Just thought I’d give you a bit of an update. The maps were finished earlier in the year and we’re now well into setting the courses. The past couple of times up there we’ve been beset by the wet weather we’ve been having. Today was a good example on the long distance area in which we spent half a day in and out of the mud. Actually, given how much rain they’d had the area stood up really well. But if it’s wet near the race then you definitely want to consider mud tyres and make sure you have new brake pads. That is, if you’re prone to changing tyres. My tip would be a 2.0-2.2 wide mud tyre (like the Schwalbe Nobby Nic – www.schwalbe.com). If the weather is fine then anything. But not a skinny (<2.0) tyre pumped up hard.
We are absolutely delighted with the areas and the maps. All are great for MBO and riding. The tracks require technical skill to ride and there is plenty of navigation. These events will favour the good riders and navigators. I think the long race area is one of the best MBO areas I’ve seen and certainly the best in Australia. Lots of paths, single track, big tracks and mostly fast riding.
The long course will be about 35 km. We expect about 95 minutes (22 kmh) winning time in the dry and about 2 hours (18 kmh) in the wet. Other courses have been set to avoid the rougher sections, but keep in the fun navigation.
Sunday’s long may be a mass start race for all classes (or series of mass starts). So be prepared for that. If we do that we’ll have some devilishly cunning way of splitting up riders. Of course everyone will end up doing the same course. This approach is pretty common in Europe and works really well. I’ve done it for quite a few races now.