Around Brunner

Well, if you are planning on coming for a visit, best I reckon, I should tell you a bit about where it goes – don’t want you getting lost on the way round – of course if you’re riding one of them two people tandems bikes only the person on front needs to know the way, but all back seat drivers do have an opinion though!

With the big change to the start/finish, please read carefully so you don't get lost.

Around Brunner is a real good 130kms ride on sealed roads that goes through the most wicked scenery the West Coast and New Zealand has to offer.

It all starts at Moana and like all good things on the West Coast outside a Pub. Yes; Hotel Lake Brunner at Moana.

When you start a lead vehicle will lead you out of Moana just to make sure you're on your way safely. You'll have a couple of small climbs just after the start then a nice fast downhill through the Arnold Valley to Stillwater. Then best you turn left toward Greymouth. It's pretty flat beside the banks of the mighty Grey River, with even another downhill section as the road takes you into Greymouth.

Turn left again as you enter Greymouth, you'll have a couple of roundabouts to deal with, just watch for traffic as you go through them. (We may change the route to avoid these roundabouts but wil let yah know closer to the event) Try not stopping off at the hospitality stops on the way through, as there will be one or two waiting for you when you get to Moana at the finish. It could be a good time to have a swig or 2 at your drink bottle, as you may need it, as there's a bit of uphill from here.

Anyway, those wearing flash, tight fitting bike gear that’s all shiny, and a few wearing gear that’s maybe not quite so tight and not so shiny, head south to Kumara Junction where heaps of gold was found about 100 years ago. I reckon there’s still heaps of gold in those hills.

Those riders doing it in Teams of 2 will need to changeover at Kumara and you might get a chance for a bit of gold digging before heading to the finish. Those doing the last leg, make sure you're warmed up and ready to go, we'd hate you to get cold on the bike.

You'll ride into some pretty awesome rain forests - although it doesn’t rain that much round here in May. After heading towards the mountains for a bit, the road comes to Jacksons Historic Tavern, which is a shame, because the road that everyone needs to follow turns left over the Taramakau River, just before the Tavern.

A bigger shame is the old girl (Jacksons Historic Tavern that is) is closed now, so not much use stopping there. Some tales of the ride say a few riders "not the ones in the flash shiny tight fitting gear" may have been inclined to stop for a pint of the brown stuff before turning towards Lake Brunner in years gone by. Now the Taverns closed, none of this goes on. It's just water or electrolytes that you have in those water bottles.

The road heads north to Inchbonnie, the road goes along the flat for a bit - a nice chance to check out the competition for the sprint to the pub in Moana. This goes through some more real nice scenery which has a couple of fantastic lakes. The first isn’t actually Brunner, so try not to get too excited and sprint too early - just so you know, it’s called Lake Poerua. The road keeps going between the mighty Southern Alps and when you see Lake Brunner to your left you know you're nearly there.

Make sure you take the left at Moana otherwise you'll be doing the Enduro and do 2 laps. After you turn left sprint like any thirsty man/women would to the pub, where it all started outside Hotel Lake Brunner.

Yea; Around Brunner is a cycle ride for everyone, from the folks that are new to riding bikes and are still getting used to all of the tight fitting clothing, to those that are way too comfortable wearing tight clothing, and even to those that I hear shave their legs.

If you think the 130k ride Around Brunner is just a bit too much for the old legs, why not give the Teams section a spin. Find a mate or someone else's mate and do it as a team. It’s good fun and guess what; if you do the first leg, your rides over before the 130k.

So, whether you shave your legs or you've just bought a bike and are thinking about it - riding that is, not shaving your legs - come and ride with us.

I’ll be around keeping an eye on things and maybe having a few pints of the brown stuff with some of you guys that make it all the way round. See you in May 2023!

Opps nearly forgot; you do have the option now to do a lap of honour, that is doing the Enduro event, just 2 laps, you start a bit earlier 4:30am, that means you get a 4 hour start on the guys and girls doing 1 lap.

Like all good things on the coast, both rides start and finish at the pub.

"A good honest West Coast workout that anyone can do."
Cheers, Trev Pedals
Enthusiastic Cyclist and West Coast Self Proclaimed Local Identity