Take Your Seats, The Rollercoaster Is A Go

If you love banging downhill but the ups are usually met with more grunts than a Sharapova tennis match then hold on, the Rollercoaster is calling you.

Sydney-based mountain bike events company Rocky Trail has added two events to their racing schedule which builds on the popular all mountain racing style which has been extremely popular in America and Europe.

The Rollercoaster promises it’s not a downhill race and it’s not a cross country race, rather it’s a perfectly blended mix of all mountain goodness all ready to be served fresh and enjoyed with mates.

Enduro Pulse pinned down Juliane and Martin from Rocky Trail to get the skinny on just what will make the Rollercoaster.

EP: So what’s going to make the Rollercoaster different to a cross-country race?
Juliane: It’s is a blend of downhill and cross-country racing that challenges your endurance skills. Staying true to the all-mountain style, 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 and let the cross-country racers smash it.

EP: What will the tracks be like at the new Rollercoaster races?
Martin: All-mountain races are best of both worlds – a blend of gravity and endurance, as well as downhill and cross-country racing.

At the Rocky Trail events, the race tracks at Del Rio and Stromlo 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.

EP: So who’s it for?
Juliane: Anyone who loves mountain biking and who has a reasonable skill level. At both our events we have two tracks available – the A-track that is more challenging and has more rocky sections, which are ideal for downhillers and cross-country riders with technical riding skills.

The B-tracks will be shorter, still exciting with nice flowy downhill sections and great for junior riders and racers that are just getting into the gravity scene.

EP: How are the Rollercoaster races run?
Martin: We will use a seeded starting sequence, which means that riders start in short intervals. This gives novice all-mountain bikers 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.

EP: What gear do you need?
Juliane: 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.

EP: And are the juniors covered?
Juliane: Yes! The shorter B-race track is ideal for Kids, Junior and Sport (adult) categories. They won’t require a shuttle and we’ll be able to offer them at a lower entry fee.

EP: So, when is it on?
Martin: The first race is at Del Rio Resort at Wisemans Ferry on 18 March 2012 and round 2 will take place at Stromlo Forest Park in Canberra on 17 June.

Event website: Registration is open and for more information check out the event website at rockytrailentertainment.com

Race 1 – Del Rio Resort, Wisemans Ferry (NSW) on 18 March 2012
Race 2 – Stromlo Forest Park, Canberra (ACT) on 17 June 2012

Photo: Deubel Bicycles