Hi Folks,
Now that we have less than two months until
take off, you’ll want to read this update carefully.
Updated December draft GPS files are now
available for the TA route here: http://www.kennett.co.nz/maps/
These files have had minor updates made
since they were first released in November and will be updated again before the
final version is sent out the week before the event (the gps tracks for the new
sections of the Waikato River Trail and Around the Mountains Cycle Trail will
be added).
The Tour Aotearoa course is described in
full detail in the third edition of Classic
New Zealand Cycle Trails, which is available from bike shops, book stores
and online from us (www.kennett.co.nz)
or Ground Effect (www.groundeffect.co.nz).
I strongly recommend you get a copy as it has all the info you need to do the
tour.
Stu Smith from Auckland has sent me some
useful tips on the ride through the metropolis, which I’ve attached to this email update.
Erik Westra has put some draft cue sheets
up on the Tour Aotearoa facebook page – check it out.
And Julie Williams has been
phoning all the
shops on the TA route to get opening hours, to add to the shops cue
sheet that Bryan Prestidge has written. It will be out in the next
update.
Open
Homes
We now have open homes in Auckland,
Owhango, Wellington and Albert Town. Details for these will be given the week
before the event. Some will require texting in to check they are open, or to
find the exact location (for security reasons).
If you are able to provide an open home,
please let me know.
Mike
the Scout
Mike Brien is heading off in a few days to
scout the TA course for us. Keep an eye out for updates on the facebook page,
and join him for part of the tour if you can. Follow his progress live on Maprogress.
Butt Care!
Jennie from Sweat Cheeks is offering a
100gm pot of Butt Butter plus free Super Balm and shipping to Tour Aotearoa
riders. You’ll want to use some chamois cream every day, and this stuff is
good. Go to http://www.sweetcheeksnz.co.
Tracking – you all need to be
tracked…
A message
from Shane Davidson at Maprogress
Just a reminder that everyone needs to
register their tracker at https://touraotearoa2016.
Kaipara
Harbour Boat
The boat will cost $50 each (cash), takes 3
hours, and does not run to a regular timetable. This is because it is a massive
harbour, full of sand bars, etc. The captain will be watching your spot
trackers and will make two or three trips a day to collect you from Poutu.
There is no jetty or wharf, so he has to nose the boat up onto the beach. This
cannot be done during high tide. The
boat will carry up to 30 riders at a time.
Take the attitude that Poutu will be where you stop and have a good long
rest. There is a large hall there with bunks, a kitchen and board games.
Whanganui
River Boat
I have contacted the two main jet boat
companies, and had one reply at this stage – from Whanganui River Adventures,
based in Pipiriki. This company also provides accommodation, camping and some
food at Pipiriki.
The standard price is $90 per person, and
they generally do pickups from the landing at 1:30pm and 4pm.
They will offer a discount for groups of 8
or more, of $80 per person.
They have 3 boats and can carry up to 31
people per trip.
The other operator (Bridge to Nowhere
Tours) will do an earlier pick up at 10am and a late pick up at 6:30pm if
riders book in with him (contact details are on the web and in Classic NZ Cycle
Trails).
That’s all for this update. I’ll be in
touch again in January. Until then, happy training – there are only two months
to go, so hopefully you are all comfortable riding 100 km in a day by now!
We’ve been hearing of TA riders doing some awesome trips already.
Merry Xmas
Jonathan Kennett
P.S. If you have any questions, the next
few weeks are a good time to ask. Also, there are two spare places available if
any of you reserve riders would like to enter.
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