Alice Springs has hosted mountain bike stage races for a long time, and the Ingkerreke Commerical MTB Enduro has a new name – The Redback! The shift to 4 days in 2015 was highly popular, and Rapid Ascent have got a great winter warmer offer for mountain bikers from southern states.
Mountain biking in Alice Springs has some sand – but it’s certainly not the defining feature. (c) Tim Bardsley-Smith
Mountain biking in Alice Springs is unlike riding in other parts of Australia. The trails work with the terrain, and not against it. It’s a special way of riding, managing your bike through the terrain, negotiating sharp rocks, and following trails that have often been built from animal tracks.
The racing in Alice Springs is a favourite for many MarathonMTB.com riders, it’s well worth the trip.
- 4 days and 6 stages racing (rather than 5 days, 7 stages)
- Event dates that run over the weekend – Thursday to Sunday = less time away from work and family
- The ability to race either all 6 stages or pick and choose just the ones you want to do
- Updated stages to include the best of the best trails in the region – the network is constantly growing.
What to expect at The Redback
Falling in August, The Redback is an excellent winter warmer for many southern mountain bikers. That doesn’t mean it’s hot, but the sun is warm, while the evenings are crisp. Take your summer racing gear but don’t neglect some warm clothes for the evening, and even the roll to the race start.
Much of the racing is below the magnificent MacDonnell Ranges.
The long stage has been cut, keeping just the best trails that Alice Springs has to offer. Also, the format keeps the racing fresh with events like a hill climb, the individual time trial – and of course the ever-popular night race. You’re unlikely to be on the bike for more than 3hrs for any stage, so it’s not a race that is built only for ultra-endurance athletes. It’s been designed to use all the best trails in Alice, some you might know if you’ve been before, and some you might not.
The night stage has always been popular, and racing on the same route as the ITT earlier in the day, plenty of people will try to better their time. Very few have done it.
The Redback has easy event logistics, as each stage starts and finishes close to town. For you, that means you won’t ned a hire car, you won’t need to pack up any gear each day, it’s just a short ride to the start or from the finish for each stage. That gives you more time to relax, unwind, and recover! Best of all the race organisers have some accommodation suggestions and packages available – check here for more details.
Dawn over the ranges in Alice Springs. (c) Tim Bardsley-Smith
The true beaity of racing in Alice Springs is the ability to escape for four days and enjoy riding your mountain bike on unique trails, with like-minded people. Whether you come to vie for the podium, or just to get a buzz from the racing, you’re likely to want to come back. Do yourself a favour, and sign up for The Redback this year and see what all the fuss is about.