I am very excited to report that in 2 weeks (June 10th 2012) I will be back at Mt Perry riding the amazing Mt Perry Gold Rush 6 hour. Last year this race was cancelled due to wet weather/flood conditions and there was a palpable gap in my race calendar and the race calendars of many Mt Perry addicts. Needless to say we are all very excited, 24 months of anticipation, to be so close to the 2012 event.
So what makes this race so special?
Mt Perry is a quaint one pub town approximately 365km north of Brisbane and 100km west of Bundaberg, with a total population of 431 (2006 census). The Mt Perry Gold Rush race is run at Walco Reserve and the trails built and maintained by Mike Zande, Mick Cook and the Grinding Gearz team. The majority of the Gold Rush participants make the trek to Mt Perry on the Saturday aftrenoon and set up camp at Walco Reserve. Saturday afternoon the course is open for practice laps and other shenanigans before the dark and the cold set in. Do not be fooled, Mt Perry is the second coldest place on earth with Alice springs taking line honours, reconfirmed after my most recent Alice Springs visit.
So we camp and there are big barrel fires and outdoor films with a makeshift pub, much cheer and anticipation the eve of the big event. The morning of the race nothing really happens quickly as until the sun rises over the hill, not a single body moves, literally. We make like reptiles, waiting for the warmth of the sun in the security of our tents before emerging to face the day. The race has a very social 0900-0930 start, which allows for such a relaxed morning. The start weapon of choice is nothing less than a double barrel shotgun, or that is how I remember it.
The course is fabulous, 10.5-11km per lap and heaps of fun. The course is by no means flat, heading initially up up up and then down down down. Round in circles for 6 hours. A fantastic combination of technical climbing, red carpet descending and flowing paddock trails. The course has been mapped at Garmin Connect.
Entries are still open at www.grindingearz.com.au so get into it!
Thanks to the efforts of the Grinding Gearz Team