Episode 14. Tour Te Waipounamu - a new bikepacking event

In this episode we’re looking into a new bikepacking event, the Tour te Waipounamu.

The TTW is a 1300+ km race, scheduled to start on February 14 2021, at the northern most point of the South Island of Aotearoa New Zealand, and finish at the southern most point of the island up to 12 days later.
In between it will pass through the South Island’s high country, that land between the plains and the Southern Alps with a deserved reputation as a harsh, beautiful landscape.

We start with a chat with Brian Alder, the event organizer who is also planning to ride, and then go on to talk with a few of the other entrants.
We talk to each about their backgrounds, their expectations for the event, preparation and planning.
First up is Hana Black who has an impressive bike touring background, and is now dedicating her summer to preparation for the TTW.
Then there’s Ollie Whalley winner of the Tour Divide in 2012. Ollie’s been committed to family and work for the past few years, and is looking forward to getting back into racing.
Following Ollie we chat with Georgia Whitla, a runner and adventure racer riding her first pure bikepacking event.
Finally Steve Halligan, who we’ve talked to in a previous episode, and who’s quite likely to be competing at the front of the race..
Between them they offer some great insights into what the TTW will be, and how they feel 2 months out from the event.
Closer to the event we’ll be getting back in touch with each of them to record another episode looking at how preparation has gone and how they are feeling going into the race.
Finally after the event we’ll do a follow up to see how it went.
There will be an event facebook page set up closer to the start date, and dotwatchers will be able to follow the race on MapProgress.

So, sit back and enjoy this episode of the P O P…

Links:
Tour Te Waipounamu
Instagram #tourtewaipounamu

Hana Black
Instagram @hanablack
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hanablack.nz
www.highlux.co.nz/alaska-to-argentina

Steve Halligan
Instagram @steve.halligan
www.selfpropelled13.com