R & R SPORT MEGA AVALANCHE
The Queenstown Mega's version will be set on the slopes of the Remarkables.
The start is high on the main ridge line visible to Queenstown (1980 meters). Riders will descend the main ridge two kilometers (440 vertical meters) visible from the Wakatipu Basin through wild country riding on track, rocky drops, tussocks, views to die for if you can take your eyes of the job at hand.
Some road (4kms), more downhill single track - Grassroots, across and up the road again and onto the National Series downhill course to the farm at the valley floor at 330m
A drop of 1650 meters (or more than 3,000ft) for you... That's a nice wild ride.
'On the day' button for more notes on the ride.
'Policies and Rules' button for entry information.
Click here for the Mega Avalanche newsletter for entrants
Department of Conservation note
We have been given permission for a one year trial to use the main ridge line of the Remarkabes (as you see it from town):
"The upper part of the course is entirely within the Rastus Burn Recreation Reserve which is managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC). Owing to potential environmental concerns, the event is being run on a trial basis and the field has been limited to 100 competitors.
Part of the route through the Reserve does not have a formed track and DOC requests that competitors DO NOT use the race route in the Reserve prior to the practise day. The route will be carefully marked just before the practise day to ensure environmental impacts can be minimised. In the meantime we ask that all riders respect the mountan bikers' environmental care code and stay on one of the many formed mountain bike tracks already available in the Wakatipu. Damage to the race route before the course is professionally marked may result in parts of the route to be closed and could stop the event from being held again."
A further note to that: NZSki are working on the Shadow Basin access way, and from the New Year there is no practicable way to access the ridge line. All access to the Shadow Basin is restricted due to a blasting program.
What you can expect...
Date: 31 March 10.00am practise 2:00pm race
Location: The Remarkables
Fees: The Full Monty $205, Deluxe $145, Hardcore $85
The event will be held on the Sunday 31st, with practise and race on the same day.
Click here for the Mega Avalanche newsletter for entrants
The Top Section of the Course
This event is not run on a prepared downhill track. It is wild country riding. the top is open and easy to pick a line, but there are lots of unmarked drops (the big holes we found on course will be taped off)
There are a number of small climbs on the ridge which lead over outcrops but give access to better lines rather than some tougher side hill traverse's.
The race line follows the old fenceline along the ridge. Fence posts will be taped.
Specific ‘markers / control points / flags’ will guide riders ie you must pass between the flags and in other places course arrows and control tape on pig tail stakes will indicate race line. The distance between flags is considerable at times, but each flag is visible from the next one These will be narrow gates that will help define the course.
The course itself begins high above Shadow Chair on the Remarkables Ski Field on the main ridge line visible to Queenstown (1980 meters). From the mass start the course descends open ground - small rocky / stoney ground mixed
with ground hugging plants and unseen steps and drops,
alongside the old fence line remains,
After about 1km rocky knolls and outcrops and the fence line track become more visible. A ‘S’ turn leads to a 100 meter traverse across a rocky and scattered tussock slope and then back onto the ridge top.
After descending the main ridge for 2km and dropping 440 vertical meters we descend a ridge line alongside a open basin and swing back towards the Rastus Burn basin before dropping into the last bit of rough tussocks and the drop onto the road.
Once the course hits the main access road it's a slippery fast 5km before hitting the singletrack of the Grassroots track.
Grassroots itself will be loosely marked with tape and arrows. It is a narrow, single track on grass with a couple of zig zags and steepish sections and a off-camber traverse before the descent to the road.
After descending Grassroots the course rejoins the access road for a quick 300m up the road (about 20 meters vertical) to drop diagonally onto the National Series downhill course for the final big descent to the farm at the valley floor at 330m. That's right, with a drop of 1650 meters (or more than 3,000ft) it's a ride you won't soon forget!
Ascend the road 300meters before dropping diagonally down onto the National's downhill track to the finish line at Mike Mees farm. This finishes steeply down into a rock garden.
The course will be open for anyone with a race plate to have one practise on the morning off the event.
Going downhill...
No practise available on the top section in the Reserve.
Department of Conservation note
We have been given permission for a one year trial to use the main ridge line of the Remarkabes (as you see it from town):
"The upper part of the course is entirely within the Rastus Burn Recreation Reserve which is managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC). Owing to potential environmental concerns, the event is being run on a trial basis and the field has been limited to 100 competitors.
Part of the route through the Reserve does not have a formed track and DOC requests that competitors DO NOT use the race route in the Reserve prior to the practise day. The route will be carefully marked just before the practise day to ensure environmental impacts can be minimised. In the meantime we ask that all riders respect the mountan bikers' environmental care code and stay on one of the many formed mountain bike tracks already available in the Wakatipu. Damage to the race route before the course is professionally marked may result in parts of the route to be closed and could stop the event from being held again."
A further note to that: NZSki are working on the Shadow Basin access way, and from the New Year there is no practicable way to access the ridge line. All access to the Shadow Basin is restricted due to a blasting program.
The middle section - Grass Roots Track is the only area that can accessed before the race day.
Entry Fees
From the ski field car park there are two choices for access to the start.
The Choices for Entry
The Full Monty $205 - includes shuttle from Remarkables Road Base, Heli-shuttle from ski area car park for both practise and race run and entry fee.
Helishuttle - load the bikes onto the racks and fly direct to the start line for both runs.
Deluxe $145 - includes shuttle from Remarkables Road Base (space availabe), afternoon helishuttle for race run from ski area car park and entry fee. In the morning ride / push and walk to the top.
Hardcore $85 - entry to the the only Mega avalanche style race in the Southern Hemisphere. Arrange own transport to the base area. And ride and walk/push to the top.
It is a 45 - 50 min push from the carpark. From the chair (halfway point) it is a push up. One section is steep and a grunt and then it eases off. At the top of the chair ride downhill along the highway to a steep uphill climb on scree (this was quickest), or continue to the end and push up open terrain to the start area.
The Divisions
Open - Men or Women (must be 16yrs+)
Clothing Requirement What sort of bike The best choice - downhill bikle or all mountain bike with downhill wheels / tyres. There are a few spaniards on the lower Grassroots track.
1.Full Face Helmet
2. Elbows - elbow protectors or combined elbow/forearm protection.
3. Knee - knee protectors
I did ride a 29er XC bike down the course - carefully at times but with no problem (GeoffH) - so I asked Blair Christmas - the course designer for the DirtMasters
His answer - say at least 6 inch travel ideally - don't want to scare people off by saying dh bike but ill be riding one - I think.
