McDonald Downs MTB Adventure

McDonald Downs mountainbike adventure Last held Saturday 25 November 2006 Waipara Valley, North Canterbury NOTE: We will not be holding the McDonald Downs event in 2007 Welcome to the 2006 McDonald Downs mountainbike adventure, now in it's fifth year. If you love hills you will love this event. There are three courses to choose from to cater for varying degrees of ability - the summit, the thirtyfive and the intro. The summit is a new course, replacing the marathon course, and the intro is using an all new easier and shorter course than previously. All three courses stay within the fantastic North Canterbury highcountry station, McDonald Downs, and all start and finish at the McDonald Downs woolshed which has good facilities. We would like to acknowledge the continued support from the landowners and from Graeme and the team at R & R Sport, the best outdoor shop in Christchurch. There will be NO on-the-day entries accepted and total entries are limited to 400. Previous winners: 2005 Marathon course, Christof Bischof (Switzerland), Tracy Clark (Christchurch) Thirtyfive course, Chris Fisher (Christchurch), Angela Eccles (Christchurch) 2004 Marathon course, Julian Mitchell (Christchurch), Rosara Joseph (Christchurch) Thirtyfive course, Aaron Clark (Rangiora), Anne Cooper (Christchurch) 2003 Marathon course, Andy Reid (Blenheim), Glenda Ryan (Christchurch) Thirtyfive course, David Jackson (Christchurch), Rachel Smith (Christchurch) 2002 Marathon course, Neil Sutherland (Christchurch), Tracy Clark (Christchurch) Thirtyfive course, Tim Hoban (Christchurch), Mandy Chater (christchurch) - the summit -
S T A T S		New course! This course is essentially most of the thirtyfive course with an additional 6 km, 700 m grunt up onto the summit of the Brothers Range, plus a really long big-grin downhill! Do not be fooled by the distance, this course involves some pretty serious climbing. It is being offered instead of the marathon course and will only suit those who are very fit and willing to put themselves up against the notoriously pain-inducing hills of McDonald Downs! But that pain will be temporarily forgotten when you take in the view from the summit and experience the awesome downhill that follows.
42 km 1800 m 80% 20%	distance total climbing 4WD track gravel
S C H E D U L E
8 - 8.40 am 8:45 am 9 am	registration briefing start

Click here to open a larger version of this profile chart in a new window Click here to view a map of the course. This course runs in an anticlockwise direction. Click here to view a 3D image showing the Brothers Range section of the summit course.
- the thirtyfive -
S T A T S		This popular course remains unchanged and will suit those who want to enjoy a reasonably challenging ride but don't want to tackle the Summit course. The fastest riders take just over 2 hours. The course is mostly undulating 4WD track with only one big hill which has a long descent most of the way to the finish! The course takes you through native bush, small stream crossings and up onto hills with awesome views. Comments from previous competitors can be found on the reports page on our website. This is a fun course to ride.
35 km 1300 m 70% 30%	distance total climbing 4WD track gravel
S C H E D U L E
8 - 9.40 am 9:45 am 10 am	registration briefing start

Click here to open a larger version of this profile chart in a new window Click here to view a map of the course. This course runs in an anticlockwise direction.
- the intro -
S T A T S		New course for 2006, which is shorter and with less climbing than the old course. The intro course is aimed at those doing their very first organised adventure ride. It will suit those who want to be part of the day but haven't the experience to tackle the longer courses. It may be relatively short but it does still have one decent climb in it (mostly relatively gentle but does include a couple of short steep sections that some will choose to walk), almost as high as the Port Hills. We expect the fastest person to take around 45 minutes. This course is about participation and there are no place prizes.
13.5 km 320 m 50% 50%	distance total climbing 4WD track gravel
S C H E D U L E
8 - 10.40 am 10:45 am 11 am	registration briefing start

Click here to open a larger version of this profile chart in a new window Click here to view a map of the course. This course runs in a clockwise direction.
event details 1 categories Junior - under 19 years Senior - 19-29 years Thirties - 30-39 years Forties - 40-49 years Fifties - 50-59 years Veteran - 60+ years All ages as on race day, 25 November 2006 2 schedule - summit registration 8 am to 8.40 am - summit briefing 8.45 am - summit start 9 am - thirtyfive registration 8 am to 9.40 am - thirtyfive briefing 9.45 am - thirtyfive start 10 am - intro registration 8 am to 10.40 am - intro briefing 10.45 am - intro start 11 am - There will be water and banana stations on the course - Lunch will be provided by the landowners for all competitors - Showers will be available after the ride - An area will be available for cleaning bikes if you wish - Prizegiving is expected to be at about 3 pm - Supporters and those who finish early are welcome to visit the lovely gardens at the McDonald Downs homestead. Prizegiving - small place prizes will be given to the first 5 men and women to cross the finish line on the two hardest courses. The names of the first three men and women in each age category will be announced. Emphasis at the prizegiving will be on spot prizes. If your name is called you must be present at the prizegiving to claim your prize. Participants are able to choose a prize from the table so that you don't end up with a product that is not suitable for you. 3 gear a. The following items are compulsory to bring to the race but there will be some flexibility as to what you will have to carry depending on the weather - : - survival blanket - thermal top (polypro etc) - thermal longs or leggings - jacket (preferably rainproof but at least showerproof) - beanie - food and drink sufficient for the duration of the race - race-worthy bike and NZ standards approved or equivalent helmet Competitors entering the Summit course will need to be prepared for all conditions as the course travels along an extremely exposed ridgeline. b. other stuff to bring - : In additon to the compulsory items listed above we recommend the following items: - MTB shoes and riding clothes - chainbreaker, pump and 2 spare tubes - race information - change of clothes and towel - medication if required - road map of area Refer to the entry form for full rules and terms of entry. 4 entry Entry fee includes lunch. Total entries are limited to 400 participants. Entries to the Intro course are limited to no more than 130, unless space is available at the closing date (15 November), after which additional entries will be accepted in the order they were received. If the Intro course limit is reached, advise us if you wish to go on a waiting list Entry is $32 for the Intro Course, $50 for the Thirtyfive Course and $55 for the Summit Course and must be received by 4pm Wednesday 15 November. No entries will be taken on the day. If you need to withdraw you MAY transfer your entry to a friend if you first notify us (ph 03 980 9432) If paying by cheque make payable to Adventure Events. A list of entries received will be available on our website during the weeks leading up to the event. Please don't enter if the limit of 400 has been reached. If the overall limit is reached and you would like to be notified if a space becomes available please get in touch with us. Post or drop off your entries to: Adventure Events, 6 Vincent Place, Opawa, Christchurch R&R Sport, 54 Lichfield St, Christchurch, or 5 refunds If you need to withdraw from this event, let us know ASAP. If it is before or on 15 November your entry fee will be refunded less a $5 administration fee. Refunds for cancellations after this date will be considered on compassionate grounds. In the unlikely event the event is cancelled, the amount of a refund, if any, will be set at the organisers' discretion, and will depend on the level of costs incurred up to the time of cancellation. The race will be held in any weather unless officials decide safety is an issue (phone the woolshed (03) 314 4526, if any doubt). We reserve the right to change the course. 6 how to get there The event is being held at McDonald Downs in the picturesque Waipara Valley. Simplest access is from SH1 near Waipara. Turn into Georges Road (opposite Waipara Hills Winery, formerly Canterbury House) 1.5 km south of the SH7 turnoff at Waipara and drive inland for about 30 minutes (27 km). Allow about 1hr 10min from Christchurch. From Lewis Pass direction, turn west off SH7 through the township of Waikari along Princes St, travel out the other side of the town and turn left into Pyramid Valley Rd, left into Broxton Rd and left into McDonald Downs road and you’re nearly there. There are also other routes – consult a map click here for our simplified map. 7 accommodation If you would like to stay at McDonald Downs the night before the event an area will be made available for you to pitch a tent or you can sleep in the woolshed. $5 per person, showers and kitchen facilities available. For more information contact the organisers on (03) 980 9432. Alternatively, there are hotels, motels and/or camping grounds in Hanmer Springs, Waikari, Waipara and Amberley. 8 thanks to... ...the landowners for allowing mountainbikers to enjoy their property, the Waipara County Lions Club, the Canterbury Land Owners Club and the Hawarden Search and Rescue for their assistance on the course, Hayley for being my right hand woman and finally the sponsors who support this event. They are: Neat Feat 3B Action Cream This page is subject to change adventure events - mtbrace@paradise.net.nz - phone (03) 980 9432 www.mountainbike.orcon.net.nz results \| race reports \| mcdonald downs \| vulcaniser \| noticeboard \| photos \| profile