Vulcaniser

... more than a race

13 March 2010
Mt Vulcan, Omihi, North Canterbury

For event details see the
Christchurch Singletrack Club site

event details

the course
The Vulcaniser course is located in very picturesque countryside overlooking the coast with views across Pegasus Bay towards Banks Peninsula, to the Southern Alps and along the North Canterbury coast towards Motunau Island.

Each 5 km lap has an altitude gain of about 300m and due to the energy-sapping terrain, takes the fastest riders about 20-22 minutes to get around. The course is quite challenging at race-pace due to the narrow twisty forest singletrack and constant change from uphill to downhill and back again, which gives little opportunity to rest your legs. It is the sort of course that requires you to stay very alert and that challenges you both physically and mentally, but is very fun to ride. Around 3km of the course is hand-built MTB singletrack, mostly through native forest and scrub.

This course was used in the Waipara round of the 2006 Community Trust National Series and 2008 South Island Cup, where many of the best riders from around NZ came and raced and then raved about how much they loved it. One international rider even said that it was the best singletrack he had ridden in a long time!



Click here to open a larger altitude profile in a new window

The course begins with a short climb up a grass 4WD track (to spread you out a bit) before hitting the first section of singletrack. This traverses through tussocks for about 200m before heading down through a gate and a couple of short forest sections to a long piece of doubletrack through scrub and forest. From here you enter the Slimline, a fantastic twisty section of singletrack that heads down, down, down to the creek, then a flowing singletrack climb up the other side of the valley on Lover's Lane that traverses through manuka and broadleaf forest. A few more undulations and you'll find yourself riding up a semi-open spur singletrack back to the gateway you passed through earlier. Over the brow of the saddle and it is back into the very cool Boar's Nest downhill section through more manuka and broadleaf forest. There is then a steady climb for about 200m up a 4WD track before heading into the forest on the Trimble Track, a steady singletrack climb through manuka and scrub. At the end of this it is back through a couple of gates to complete the circuit where you'll have a big grin and be hanging out for more of that singletrack on your next lap!




Click above for a photographic guide around the Vulcaniser course
or for a video (about 6 MB) - follow this link
www.vorb.org.nz/video-view-75672.html







stuff to bring
We recommend you bring the following items:

  • helmet and bike
  • MTB shoes and riding clothes
  • appropriate clothing for the weather
  • drink sufficient for the duration of the race
  • chainbreaker, pump and a spare tube
  • this information
  • mud tyres are highly recommended if the track is likely to be wet

    how to get there
    The race is being held at Mt Vulcan Station. Head north from Christchurch. Turn right off SH1 into Reeces Rd (by the school) at Omihi about 10km north of the Waipara junction. Travel up this road for 11km to where you will be directed up a white gravel farm road to the parking area (approx. 3km). This road is NOT SUITABLE for cars with low ground clearance. There may be a walk or bike of 700m of relatively easy gradient 4WD track to the start/finish area if the access road is slippery on race day. Allow approx. 1hr 15min from the north edge of Christchurch.

    Click here for a simplified map

    spectators
    Spectators are very welcome at this event and are free to watch the action. However, you must ensure you stay out of the way of competitors and all children must be closely supervised. The course has some excellent viewing spots and photographic opportunites, especially with the numerous forest sections. It is recommended that all spectators have good footwear and warm clothing as there is often a cool sea breeze. As this is a working farm please don't bring dogs.

    thanks to...
    ...Ross Little and family for allowing mountainbikers to enjoy their property, all those who have helped build this awesome track (and there have been many!), the volunteers for the many important jobs they undertake and, finally, the sponsors who are supporting this event...









    This page is subject to change

    Craig & Rebekah Tregurtha
    Backyard Events
    www.mountainbike.orcon.net.nz
    Canterbury cross-country mountainbike events
    03 322 7886 ... 027 313 4908 ... XC@paradise.net.nz

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