Whether your mouth froths at the thought of competing toe to toe with a fellow rider or you just like to get out on the weekend amongst like minded mountain bikers, there’s a place for you.

Canberra Off-road Cyclists has a venue, race, distance, gender, speed and age to suit anyone who ever rode a bike. While nationally there is an infinite number of races you can do, this article will focus on CORC’s local events. Namely cross country, short track/crits and downhill.

Cross Country

Cross country racing has long been the competitive arena for the common trail rider. With distances of between 15 and 40 km it fits within most peoples usual recreational ride time and distance. Also the cross country trails must cater for all levels so are never too intimidating.

While it seems all ‘elite’ and ‘competitive’ at first thought, the local cross country scene has an extremely relaxed atmosphere and ‘elite’ riders make up a very small percentage of the 200+ riders who turn up on the Sunday mornings. Everyone’s there to enjoy the friendly competition and test themselves in a fun environment.

Doing you first race is surprisingly easy. Just check out the CORC website for the next race date and turn up to register around the given time. On arrival you’ll see a registration tent and a line of smiling entrants. If you don’t have an MTBA license the volunteer behind the table will give you a day license ($15). From here just pick the category you’d like to ride in (they can help you decide) and attach your given race number to the front of your bike. Easy.

The race director will call up the categories one by one and you’ll begin the course. Expect between a 5 and 8 km loop taking between 15 to 40 minutes per lap depending on your ability. Also depending on your chosen category you’ll do between 1 and 5 laps.

During the race riders from all categories are on the trails at the same time. Since everyone travels at different speeds overtaking is a regular occurrence and with some courteous communication the process flows very easily. This is why it doesn’t matter how fast you go.

Top 5 Tips for you first XC race:

1. Take the race at your own pace. Don’t worry about anyone else, just have fun and enjoy your own challenge.

2. Don’t worry about what bike you have, mountain bikers aren’t out to pose and don’t judge others on their equipment. So long as it gets around the track that’s all you need to worry about.

3. Take a spare tube and pump so you can fix a puncture. If you can’t fix a flat tyre it’s only going to be a 10 min walk home from anywhere on the track so you’ll be fine. – See Ride Canberra article on fixing a flat

4. Take your kids. CORC has races for kids as soon as they can balance on a bike. They’ll have their own race course and you can give them all the help they need.

5. Take the necessary clothes and water for the conditions. You don’t want to get cold before and after the race. If its hot you’ll need to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Short track/crits

Held on Thursday evenings from the beginning of November to April, these races are a great introduction to MTB racing. They’re short, fast and just like the cross country races have a relaxed atmosphere.

Just turn up, put your name down in any grade (A-D/Juniors’) and get out for a few laps of the track. A lap will be between 2-5 minutes long and it changes every week. Races are between 8-15 minutes long depending on your grade.

Just like the XC races you’re free to ride your own pace. Get out for a few practice laps before your start to get the hang of the track. Once it’s time for you to start your category will be called up and the race director will send you off.

Once you’ve completed the laps someone will be at the finish to take your result. It’s a 17 week series so you turn up to as many as you can and get some points for your tally.

Downhill

For those who love the thrill and skill of downhill riding, a downhill race gives you the chance to see how your speed compares. CORC runs regular events at many Canberra locations including Majura, Stromlo and Kowen Forest.

You’ll must have a full face helmet but further protection is optional so if your just going to check out the scene for the first time you won’t need to have all the latest gear.

Races generally start at 12:30pm and it’s a good idea to get there early for a few practice runs. One of the best things about riding at a downhill event is the transport. No more pushing your way back to the top, there’ll be a bus waiting for you at the bottom.

Registration is on the day and the people there will help you with choosing a category and inform you of your start times. There are categories for everyone including for hard tail so you don’t need a full downhill rig for your first outing.

The format is ‘best of two runs’ so you have two chances to put down your quickest time and the best one will determine your result. Its an individual timed run so there’s no pressure to ride any faster than your comfortable with.

So if you love to cruise the descents on the weekends or your pushing the limits with your mates after school, take yourself out to a downhill race and enjoy the experience with others.

The trunk trail climb to the observatory is looking good after extensive work pre winter, likewise the trails between the Western Carpark and Wombat Junction are flowing well for your return home after their earlier repairs.

Skyline is living up to its great reputation through the tough conditions as the water drains well off the trail surfaces. In fact, with a little moisture most of the trails are riding faster and better than ever.

Following Skyline, the ‘Berm Track’ continues to provide tonnes of traction adding to the already amazing experience of hooking those perfectly formed berms.

As the sun starts to warm things up over the next few weeks we’ll see plenty of the green stuff coming out and firming up the trails. With so much moisture the mountain will be once again blooming with flora and teeming with life as the 24 Hour Australian and World Champs roll around.

See you out there!

The 2010 Scott 24 Hours of Adrenalin Australian 24 Hour Mountain Bike Championships is on the horizon and this year it’s got company: The 24 Hours of Adrenalin 2010 World Solo 24 Hour Mountain Bike Championships!

Since its birth over 10 years ago, CORC’s Australian 24 Hour Championships have evolved into arguably the greatest mountain bike festival in the world! After years of producing world champions alongside complete novices, it’s only fitting that the two pinnacle events of mass participation and solo discovery unite on 9-10 October 2010 to form one of the greatest mountain bike events the world has ever seen.

This is the first time that the world solo 24 hour champs have ventured outside of North America in its 12 year history. The great thing about 24 hour racing in 2010 is that there are so many riders from countries, including many from Europe, who have never competed at world level before so it could be anyone’s guess at the outcome. The national champions from Australia, UK, NZ, Argentina, Denmark, Austria and Italy are already lined up and ready to do battle.

The World Champs and the Scott will use two different courses, with the solos taking on a tougher lap, the likes of which have never been seen in a solo World Champs. They will hit the top of the mountain twice each lap on a course which demands 100% concentration, 100% of the time. Not an easy task for 24 hours!

So far, over 400 riders have entered for the 24 Hours of Adrenalin 2010 World Solo 24 Hour Mountain Bike Championships, already over twice the size of the previous biggest ever world solo championships. With team entries reaching close to capacity, up to 2500 riders are expected to compete in the traditional side of the event, amassing a grand total of nearly 800 riders on the mountain at any one time. Come nightfall, Stromlo Forest Park will host one of the most spectacular light shows ever seen.

Australia has enjoyed vast success on the World Solo 24 hour stage with three elite male champions and several female podium finishes. The current 24 Hours of Adrenalin World Solo Men’s Champion is Jason English from Port Macquarie, NSW. Jason won the title in Canmore, Alberta in July 2009.   With the opportunity to vie for a world championship on a track where he has taken several national titles, English will be determined to add another jersey to his collection. “Having the worlds in Australia will be fantastic! I love the idea of competing in an event that will bring up to 10 000 mountain bike loving people together. With up to 450 solo riders competing it will make for a truly spectacular event. Having the teams event at the same time will also enhance the amount of spectators creating a great atmosphere.”

Preparing for the toughest race in his career English knows what to expect. “To win I think you will need to complete over 10km of vertical climbing. It will be a battle of the strongest riders. I think the legs will be hardly turning at the end of the race!” With the winning riders expected to cover up to 460km on the trails, the race will be a true test of the human mind and body.

2006 World Solo 24 Hour Champion, Australia’s Craig Gordon, will also make a return to the track and everyone is eagerly anticipating the battle between the two world champions.   Craig won the Coffs Harbour Pleasure and Pain 100Km race on the weekend of 7/8 August, the same weekend that Jason English won the Sydney JetBlack 12 Hour. So, both riders are at the top of their game, but it looks like there will be no early showdown, before the world championships.

It’s not only world titles that will be battled for, it’s each of the teams categories. The ever hotly contested four-man category will be a battle between the countries greatest riders for the events ‘unofficial’ teams title. A prestigious title which dates back to the early days when Australia’s international MTB stars competed purely for bragging rights. It’s now evolved into a major competition between not only riders but major sponsors. Title contenders Rockstar, GU, TORQ/Anytime Fitness and Swell Design will all enter teams comprising national representatives and champions. Anytime Fitness director Richard Peel see’s the Scott 24 hr as an important event for Australia’s elite riders. “The broad exposure the elite level riders receive at the Scott 24 hour is crucial for furthering their professional career and Torq/Anytime Fitness will be supporting it’s riders to reach the top step of the Scott’s esteemed podium.”

The regions business community has also embraced the event with various local sponsors including Mac1, Swell Design Group, Crowne Plaza Canberra and Canberra Toyota providing valuable support. The ‘Corporate teams challenge’ has become a battleground for these business’ and others to showcase their mountain biking prowess whilst engaging their staff and professional image in a successful community event.

Crowne Plaza Canberra’s General Manager, Matthew Young had this to say on their involvement, “Crowne Plaza Canberra has had an active partnership with the Scott 24 Hour for the past couple of years. What started off as (just) an exciting event for staff members to jump on their bike as a team activity has quickly snowballed into the hotel being a major sponsor and entering two teams into last years event. The Scott 24 hour is a fantastic weekend on the Canberra MTB calendar and hits the mark on pretty much every level, as a rider, spectator, sponsor and for cementing Canberra’s position in the MTB calendar of events. It’s a partnership we are certainly aiming to continue, especially as we are looking to defend our title in the Corporate Challenge.”

With less than two months till the biggest 24 hours on the annual MTB calendar, excitement is building. If you haven’t seen a 24 hour race before, this years Scott 24 Hours of Adrenalin Australian 24 Hour Mountain Bike Championships and 24 Hours of Adrenalin 2010 World Solo 24 Hour Mountain Bike Championships will be the biggest and best the world has ever seen.

More event information can be found on the event website at:

http://www.corc24hour.com.au/index.asp?IntCatId=14

And you can check out photos, maps and other info here:

http://picasaweb.google.com.au/lematelot56/InfoFor2010WorldSoloAndScott24HrChamps#

So you’ve mastered all the Stromlo trails. “There’s nothing to challenge my sizeable mettle,” you say confidently. “Neither slant nor slope can stop my reign over Canberra’s mountain bike heart.” I’ve got news for you. Cardiac Arrest AKA the World Cup Climb was built to test the best XC riders in the world. If you can get though this track with ease, change your last name to Absalon.

Branching off from the trunk trail at Blue Gums, the track veers right. Then it’s straight into a difficult uphill rock garden with lines either through the rocks or straight up the inside in a route requiring some serious skills. If you can’t ride this section, maybe this trail is not for you yet.

Enter here for a serious challenge

The first section you’ll encounter

2009 World Champion Nino Schurter battles Julien Absalon

Steep and slippery, the Cardiac Climb

Now it’s onto Cardiac Climb. You won’t find anything steeper than this around. With mini water bars, the gradient teases you, giving you moments of respite before sending you up another slippery ‘wall’. If you can make it up here without getting off, you may stop to admire yourself at the summit.

Before you’ve got the chance to catch your breath, its down “Waterfall.” Its steep, its nasty and its usually wet. Straight down the middle is likely to be your best bet. It certainly doesn’t look like there’s a trail though. There’s a big metal barrier (The Mincer) at the bottom to stop you falling to…… well lets say it wouldn’t be pretty.

Now you’ve got a bit of time to catch your breath. You’ll need it. The next challenges will see you climbing over boulders, negotiating steep and sharp turns and generally trying to keep your balance. There are ‘A lines’ on the inside of some corners if you are looking for an extra test, or a gap over your buddies.

Nathan Haas takes an ‘A line’

Rowena Fry making it look easy

After continuous climbing and relentless negotiations of the toughest sections of trail seen at a World Cup, or World Championships in recent history you reach a plateau. There’s no false sense of relief or conquest, you know there’s more to come, you just appreciate a few metres of flat, undemanding trail.

Your speed increases and you hang on tight. You pick your way down and around the boulders. Everything’s going fine. It’s not that steep. That’s until, as your first time down here, you stop suddenly. “Where on earth does the trail go,” you ask. Yes, it does go straight down that rock, and yes you have to hang on for the bit after. You’ve reached Hammerhead! There is a ‘B line’ though. It’s not in itself, ‘easy.’ In fact there are a few small drops and a tight downhill rock turn. It’s recommended riders take this route around Hammerhead unless they are extremely confident in their ability and have someone to standby for safety measures.

For those adequately prepared to take it on, a very slow speed is critical. The initial drop is extremely steep and requires you to get a long way behind the seat to avoid overbalancing. Again, your speed must be very slow which requires good balance. You will need to look ahead and be prepared to negotiate the next section immediately as you will pick up momentum as you roll down the first rock face. Use the brakes smoothly and controlled while relaxing your limbs as much as possible.

Ben Henderson poised above Hammerhead

Na Sang Hoon of Korea descending Hammerhead

From here there are a few tight turns and two more A/B line sections where the A line takes you over three rock drops in quick succession and the second is a jump over a significant gap, but with a bridge around for those less comfortable with ‘air time.’ The final test is of pure strength as you make your way up to the flyover bridge and the beginning of the Luge on a steep, open climb.

Spectators at the 2009 MTB World Championships on the last section of Cardiac Arrest

With 50 and 100 km options the event is sure to be hit, with entries filled within hours of opening. A free shuttle bus will operate to take riders back to the start area at the end of their race.

See http://www.arocsport.com.au/MTB_Capital/mtb_capital_home.html for more information.

Le Man's start

While the official racing kicked off at 12 noon on Saturday, Friday night saw ‘Rawhide Roller Racing’ with up to four riders facing off against each other in a battle of power. Mounted on a brightly illuminated stage on stationary bikes, riders gave it everything in front of cheering onlookers. The battles took place in the centre of the race village with riders efforts displayed on large screens for viewers to watch as the sprint races unfolded. The event was not just for the pro’s, with riders of all abilities and all ages getting involved, eager to gain bragging rights against their mates.

With the death of former 24 Hour Solo National and World Champion James Williamson, riders took part in a ‘ride with Willo’ at 12 noon to remember a champion cyclist and well known good guy of Australian mountain biking. As a gesture to James’s memory, the start was moved to 1pm.

The renowned Le Mans style start saw 535 representatives of each team begin with a 600 metre run to their waiting bikes. In a cloud of organised chaos the race was underway. This is what the 1000 locals and 1600 interstate competitors had been waiting 12 months for.

Competitors faced a 19 kilometre lap consisting of over 80% single track, full of fun corners, thrilling downhill sections and challenging but always achievable climbs. Winding through the forest the trails took riders on a tour of some of Sparrows Hill’s best tracks including ‘Wonderland’ and ‘Spaghetti Western’. Riders returned happy and with a sense of achievement after completing a demanding but rewarding lap for those with a small base of fitness.

Riders undertook the 24 hours in teams ranging from serious teams of four looking to win the event and prestige of Mont Champions to ‘Cruiser’ teams of up to 10 riders looking for a more laid back approach, perhaps devoting more of their energy to ‘celebrating’ all that is 24 hour racing. Teams were generally classified into mixed, male and female categories and each one would see some fierce but friendly competition. Junior teams were also a big show at the event with some impressive talent showcased, perhaps by the future winners of the event. Separate kids races were also held for those who weren’t quite ‘big’ enough to take on the full lap.

While the racing was underway the action was not restricted to the trails with constant competitions and prize giveaways. A massage tent could also be found with riders making use of the services to aid their tiring muscles.

Special treatment

‘Track stand’ competitions were held in transition as the atmosphere in the village never swayed. With the constant hustle and bustle of competitors and onlookers alike making their way between tents, transition, food and drink outlets and product displays the event was buzzing.

The ‘MTB Film Festival’ was also held during the race with people submitting various films showcasing a wide range of bike related action. With plenty of the latest gear for devotee’s to drool over and bikes to test ride, the Mont was a place to check out what’s new in the scene but at the same time get down to the grass roots of what makes mountain biking enjoyable.

Transition at night

As teams rode through the night (some chose not to, enjoying the comfort of their campsites) the weather remained kind as the clouds rolled over to keep the warmth in. This made it much easier to be woken by your team mate, informing you of your imminent 3am night lap. Despite the hours of darkness deep into the night the village was always alive with riders coming in and going out for laps and transition was always busy with fellow riders willing to discuss the lunacy of riding in the forest at those hours.

As the sun rose so did the energy levels as riders completed their last one or two laps to finish off an enjoyable weekend on the trails. As the clocked ticked over to 12 noon riders added to a total of 9937 laps, equating to a distance of 4.8 times around the planet. In the highly competitive four’s ‘Giant 4’s’ and ‘Onya Mal Adjusted Chicks’ took out the Male and Female categories respectively while ‘Team Anytime Fitness’ and ‘Erina Bikeworx’ won the six’s.

With tens of thousands of dollars worth of products given away at the presentation, random prize draws and a massive raffle for the ‘Brendan Johnston Fundraiser’ everyone left with a smile on their face, a great sense of satisfaction and eager to return next year to one of the countries greatest endurance events.

Zoe Binder from team 'Odd one out'

It is important that all signage around Sparrow Hill is followed while the operations are taking place. Make sure you exercise caution when riding around Sparrow, as contractors will be potentially working 7 days a week. It isn’t all bad news, as you don’t have to avoid riding at Sparrow as over 70% of the tracks are still open!

Click here to download the current tree thinning map of Sparrow Hill for a guide to where to ride.