Race Information

The Alpine Energy 12 Hour Day/Night Mountain Bike Race is a continuous relay race over 12 hours.  You either ride it solo (totally on your own for 12 hours) or in a team as a relay.  We also have a 6 hour solo section.  (note that there is no longer a 6 hour team section).  Download a coursemap here

RACE OVERVIEW
For those of you who have never done a Mountain Bike Relay before here's a brief outline of wht you can expect at the Alpine Energy 12 Hour.

  • 12 hour teams and 12 hour solos ride from 11am - 11pm
  • 6 hour solos ride from 11am - 5pm
  • One lap of the main course is a loop of about 9 km 
  • Only one rider from each team goes round the course at any one time
  • Team’s decide what order their team members ride in and how many laps each team member riders – all members of the team must ride at least one lap
  • Each team member gets their own race number (if you change bikes during the race it is up to you to move your race number to your new bike)
  • Each team gets a team “slap-on arm band”
  • Each team is allocated an 8m x 5m ‘transition/tent site' - the course goes past every transition site.
  • Riders in each team ‘change' over at their transition site where they change arm band that is worn by the rider during their whole lap.
  • The rider on the course is timed when they have completed their lap
  • The idea is to complete as many laps as possible in the 12 hours, the teams in each category who do the most laps WIN!!
  • Solo riders will have a yellow tag under their seat so other riders can identify them on the course.

Bring with you

  • Your bike in good working order plus spares to keep you going for the whole of the race
  • Cycle clothing for both hot and cold weather – you don’t have to bring just Lycra, you can also bring fancy dress and try to win the best dressed rider award.
  • Lights for night riding
  • Plenty of hydration and food to keep you going for the day
  • Family and Friends to hang out with and support you during the day/night
  • $$$ to purchase coffee, food or spares - the coffee cart and food caravan will be onsite all day

Transition/Camping Sites
The transition/camping site is centrally located in the middle of the course on the grass area beside the Lake.  Each team or solo rider is allocated a transition site.  All sites are pre-allocated – we have limited space and we want to make sure everyone can get in.  Check on the transiton map at registration to locate your transiton site position.

Sites are approximately 8m x 5m.  Please advise on the entry form if you require a camp site for a caravan or a tent and if you intend sharing your site with others. Also let us know if you will have a marquee larger than the standard site size.

There are no actual camping facilities except toilets and fresh water.

We encourage you to establish your camp site early (preferably on Friday night.  You can establish your transition site between 4pm - 9pm on Friday night or on race day from 8am – 10am.  You can camp overnight at your transition site on Friday and Saturday.

All transition sites must be established by 10am on race day.

At your tent site you can set up BBQ’s, gas cookers, chairs, cocktail cabinets, big screen TV’s, even spa pools.  We encourage you to decorate your site - and be in to win the 'Best Themed Site' award.  You may park a vehicle on your transition site but it and any tenst etc must fit into the 8m x 5m area without encoroachign on your neighbours.  Once your vehicle is in, it cannot be removed until after the race.

Basically the tent village becomes a very, very social hub, for relaxing, chatting to mates, cheering on your team and all the others.It would help us and any supporters coming out to visit you during the race if you could ID your team site, i.e. hang a sign with your team name on it, a flag, item of clothing, banner, team mascot etc.

Transition sites need to be fully dismantled by 12 noon on Sunday and you need to take all your own rubbish away with you.

Riding Rules
HELMET (compulsory item) All riders must wear a cycle helmet while competing, warming up or if just riding around the venue area.

YOUR BIKE – for your own safety and enjoyment and that of other competitors, please have your bike serviced pre race so it is in race ready condition. We recommend you service your bike at The Cyclery, Avanti Plus Howes Cycles or Reiker Cycles.

12 HOUR DAY / NIGHTERS – LIGHTS (compulsory item) you will need a good front light, either mounted on your bike or helmet and a rear light (should be switched to normal mode - not strobe/flash mode).  Please ensure your lights are fully charged before the race, as there are no onsite facilities for charging batteries.

ON THE DAY BIKE REPAIRS / SPARE PARTS ETC –there will be a limited service centre for on the day bike repairs. It's best if you bring your own spares etc.  They will have available, tyres, tubes, chains etc for purchase.

FIRST AID – Red Cross will be providing first aid for this event.

BIKE BREAKDOWNS If a rider has a mechanical problem, the must complete the lap they are on and make it back to the transition point (yes this mans by foot if necessary pushing your bike).

RIDER INJURIES If a rider is injured and can't complete the lap, another team member may start that same lap again after gaining approval from the timekeepers.

CHEATING You must pass within two meters of an arrow or course marker. Failure to do this (e.g. taking short cuts) constitutes cheating. Similalry while encourage competitive racing, we do not permit unnecessarily rough riding.  We have fixed and mobile race marshals who will patrol the course and have the authority to issue warnings and penalties.
This will result in 1) 1st warning and a two minute stand down, 2) 2nd warning – lose a lap 3) 3rd warning - disqualification from the race.

TIMING You will be timed as you pass through the start/finish line at the completion of each lap.  Laps must be completed by 11pm  to count (5pm for Solo 6 hour riders).