sweet_P wrote:Just a bit concerned about the "decent amount of fitness" required... How much? Do you have to be able to ride up Karapoti Classic type hills?

After Mongolia you will fine. There is plenty of time to stop and eat. Don't need to set a cracking pace. Just need to make sure after you have had a scoff and wee rest you get going again. It is about all day steady progress. Truck loads of trail food scoffed in small but frequent breaks is the secret.

One of the hills on the second day seems to go on for ever and is a push from everyone except real freaks (actually one unclimbable climb on each day). There are a few other climbs that many get off and push.

And on the second day there is always the option of taking the road to miss a couple of the climbs and downs on the second day. But why wouldn't you go up when the downs are soooo sweet.

Yay - well that definitely sounds do-able by me! And if everyone usually has to push at certain parts, then all the better :+)

Now to figure out whether I can afford it... (Damn mortgage!)

Sounds and looks excellent. A good chance to meet everyone too.

We may be able to wing it

It is high time I stopped finding excuses not to do this ride

I'd just like to point out an error in the blurb - it says you won't have fun if you're not fit. It's a big huge grovel if you're not fit, sure, but it's still a hell of a lot of fun

Fitness is a lousy excuse not to go... But alas, I don't think I'll be going. No money

I will definitely be there... as soon as I pay that is

After last year I'm looking forward to riding it properly this year

Time to start negotiating with teh boss.

thats awsome im keen, so is Wazza (my dad) and bacon (my brother) they arnt foundation memebers though so can i book for them now sounds like a awsome weekend

Awwwweeee... but thats the weekend of Taupo

how can you compare the Queen Charlotte singletrack goodness and a road race

Well, Im booked and paid for on the ferrys, and have transferred the money for the ride. I have many questions, including 'does any welly vorbers have any friendly couch space on sunday night?', but these can wait till at least the 3rd week of November.

Im in
booked into MrsBs Diary.
just need to see how many of the other 3 that wanted to come along are defiantes

fraserb wrote: Im in
booked into MrsBs Diary.
just need to see how many of the other 3 that wanted to come along are defiantes

I foresee some car-sharing

Credited the account.

Dented, There is a space at my place if you need it.