The dates for 2012 installment of Terra Australis, Australia’s toughest stage race, have been set for Sunday 5th February to Saturday 11th February. The dates are a lot earlier than the normal autumn dates. The organisers of Terra Australis have been working with the land managers from Parks Victoria, Department of Sustainability and HVP Plantations to find a date that is suitable for all parties. The Victorian State Government has set an aggressive control burning schedule which has been severely compromised by the recent wet summer. As a result the 2012 autumn has been identified as the next available opportunity to catch up on the control burn schedule.
It is not possible for the organisers to plan around these burns as they will be done based on weather and wind conditions on any given day. The directors of Finish Line Events are all residents of North East Victoria and have lived through three major bushfires and as a result fully support the control burning program. The directors are also cyclists and understand the health and safety risks of riding in smokey conditions and are keen to keep away from these proposed burns.
The directors of Finish Line Events also gave full consideration to the events calendar and February and March 2012 is shaping up as a smorgasbord of mountain bike events. Lock in 5th-11th February 2012 and make your way to the start line for Terra Australis next year.