A brevet with a difference.

Back in April, I had the honour of carrying the torch for another edition of a classic brevet (with a difference) dating back to 2011.

Over the years, the Te Tawhio o Whanganui had been organised by many people, running sporadically with long hiatus periods.

I first heard about the Tawhio in 2021, and at the time, a five-day bikepacking trip was to be the longest I'd ever spent away from home, and quite the source of anxiety. Nonetheless, I had to do it.

As my passion for empowering others to get outdoors through the power of storytelling grew, alongside my need for purpose, I hatched a plan to revive the Tawhio. Reaching out to Simon Kennet, organiser of the 2021 Tawhio in August, I had planned to create a series of bikepacking trips in varying lengths building up to the Tawhio (inspired by Geyserland Bikepacking Adventures). As life would have it, I got busy, and something had to give. It was organising events, and the Tawhio looked like it might go the same way. That was until one of my customers began telling me how much he was enjoying his new gravel bike and looking to do longer rides.

It was February, and if there was a time to commit to the Tawhio it was now. Traditionally run in April, I was running out of time. It was now or never.

On the day, eight intrepid bikepackers would leave the start line and make their way to Raetihi, approximately a 100km journey, depending on their chosen route.

Upon reaching Raetihi and settling in for the night, so too did the weather. Saturday morning offered us a stunning misty vista as we made our way into the Ruatiti Valley along soggy gravel roads ahead of climbing the up the Mangapurua towards another corner of the Whanganui National Park boundary. Rain wasn't the only cloud that hung over our head, there was a black mass of uncertainty as we slipped and slid our way down the Kaiwhakauka towards Blue Duck Station.

We had made the collective decision to take the chance on a long detour in the hope that the weather would clear enough for a jet boat connection to get us to a road end 3km up river. Even as I enjoyed my bacon and egg pie and Coffee at Blue Duck Cafe, the only certainty we had was that the rain wasn't letting up any time soon.

Following yet another wet night, we enjoyed some reprise as autumn greeted in all its glory as we departed Taumaranui for Whangamomona, with most of us going via Ohura. Some for the gorgeous scenery, others for the famous Mexican food at Fiesta Fare.

By the time we departed Whangamomona, wet tents were seeming all too predictable and the wet and cold was beginning to take its toll on energy levels of most riders. That combined by an ever present head wind and the easier option of the Forgottwen World Highway seemed like the logical choice, at least for some as we made our way towards Hawera for the final night.

After four days of spectacular scenery, the prospect of so much highway riding took the shine off the final day. The vibe had taken a bit of a dive, the sense of adventure seemed to have been lost, and this felt like a trasit day, a mere formality to get us back to the finish.

Its with these thoughts that as I reflect upon the amazing memories of my second Tawhio, I question, what will my third look like, and when?

Will I let this iconic event remain in keeping with its history of running sporadically, allowing the touch to be passed to fresh blood next time, or will I return it to its roots of being a much more challenging and remote route suited to the fit, experienced and mildly unhinged?

Watch this space.