The BIG EASY report & photos

Well the weather was lovely at the finish line, pity about the clouds (fog) that hid the view from the riders along the Criffel range.

Over-all the day was a great success with nearly 300 riders taking the challenge they thought wouldn’t be as bad as all those other MTB races that seem to put more emphasis on the effort involved rather than the fun of mountain biking.

However, the ‘EASY’ may have been over stated and the ‘undulations’ could better have been described as a series of up-hills and down-hills… It turns out easy is a relative term and what Terry described as easy was a very worthy effort for most who took part!

It was certainly ‘epic’ country to ride over and starting from the Snow Farm instead of down in the Cardrona valley made it easier than it could have been to cover the same country.

Next year maybe we’ll have a rest station setup about half way with hors’durves to encourage a more leisurely pace??

The Big NOT so EASY certinly lived up to it’s name. There were  a few comments at the end that it could of quite honestly been called the ‘Absolutely not bloody easy at all!’

Lots of comments about the awesomeness of both rides and those on the NOT so EASY even got above the clouds for a brief glimpse of the stunning views that should of been on offer for all.

Did anybody get any photos? We’ll put up a free entry to any of our events for the best photo emailed to us.

We’ve had a variety of distances submitted from various riders, the NOT so EASY varying from 51km to 72km!! With the couple of last minute changes we made to the course I believe the NOT so EASY was about 55kms and the BIG EASY 38kms, feel free to send in your own measurements.

Many thanks to the great sponsors- especially the Albert Town Tavern, Jamis, Export 33, Thunder Bikes, and Q92MoreFM.

Get yourself a free entry!

If you can coerce a mate or family member to help us out by marshalling on the day we’d show you our appreciation with a free BIG EASY entry or a Big NOT so EASY for $20 (to go towards the cash prize pool…).

Just email us for more details. Marshal positions could be up on the mountain (4WD drop off and pick-up) or along the river trail close to Albert Town warning the public…

late registrations due to popular demand.

Hi all, hey for all you guy’s coming up on the day we will have a ‘late’ registration table up at the Snow Farm from 8am-9am. If you are staying in or close to Wanaka please register on the Friday at the Albert Town Tavern. You could come along with yer mates, register then pop into the pub for the pre event pasta party… I’ll be popping in after finishing marking the course and can give you the very latest up-date to get you psyched for the big day!

See ya’s on Friday/Saturday.

Terry.

Helicopter view of the BIG EASY on You Tube

Check this out to get an idea of the country and trails we’re going over on the BIG EASY and Big NOT so EASY.
Thanks very much to our good freinds at Wanaka Helicopters. Don’t worry- the snow should be gone by the end of January!

Free MTB gloves for every entry recieved before Christmas!

Thanks to our awesome sponsors at Pulse, everyone who enters in the BIG EASY or Big NOT so EASY will recieve a free pair of MTB gloves valued at around $35 retail. (Wanaka Jan 23rd 2010)

Or would you rather $10 off the entry price? (Yeh they retail for $35 but are only costing us $10) let us know and we’ll sort you out- this is for early entries (before Chriatmas) only.

Jamis is the Albert Town Tavern BIG EASY bike sponsor

All entries into the Albert Town Tavern BIG EASY MTB ride will go in the draw to win a fantastic full suspension, disc braked Jamis Dakar XC valued at nearly $2000. (Wanaka Jan 23rd 2010)

Should we give it away befor the race so whoever wins it gets to ride it straight away?? Waddaya reckon?

Nevis Fun Day

Forest and Bird, NZ Whitewater, Federated Mountain Clubs and Otago Fish and Game Council warmly invite you to a fun day on the Nevis River on Sunday 29 November meeting at the Big Fruit  in Cromwell at 10:30am or the Nevis Crossing if you have a suitable 4w drive car or vehicle or bike at 11:30am.

Programme of events:

11:30-1:00pm – picnic lunch with presentations from politicians and participating groups.

1:00 -2:30 pm -  Activities including rafting/kayaking, botanical and historical walks, invertebrate search, history self drive, fishing field trip.

2:30 – 4:00pm – Afternoon tea and concert with Folk Singer Martin Curtis

Bring a mountain bike if you would like to bike over Duffers Saddle, New Zealand’s highest public road down into  the Nevis, or 4 wheel drive vehicle if you would like to drive through to Garston.

Bring your camera so you can enter your best photograph of the day into our local competition and the national photographic competition.

Cheers

For more info contact Sue Maturin
Otago Southland Conservation Officer

Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand Inc.
Box 6230 Dunedin, New Zealand DD +64 3 477 9677. M 021 222 5092

A great day up at the Snow Farm.

Twas a bit windy, but otherwise a pretty good day was had by all at the Mainly Tramping Wanaka – Rogaine up at the Snow Farm on Saturday.

Check out the results here (keep scrolling down to see who’s in the teams)

Well done to  Team Opus A- winners of $1000 worth of advertising on Q92MoreFM as our Champion Business!

Wanna help someone raise funds while walking 100ks?

Having done 100ks for charity myself I can relate to this! So I thought  I’d spread the word for her- Check out her blog here, or follow her on Twitter.

Ed’s been setting the course for our next Rogaine

These pictures should get you excited for next weekend! The ‘Mainly Tramping- Wanaka’ Rogaine up at the Snowfarm…

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