"This is a one hour race with a Criterium format , the laps will be approximately 10-15 minutes. The course runs up a open valley that has a number of technical sections this course will be great for spectators with open terrain and fast laps. Once the hour is up all riders finish as they cross the line."
Now this was one course I was looking forward to finishing, boy were my members aching by the end of it. The approximate number of people participating was close to 60 and it was a definite push and shove at the start to establish the positions. For the first lap I was practically walking with my bike. One person was even considerate enough to "ENDO" right on my face - a tactical move??? if so, I would have to kick his ass in the downhill and slalom events to come. After the first lap, the cyclists were more spaced out and we were finally going at our own comfortable pace. I was ready to pull out, but then caught sight of the mates and decided to stick it out. One lap took about 15 mins to complete for me and I had therefore completed 4 laps after the hour had been up. Overall it was a pleasant ride, although there were some nasty hills to climb and I felt they could have made it better by keeping the track inside the forest.
Downhill Course
"You follow a ridge line which passes though young pine trees dropping I SOm in altitude crossing a wooden bridge to the finish line the majority of the course is on grass surface. Each run is expected to take approximately 4-5 mins all riders get two runs your best time will count. Transport will be provided."
Unlike previously instructed, their was only enough time for a single timed run for each competitor. The provided transport was a definite appreciation to all the downhillers, particularly the people with the 30+ pound full suspension bikes. It was a tractor and a trailer but seemed to be very adequate - just piled the bikes on and jump on with them (and a few in the tractor's scoop). The course was very mild and unlike the above description, it was mainly on sandstone carved into the hills of a cliff. Where the track may have been on the easy side in terms of rideability, it had some nasty sharp corners which would have lost many riders who did not hit their brakes in time. One disappointment was the amount of uphills in this downhill - a fair amount of pedalling was required in it and this would have lost many of the "heavy bike" riders.
Slalom Course
" Set on a gentle slope, shaped to ensure fast and exciting racing. The course will be open all day for practice your first run time will go towards overall honours.
Fast and Exciting were the definite things that came to mind over this course, hailed by many including myself as the best event of the day. The first run was a single, timed one and the second was the Dual version, recently introduced, in which players would keep racing against the winner until it came down to the last two. Their were a few rules against things such as pushing the opponent off the course with your hands. I had a great start, and took the lead against my mate in the first corner, but then lost traction in the sand and bailed - this did stop the guy for a while and this was quite funny - both of us struggling to get back on our bikes while trying to contain our laughter!! It was definitely a laugh, watching riders attempt an aggressive overtaking move only to lose their line completely on the next corner, riders losing their chain, endovering and tangling their bikes up with the course boundaries, tangling themselves up with their opponents, both purposely and accidentally, guys bailing and then doing their best to get in the opponents way - THIS is the definition of FUN!!
