Should I?

[RobDickinson]

http://www.alpineepic.co.nz/

Been mountainbiking for a year now, quite a bit fitter than I was at the start. Probably ok to do 40-50km of hard back country with ~1000-1500m climbs/bike carying/river crossings as it stands on a single day now.

So day 1 and day 2 are probably 'in the bag' , I dont think (at the moment) I'm up to day 3 and 4 (especialy after 1 & 2 & 3).

But its 9 months off, and I could be..?

Probably not to much of an issue finding a team mate..

[Gooby]

Wow, that is quite a challenge. Could you get sponsorship?

[tricky69]

ok i have an apology to make... first looked at this and though 247km in 4 days ! Thats like 35 miles a day... this guy is fking pathetic

THEN i started to read the details... effing hell thats tough ! Do it mate something to be proud of !!

[JPJ]

With nine months to go, you've got more than enough time to put in plenty of miles in base training and get used to climbing hills, so go for it. The overall distances and amount of climbing are a bit less than rides like the Cape Epic, Trans Alp and Trans Rockies, but still a great challenge and something to train for.

The price of around £350/$895NZ is pretty reasonable given the cost of some of the other stage races, but as with the rides mentioned above, a lot of the riding will be jeep track and rough trails not quality singletrack, taking mountain biking back to basics.

Alternative options for 2010 if you wanted more singletrack riding could be the BC Bike Race or the Trans Provence, but that would involve a flight to the other side of the world....

Edited by JPJ on Monday 18th May 16:38

[nixaki]

touring with a mate is one of the most enjoyable experiences, and even solo, it's great fun, but fk paying for the privilege and to be told what to do (see their rules "lights out at 9pm and noise police in force" "wake up call at 5am")

Edited by nixaki on Monday 18th May 17:43

[RobDickinson]

nixaki said:

touring with a mate is one of the most enjoyable experiences, and even solo, it's great fun, but fk paying for the privilege and to be told what to do (see their rules "lights out at 9pm and noise police in force" "wake up call at 5am")

I know what you mean but quite often these races are the only way to get to ride some of this terrain.

I do plan to do the Queen charlotte track in November with some friends should be good, and do plenty of back country day trips from chch...

I think I could be up to doing it if I put in the training, something to think about...