The Adventure Crazy Pub-to-Pub Bannockburn Gutbuster is on again and registrations are now open for the Sunday 30 November Cromwell Summer Series event.
Starting adjacent to the Garston Hotel, the challenging MTB ride kicks off at 11am covering a distance of 75.4km. Particpants start at Garston township, 315m above sea level and ride 1.5km on State Highway 6 before turning off on to the metalled Nevis Road.
A further 2km of uphill is just an introudction to the gutbusting climb to the 1100m summit, past an historic ski hut and overlooking the Nokomai River. Riders climb some 800m in 12km, a grade of 1:14.
Starting a long, gradual downhill and following the 4WD track only, at the headwaters of the Nevis River, riders cross some 25 or more fords passing Drummond and Commissioner Creeks where historic and more recent gold mining oeprations provide interest to the spectacular landscape, Special care is required on the narrow gorge sections.
Past the Ben Nevis Station and sheepyards (your only comfort station on the trip) riders reach the Nevis Crossing Bridge, some 52km from the start and at 660m in height. From the bridge, riders face another gutbusting ride up 640m (gradient 1:12) to Duffers Saddle at 1300m, then another 8km steep downhill on a good metalled surface to the Nevis turn off.
The sealed road to Bannockburn is an easy 5km to the finish line at the Bannockburn Hotel at 252m above sea level.
Entry fee is just $40 and you can enter online at www.cromwell.org or on the day but be early for 9am registration to help organisers and the timing crew.