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.

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