Imagine a week of mountain biking, a week of racing, that will take you from the highest mountains in Australia, across snowgum lined plains, down along rainforest lined creeks and out to finish with your wheels in the sand and surf. Snaking singletrack, wind through the helmet downhills, challenging uphills and some of the most varied scenery you could want.

Join us for the 2012 Mountains To Beach and come on a journey where entrants, solo or pairs, will ride some 380km from Thredbo in the Snowy Mountains of NSW to Narooma on the South Coast of NSW.

The majority of the riding will be in race stages that will test the full range of mountain biking skills - uphill, downhill, cross country, marathon, riding under lights. Whilst timed race stages will range in length up to 100km, there will also be a number of non timed, non race cruising stages along the way.

• Ride just under 400km on a range of superb tracks and trails
• Take the challenge of the race and enjoy the journey
• Stay in a range of accommodation from ‘sheer looxury’ to camping
• Test your range of mountain biking skills
• Win yourself some great prizes

 

Route And Racing

Route Marked in BLUE

Saturday 4 April

Riders and supporters start arriving at Thredbo (All In Packages arrive this day), a beautiful village in the Snowy Mountains, 5.5hrs drive from Sydney and 2.5hrs from Canberra. Overnight in Thredbo

Day Zero

Riders and supporters arriving at Thredbo, Registration Day, Compulsory Race Briefing, Welcome Dinner. Overnight in Thredbo

Day 1

Total Distance 50km

The Hayes Mountain Run - Hosted by Thredbo

Stage 1 - Race - 12km: You’ll catch the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift to the top station at 1937 metres, within 5 km of the highest point in Australia. The Race begins! From this high point we’ve designed a cross country course that will take you on mostly steady grades (This is not a technical Downhill race but certainly has more down than up!) eventually back to the village nearly 600 metres below. What a way to start the week!

Stage 2 - Cruise - 16km: You’ll then cruise at your own pace 16 km down the valley to Novotel Lake Crackenback Resort, a stunning resort set on hundreds of acres of bush and river. Here you will enjoy a relaxed lunch before the afternoon Race Stage.

The Maxxis Muster - Hosted by Novotel Lake Crackenback Resort

Stage 3 - Race - 26km: The resort will host us for the afternoon race stage on brand new purpose built singletrack and trails. We’ll rest up for the night at the resort.

Day 2

Total Distance 86km

Stage 4 - Cruise - 6km: Only 1 km of riding then the only section of the route you will not ride! In another unique element of the race, we’ll ride the bikes a very short distance to Bullocks Flat, roll the bikes onto the railway platform and catch the Ski Tube underground railway to Perisher Ski Resort. The Ski Tube cuts through the Crackenback Range, climbing 600metres over 6km. The easiest uphill of the DT Swiss Mountains To Beach!

 

The Osprey Hydraulics Mountain Traverse - Hosted by Perisher

Stage 5/6 - Race - 80km: The first long stage of the race starts at Perisher Ski Resort. Stage 5 & 6 are now combined which means we are able to have an 80km race stage from Perisher to Buckenderra. It winds a route up to Blue Cow Mountain and down to Guthega Village, then heads through to Island Bend. From here a stunning ride along the eastern side of Kosciuszko National Park. Bring your legs for this stage, there are some big climbs to access this remote area of the park. The terrain will vary from rocky slopes to open grassy plains where the brumbies roam. A number of creek and river crossings will keep you cool as well. The course then diverts onto quiet country roads and zippy bush tracks all the way into the shores of the huge Lake Eucumbene and our host for the night, Buckenderra Resort, a large caravan park on 1500 acres of bush.

Day 3

Total Distance 67km

The Ay Up Dawn Raid - Hosted by Buckenderra Resort

Stage 7 - Race - 26km: Are you an early riser? You will be today! The stage will start in darkness and finish as the sun rises across the lake. We have linked a series of tracks around the property creating a stage to suit the early start. There will be rocks, grass, sand and some wildlife to contend with as you ride 2 laps of the course. Chasing the sunrise as you race along the lake edge to the finish will be a highlight for some riders.

All riders then enjoy a sunrise breakfast at Buckenderra.

Stage 8 - Cruise - 41km: The DT Swiss Mountains To Beach riders will then cruise along minor roads, dirt tracks, paddocks and singletrack, to finish in the town of Cooma.

Consider the remainder of today a rest day, you are on your own to catch up with new or old friends, explore the cafes and restaurants and get yourself and your bike ready for a big day tomorrow.

Day 4

Total Distance 129km

The Verofit Big Day Out - Hosted By Cooma Visitors Centre

Stage 9 - Race - 87km: Day 4 of racing is The Big Day Out, as we farewell the Snowy Mountains and drop over the escarpment on our journey to the beach. All bets are on as the stage begins with a lap of the local horse racing course followed by a sprint down the airstrip, where there will be prizes for a lucky few. You will then continue along a series of minor roads and firetrails, through private and public land. Although the day begins at about 810m elevation and finishes at sea level, there are a couple of memorable climbs along the way. One will see riders climb some 400m in a little under 4km. As you drop over the escarpment you are in for a treat; a rocky down hill descends over 700m. Great views are on offer to those taking their time, day turns to near dark as you ride through gullies with massive tree ferns. Then it is onto some fast smooth valley riding before that final big climb and roll out of the National Park into open farmland and the finish of the stage.

Stage 10 - Cruise - 42km: An undulating ride into the small town of Cobargo on fast dirt and sealed roads at your own pace should be a good warm down after a tough race stage. Stop for a coffee, take a big sniff and you might just smell the ocean! Then you’ll make your way along the sealed road into Bermagui where tired bodies will rest up for the night.

Day 5

Total Distance 45km

Today is the last chance to pick up a place or two in your category or overall results. None of this Tour de France bullshit for the final day! Today the journey comes to an end.

The Ground Effect Surf Safari - Hosted by Eurobodalla Tourism

Stage 11 - Race - 45km: A Mass start through open paddocks, a short climb on a firetrail, and then it is into a lap and a half of the great track built by the Bermagui Dirt Surfers. The race continues into the Beach part of the DT Swiss Mountains to Beach. A route north along the coast, most of which follows as close as possible to the beach on headlands, behind beaches and on occasions on the beach itself. Hopefully most will be ridable, however if tides and swell are not favourable there may be SOME pushing through the soft sand. All this is dominated by the bulk of Mount Dromedary. The salt formed on your brow will be added to that blowing off the Pacific Ocean as you race into the coastal town of Narooma and a finish right on the beach, perhaps in the surf itself............

Lunch is at the end of this stage, remember to bring your money as the bar will be open for those who need to quench a thirst.

You’ve come down from the Mountains, you’ve arrived at the Beach. The race is over, the journey complete. All that remains are the final presentations and end of race party that night. And of course a dip in the ocean!

Relax Day!

Relax, swim, surf……Head for home or stay the full weekend