Seven days biking 750km. Forest to coastline. Farmland to alpine.
Last week Abletech directors Carl Penwarden and Marcus Baguley biked the Kiwi Brevette, a week-long self-supported bike ride. Riders pass through places like Blenheim, Picton and Havelock, and predetermined checkpoints. The bi-annual ride takes place in February. It’s mostly off road, using quiet roads and rideable tracks.
The event was created by Simon Kennett in 2008. Ride organisers set the course and keep bikepackers up-to-date with navigation and track conditions.
Marcus said the 14.5km of climbing was challenging but the people, scenery and food made it worthwhile.
Compared to the Tour Aotearoa, this was actually a lot tougher. A couple of 2500m climbing days combined with several days of intense heat really increased that suffer score!
Stories collected along the way included tales of salt water swims, dehydrated roadside cook-ups, feasts at cafés, extremes of temperature, lost jandals and rider meet-ups.
