough ride.
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just had a tweet from Els -
it said simply
Done!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D :D :D :o :o :o
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Yay!!!
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Fantastic! Very pleased for her!
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From Twitter:-
Nothing hurts, everything is numb
Excellent stuff (even if it brings out a bit of the green monster in me) - I'm looking forward to reading the report :thumbsup:
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She's certainly earned the champers.
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Yay. Well done, Els.
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Magnificent stuff!
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Magnificent effort. :thumbsup:
Looks like a cracking ride. One for the future methinks.
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She's a star. And to think a few years ago she had never ridden a 600!
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an amazing achievement ...now fully elevated into the Audax Hall of Fame :thumbsup:
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Brilliant - Arthurs pass was tough enough by car - to do it on a bike -- you are a hero.
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She's a star. And to think a few years ago she had never ridden a 600!
I suspect she hadn't ridden a 200 5 years ago. We (the "Faccombe 4") met her on the Faccombe Haul 100 (Where she became Faccombe #5) in 2008.
We've all come a long way since then but Els has taken it much further.
She is a master of NDA* Audax strategy. I suggest anyone new to Audaxing ask "What would Els do?"
Well done Els.
* NDA - No Dicking About
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I'm feeling well and truly surpassed now ;D Nice one Els. Hope it was fun!
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Bravo! Chapeau!
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All from the lass that said "Not riding another bloody Audax" at the end of her 1st BCM ;D
Crackin, Els :thumbsup:
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A great bit of riding Els.
The York Arrow should be a doddle!!
The Dorset Coast on the other hand...................
Chapeau!
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Well done
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"What would Els do?"
Now that should be the new YACF tagline.
Well done Els.
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Fantastic news to hear that she has completed it. Mega congratulations Els! :thumbsup: What an achievement to be able to do a ride of that distance in February when some of us are still in hibernation mode! I look forward to hearing all about it and seeing any pictures. Chapeau!
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Congratulations Els!
Looking forward to hearing all about your adventure :)
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Well done sweetie.
:-*
H
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I assume this is Julian Dyson. His bike cost £14,000.
Julian retired at Lake Hawea but remounted at Otira to take on the alpine crossing.
Unfortunately his New Series Double Pylon stainless steel Moulton was stolen from his lodgings this morning so this has tainted his experience of NZ.
There is CCTV footage of the thief so hopefully this will help track it down quickly.
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Blimey. Poor guy. I guess the 'good' news is there can not be too many of that model in the world, let alone NZ, so it should ring alarm bells if it ever came to market.
Although, it could have been nicked by someone who has no idea what it is and someone is going to end up riding around on a 14 grand bike that they got off a bloke down the pub for a hundred quid.
Poor chap.
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That's a complete bummer. But as Marcus says, it's a unique bike so any dealer that gets offered it should smell a rat. I hop to goodness he has it insured. >:(
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Els is well 'ard.
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https://twitter.com/#!/KiwiRandonneurs a few days ago
The hostel's CCTV captured footage of an Irishman who was staying there wheeling the bike out this morning. They have his passport #.
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Just had an e-mail from Julian: his bike's been recovered! Trouble is, he's already home. But it's a start! :thumbsup:
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Great news. Shipping bikes around the world isn't that difficult.
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Great news. Shipping bikes around the world isn't that difficult.
Especially ones that fold up!
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Excellent news.
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great news
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I am sure he is very relieved! Brilliant news.
I hope they caught the chap seen wheeling it away as well.
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Thanks everybody for your support! I find it amazing. After all, doing a 1200 is nothing but self-inflicted. And this is my third 1200. I shouldn't expect anymore sympathy!
Here is my blog post: MyBlog (http://bikesandbees.blogspot.com/2012/03/kiwi-hunt-2011-ride-report.html)
And photos: MyPhotos (https://picasaweb.google.com/worzelbenga/TheKiwiHunt1200?authuser=0&feat=directlink)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-AuxR1PUg47o/T1Wvnv-1E7I/AAAAAAAANyk/SkYq_7UNawo/s400/IMG_4963.JPG)
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just seen this Els - brilliant effort!! (i wish i .....)
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Brilliant.
Great photos as well.
One day soon we must take the tandem and go see family down there.
Well done on it all - sounds like a very tough ride.
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Some more photos have been posted.
Duncan's photos (http://www.flickr.com/photos/31929979@N06/tags/1200km/show/)
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Those are breath-taking!