Introducing: two All-Mountain Races in 2012 that will get your adrenaline pumping!

Come with us to the Del Rio Resort at Wisemans Ferry on 18 March and to Stromlo Forest Park on 17 June! All you need is your bike and speed weapon of choice. We'll shuttle you to the top and unleash you onto fun, challenging and fast tracks that will suit downhillers and cross-country riders alike. We are offering Elite, Expert, Masters and Junior categories and there will be B-tracks with lower start lines for Kids, Junior and Sport racers.

Our all-mountain races are best of both worlds – a blend of gravity and endurance, as well as downhill and cross-country racing.

The race tracks will have a combination of downhill sections with wicked berms and flowy trails, but also sections to pedal, recover and for the cross-country endurance racers to shine.

Registration for Round 2 is now open.

Photo: Dan de Witte

Photo: Dan de Witte

What is All-Mountain racing?
It is a blend of downhill and cross-country racing that calls for your endurance skills. Most of the race is downhill, on trails similar to the downhill segment of a cross-country race, with some technical bits and pieces. There are also short uphill and flat sections, which make the use of downhill bicycles challenging.

The track in Del Rio is on an XC run going mostly down. We used it for previous Sydney 24 hour races. There is 1 technical section in there called the Rockgarden. It is relatively short so worst comes to worst you can hop off the bike, walk it and hop on again. The length will be a bit over 2km.

How are the Rollercoaster races run?
Generally, the start sequence depends on the trail and race venue. At the Rocky Trail Rollercoaster races in 2012 we will use a seeded starting sequence (riders start in short intervals). This will enable us to provide novice all-mountain bikers with a bit more of a time gap and space on the trails, however, overtaking is common and desired as it adds to the atmosphere and thrill of the race.

There will be shuttled training runs in the morning, followed by a set of race runs – we will provide buses and trailers to get you and your bikes to the top of the tracks. If desired, racers can also ride to the top on a track that will be recommended by us. This will be a neutral ride and not count in the race.

The best time of the race runs counts and we'll be curious if a downhiller or a cross-country racer will decide the 2-race series.

BANZAI LifeCycle racers – this is ideal for you!
If you have raced our LifeCycle races in 2011, you will love the Rollercoaster! Similar tracks that are equally fun and challenging and similar junior and kids categories are on offer. Again, it is ideal for experienced riders to race themselves and accompany a friend or child as a buddy racer due to the flexible starting procedures.

Are there junior categories?
Yes! We will offer an alternative (shorter) race track for Kids, Junior and Sport (adult) categories that won’t require a shuttle and which we’ll be able to offer at a lower entry fee. At the Del Rio Resort you will start the race from a different start line that you can walk or ride to with an easier descent, avoiding the rock garden. At Stromlo Forest Park we will get you to walk or ride to a lower start line, avoiding some of the more technically challenging sections up the top. Check out the categories offered for more information!

What gear do you need?
A cross-country helmet is acceptable, protective knee, elbow and torso equipment is recommended, but optional.

In terms of the bike, an all-mountain or trail bike is ideal. You will get away with a cross-country or a downhill bike – you’ll just have to make adjustments to the shock systems, ie, make them softer on the XC bike to absorb the technical sections and stiffen the DH set up slightly not to loose too much momentum on the sections you have to pedal.

What’s the ideal bike to use?
Both downhill and cross-country bikes with a refined component set up are suitable. A lot of riders use the now popular 'trail bikes' that allow for more travel. We’d suggest that you talk to your bike shop crew to assist you with the ideal bike set up – ie, ideal seat post height, shock pressures etc.

The all mountain category consists mostly of bikes with about 4 to 6 inches (100 to 160 millimeters) of travel. While they are designed to climb hills very efficiently, they are generally heavier and a bit more stout than the typical cross county mountain bike. They can handle a lot rougher terrain as well.

We will offer for both male and female:

A-race track (shuttle provided):

• Elite (19-39)
• Expert (19-39)
• Master (40+)
• SuperMaster (50+)
• Junior A-Grade (15-18)

If you are between 19 and 39 years old you can choose wether you race Elite or Expert.

B-race track (lower start, no shuttle required):

• Sport (19+ open)
• Junior B-Grade (15-18)
• Kids (8-14)