Incorporating the local “route du jour” the two passes (Redwood pass and Taylor Pass) and additions. Starting over the Taylor Pass (with high speed gravel descent to Awatere valley) your journey ventures further south. From Seddon school we take in the wonderful scenery on Marama road followed by some high speed gravel through Waterfalls Road and onward to lunch at Lake Grassmere. Stage 3 normally has some chunky gravel (we mean large metal) leading to a sharp climb to Yealands Estate, a tour of the Yealands White road then a speedy sealed descent into Seddon. Stage 4 is a seal and gravel run home over Redwood Pass with some fun off-camber gravel bends to keep you sharp
Most suited to cyclocross and mountain bikes but rideable on your roadie.
Starting in a chilly 2 degrees the field rode hard through stage 1 with several bike related mishaps including a rear derailleur failure and some punctures. Stage 2 was calm and fast with all riders through unscathed and on their way to lunch at the Dominion Saltworks. Following the obligatory pie and coffee an altered Stage 3 (due to storm damage to the Yealands White road) took the field into new territory and then returned them to Seddon and the neutral roll to Stage 4. A cracking pace from those with gas left in the tank saw the stage cut out in very quick time, defending champ Andrew Bidwell taking the title for a second year (a great effort after a week in bed with the 'flu).
Stage Result links below along with category winners: (please note placings are determined by category placing in each stage not total elapsed time). Relay teams Women 1st Team Yas & Loren 2nd Linda & Rosemary 3rd Team R & B Men 1st Team Jut & Lachy 2nd Team Michele & Ed 3rd Team Ireland M50+ drop bars 1st Greg Manson 2nd Gary MacPherson 3rd David Eglesfield M50+ flat bars 1st Stephen Rooney 2nd Peter Mann 3rd Martin Fletcher MU50 drop bars 1st Andrew Bidwell (1st overall) 2nd Adam Bidwell 3rd= Simon Davis Andrew Barlow MU50 flat bars 1st Joshua Aldridge 2nd Rowan Simpson Tandems 1st The Reddecliffes 2nd The Woodys W50+ drop bars 1st Tracy Clark W50+ flat bars 1st Jo (Scoobie) Henty 2nd Sarah Gunningham WU50 drop bars 1st Emily Marfell 2nd Nicola Fleming WU50 flat bars 1st Rebecca Kingsford 2nd= Aimee Burnard Alana McLuckie Stage 1 http://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=190193 Stage 2 http://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=190194 Stage 3 http://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=190195 Stage 4 http://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=190196
Final date yet to be set but we're looking at 1 August 2020 provided we don't get too close to the national cyclocross championships (which we did this year). Make sure you're on the mailing list and get your friends and fellow riders to sign up as well so we can make 2020 the year of gravel.
All entry fees are paid on registration. See Enter link above
One bike
One rider
For the first 100 - $75
For the next 100 - $85
One bike
Two riders
Double the fun
For the first 100 - $140
Teams of 2 riders - $160
Teams of 4 riders - $260
Share the fun
Divide the stages up
Thank you to all our sponsors
