Inside the Peloton (Tour of Southland)
Inside the Peloton (Tour of Southland)
$6,250
THE TOUR OF SOUTHLAND – Sunday 29 October to Saturday 4 November 2023.
Unique opportunity to experience New Zealand’s biggest and longest running cycle race from the inside.
- Experience the excitement of sharing an elite race with New Zealand’s most professional and successful Non-Pro team, Coupland’s Bakeries-Booth’s logistics.
- Fully supported and guided small group tour (max 10).
- Nine days/ seven days of racing (9 stages).
- Ride sections of the stages.
- Behind the scenes access to race starts and finishes.
- Sit in on team tactics and meetings – Ride in the team convoy vehicle!
- Be part of the action – honorary soigneur! Experience the highs and lows.
This is our premium small group tour, unique in New Zealand. It provides the opportunity to live and ride “inside the peloton”; being a part of the iconic Tour of Southland and part of an elite team in the race. You will feel part of the race and part of the Coupland’s Bakeries- Booth’s Logistics team. The fully guided and supported tour group is limited to ten, with two support staff. The tour of Southland is New Zealand’s oldest race (2023 is the 67th edition) and at 850 km and nine stages over seven days, the longest and toughest.
Inclusions:
- Be there for all 9 stages. Arrive Saturday 28 October, depart Sunday 5 November.Accommodation eight nights, share twin (extra charge for single room). Seven nights Invercargill, one night Te Anau.
- Meals – Continental breakfasts and cut lunch every day. Dinner six nights (two free nights), excl alcohol. On-the-bike Coupland’s snacks.
- Transportation during the race - twelve-seater van and bike trailer available every day.
- Team kit – jersey and vest, cap, bag and bottles.
- Airport pick up and return, Invercargill.
- Post-race prize giving (subject to ticket availability).
- Race programme including team listings and stage maps.
- Opportunity to ride stage sections (pick up and drop off points). Ride up The Remarkables !! Ride in the team convoy vehicle and sit in on team tactics meeting the night before (max two per day).
- Most importantly Honorary soigneur status.
Exclusions:
- Travel costs to and from Invercargill (but see options below).
- Provide your own bike.
- Two dinners and all alcohol.
- Any special dietary requirements.
- Travel and bike insurance.
Options (additional charges apply)
Travel to and from Invercargill in the tour van (bikes on tour trailer) including Cook Strait ferry. Will incur two additional night’s accommodation, enroute.
Bike hire, from Cycling Tom Bike Shop Masterton.
The Tour Cost
Nine days / eight nights $6250.00 per person.
Single accommodation option, additional $1520.00.
Travelling with the tour van to and form Invercargill, please enquire.
Payment terms and conditions: An initial (non-refundable) deposit of $1000.00 is payable on booking. The balance is payable 60 days prior to departure. We recommend you take out travel insurance when booking.
Book This Tour
We’ll call you to confirm all your details and complete payment within 48 hours
Tour Plan
Day 1: Saturday
Arrive Invercargill.
Meet and greet the team and fellow tourers.
First night dinner at Buster Crabb’s.
Day 2: Sunday
The excitement begins. Up early and set up team base for the day on Queen’s Park. Ride the circuit.Prologue - TTT 4.2km
Stage One- Street Race 42km 10 laps.
Our Glenn Haden took out the stage win in 2022.
Day 3: Monday
Stage Two - Invercargill Velodrome to Lumsden 166km.
Savour the pre-race nerves of the first big day. Experience thousands of flag waving school kids screaming the riders on.
Two race viewing stops and then the gravel section - see the carnage; ride the gravel if you dare.
Set up team base in historic railway town of Lumsden and watch the furious sprint finish in the Main Street.
Ride home if you wish.
Day 4: Tuesday
Stage Three - Riverton to Te Anau 148km.
Early start drive to Riverton. See riders sign on and pre-race set up.
Quick exit to watch riders depart and we race ahead for coffee in beautiful Tuatapere. Only one road today so we head straight to Te Anau and set up team finish area right on the finishing line. Another furious sprint finish.
We can drop you off in Manapouri to ride in if you wish, approx. xxx? km.
This is our only stay-away night, in fabulous Te Anau. Enjoy a cool Italian meal in one of our favourite restaurants (the grumpy lady owner is to behold).
Day 5: Wednesday
Stage Four - Mossburn to The Remarkables 108km.
This is the big one, the Queen stage, finishing xxx? km up the Remarkables.
A short drive in the morning to the small town of Mossburn, the venison capital of the World, and set up for the team departure. We race ahead of the peloton for a coffee break at Garston before pushing on to Kingston, home of the famous Kingston Flyer train. Ride to the foot of the Remarkables via the Devils Staircase Lookout while enjoying the stunning beauty of Lake Wakatipu. We will base ourselves at the halfway point of the final climb. You can ride up to the finish line and back down again; feel the pain.
Back home tonight to Invercargill.
Day 6: Thursday
Stage Five – Another start from the Velodrome with all the vibe, finishing atop Bluff Hill 154km.
Plenty of watch points today as the race meanders (the route, not the speed) around the green, green, rich Southland farmlands before charging into the South Island’s southernmost town of Bluff for the last gasp climb to the lookout at the top of Bluff Hill – steeper than the Remarkables, but not as long, thankfully. We will set up the team base at the foot of the climb, so we see all the riders hit the hill. You can ride up and watch the finish (or walk if you prefer). Go on, test yourself!
Day 7: Friday
Stage Six – Invercargill Velodrome to Gore (roll your rrr’s) 151km.
A misleading stage. Looks easy on paper but plenty of rolling hills and the riders are starting to really feel it. A frantic last hill into town and fast finish – not usually a brunch sprint.
We will have a great vantage point in Winton to see the peloton through and watch out for the flag waving school kids again, here and in Mataura, our next stop. When the riders go inland we head straight for Gore township – original home of Sergeant Dan the Cremoata man (are you old enough to remember Sergeant Dan porridge?). Set up the gazebo on the church lawn to get the best view of the finish. Coupland’s donuts all round.
Day 8: Saturday
An early start as we nip into Queens Park to set up our base for the finish and then head for Winton; a big day, two exciting stages. Ride the TT circuit to get a feel for the pain. Watch out on the circuit or in town.
Stage Eight - Winton. The ITT 13km. An early start to drive out to Winton and get a sheltered spot under the shop balconies to be close to the start and finish. Smell the sweat, feel the tension. And we have to do our bit – each of our riders must have a support vehicle, so hang on while we push from behind screaming go, go, go.
Stage Nine – The Grand Finale – Winton to Queens Park Invercargill 77km.
Might sound a short stage but it’s a nail biter. The GC winner may or may not be decided today. We drive out North of town to see the entire peloton sweeping by. They head East while we head back into town for the big finish and what a finish. Five laps of the circuit and the crowds are huge. Plenty of time to ride the course (carefully) in reverse to catch the action, but don’t miss the sprint finish. Prize giving follows.
Saturday Night: Subject to ticket availability we join our team for the gala dinner and race celebration. We have earned it, time to relax and enjoy a few quiet ones. Alternatively we have our own celebration at a local restaurant.
Day 8: Saturday
We bid fond farewells and head back home, sated by a week of road cycling pleasure.
Book This Tour
We’ll call you to confirm all your details and complete payment within 48 hours
Route Details
WHERE:
Sunny Invercargill, Lumsden, Te Anau, Queenstown (ride up the Remarkables), Bluff Hill, Gore, Winton.
WHEN:
Arrive Saturday 27 October.
Depart Sunday 5 November.
You have the opportunity to be involved with the team at each stage and ride all, some or none of the course ahead of the race - You Choose.
Book This Tour
We’ll call you to confirm all your details and complete payment within 48 hours
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Book This Tour
We’ll call you to confirm all your details and complete payment within 48 hours
