Hi Riders, firstly a reminder of 2 important dates.
1. Deposit of $100 due by 15th Oct. (2 weeks away)
2. Final payment due by 15th Nov.
The deposits received as at 15th Oct will determine the final price per person. There is a limit of 12 people per bus, so get your deposit in early so you're not #13!
Stats
46 - Riders from Oz competing
39 - Riders interested in travelling with the group
11 - Riders who've paid a deposit
94 - number of sleeps left
Travel schedule
There's certainly been plenty of variation in when riders are arriving and departing, but here's the 'offical' trip program again.
Please send me your flight itinerary once you've booked so I can track everyone's arrival and departure times, as we'll be attempting to collect you from the airport if we can. Also let me know if you're extending your trip before or after the official dates or if your entry or exit airport isn't Christchurch.
|
Date |
Day |
Place |
Event |
|
7 |
Sat |
Christchurch |
|
|
8 |
Sun |
Christchurch |
Bottle Lake |
|
9 |
Mon |
Wanaka |
Travel day |
|
10 |
Tue |
Wanaka |
Roxburgh |
|
11 |
Wed |
Wanaka |
Alexandra |
|
12 |
Thu |
Wanaka |
Rest day |
|
13 |
Fri |
Wanaka |
Wanaka |
|
14 |
Sat |
Lake Tekapo |
Snow Farm |
|
15 |
Sun |
Christchurch |
|
Christchurch
The
NorthSouth Tourist Park booking has been confirmed. They have cabins if you want to upgrade yourself, otherwise it's the Bunkhouse for the rest of us.
If anyone needs an extra night once we return to Christchurch, in order to catch flights on the 16th, you can make a booking directly with them.
Wanaka
The 5 nights in Wanaka at
BASE Backpackers have been confirmed. There are plenty of options for upgrades in Wankaka, at BASE or in the same street.
Lake Tekapo
The backpacker lodge at
Lake Tekapo Holiday Park has also been confirmed.
Mini Bus
With 3 buses booked there's a hard limit of 36 riders in the travel group, so get that deposit and final payment in early, so you're no #37.
Costs
The final cost estimate is still expected to be in the range of $420-450 and once the deposits have all come in. I can confirm what it will be.
The trip cost covers the transport and accomodation and does not include the 'race' insurance. Costs you will need to meet yourself are your flights, meals, upgrades to accomodation, event fees and entertainment expenses etc.
Booking Your Place
You can secure your place on the bus and accomodation (as described above) by paying a deposit of $100 to Orienteering Australia using the bank details below.
Use your surname as a reference, so the OA treasurer can match up your payment. Your place is not secured until you make this payment. Bookings close on 15 October.
I expect that I will know the final costings following the closure of bookings and the balance will be due by 15 November.
Name: Orienteering Australia Inc
BSB: 062005
Account No: 00906687
Bike Packing
There are plenty of videos on the net to show you the miriad of ways to pack your bike. Here's one I like..
http://youtu.be/G6NMPUWlsvE
Some of my personal tips:-
1. use an airline carton ($20) as they have more room than a bike shop one. Approx 4kg.
2. visit your local bike shop and ask for a set of the plastic protectors for forks and wheels.
3. strap or tie things together, so there's not loose items in the box.
4. put small parts in a plastic bag and tie to the bike so you don't forget them.
Jerseys
Another order is about to be placed by Peter Cusworth in Victoria and they may arrive in time for Beechworth.
Event Entry
If you haven't already entered the events, you can use the link on the top right hand side of this message to enter at the official event site.
If you have any trip queries, please contact me. Cheers, Craig.
