UPDATE 1: As Monday is a public holiday, this event will mean that you can have a rest before returning to work – it is not a twilight enduro with a work day the next day.

UPDATE 2: This area has not been effected by the recent fires and is not under any threat at all so the event is still running as scheduled.

Round 1 of the 2013 Gippsland MTB Championship sees XC riders venture up to Mt Baw Baw for the first time in a large number of years. This event will be a 4 Hour Twilight Enduro. The venue offers spectacular views from the top of the mountain and offers a unique alpine environment that is different to every other event in the series.

The course will be some 7.6kms in length and include a mix of XC ski trails and singletrack walking trails. The XC ski trails are a bit similar to fire trail riding except you will be in the Alpine high country and surrounded by snow gum woodland, subalpine heathland, alpine flowers, stunning views and crisp alpine air. If you have never ridden in the high country before you don’t know what you are missing. Click here for a (very) rough map of the course. There may be some small changes but in general this should be the course for the event.

The course we will mostly use the XC ski trails for climbing and then bomb down the singletrack. There is also a wicked descent down some rough, rutted ski trail that will dare you to keep off the brakes… just watch out for the tight corner at the bottom! Overall the course will be about 25% singletrack, 70% ski trail and one gravel road climb. There is a great reward towards the end of the loop when you will hammer down Mueller’s walking Track – a great mix of speed, rock and log drops to really get you pumped.

For GMTB, this race is all about supporting the crew at Mt Baw Baw. Resort Management need to demonstrate that there is demand for mountain biking in their summer season. If we support them with this we will be the winners – Mt Baw Baw already has an awesome DH track and has plans to build more than 20kms of world class singletrack plus the longest flow track in Australia. If we want these awesome trails to be built we need to support mtb events at Mt Baw Baw (GMTB is hosting round 5 of the Vic DH Series at Baw Baw in March 2013).

The race is scheduled to start at 4pm with presentations at 9pm. The restaurant & bar will be open and there might even be entertainment to encourage people to stay up on the mountain. For those that stay over, the DH track will be open for riding and the rest of the mountain will be available to explore more of the trails in the area.

Mt Baw Baw is also running it’s first round of its Seasons Of Pain series on the Saturday before this event. These events will incorporate both running and riding legs that can be undertaken by individuals and teams alike. So if you don’t want to run, find a mate who likes to run and team up. See the Mt Baw Baw website for more details and registration for this event, http://www.mountbawbaw.com.au/.

All in all, Mt Baw Baw is offering us a weekend of fun and excitement and it would be well worth your while booking it in for this Australia Day weekend and supporting their efforts by staying up on the mountain. Mt Baw Baw has a range of on-mountain accommodation to suit every budget. The more people we can get up there then the more chance they have a getting funding and support to make Mt Baw Baw the next big destination for adventure seekers.

Date:	Sunday, 27th January 2013
Where:	Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort
When:	Registration Opens: 14:00
Race Start:	16:00
Cost:	$30 Adult Entry ($25 if pre-register online before the event) $20 Junior & Team Member Entry ($15 if pre-register online before the event) $20 Day License if don’t hold an MTBA Competition License Click here to pre-register online
Entries:	Solo: Male, Female & Junior Teams: Pairs, Triples & Quads
Questions:	events@gippslandmtb.com.au