All welcome...

Not much new to report. Still getting the gear sorted - hopefully pick up my Bond'esk minitool today. It's not really lethal, but is ultra-light and you can do just about anything with it except knit yourself a new cycling jersey. Shona finished the frame bag yesterday - it fits like a glove and should hold a third my gear. It's the key to getting away with just one mini-carrier. And I did some time trials at the local velodrome to test for ultimate tyre pressures. A recent slip has left gravel strewn across part of the track adding a nice challenge for the fat tyres, but closing the 'drome for the trackies.

If you're interested in finding out more about the gear required to do 4000 km, unsupported, in less than 24 days, or want to hear some tall tails of heroism and stupidity from previous GDR races, you're welcome to come along to this:

"Prior to Simon's departure, I'm hosting a little shindig to send him off. It will be at Rongotai College's Ballinger Room, on Tuesday 27 May from 7pm. Simon will have his Great Divide Race rig on display, fully loaded up with the gear he'll be taking. He'll give us a little talk about the what, the how, and most importantly the why, and will tell us a little about the charity which he's supporting Doctors Without Borders/ Médecins Sans Frontières. There will be non-alcoholic drinks, and nibbles provided, and if we get bored of listening to Simon, there might be a chance to watch a bit of endurance racing on "the telly" ;)
There's no entry fee, but if you do come, I encourage you to drop a bill or two in Simon's hat (for Doctors Without Borders).
I hope to see you there.
John"

Rongotai College is on Rongotai Rd (the airport end of the street Burkes Cycles is on) in Kilbirnie.
The video is likely to be something like '24/Solo' (about the epic battle at the 24 hr Worlds a couple of years ago). There will be short slide-show from previous Great Divide Races.

Should be a fun evening and, of course, the more the merrier! 7pm next Tuesday - be there or elsewhere.

Cheers
Simon

PS: Michael Jacques has provided 5 free entries to next years Karapoti Classic to be given away on Tuesday night.