Alpine Epic returns for second year

Two riders in the Alpine Epic stage race.

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New Zealand mountain bike stage race set for February

The 2010 Alpine Epic four-day mountain bike stage race is scheduled for February 24-27, 2010. The event will take racers from Mt Somers to Lake Tekapo in New Zealand.

Up to 100 two-person teams will pit their skills and endurance against rivals over 243km through high-country stations and Alpine passes from South Canterbury and into the Mackenzie Basin. At the inaugural event in 2009, Team RoadCraft's Marcus Roy, of Invercargill, and Kashi Leuchs, of Dunedin, won four out of the five stages in a total time of 13 hours, 24 minutes and 47 seconds.

"The isolation is the unique factor in this race. You have this feeling of remoteness with just a couple of sheep tracks as guidance and knowing full well that the only people to venture up here are the musterers and us," Leuchs said after the race in 2009.

The first event of its kind in New Zealand, the Alpine Epic combines adventurous mountain biking with streamlined logistics. Each night a large marquee is set up to feed the riders and a presentation is held over dinner to acknowledge top-placed riders and share memorable moments from the day. Breakfast is also catered for and riders camp out each night in a tent village.

Described as the toughest mountain bike race in New Zealand the event attracts riders from throughout the world - in 2009 teams from the United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Switzerland and America vied for the title.

Alpine Epic event director Nick Ross said it was the feedback from the inaugural event that made the 18 months of planning worthwhile for his team.

"Riders really seemed to understand what we were trying to do in creating a laid-back atmosphere set in the spectacular South Island high country," he said.

"We are pretty excited about 2010, we are planning on continuing where we left off in 2009, with some awesome remote campsites, challenging and scenic riding, while giving people the chance to hang out and meet riders from all over the country and world."

Ross noted that there would be a few "tweaks to the course", including a completely new final stage which will take in the rolling country above Lake Pukaki. "We are also working on a few other surprises to keep things entertaining," he said.

For more information or to register, visit www.alpineepic.co.nz.

Alpine Epic 2010
Stage 1 - Mt Somers to Rangitata River, 45km, 1500m climbing
Stage 2 - Rangitata River to Rangitata Gorge, 17km, 500m
Stage 3 - Rangitata Gorge to Ashwick Flat, 88km, 2300m
Stage 4 - Ashwick Flat to Mackenzie Basin, 72km, 1450m
Stage 5 - Mackenzie Basin to Tekapo, 49km 750m

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