Event Info

Race information below may be updated or changed without notice.  

This event is all about racing against the clock to complete as many laps of the approx 11km course as you can in either 10 or 6 hours.

Enter as a team (2-5 riders per team) or accept the ultimate challenge and compete on your own as a solo rider, taking part in either the 10 Hour Day/Nighter or the 6 Hour Blast.

The venue

780 McLean’s Forest Park, McLean’s Island Road, Christchurch

The entrance to the venue area is approx. 1km before the main entrance to McLean’s Forest Recreational area and will be well signposted on the day. 

Carparking

There is carparking within the venue area for any extra vehicles or supporters visiting during the day

Can I race on my E-bike?

Yes, we will be permitting E-bikes in the 2022 event under the following conditions: -  

• There will be no specific category for E-bikes in 2022 and if you choose to race on an e-bike, you do so on the understanding that you or your team will not qualify for a 1/2/3rd category placing.
• Only standard electric mountain bikes are permitted with the maximum speed not exceeding the manufacturers specifications which in NZ is 32km and the E-bike must not have been 'enhanced' in any way.
• Solo or team riders can race on an E-bike (teams can be made up of a combination of E-bikes and 'normal' bikes).
• If you wish to race on an E-bike, please either enter the word E-bike after your name or team name on your entry OR email entry@bluedogevents.nz and let us know.   
• On race day the results will show a E after the solo rider or team name to indictate an E-bike is being race.

There are strong opinions on the place of E-bikes in events and your feedback is welcome as we continue to work out how E-bikes fit with this event.  

Saturday 15th October 2022

7:00–9:00am Set up team site

The gates to the venue open at 7am.  Your team site needs to be set up by 9am so that that the laneways through the team sites can be cleared of incoming vehicles in time for the start at 10am.

7:30-9:00am Rider Check 

All Solo Riders and Teams must check in and collect their race pack. Check in will be at the main marquee.

9.30am Race Briefing

ALL riders must attend race briefing.

10:00am START - All Riders

4:00pm FINISH - 6 Hour Blast 

4:30pm Prize Giving 6 Hour Blast

8:00pm FINISH - 10 Hour Day/Nighter 

8:30pm Prize Giving 10 Hour Day/Nighter

COURSE MAP 2020

The 2022 course will be similar to the course used in 2020.  The final course map will be posted closer to the event.

Due to weather or Ecan requirements the map may change on race day and if any changes are made they will be notified at race briefing. EACH LAP IS APPROX 11 km’s including team site area.

The mountain bike track at McLean’s Forest Park is purpose build and features free flowing single track with bermed corners making for superb smooth riding. The track follows the natural terrain of the area, winding through the forest and up, over and along the stop banks. There are no major hills but plenty of undulating riding. On race day we'll mix up the single track with 4WD track so there will be plenty of places for passing.

Each team

Will be allocated a 5m wide x 9m deep team site for the duration of the event.  Each site fits approximately a Ezi-up (or similar), one vehicle and space for riders and supporters.  If you wish, you can camp overnight on your site (more details on this below under camping).

Team sites

Are allocated as you arrive at the venue area (unless you have hired a marquee). If you wish to be beside another team, you will need to organize to arrive at the venue together so that you are allocated your sites side by side.

Your team site

Is where you start and finish your lap from. Each site fronts onto the course laneway. Supporters can also join you at your team site at any time during the event. The car park is within close walking distance.

Vehicles on your team site

Once a vehicle is on a team site it cannot be removed until the event is over. There is car parking for all extra vehicles and supporters coming out during the day within close walking distance of the venue area.

6 Hour Blast riders

Can pack up and depart the venue area once your event has finished. Or if you wish to stay on at your team site after the race you are welcome to do so.

Marquees

If you have a marquee or are thinking about hiring one, please email info@bluedogevents.nz for more information on this. Please don’t hire one without letting us know as we have limited spaces available for marquees and also need to supply access details for the erection of marquees pre-race.

Running from 10am to 8pm the 10 Hour is a spectacle of an event for all involved. Enter as a team, or test yourself as a solo rider around the undulating 11km course.

Remember to pack a few extra gels to keep the energy levels high as you aim to conquer this marathon event.

The 6 Hour Blast starts at the same time as the 10 hour and finishes at 4pm with teams and solo riders whipping around the 11km loop to carve out as many laps as they can in 6 Hours.

A great event for teams who want to be involved in a big day out and solo riders wanting to test out their speed and endurance.

BIKE REQUIREMENTS

Your bike must be in a race ready condition so please have your bike serviced before the race.  At the minimum have your brakes, gears, and chain etc checked.  Ask your mechanic what tyres are best to race on.

BIKES PERMITTED in this race: -

• Normal mountain bikes 
• E-bike mountain bikes
• Normal gravel or cycle cross bikes

BIKES NOT PERMITTED: -

• Uni cycles / tandems
• Normal or E-bike road bikes

FITNESS / SKILL REQUIREMENTS

For your safety and enjoyment (and that of other competitors), you must have the necessary skills and fitness required to race, for instance  you need to be confident racing amongst groups of riders, know how to ride on single track, know the race etiquette of being passed or passing another ride and be able to race an approx. 11 km lap comfortably.

Timekeeping

Will be by transponder. Each Solo Rider and Team will receive one transponder that must be worn on your ankle. The transponder is exchanged between riders at their Team site.  The transponder must be handed back at the end of the event.

Lights (optional) for 10 hour day/nighter

Sunset on October 15th is estimated to be at 7:51 pm so lights for the last lap are optional (it can get dark in the forested areas of the course.  If you do chose to use a light please ensure it is fully charged before the race as there are no onsite facilities for charging batteries.

First aid

St Johns will be providing first aid at this event and this will include paramedics.  In the event that you require first aid for yourself or another rider or spectator, in the first instance request assistance (or ask another rider) from the nearest marshal.  There are marshal's stationed out on the course and at the race venue/team site area.  The marshal will radio race HQ who will then dispatch the paramedic or St Johns personal to you.  DO NOT call 111 as this causes unnecessary delays in getting help to the injured person.

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. Note: bar ends must have plugs in.

On the day bike repairs / spare parts etc

There will be a cycle service center beside the main marquee for on the day bike repairs. They will have available, tyres, tubes, chains etc. for purchase.

No dogs

No dogs are permitted at this event.

Team and Solo Categories

Check out event main page here.

Unsure which category you should be in?

Email info@bluedogevents.nz and we’ll work that out for you.

Number of riders in a team

All teams may have a minimum of 2 or maximum of 5 riders per team. This applies to both the 10 & 6 Hour teams

Mixed teams (must be a mix of men and women)

If there are 5 riders in the team, a minimum of 2 must be women. If there are 4 riders in a team, a minimum of 1 must be a woman.

Corporate teams

Can be made up of, only men, only women or any mix of gender. Your teams may be staff, family of staff and clients of your company (note: even though your team is representing your company you can if you wish, enter ANY category).

Corporate pro teams

This category is for your teams that want to be more competitive and riders would be considered to have average to above average fitness and skill level.

Corporate social teams

This category is for teams that want to compete at a more social/leisurely level and riders are a mix of fitness and skill level.

Your team site

Are where you start and finish your lap from and each site fronts onto the course laneway.

Who rides when

Each team sends out one rider at a time to race. You start from your team site, ride a lap of the course, come back through the timekeeping tent and back to your team site.

You then either do another lap or you exchange the timing transponder with your next team member and they then go out to race. Teams decide themselves what order their team members ride in and how many laps each team member rides.

Only the riders that you register on your entry form are permitted to race. This means:

• Supporters coming out on the day may not race if they are not registered on your entry form.
• Say you register and pay for 4 riders on your entry form , and one rider races for 4 hours but has to leave early so you get a fifth rider to replace them.  As this fifth rider is not registered on the entry form and it would also be considered as bringing in ‘fresh legs’ this is not permitted and teams doing this will be disqualified.
• If you need to add/delete/replace a rider in your team, you need to advise us no later than 9am on the day. Once the race has started no changes can be made.
  
  

Camping Information

Camping is permitted on your team site on Friday and/or Saturday night.

There are port a loo's on site and water but we suggest you bring your own water as well for back up.  There are no showers.

• If Camping Friday Night - Email entry@bluedogevents.nz to advise you wish to camp.  Set up is between 4-7:00pm and on arrival at the venue, check in at the main marquee and you will be shown where to set up. 
• IMPORTANT NOTE:  Please do not use the camping option as a way to set up your team site early but not camp.  Any unattended tents will be removed as McLean's Forest Park is prone to strong overnight winds so you need to be onsite to ensure your tent is well secured and not a danger to other campers and no responsibility will be taken for unattended gear left onsite.
• If Camping Saturday night – you may stay after the race and camp on your team site

If you're not aligned to a team and would prefer your own team site, on the morning of the event drive into the venue and you will be allocated a team site.

Family and friends

To hang out with and you’ll appreciate the support and encouragement plus someone needs to get the coffee in!

Warm clothing/sunblock

It goes without saying, come prepared for both hot and cold temperatures.

Cash

To purchase coffee, food, a race T or spare parts etc.

Category winners

1st / 2nd / 3rd place getters in each category will each be awarded a handcrafted medal and prize voucher.  

Spot prizes

Thanks to the generosity of our event supporters there will be a stash of spot prizes to be won on race day.

Postponement:- If the event is postponed to another date, your entry can be transferred to the new date or refunded.

Cancellation - Covid: - If the event is cancelled due to Covid Level restrictions, your entry fee will be refunded in full.

Cancellation - Other: - If the event is cancelled at short notice due to circumstances outside the control of Blue Dog Events, in the first instance we will endeavour to re schedule the event and your entry will be transferred to the new date (or refunded if you cannot make the new date).  If it isn't possible to re schedule the event your entry fee will be refunded.

Withdrawals and refunds 

To withdraw your entry, please email info@bluedogevents.nz quoting your name or team name and category.

The following refund policy applies to withdrawals: - 

• Up to Aug 15th - 100% refund less $15 admin fee. 
• Between Aug 16 - Sept 15th -  50% refund less $15 admin fee. 
• Between Sept 16th - 30th - 25 % refund less $15 admin fee.
• Between Oct 1st - 15th - no refund will be given. 

Changes to your entry 

If you wish to change or amend your entry please email info@bluedogevents.nz quoting your name or team name and category.

If you have a product, service or another event that you want to promote at this event, please contact us to discuss. In fairness to the sponsors of this event, any person selling or promoting a product or service or another event without the race director’s permission will be asked to cease or leave.

Please read our Terms of Entry before signing this acknowledgement, waiver and release from liability.

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