Directory

DATE

Saturday 7 November 2009.

DESCRIPTION

The NZO Whirinaki Quest is a truly epic one lap mountain bike race/ride that takes place in the hidden wilderness of the Whirinaki Forest Park.  There are 10km, 20km or 40km course options. 

Whirinaki Forest Park is a beautiful area of native bush managed by DOC.  The huge trees and undergrowth in the forest are truly stunning.  The Park is located in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, 90km from Rotorua on State Highway 38.  The Park has some great history starting with the local Ngati Whare Iwi.  The event is based at the Minginui village which is an old logging village from the 60's and 70's.  Allow a bit over one hour from Rotorua.

The 40km course includes purpose built MTB single track, forestry trails and old 4WD tracks.  It is not super technical, but does have physical and skills challenge.

This event is all about an adventurous mountain bike ride in NZ's wilderness.  Getting out there with a bit of mud and sweat enjoying the fantastic tracks in the beautiful Whirinaki Forest Park.

The NZO Whirinaki Quest is fun mountain bike ride in a unique and beautiful area of New Zealand. It will seem so remote when you get there, but it is actually only 90km from Rotorua!

The event is based in the Whirinaki Forest Park which is a beautiful area of native bush managed by the Department of Conservation. The huge trees and undergrowth in the forest are truly stunning. Just ask Dr David Belamay!

The event is looking to build on the success of the first event held in 2008. The ‘08 event was won by JP Tobin who completed the 38km race in 2:05:56. 149 other keen Mountain bikers took a little longer to complete the course, but loved the location and the course.

For 2009, we are excited to have NZO on board as our naming rights sponsor and number one supporter. The crew at NZO live, eat and breath mountain biking and have some great NZO product prizes on offer.

We have added a 10km option to the 20km and 40km distance options that were offered in 2008. The 10k will be a great option for the ‘not so fit’, novices or young kids.

The 40km course includes purpose built MTB single track, forestry trails and old 4WD tracks. It is not super technical, but does have physical and skills challenge. The 10km and 20km are 80% purpose built MTB tracks involving a climb for the first half and flowing fun downhill for the descent.

We have got legendary downhill Mountain Biker John Kirkcaldie on board to help with more single track design, but don’t worry, it will be fun flowing downhill, not scary stuff!

To get the best out of this event, we reckon you should make a weekend of it. Sneak out of work at mid day Friday and camp Friday and Saturday at the base. Camping is free. The event base is huge old rugby sports grounds and club rooms with pool tables, toilets and a small kitchen. We have got free bike set up on Friday by JK (John Kirkcaldie) and the latest MTB DVDs from around the world. So bring your tent and tea and settle into the relaxed pace of Whirinaki.

Another really nice campsite just developed by DOC is the Mangamate waterfall campsite located 5 minutes from the event base. Phone DOC 07 366 1080 for more info.

If you would prefer a roof over your head (rather than nylon), then there is some basic accommodation 10 minutes from the event called WHIRINAKI FOREST HOLIDAYS. Includes kitchen and hot showers etc. Phone Gary at 07 366 3235 OR aldridges@xtra.co.nz

Entries will be taken on line by Monday 28 September with credit card payment. There will also be a paper and cheque entry option.

This event is all about an adventurous mountain bike ride in NZ's wilderness. Getting out there with a bit of mud and sweat enjoying the fantastic tracks in the beautiful Whirinaki Forest Park. So make the commitment now to get away from it all and take on the NZO Whirinaki Quest.