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The Epic |
The Epic is a 53km off road mountain bike event. It comprises of two continuous stages:
Stage 1 – Coromandel township to White Star Station (24km)
This is the technically more difficult of the two stages. The event starts with a rolling start through Coromandel township. The rolling start ends at Driving Creek and the riders first challenge is the steep ascent to the summit of the Tokotea (380m) along the unsealed Kennedy Bay Road.
From here riders turn left onto the single track for the central ridgeline. The ridgeline gradually climbs to a high point of approximately 500 meters which is followed by a series of steep ups and downs. These are all rideable, but some of the downhills will require a certain level of courage. The final descent into the White Star is the reward for the hard work beforehand and is one of those exhilarating mountain biking experiences that you will remember for a long time.
In good weather conditions stage 1 will take the quick riders just over 1:15, the average riders 1:45 and the slower riders 2:15. Add 30 minutes to these times if the conditions are bad.
Stage 2 - White Star Station to Coromandel township (via Waitete Bay) (29km)
Although longer than stage 1 this stage is technically easier. It starts with a ride from the White Star into Colville before turning left onto the Woods Road North. A gradual climb along unsealed road eventually brings you onto farmland and the single track access across to Woods Road South and Waitete Bay. This was the original road between Colville and Waitete in an earlier age !
From Waitete Bay riders head back up the Colville Hill before turning right into farm land just before the summit. From here it is a slow climb back to the central ridge line. Riders will head south along the ridge line which will bring them back out at the top of the Kennedy Bay Road. From here it’s an exhilarating downhill back into Coromandel township and the finish line.
In good weather conditions the 2nd stage will take the quickest riders 1:30, the average riders 2:20 and the slowest riders 3:00 hours. Again add 30 minutes to these times if the weather conditions are bad.
The course is 100% rideable in good weather conditions !!