Dodzy Memorial Enduro public entries open today!!!

If you know anyone that has worked for NZ Trail Solutions you’ve probably heard about this event happening in Nelson on the 26th and 27th of January. It’s a pretty big deal, not only for the fact that it’s an awesome way to remember Dodz,y but that’s its going to be an all time weekend riding over 8okm of shuttleable world class singletrack. Everyone  in the know should have entered over the last few days and as of today public entries are indeed OPEN. This event will sell out and is pretty much the first time any of the NZ Trail Solutions build sites have ever been open to the public.

Rumour has it that the final stage of the Enduro will have a winning time of 30 plus minutes!!!

Evereything you need to know can be found under the photo…

THE MAN
James Dodds (Dodzy) is a mountain biking legend of the sport in New Zealand who was killed in a tragic hunting accident in Sept 2012. Dodzy has been involved with the ongoing trail construction project in the Wairoa Gorge since mid 2010. We had started the planning for an Enduro event in the months preceding his death, so it was only natural for it to become a memorial event to remember Dodzy’s contributions to the site and to the sport.

THE VENUE
The Wairoa Gorge has an amazing array of cool mountain bike trails with something to suit all levels of rider. The focus of the trail development has been on shuttle accessed gravity trails, suitable for mid-travel (140-160mm) trail bikes, with a variety of grades from cruisy grade 2-3 to super tech grade 5. There are over 90km of trails to sample, with 800m of vertical drop, top to bottom runs range from 20-60mins and will have you grinning from ear to ear.

THE EVENT
This fun Open Day and Enduro event to be held on the 26th and 27th of Jan 2013 is the first opportunity to share these trails with NZ MTB community.

PART 1: SATURDAY OPEN DAY
The aim of this day is to give participants a chance to ride all the trails at a relaxed pace and get a good feel for the place. The day is split into 2x 3.5hr sessions – morning and afternoon, with half the participants in each. There will be a BBQ & Salad lunch provided between sessions for everyone (included in entry fee).

PART 2: ENDURO EVENT
An Enduro event is a series of timed Race Stages, the race courses are mostly downhill on singletrack and are 5-25mins long. Liaison Stages are the touring stages in between race stages, and aren’t timed. We have picked the best trails in the Gorge for the Race Stages and we’ve made the Liaison Stages easy by providing a shuttle service. The trails are of intermediate level, so anyone with a reasonable level of skill and endurance should be able to complete this event comfortably. The aim is to provide a relaxed event atmosphere, fun racing and good times!

WHO CAN PARTICPATE
The first wave of entries was by invitation from one of the Gorge trail construction crew, the aim of this is to give those that have worked on the project a chance to invite a friend to check it out.
Public Entries are now open here

MAJOR SPOT PRIZE
The winner of Sunday’s Enduro event across all categories will have the combined fastest time for all the Race Stages of the Enduro. However the major prize will be spot prize (i.e. drawn from the hat), this is a return flight to attend the Ken Klowick memorial event at the Jamaica Fat Tyre Festival (yes that’s right in Jamaica!!!!)

DIRECTIONS
The Wairoa Gorge trails are located 1 hour south east of Nelson. Click here for a Google map
Directions:
Head west out of Nelson past Richmond to Brightwater, turn left at the Wairoa Gorge sign onto River Terrace Road, drive 3.6km, turn right into Wairoa Gorge Rd (cell coverage stops here), drive 7km, turn left following Wairoa Gorge Road, drive 5km, turn left into Left branch of Wairoa Gorge (this is Old Mill Rd) and follow to the end approx 10km, there is a green forestry gate that we will leave open, continue approx 4km past the gate.
A large section of this route is gravel road and there are fords to cross. Leave the lowered Skyline at home, try the Hilux or Subaru! 4WD is not necessary but please drive carefully on narrow gravel roads.
There will be plenty of onsite parking.
Note the venue is located on PRIVATE LAND and is not open to the public outside of this event, please don’t head out there to ride at any other time.

RACE SCHEDULE
November 30 – Entries Open Online
December 21 – Remaining Entries are opened to the general Public
January 18 – Final race information emailed out to all competitors
Saturday January 26 – Open Day and Registration.
• Registration Opens onsite at 8.00am
• Riders are issued with 4 uplift vouchers (we can do more shuttles if we
have time and space, but we want everyone to get a chance to do 4
runs)
• Morning session 9.00-12.30 pm
• Afternoon session 1.00pm–4.30pm
• During the sessions all trails will be open and local host ride guides will
take groups of riders down the hill. If you want to ride with your mates
then group together in one vehicle.
• Official ‘debrief’ at a venue in Nelson, details to be announced.
Sunday January 27 – Race Day.
• First shuttle pick up at 9.00am
• First riders on course at 9.30am
• Race runs continue to approx. 2.30pm
• The Race course involves Two runs in the first shuttle and One full top
to bottom length of the hill run to finish the day. Courses will be marked
available to practice as well on the Open Day.
• Prize giving will be held at the venue after the race at approx. 3.00pm

REGISTER
• Entry is for current or former trailcrew and (optionally) their invited friend. Each registered entry will be for one trailcrew and one friend. Both must pay the $150 entry fee and both must participate.
• Entry Fee – $150 Per Person. Includes two days shuttling. Food and Refreshments, an Event T shirt and a place in the spot prize draw.
• Entries will be limited to 200 riders. If we do not sell all entries, then we will open the remaining entries to the general public.
• Once you have filled the entry form please pay online using the information provided. To double check you have been officially entered, please check back the event facebook page in a few weeks, as we will add a list of confirmed riders every few weeks so you can double check your entry has been received. Entry will only be confirmed when payment is received.
• Registration will be held at the venue on Saturday 26th January before shuttle runs begin.
• Image rights – Participants permits the event organisers or any sponsors of the event to use any photographs, videotapes, recordings or any other records taken during the race for publicity, advertising, or any other legitimate purpose, without compensation to the participant.

EQUIPMENT
Bikes
Stages must be contested on the same bike. Competitors can use any type of bike, but the best bike for this kind of racing is a ‘trail’ or ‘all mountain’ bike, normally with 5-6′′ travel.
The bicycle must be in good working order and have no electronically or mechanically assisted motors. The handlebar ends must be protected by caps.
Protection/Body Armour
Gloves and Knees pads are compulsory. Full face helmets, back protection and elbow pads are strongly recommended. Every rider must wear a helmet at all times, even during the liaisons, while warming up etc.
Spare parts/tools
It is recommended that all riders carry 2 spare tubes, a pump and a multi tool and some snacks.
In case of cold/wet weather
Nelson’s weather is reasonably stable but the Wairoa Gorge can be changeable. This event starts at the top of the mountains 1000m above sea level, so come prepared with thermal top, waterproof jacket, leg/arm warmers etc – even if it’s fine and sunny in Nelson!