2024 Carrot Cake Chase, an introduction to bikepacking

Name: 2024 Carrot Cake Chase, an introduction to bikepacking
Start: 2024-09-21T09:00:00+12:00
End: 2024-09-23T15:00:00+12:00
Location: Timaru, New Zealand

Schedule

Sat Sep 21 2024 at 09:00 am to Mon Sep 23 2024 at 03:00 pm

UTC+12:00

Location

Timaru, New Zealand | Timaru, CA

Come and join myself and friends on the eighth running of this 3 day semi - self sufficient bikepacking ride around the South Canterbury area. Held on South Canterbury Anniversary weekend, so Monday is a public holiday for those living in the area.
The aim is to make it suitable for most, and social, so newcomers can learn about bikepacking and the old hands part with their hard-earned experience. We will be staying each night at the Raincliff Scout camp, to allow socialising and in-depth analysis of each others bikepacking setups. There is a charge of $25 per head, for each night at the camp.
There will be a vehicle heading out to the camp (and maybe a commercial size BBQ), so if you're new to bike packing, or don't have bags to carry gear, then we should be able to accomodate you. If that food, beer and wine just won't fit on your bike, i'm sure we can get it out to Raincliff. If you just can't be bothered carrying your gear......public ridicule is sometimes a powerful persuader!
There are two courses set for days 1 and 2 to cater for beginners and more seasoned riders., and if you check a map there are shortcuts and longcuts if needed.
Route is the same as last year (subject to the road closure on Backline Road) with the usual pie trip to Fairlie on day 2.
The Raincliff camp is well set up with large kitchen, good toilets, showers and sleeps 40 people in bunks, plus lots of room for tents.
With staying here for two nights, it means day 2 can be an almost unloaded bike ride. Both day 2 courses just happen to go past the Fairlie Bakehouse around about lunchtime.
For those who can't manage the three days, just miss out the day 2 ride and come back to Timaru.
So, if it sounds like you, book in the weekend now.
Start time is 9.00am on Saturday 21st September. Meet at 131 Daniels Road, Timaru (about 3.5km south of Timaru boundary). Plenty of off road parking. Note that the Raincliff camp has a fully equipped kitchen including pots, pans, crockery and cutlery, plus toilets and showers. Bring a towel, sleeping bag, food for dinners and breakfast, drinks. Plus plenty of tent spots if you wish. The courses will be similar to last year. GPX files will be available after they have been checked