For anyone interested the Tour Aotearoa started today

https://touraotearoa2018.maprogress.com

Great Stuff!
I know Steve Makin is riding this..
Lucky bugger.

I had a look at the route last year and wondered what they'd do with the water crossing (marked in blue just after the 300 marker), I see they've put a detour in. From the quick bit of research I did, there are no ferries, to complete the route on that bit, you have to charter a boat. All the charter companies seemed to be on the southern side and wanted about £500, I've no idea what provision the race organiser has made but it's not something you'd want to paying out for on a solo journey.

there’s a ferry

and its not a race

I believe for the event the private charters run a shuttle service
The event is very well organised.
And yes, it is not a race; minimum finish of 10days, and no more than 18hours per 9am to 9am block.

I’m on the start list for the first Saturday wave of the 2020 event.
Was too much of a stretch to be there for yesterday.
So glad it seems there will be a 2020 event.

SixPotBelly from here is also riding it.

His start day is Tuesday, and he's riding to the start as I type.

just for interest, the boat broke down mid trip yesterday, the detour is now the official route, between this and the extreme weather its been an interesting start to this years TA

hoping its all been sorted out in time for my start date (26th)

SteveM wrote:just for interest, the boat broke down mid trip yesterday, the detour is now the official route, between this and the extreme weather its been an interesting start to this years TA

hoping its all been sorted out in time for my start date (26th)

Be sure to report back
Be interested to hear your thoughts; particularly on “what bike?” Seem to be more mountain bikes than gravel bikes.

a real mix of bikes but mostly with two inch or above tyres, the FB group has a bike gallery with explanations of what and why

I’m riding an ECR mostly because thats the bike I have out here, its perfect for new zealands gravel tracks and less technical mtb trails

If I could have chisen a specific bike for the TA it would be either a Fargo or my Swift (with cowchippers)

and today the bus taking riders from Auckland to Cape Reinga has broken down !

You still planning on riding up to the start with Paul?

I had not realised there was a large gap between the different starts. In 2016 when it was over 4 or 5 days for all 3 starts.

I have just been sent a FB screen shot from Chris Bennett (he edits The Cordillera) and ex TD and TCR racer. He hosted Rickie Cotter and myself before the start of the '16 ride for a few days. He has woken up in the middle of the road with a injured face and concussion. Getting a free 'copter ride for some surgery! Hoping he is ok.

Sorry I can't do a link as I am not on FB

Good luck Steve, looking forward to some pics.

hadn’t heard about Chris !

its been an unbelievable start, so many issues and difficulties for people, and a cyclone coming in at the end of next week for our start, but that’s New Zealand for you

well, its still being epic out here, riders from my wave have been stranded by land slips after torrential rain, helicoptered out, all now safe and continuing the journey

more boat breakdowns, people suffering bizarre injuries, rushed into operating theatres to have abscesses removed, facial stitches, numerous bike breakdowns, etc etc

my TA finished after a week with Salmonella poisoning, back in Wellington and almost recovered now, picking it up again (unofficially) in the south island on Tuesday with some riders from my wave

my ride partner had to abandon also due to a back injury, he told me on our last day of riding that he’d been dropping six tramadol a day to try and manage the pain..... and I just thought he was tired

can’t recommend this event enough, its got it all, riding through amazing, beautiful and difficult terrain with lots of weather, only down side was the sections around Auckland, that was mostly just terrifying, highlight being passed by a dumper truck with a loose tail gate spewing brick sized rocks that just missed my mates head :-/

Steve sorry to hear you had to quit. Mum and I were tracking you

shegot the postcard ?, theres more to come