Singletrack Mind Series

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Round Five

The Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan - Sunday 18 September 2011

 

The Australian Botanic Garden

The Australian Botanic Garden at Mount Annan is Australia’s largest botanic at 416 hectares. In September 2010 the Garden opened what is believed to be the first dedicated mountain bike track within a botanic garden anywhere in the world. Since its opening, many thousands of riders have enjoyed the current 7km long trail which includes 'competent' and 'intermediate' loops. The Garden has just completed Stage 3, another trail section for 'experienced' riders and this newly-opened trail will be included in the race course for Round 5 of the SRAM Singletrack Mind Series!

The trail is the closest 'race-able' MTB course to Sydney and is open daily from 10am – 5pm, weather permitting. For earlier or later access to the trail, you can join the Friends of the Gardens. Check the Garden's Facebook page for updates on the trail. The Australian Botanic Garden is a great place to take a group or the family as it has many other facilities such as picnic areas, BBQ facilities, an on-site café and walking trails. For information contact 4634 7935.

The Course

Made for mountain bikers by mountain bikers, the course has been designed and built by Brett Barnes, a guy who is still taking podiums in Masters BMX racing and lives and breathes mountain biking. While it's a trail system that caters for all levels, it's a challenging one to race at speed. The new Stage 3 section is designed to test the best and has some longer and more rewarding downhills, wheeeee!

Check out some pics of the construction of Stage 3 and a preview vid of the course is below.

Cinema Under the Stars

Round 5 of the series is really going to be a weekend to remember as Camden Council and the Gardens are hosting Cinema Under the Stars featuring two family friendly movies: Toy Story 3 followed by Night at the Museum 2. Toy Story 3 doesn't need much introduction and is a great film for all ages. Night at the Museum 2 features a who's who of Hollywood comedy including Ben Stiller, Robin Williams and Owen Wilson.

When: Saturday 17 September 6pm – 10pm
Bring: a rug or ground level seating. It could get chilly so be prepared!
Catering: There will be food & drink available to purchase at Cinema Under the Stars or you can use the gas BBQs.

Entries

Entries for Round 5 of the Singletrack Mind Series are now closed. Contact us on 0457 084 552 to see if on-the-day entries are possible - please call, we won't reply to SMS! Substitute riders are allowed. All substitute riders must download, fill out and bring the Replacement Rider Form to Registration. If your new rider is not a MTBA member they will need to pay $20 (cash only) for a MTBA day licence even if the rider they are replacing has already paid for a day licence online – the insurance policy always stays with the individual. Day licences are not transferable BUT the unused day licence will be refunded to the rider who originally paid for it in online entry – minus a buck ($1) for administration.

 

Final Schedule

The schedule for the weekend is shown below.

Saturday 17 September
1.00-5.00pm	Registration & Clydesdale weigh-in
1.00-5.00pm	Course open for practice
1.00-5.00pm	Registration for camping on site - please note you MUST register for camping during these hours if you wish to stay overnight
6.00-10.00pm	Cinema Under the Stars
10.00pm	Gardens Gate Closes - all campers & their vehicles must be back within the venue
Sunday 18 September
5.45am	Gardens Gate Opens
6.00-7.30am	Registration & Clydesdale weigh-in
6.00am-5.00pm	Coffee & food available
7.00am	City Bike Depot & SRAM Technical Support available
7.45-10.00am	Gardens Gate Closes at 7.45am and re-opens at 10.00am
7.45am	Rider Briefing
8.00am	Race Start
8.00am-4.00pm	Merida demo bikes available
8.00am-4.00pm	Muc-Off Lube & bike wash service available
8.15-9.30am	Late Registration - please note gate opening times above!
4.00pm	Race cutoff time - all laps started before cutoff to be completed and no more laps to be commenced
Approx. 4.45pm	Presentation - hang around to the end and you could be a lucky winner of one of our prize draws - there's a RockShox SID XX fork worth $1200 and a $1500 voucher from Merida up for grabs!

 

Camping & Parking

As the Gardens are a wonderful natural treasure we need to be mindful to only park in the correct areas. As there is no drive-in access to the Event Centre a drop-off zone will be designated to minimise the distance you'll have to carry your tent and associated gear. We're only talking a distance of 70-80 metres, so it's really not too hard. You have 10 mins to unload then move your vehicle to the designated parking area. Under no circumstances should vehicles park under trees or on grass (other than in the designated parking area). Rangers will be authorised to book illegal parking.

We strongly recommend that competitors make use of the toilets at the Wattle Garden when they arrive in the morning – there are plenty in this location, and it will ease the queues at the toilets located closer to the Event Centre near the drop-off zone.

Camping is available for $5 per person, and if you wish to camp you need to advise us and pay for this at Registration (Saturday, 1.00-5.00pm). Sorry but if you can't make it to Registration in time to book in for camping, you won't be able to stay overnight at the venue. Camping (for tents only) will be in the Event Centre however please note that there is no vehicle access to the Event Centre – you will drop off your gear and then move your car to the official parking area. Motorhome camping is in a different area. We’ll advise you of the details at Rego. If you’re camping, please note that no fires are allowed within The Australian Botanic Garden. Please also note the Gardens gate opening and closing times above.

If you’re camping, please note that no fires are allowed within The Australian Botanic Garden.

Please see this Venue Map for details of the Event Centre, drop-off zone, and parking.

Facilities & Services

For those arriving on Saturday 17 September, toilets, water and event camping are available from 1pm, when you can also Register and practice the course. The café within the Gardens will be open during the day. There will also be food available from a BBQ during the Cinema Under the Stars event. And you're welcome to make use of the free BBQs in the Gardens to cook your own dinner of course.

On Sunday 18 September, the following services will be provided:

• Toilets
• Drinking water
• Coffee and catering from 6.00am. As well as your hot drink requirements, they’ll have on offer bacon & egg, sausage, roast beef sangas, savoury vegetarian muffins, homemade vegetarian curry & rice, cake slices & biscuits, and soft drinks and sports drinks.
• City Bike Depot & SRAM Technical Support from 7.00am

• Merida demo bikes courtesy of City Bike Depot

• Muc-Off Lube Bay! Our good friends from Muc-Off will be providing a chain lube service
• Mountain Biking Australia magazine will be displaying and handing out free copies of their awesome magazines

 

Series T-Shirt

To remind you of many great days on the bike, we’ve worked with our designer to produce a corker of a t-shirt that tells the world what’s on, or should we say what’s in your mind – your singletrack mind! This striking design is available to order with event entry for the princely sum of $23, and you’ll pick it up at Rego. We'll also have some available to purchase at the event for $25 (cash only). Available in any colour you like as long as it’s green, but it does come in both mens and ladies styles. Check out a larger image here! (Note: if you've already entered and wish to add a t-shirt to your order, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we'll tell you how.)

Accommodation & Dining

There are plenty of accommodation and dining options nearby in Campbelltown or Narellan, and of course if you're heading to Cinema Under the Stars there's food & drink available to purchase there.

Directions

Coming from Sydney: Head towards Campbelltown via the M7, M5 or Hume Hwy and turn off toward Narellan at Narellan Road. Take the next left at the traffic lights which is Mount Annan Drive, follow for 1.5km and the Gardens entry is on the left then follow event signage.

Coming from the South: Head north on the Hume Hwy and turn off toward Narellan at Narellan Road. Take the next left at the lights which is Mount Annan Drive, follow for 1.5km and the Gardens entry is on the left then follow event signage.

Google Map

Rules & Conditions

Please read the event Rules & Conditions and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you need any clarification of these!

What To Bring

Except for the obvious (bike, helmet, race food, toolkit & spares), you might want to bring a pop-up tent for shelter beside the track, and a chair to relax in between laps.

MTBA members must present their membership card at Registration, and riders under 18 must have a parent or guardian present to sign the event waiver on their behalf.

Results

Results will be available at www.onlineresults.com.au during the event and PDF files posted here after each round.

Volunteers

We're looking for willing people to join our event crew - if you'd like to volunteer to help us out on race day we'd really appreciate it! The type of roles for volunteers might be marshalling, Registration, event centre set up, assisting with timing, etc. Volunteers will be well looked after during the event, and hopefully you'll find it gratifying to know you've helped the participants have a fun day on their bikes!

If you'd like to be involved, please fill out this form to register. Note that you can select your availability for each round on the form.

Questions?

If you have any questions about this event, please don't hesitate to contact us by email up until 11am Friday 16 September or by phone - 0457 084 552. No SMS please, it's too time-consuming and we can't guarantee to respond.