the course::

Overview:

The 100km course consists of two different loops, containing single track, fire trail and dirt roads. The 50km course is one large loop, starting and finishing in St Albans. Both courses take the rider on a new adventure through National Parks and Private land. The routes are clearly marked, so no navigation is needed.

Below is a breakdown (in percentage value) of the different terrain competitors will be traversing:

100km Course Description:

At 6:30am, the 100km competitors will kick-off in St. Albans with riders heading South on Settlers Road. After 8km on Settlers road, the course will take a left onto Wrights Creek road, a farm road that runs adjacent to the creek. After 5km on Wrights Creek road, competitors will bear left through a gate (private property) and make their way up Blue Hill, the first climb for the day. (Make sure you are warmed up for this one!)

At the top of the hill the course goes through another gate and turns right onto the Transmission road. This is a fire trail on the ridgeline offering spectacular views of the valley. The ridgeline will continue to undulate with a few fast and rocky sections. Sit back and enjoy the view of some the best bush land in the area.

After 28km riders will reach the 50km/100km split at Johnny's Camp. This is the first water station on the 100km course. At this point the 100km competitors will turn right onto a sandy fire trail and travel for 5km until they reach a T-junction that links with the Old Great North Road. Offering some of the best riding on the entire course, competitors will turn right onto the Old Great North Road and follow a mix of rock gardens, single track, fire trail and technical climbs for the next 15km. (This is why you ride the Dirt Works!)

Still on the Old Great North road, riders will reach a junction where a right turn will take them onto a smooth fire trail and down to Clare's Bridge. After passing Clare's on a side track, riders will roll down the hill and into Ten Mile Hollow, the halfway mark and second water station for the 100km course.

Leaving Ten Mile Hollow riders will continue on the Great North Road following a smooth fire trail and a short climb to the Western Commission track junction (4km). At the junction turn right to remain on the OGNR and the second technical section of the course. Riders can look forward to another mix of sweeping single track, technical switchbacks, rock gardens and a few interesting drops.

After 10km the trail will smooth out into a fast fire trail heading down towards the Macdonald River. At the locked gate riders will turn right onto Sheppard's Gully for a very fast and rocky descent down to Settlers Road. Be warned, this part of the track will require all your concentration so try not to attempt a handlebar dismount.

Back onto Settlers Road turn right heading North along the MacDonald River. After a few fast kilometers the course will turn left through private property crossing the MacDonald River and over to St. Albans Road. Turning left onto St. Albans road the course will run along a mix of gravel and bitumen road for approximately 5km.

Turning right onto the Webbs Creek mountain road, a sharp but rideable climb will take competitors to the entrance of the National Park and the location of the third water station on the course (72km).

Entering the National Park, the Webbs Creek mountain road undulates across the Womerah Range. The next 13km will follow the ridgeline on a smooth fire trail until the downhill descent at Jacks Track. Riders should take caution going down Jacks Track as the road surface is normally dry and sandy. At the bottom of Jacks Track, riders will take a left onto MacDonald Road for the final 8km's of the course. A fast ride along the dirt road will turn right across the MacDonald river and right again onto the Common Road for the final few kilometers heading South to St. Albans.

Total Distance: 104km

The 100km course has just under 2km of ascent and 2km decent. The highest point on the course is 311 meters, the lowest being 8 meters.

The 100km Course will have three water stations at the 28km, 50km and 72km marks.

50km Course Description:

The 50km course will start in St. Albans at 9am following the same route as the 100km course until the split at Johnny's Camp (see description above). Johnny's Camp will be the only water station on the 50km course.

Riders will turn left at the water station and follow the ridgeline until a descent of Johnny's Hill. The track offers great views across the Yengo National Park.

Following Johnny's Hill the course undulates for another few kilometers until it reaches Brown's Road. Brown's leads into a steep descent back to the Common Road where competitors will turn left (South) for the remaining 12km to St. Albans. The Common Road is a flat gravel road that allows a fast and easy ride to the finish.

Total Distance: 51km

The 50km Course will have one water station at the 28km mark.