Crank Taupo
Saturday 22 May 2010
DESCRIPTION
RESULTS - LEATT CRANK TAUPO 2010
EVENTS CAPITAL All Mountain Points Calculation
DH Prologue Run Times for each competitor
DH Prologue Results by fastest time
PHOTOS AND VIDEO
Crank Taupo 2010 was photographed from all angles by www.eventimagecapture.co.nz The high quality images are for sale at a reasonble price. Just click on the links below.
View Cross country images here
View video of DH finish line crash here
ENTRY
Entries are closed for 2010.
There are 2 methods of entering.
1. For on line entry, with payment by credit card please click here.
2. For Printable PDF entry form with payment by cheque, please click here.
We recommend everyone reads the PDF entry form (above) to see all Event Information before entering on line .
ENTRY FEES
Standard fees are XC 20km $40, XC 35km $50, DH fee $80, All Mountain fee (XC35km and DH) $80.
Late fees and on the day fees are an additional $10 per person.
NEWS Monday 17 May 2010: We have stretched out the standard entry fees to Thursday 20 May at 7:00pm. After this time, late fees apply which are $10 more than the standard fees. Riders may enter on the day also for $10 more that the standard fees - pay by cash or cheque only.
View list of confirmed entrants here.
MAP
Click here for Event location map.
Click here to view course map. We need to make it clear that the XC course does not go around Mount Tauhara, but is a fantastic loop track located on the North East side of the mountain.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Crank taupo 22 May 2010
Crank Taupo is a brand new MTB event based on Mount Tauhara featuring Cross Country and Downhill. Riders can enter either one or both events. The event is made up of 5 competitions: Downhill Prologue, Down Hill Super final, Cross Country 20km, Cross Country 35km and the All Mountain comp. All on one action packed day on one mountain.
Update: Please note that the Cross Country course does NOT go around Mount Tauhara. The XC course is however a fantastic loop course on the North East side of Mount Tauhara. See the course map for details.
EVENT SCHEDULE
Note the schedule may change slightly and all participants will be notified of any changes.
Friday 2pm - 5pm: Riders may walk the DH track.
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Saturday |
DH |
XC |
Other |
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8:00am |
Registration |
Registration |
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9:00am |
DH Prologue (includes open practice) |
Registration |
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10:00am |
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Cross Country race 20km or 35km |
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2:00pm |
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Most XC riders will be finished |
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3:00pm |
DH Prologue ends. |
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3:30pm |
DH Super finals – 30 riders |
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4:00pm |
DH ends |
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4:15pm |
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prize giving for all events |
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4:45pm |
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Ends |
DOWNHLL INFORMATION
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course description |
The DH course is designed by John Kirkcaldie to be achievable by a range of riders. The top half of the course is in pine trees with the second half in farm land. There will be easy lines and hard lines in 3-4 places on the course. Hard lines will save 1-2 seconds for each option. |
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prologue
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Riders have an open format from 9:00am to 3:00pm. Riders can do their runs at any time. The aim is to have a rider down the course every 30 seconds (on average) so 120 riders per hour will get a run and each rider will get 5 runs. Each rider’s single fastest time will determine their position in the Prologue. |
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super final
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30 riders will make the superfinal made up of the top 25 males and top 5 females from the Prologue. Riders will be released at 1 minute intervals from slowest to fastest riders ranked from the Prologue |
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riding gear |
Compulsory items; Full face helmet, Gloves (full fingers), Elbow protectors, Knee/Shin protectors. Recommended items: Leatt Neck brace, Spine protection, Shoulder protection. |
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shuttles |
We have the shuttle buses from Rotorua so there will be no delay in getting to the top of the DH. |
CROSS COUNTRY INFORMATION
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course description |
The course will be heaps of fun and achievable for all. The course will not be too difficult or steep. The trails are made in a pine forest and features purpose built MTB single track and old forestry tracks. The course does not go around Mount Tauhara. The course length is 20km. The 20km riders will complete one lap. The 35km option will be made up of the first 17.5km of the 20km, then another loop of the back 15km of the track, (the best part) before doing the final 2.5km home. |
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course options |
There will be 2 distance options -20km and 35km (approx). |
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riding gear |
Compulsory items; Hard shell helmet, closed footwear, shorts and shirt. Recommended items: Gloves, polyprops, camelbak and a rain jacket if raining. |
ALL MOUNTAIN CHAMPION
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points
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Points are awarded for the overall finish position in the DH Prologue and the 35km Cross Country. 1 point for first, 2 for 2nd, 3 for 3rd etc. These 2 lots of points are added and the riders with the least points wins the All Mountain. Riders can use 2 different bikes for the All Mountain event. |
GENERAL INFORMATION
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location
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The event is based off the Broadlands Road, 7 minutes drive from the Taupo town centre. The start is located opposite the Taupo Motorsport Park. Look for large EPIC EVENT signs and fluorescent orange arrows. Course Maps will be placed at www.epicevents.co.nz |
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food/drinks |
There will be espresso coffee, hot food and cold drinks for sale. |
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prizes
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There are over $5000 of prizes including 10 trophies, $1000 cash, $1000 worth of event merchandising, $1000 of camelbaks, $1500 of gear from Wide Open. Prizes are awarded for the DH Prologue, DH Superfinal, XC 20km, XC 35km and the All Mountain, with at least $2000 of prizes given out as random spot prizes at prizegiving. |
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information |
Entries: Contact Jodie Davis: 021 1873074. admin "at" epicevents.co.nz General enquiries: Contact Nick Reader 021 983 766 nick "at" epicevents.co.nz www.epicevents.co.nz |
NEWS
Leatt Crank Taupo
News 8 June 2010
Hi Everyone,
Just to let you know that there are some great deals on some great pics taken at Leatt Crank Taupo.
Here are the links to check out the photos.
CROSS COUNTRY LINK http://www.eventimagecapture.co.nz/events/index.php?event=55
DOWNHILL LINK http://www.eventimagecapture.co.nz/events/index.php?event=54
Check out some of the pics at www.epicevents.co.nz to see a sample of waht is available.
Also in the event report I made a mistake and forgot to mention that Madeline Taylor won the woman’s downhill event by around 1 second from Sarah Atkin. Madeline was the reigning NZ cup champs in 2009 and won the Oceania’s this year in Dunedin.
The next epic event is the Brooks Off Road Half marathon Sunday 11 July for those of you who run as well as bike.
Hope all your riding – XC, DH or otherwise is going well…
Leatt Crank Taupo media 5c - event report - amended
Monday 24 May 2010
By Nick Reader – 021 983766
Leatt Crank Taupo has burst onto the MTB event scene and is sure to become a ‘classic event’. Combining Cross Country, Downhill as well as an “All Mountain” (Combined points from XC and DH) category the event proved a winner with riders and spectators. Spectators will be talking about the ‘fence jump’ for some time.
200 riders fronted up to take on the event Saturday 22nd May made up of around 80 downhill racers and 120 Cross country riders.
Taupo local Mike Northcott blitzed the CamelBak 30km XC race in a time of 1:21. Chased by Mark ‘Cabin’ Leisham from Rotorua in a time of 1:23. Cabin won the Epic events NZO Whirinaki Quest last November, but was not able to match a hard charging Northcott this time.
First 30km XC female home was Michelle Bellamy in a time of 1:48 followed by ‘All Mountain’ competitor Sarah Beadel.
The 20km XC race was won by Geoff Smith in a time of 1:13 with Madeline Taylor taking first female just 7 minutes behind.
The Wide Open Down hill course was a mix of forest and farm land and was really popular with riders and spectators with some huge jumps providing plenty of excitement. The course was modified slightly during the day for safety reasons. The small crowd that gathered on the hill in the late afternoon sun was treated to a national class display of downhill speed.
After the Downhill Prologue (practice and qualifying), Glenn Haden had the fastest run of the day at 2:26 with Matt Walker (brother of Olympic BMX rider Sarah Walker) sitting at 2nd best qualifier on 2:28. All Mountain Competitor Des Curry rounded out the top 3 with a 2:32.
But in the DH finals Walker turned the tables on Haden and took the Wide Open Downhill title with a final run of 2:22. Haden finished 2nd with Curry in 3rd. It was a winner take all final with riders giving it everything they had trying to find the fastest lines through the upper forest berms, roots, drops and switchbacks then taking on the wooden ramps and natural gullies and jumps in the lower farm section.
In the DH Woman's finals, current Oceania Champ Madeline Taylor Taylor took the win over Sarah Atkin by around 1 second. Both woman were in the Junior category 15-19 years.
In the Events Capital All Mountain men’s category it was an easy win to Des Curry with 6th placing in the XC and the 3rd place in the DH final gaining 9 points. Mark Leishman was 2nd, because even though he got a 2nd in the XC, his DH placing of 29 meant his total score was pretty high. (The least points won the All Mountain comp).
Curry started off as a DH rider, but then got injured and used Cross Country riding to regain strength and fitness. Now he has both amazing DH skills and great stamina for XC so was truly the ‘All Mountain man’.
The ‘All Mountain’ woman’s title was claimed by Michelle Bellamy with a great win in the XC 30km followed up by a 3rd placing in the DH.
All in all a great day of mixed MTB activities on the side of Mount Tauhara. Leatt Crank Taupo has established itself as a small, but very cool MTB event and will look to build over the next 2-3 years.
Full results at http://www.epicevents.co.nz/page/49-mountain-bike-events+crank-taupo
Event images are available to view and purchase at:
CROSS COUNTRY http://www.eventimagecapture.co.nz/events/index.php?event=55
DOWNHILL http://www.eventimagecapture.co.nz/events/index.php?event=54
Video of DH finish line crash
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBy11XnHtrc
All pics, please acknowledge www.eventimagecapture.co.nz
ends
Leatt Crank Taupo Participant News
Tuesday 18 May 201
Hi All,
Just a quick news item this time.
We are opening up the Downhill course from 2pm – 5pm Friday 21 May for people to WALK the course. This will give you a chance to get to know the track and different lines.
We have great food and coffee vendors at the event selling Gourmet American Hot Dogs, hot roast beef rolls, hot chips etc so take advantage of this.
The Mighty River Power event marquee will be set up right beside the DH and XC finish line. We have a DJ playing tunes all day long so it should be a good scene with plenty of action. So all you XC riders, make sure you stay around to watch the DH finals at 3:30pm.
The 2 XC tracks measure in at Short - 19km and Long 30km. We have a course map on the web and a course profile just added today. As you will see on the course profile, there are enough elevation changes to keep your blood pumping. There will be a drinks station at the 5km, 16km and 27km marks.
The slightly revised schedule is as follows;
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DH |
XC |
Other |
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FRIDAY |
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2pm-5pm |
Walk the DH track |
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SATURDAY |
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8:00am |
Registration |
Registration |
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9:00am |
DH Prologue (includes open practice) |
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|
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9:30 |
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Registration ends |
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10:00am |
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Cross Country race 20km or 35km |
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2:00pm |
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Most XC riders will be finished |
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3:00pm |
DH Prologue ends. |
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|
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3:30pm |
DH Finals – 30 riders |
|
|
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4:00pm |
DH ends |
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|
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4:15pm |
|
|
prize giving for all events |
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4:45pm |
|
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Ends |
Any questions, please drop me an e mail – nick "at" epicevents.co.nz
Looking forward to a fun event, I think the sun might even show up.
Leatt Crank Taupo
Media 4 - Monday 17 May 2010
Time to get Cranking
Two very different forms of Mountain Biking are to be held this Saturday on the North and East side of Mount Tauhara at the brand new Leatt Crank Taupo event.
Downhill racing is all about pure speed down a 2.5 minute course. Riders aim to use the brakes as little as possible as they negotiate bumps, jumps, berms and switchbacks. Downhill bikes are built very strong, with large travel suspension to cope with the abuse thrown at them, and bikes weigh between 15-20 kg. The Wide Open DH course has had a huge amount of work over the last 2 months. Most of the track has been hand built by the Epic Events track team and keen Taupo locals. A digger was brought in over the weekend to build up some fairly big and spectacular jumps including a 20 foot double.
Contrasting with Downhill is Cross Country racing which is mainly about endurance over a variety of uphill and downhill terrain. Bikes are featherweight at under 10 kilos and suspension is limited to about 100 mm, with maybe no rear suspension at all. Crank Taupo features a 20km or 35km CamelBak Cross Country option and takes riders on an interesting course featuring farmland, pine forest and Douglas fir forest. Sections have been named "Bull Paddock, Doug's Drop, Tucks loop, Te Pari Pain and the Saddle". XC riders will be rewarded with some fantastic views of the Pueto Valley and Tauhara Forest once they reach the high points on the course. The 20km option is a very achievable distance for most recreational mountain bikers with only a small level of MTB fitness. Riders are expected to take between 1-2 hours to complete the 20km.
Leatt Crank Taupo also features an ‘All Mountain' competition where riders must compete in both XC and DH to qualify for points. This will put a fair amount of time pressure on the XC riders to complete the XC in time to get 2 runs on the Downhill. 30 riders have taken on the All Mountain competition including local Taupo ‘Her Business' award winner Jane Williams. Jane is a top XC rider, but Downhill is a new challenge for her to conquer if she is to take top honours in the ‘All Mountain' class.
In breaking news Mark ‘Cabin' Leishman has also entered the ‘All Mountain' category. Cabin one of the more colourful characters in the MTB world often putting a humorous spin on most events he does, but he is also damn fast and will be a very strong contender to take the male ‘All Mountain' title. Like Jane, Cabins strength is XC, but he hopes to back up an XC win with a top DH result. Put your seat down Cabin and don't touch the brakes I reckon!
So far there are 150 entrants from all over the North Island with a fairly even spit between XC 20km, XC 35km and Downhill. Taupo riders are the largest group of entrants followed by riders from Auckland, then the Hawkes Bay.
The first crank of a pedal will be at 9:00am for the start of the Downhill with the XC riders beginning their journey at 10:00am. Anyone keen to spectate at the event (free) should turn up at 3:00pm ready to find a good viewing position for the Downhill finals which take place at 3:30pm. The event location is Broadlands Road, opposite the Taupo Motorsport Park.
Entries are still open on line or on the day. We have extended the time before late fees apply to Thursday 20 May at 7:00pm. So keen riders need to get in quick for a great event at a great price. Standard fees are XC20km $40. XC 35km $50. DH $80. All Mountain $80. Riders may enter on the day, but will be charged $10 more per person.
For further information see http://www.epicevents.co.nz/
Top photos supplied by www.eventimagecapture.co.nz
This photo taken of the DH course double jump on a misty day
Leatt Crank Taupo
Media 3, 26 April 2010
Entries now open for Leatt Crank Taupo
On line entries are now open for NZ’s newest MTB event – Crank Taupo 22 May. Here is the link http://www.epicevents.co.nz/page/49-mountain-bike-events+crank-taupo
Crank Taupo combines Cross Country and Downhill into one action packed day on the side of Mount Tauhara.
We had another great DH track building session on Saturday, thanks to a bunch of young Taupo locals. The course is built and settling in nicely. The new switchback section will be challenging to negotiate! We will add the finishing touches over the next week. Make sure you check the track testing photos in the Leatt Crank Taupo gallery. The track will be challenging, but will include easy options around all jumps, drops offs, logs and difficult sections.
The Cross Country track construction is well under way and takes riders on a 20km or 35 journey into the Tauhara forest on the Eastern side of Mount Tauhara. The course is as follows: depart via the Tauhara Quarry, head into the Tauhara Forest, complete 15 km of fun pine forest XC riding made up of old logging roads and purpose built MTB single track, climb up 3km into the Quarry saddle (you are now at the same height as the top of the Downhill, then finish completely downhill on a farm section to the finish line. The 35km course is more involved… At the 17.5km mark (just prior to the Quarry saddle hill climb), the 35km distance riders turn and repeat the outer 15km of trail which is the most fun part of the course, then do the final 2.5km home by crossing the quarry saddle.
A lot of people have asked us questions about the ‘All Mountain’ event. So let’s clarify that you can use 2 different bikes for the XC and DH. (However we do offer great respect and some prizes for riders who do both the XC and DH on the same bike). And you must ride the XC 35km to gain points towards the ‘All Mountain’ event.
We have kept the entry fees as low as possible to encourage people to get involved in year one. Standard entry fees are; XC 20km $40, XC 35km $50, DH fee $80, All Mountain fee (XC 35km and DH) $80. There are 50 early bird places available with $10 discounts off these fees. (So it could cost as little as $30 to enter the XC 20km). Late fees apply Monday 17 May at 9am which are $10 more than the standard fees. DH entry spaces are limited to ensure no delays in getting up in the Southstar shuttle buses so be quick.
Full information at www.epicevents.co.nz We have just posted up lots more details on the event on the Crank Taupo webpage so make sure you check out that info, then get in touch with us if you have any questions.
nick@epicevents.co.nz
021 983766
Crank Taupo Media 2
12 April 2010
By Nick Reader
50km per hour past trees, leaping off ledges, crossing rocks, cranking through turns is all good when its good, but can get a bit ugly when a rider gets off line and out of control… That’s where good protective equipment kicks in to save the day and minimizes the impact to the rider. The number one piece of kit is the helmet and more recently a Leatt brace has become the second most important piece of safety equipment for DH riders.
Leatt Brace has come on board as the title sponsor for Crank Taupo. Here are some words from Leatt NZ.
Why is the Leatt Brace an important invention for DH?
The Leatt-Brace® is truly a revolutionary safety system and the result of years of research and development. It all started in 2002, with Dr Chris Leatt working together with a team of physicians, surgeons and biomechanical engineers. The system is based on Alternative Load Path™ technology.
Simply put, when the base of the full-face helmet you are wearing strikes the firm, padded upper surface of the Leatt-Brace® from any 360 degree angle, the brace is designed to bring your head to a controlled stop, absorbing and diverting impact away from your neck to lower, less critical parts of your anatomy and distributed over a wider surface area. The Leatt-Brace® will also assist in reducing the effect of axial loading (compression) injuries typically from falling directly on your head after going over your handlebars. This type of impact is often associated with a burst cervical spinal fracture.
The Leatt-Brace® is the first, most technically competent, tried and tested neck protection device in the two-wheel market to date and was developed with dedication to the personal protection of extreme sportsmen and sportswomen so that they can focus on riding faster, safer. No matter what level they are at.
Now that Leatt® has moved directly into NZ, the best neck protection has never been so affordable.
Now the riding gear is sorted it is time to consider bike set up. A strong, well set up and sweet handling bike is important if you are to have fun and handle all those bumps, jumps, drops, berms and rocks. Frames, handle bars, stems, grips, seats and suspension all have to work for you and handle the stress of a downhill run. Wide Open is sponsoring the Downhill and distribute a wide range of quality MTB products including Marzocchi suspension and Atomlab. Marzocchi make some of the very best MTB suspension systems in the world. Atomlab make the strongest wheels on the planet in a wide range of colours. Wide Open will be giving away select items from their quality brands as spot prizes.
In total there will be over $5000 worth of prizes, spot prizes and trophies including a signature Troy Lee Designs Leatt Brace, 10 CamelBaks and much more.
Now remember that Crank Taupo is a dual mountain biking event involving Downhill and Cross Country. Cross Country riding is by nature an endurance based sport where the ability to keep going at a good pace is more important than outright speed. Crank Taupo involves a choice of a 20km or 35km course. Between 2-4 hours will be required to complete the long course of 35km. Most people have enough stored energy and fluid to perform at their best for about 1 – 1.5 hours. After that, fluids and sugars are required to keep cranking. That’s where our Cross Country sponsor CamelBak kicks in to save you from cramping up and fading to the back of the field. Just a few big slurps on some electrolyte drink (fluid and sugars), gives you that energy to kick on for however long it takes. OK some training will help here too!! CamelBak's are also fantastic to store some muesli bars, jacket, spare tube, bike tools, bike pump and anything else needed for your journey. CamelBak’s are the original bladder style hydration system and still the best.
Whilst Crank Taupo takes place on private land, there are many kilometers of mountain bike tracks available to ride in Taupo any time. Craters of the Moon has over 40km of weaving trail with fun new tracks being added all the time. The W2K (Whakaiapo to Kinloch) track has some incredible views of Lake Taupo and is a must do. Then there is the Aratiatia track beside the Waikato River and the list goes on… One huge advantage of mountain biking in Taupo is the pumice soil that offers fantastic traction wet or dry.
Track building for both courses is well in progress with some very fun and scenic courses being created. Check out the photos of a recent build session on the downhill. The view from the fire lookout at the top of the downhill is fantastic. Cross Country riders also get a similar view as long as they glance up from scouting the track ahead. May 22 is the date it all comes together in Taupo with riders competing in one or both disciplines, most just to enjoy the courses and some riding for the overall win.
More info at www.epicevents.co.nz Entries will be out by 26 April.
More info
021873766
CRANK TAUPO
Media 1 - By Nick Reader - 12 March 2010
1 mountain, 2 events, 1 day…
Downhill speed and courage… Cross Country stamina and distance. Crank Taupo delivers the best of both in Taupo on Saturday 22 May 2010.
Taking place on and around Mount Tauhara, the event combines 2 of the best known forms of mountain biking over one day.
The Downhill (DH) track will be designed by DH guru JK (John Kircaldie). The multi NZ DH and twice USA DH champ now resides in Taupo and is stoked to be part of bringing his favourite sport to his favourite town. The course will be slightly easier than a national level DH, but will still have some features to challenge riders and entertain the spectators. The course has been rough cut and includes some native bush (with roots), pine tree section (with a steep drop onto a road), berms, jumps, pungas, switchback, fence jumps, roots and farm gulley/wall rides.
The Cross Country (XC) course will be constructed by the Epic Events course team (best known for the NZO Whirinaki Quest MTB tracks and over 500 km of the best motorcycle tracks in NZ). There will be fun, flow, views and yes, the odd uphill! The XC takes place on private land. Over 70% of the XC is in a pine forest with flowing forest trails and single track. Course options include 20km and 35km for riders wanting a more serious workout.
A key feature of both tracks is Taupo's world famous pumice soil that provides excellent and predictable traction even if wet. Epic Events already holds one event on the mountain – The Brooks Off Road half marathon which is held in July 09 which attracted over 450 runners in year one. Many of the runners finished the race and started talking about how good it would be to bike around the Mountain.
Both events are run separately, but an overall champion male and female will be crowned from the riders who are multi-skilled enough to take on both. Cross Country riders will have to be quick enough to race the XC then get back in time to the base to qualify for the DH.
22 May will peak at around 3pm for DH finals. By this time all DH hopefuls will have been stripped down to the top 16 and all the XC riders will be back from their mission around the mountain, ready to check out the thrill of the downhill.
DH and XC are fairly different codes and riders in NZ tend to occupy either camp, but we are sure there are some fit DH racers capable of a top finish in the XC and some brave XC riders willing to take on the DH. It will be interesting to see who comes out on top in each discipline and overall.
More info at www.epicevents.co.nz
CRANK TAUPO NEWS
There has been a date change from 17 April to 22 May due to a clash with another event. We apologise for this change and look forward to a great new epic event on the 22nd.