Entries have opened for the 2012 Bike Buller Mountain Bike Festival presented by Giant with a promise that this year’s event will deliver more biking bang – not to mention festival fun – for the rider buck.
Now in its fourth year, Bike Buller has been shifted to the March Long Weekend (10-12 March), meaning the three-day celebration of singletrack now coincides with the popular ‘Picnic in the Park’ food, wine and music festival held at the base of Mt Buller.
An exciting inclusion in the program is the inaugural use of the new Copperhead Trail, freshly built by gurus of mountain bike trail building World Trail and Glen Jacobs. Copperhead, a mix between a beginner downhill and cross-country, will be ridden top-to-tail as part of the Stage Three Cornhill Cranker race and 60 percent of it will be used as part of the Stage Two Brakeburner Enduro.
Riders enjoying the ever expanding trail network at Mt Buller. Photo: Rapid Ascent
“Copperhead is a unique concept, incorporating a flow country style but with a downhill edge,” said Jacobs in announcing the trail’s creation recently. “We’ve incorporated a few of our innovations from over the years to create a trail that will suit both downhill and cross-country bikes and all types of riders.”
Other changes to the line-up include the addition of a 30km option for riders wanting to take things easier than the tough 50km XC course demands, while those riding the 5-hour Brakeburner Enduro will now finish among the throngs enjoying the party atmosphere of the food, wine and music festival at the bottom of the mountain.
The festival is designed to cater for riders of all abilities. There will also be a Bike Expo and plenty for non-riders to enjoy too, including the renowned Merrijig Rodeo on Saturday night and a range of activities available on and around Mt Buller to suit all ages and interests.
“New trails, bigger parties, more fun for everyone, riders and non-riders – it’s shaping up to be a big long weekend,” said event organiser Sam Maffet, from Rapid Ascent. “We’re pretty excited that ours will be the first event to get stuck into the new Copperhead Trail, and we’re planning a few tweaks to really make sure Bike Buller cements its place as the biggest mountain bike party on the calendar.”
Riders booking their place on the mountain early will also have the chance of winning a $500 High Country Rewards voucher that can be used throughout the Mansfield-Mt Buller region. The prize voucher can be spent on accommodation, guided MTB tours, lift tickets, activities and anything else that is bookable through High Country Reservations, Mt Buller’s official booking agent. Voucher is valid until 31 December 2012.
The winner will be drawn from those who have registered before close of business 22 December.
To be in the running, enter Bike Buller at www.bikebuller.com
The full mountain biking event line up for the long weekend is:
Stage 1 – A Stirling Circuit : 30km or 50km cross country (XC): over Mt Stirling and back again on the incredible new ‘Stonefly’ single track and other flowing trails all in a magical alpine setting
Stage 101 – The Kids Race – 10km: held on the single track around the village – designed to gives kids their own fun MTB experience
Stage 2 – The 5hr Brakeburner Enduro : a 5hr multi-lap enduro down a flowing XC-downhill course where you catch the lift up as part of each 6km lap including part of the new Copperhead trail, until the final 12km descent Super D Mt Buller to the food, fine and music festival at the bottom of the Mt. Suitable for XC bikes.
Stage 2b The Mt Buller Super D : a friendly 12km top to bottom race down a flowing 1,100m vertical descent to festival at the base of the hill. Suitable for XC bikes.
Stage 3 – Cornhill cranker : 25km XC: on the flowing singletrack around the Mt Buller village and neighbouring Corn Hill, taking in the new Copperhead trail top to bottom.
For more information about the events, you can visit the event website.
Like all the best events, daily coverage will be available here on MarathonMTB.com.