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Bike Course Descriptions
The start / finish line for all events is located at the top of Gowan Hill Road
at approximately 270 metres above sea level.
( please click to download a larger version of the map )
( Please click to download a larger version of the elevation chart )
The Sheep Wash Fun Ride, (8 km)
Designed for the younger riders to give them the opportunity to enjoy what mountain biking is all about, this simple course of out and back along the gentle Etal Stream Road will be an enjoyable ride for the 8 year olds and over.
Etal Stream Recreational Ride, (16 km)
This ride follows the same course as the Fun Ride for the first 4 km, and then heads along a short dirt track through the forest and into a neighboring farmers property. This 8 km loop is an easy ride through mown paddocks and graveled farm tracks, it is mainly flat however there is one crossing through the Etal Stream. The return back to the Start/Finish line is along the same track as the beginning of the race. This course is suitable for riders over 12 years of age.
If you can ride the Surf to City, this event will be suitable for your level of fitness and you will not have to contend with the crowds of walkers or runners.
Gowan Hill Classic Course, (24 km)
This event follows the Etal Stream Recreational Course for the first 12 km, being gentle easy country. Once riders return to the forest area, they commence their first good climb of 130 metres over 3km, followed by just over a km of undulating country. Turning left into Little Spur Road, the first 1.5 km is a steady ride, the last half km of Little Spur is steeper and may be a challenge for riding. This climb is rewarded with a 2.7 km downhill coast, dropping over 230 metres. Another 100 meter climb over 1.25 km up Ward Road will bring riders to the junction of Mad River Road and a downhill ride most of the way back to the start / finish line.
This course has been designed to provide riders with a greater challenge than the mainly flat Etal Stream Recreational Ride. It includes that course but has the added bonus of two reasonable climbs and some enjoyable downhill sections. A reasonable level of fitness will be required.
Gowan Hill Ultimate Challenge, (48 km)
For the experienced and serious riders.
The 4 km easy ride along the eastern boundary will have riders fresh and warmed up for the first hill climb, an easy 290 meters to the 10.5 km mark at the top of Little Spur Road.
A 2.7 km downhill coast, dropping 230 metres will be an enjoyable section of the event before the major climb up Ward Road and Mad River Road, climbing 262 meters over 3.5 km. Another short but steady climb of 100 metres over 1 km will bring riders to the start of Rabbit Bush Road and a 6.6 km loop of undulating riding. This is a new section of road, used for the first time this year, make sure you take time to soak in the wonderful views of Western Southland from the many vantage points along this route.
At the end of Rabbit Bush Road, riders will turn left and join Beaumont Hill Road and approximately 6 km of climbing to reach the highest point of 785 meters. This section of track will be familiar to previous riders of the Gowan Hill Classic, 2008 and 2009, this year they will be riding it in reverse and can look forward to an enjoyable 9km downhill section between the 31st and 40th km.
At the 40 km mark, riders will have a short sharp drop down to the Etal Stream and a 1.5 km section following the stream , with 8 crossings. This is followed by about 1 km across grass paddocks before returning to the forest and the 4 km sprint back along Etal Stream Road to the Start / Finish Line
Run and Walk Course Details
Little Spur Run, 17 km
This course is close to the Eastern boundary of the forest on a gently undulating road for 4kms before turning left at the 2nd marshal point. From here you climb 130 metres, over 4.3 kms, on your way to the Little Spur junction. Turn left onto Little Spur Road where you run on relatively flat terrain for a kilometre then gradually start climbing during the next kilometre to a junction with Ward Road. The next 2.7 km section is mostly downhill, allowing excellent views of forest and farmland. When you reach the stream you will have descended over 230 metres. A climb of 100 metres over 1.25 km on Ward Road brings you to Mad River Road junction where you head downhill for most of the way to the finish line, joining the Etal Stream Road for the last kilometre.
This event requires a reasonable level of fitness.
The Mad River Road Walk (recreational)
This course follows all the other events along Etal Stream Road for 2.3km where you will be directed by a marshal along a narrow grass track for 330 metres.
When you reach Ward Road turn left and commence a steady climb of 100 metres over the next 1.2 kms which brings you to Mad River Road. Turn left and travel 1.5 km downhill to the junction with Etal Stream Road where you turn right and walk the final 1 km to the finish line.
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