Race Information
From what we are hearing there is a mixture of excitement and nervousness out there. Excitement comes from looking forward to the big day and whatever ‘Murphy’ will try to throw at you. Nervousness comes from wondering whether you have prepared enough.You’ve done all the physical training you can, now is the time to do the mental training. It is up to your approach now as to whether you will make the finish line and in what sort of style you will do it. Remind yourself enroute that ‘ the harder the conflict the more glorious the triumph.’ Due to the significant increase in competitor numbers we are going to open up registration an hour earlier. We tend to get a glut around the 4.30-7 mark so if you are able to register earlier then you might gain some time in your day! This meansregistration will start at 3pm and finish at 9pm. For the first few hundred registrants there will be a free MERRELL head gear piece.
Meals and merchandise online sales are now finished . A limited number of meals will be available on the night for $25 cash and there will be some tees and cycle shirts available from the merchandise store. Again, just a reminder to the Classic riders that transportation is available for you and your bike to the start line on the morning of the race (there is no provision for return transportation). This is provided by Alpine Coachlines; phone 064 3 443-4665 for bookings.
For our newies’ information a tea and scones café is set up on the Dingleburn side as a way of raising funds for localcorrespondence children. It is the most scenic and remote café you will find in NZ so please bring a donation if you plan on stopping to enjoy the homemade scones (with jam and cream..Ummmmm) and remember that paper is lighter than metal!
No Cotton WoolLastly this is a ‘no cotton wool’ event. You are responsible for everything you need to get from start to finish. At this stage the weather is looking like South Easterly winds (cool) but fine so remember your polyprop /marino skull cap, tights and tops, long finger gloves etc. The light weight rain coat goes without saying.
This is our last official newsletter but if we need to email anything further we will also post it on the news page of the Contact Epic website. Cancellations or course changes will be posted there, on our Facebook page re this linkhttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Contact-Epic/149207618423421 and on Radio Wanaka 92.2FM. Please check this the day before the race if you can’t access your emails. Otherwise, we will see you at the Hawea Hotel Garden Bar between 3 and 9 on Friday, April 19. Remember you need to get to us before 9pm as you cannot race without a transponder or bike plate and we will not have these on the morning of the race. WithdrawalsWe have been getting a few withdrawals. For the sake of consistancy and to ensure we have sufficient time to get our databases, safety and timing all sorted this is our process. We will refund 75% of any entry fee prior to the 30th March for any reason and we don’t even need to know why. After that date however we are fully committed with costs of your entry whether you race or not. For the uninitated, this involves infrastructure cost, equipment hire and purchases, safety audits, concession, insurance,automated processing fees, bike plates, medals, transponders etc etc etc. We cannot carry these cost for the significant number of withdrawals we get for personal, health, employment reasons and the like. This applies to roll overs to next year as we would have to pay some of these cost twice. For safety reasons alone, we do not allow transfers to other people as the person, their medical info and emergency contact details need to match the number on the plate and, as of early April, our data bases and plate numbers have been completed and sent off to other parties.
SponsorsDown the side of this newsletter you will note our Gold sponsors, who along with our principal partner, Contact. These sponsors help keep the entry price of the event at a reasonable level for most. We also have a number of quality product and service sponsors who ensure this race is run smoothly and that there are fantastic spot prizes for you to win, like the TREK bike! These sponsors help make the event what it is and it would be great if you could support the people who support your sport and this event. Even better, let them know you are doing the Contact Epic, or thank them for the prizes you receive. To see which products we endorse and which businesses or brands you need to support please clik here. WeatherWeather is always a factor in the race, check out the forecastHere and Here. Then factor in your gear, food and bike accordingly. But remember that conditions can change quickly so ‘plan for the worst and hope for the best’ is always a good mantra. The Epic and Classic course is firm and bony (rocky) in parts so think about tyre pressures to reduce the chance of snake bites but don’t have them so hard that you are a wreck at the end. The Traverse course is in very good condition and, due to some last minute changes on one of the farm properties, might be more of a 30km than 35km. I hope this doesn’t bother anyone too much.
See you all Friday for Registration |
Date: April 16, 2013 by lmsevents
Category: Latest News
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2012 competitor update
We hope you all had a fantastic Easter and got plenty of time in the saddle.
There is only 8 days to go until the big raced but who’s counting?
All 586 of you are no doubt well underway with your preparations so as part of that thought process we thought we would send you a few points that may be of assistance.
Firstly, and most importantly, this is a no cotton wool event. For those of you who have done it before know that the better prepared you are going in is proportionate to how happy you will be at the finish line. It is a long ride, but an even longer push so please put time into these areas. Think carefully about getting your bike in good shape, plan your nutrition and watch the weather closely so you know what to take with you. Look on our site www.contactepic.co.nz for hints from local experts and our Enervit nutrition plan.
We will have two Aid Stations on course (see Map and Aid Station info on web site). Racers Edge will be at the registration on Friday night, selling an assortment of product from their shop for last minute supplies along with Enervit supplements used at the Aid Stations.
Registration and meal informtion
Registration is on the Friday night and is COMPULSORY. You can not register on the morning of the race at all. Registration is to be held at the Hawea Hotel in the garden bar from 4 until 9pm. Please bring your confirmation sheet with you. You will receive your bike plate and timing chip, please take very good care of these.
On the day of the race the Hawea Hotel will be open from 5.30am for you or your supporters to grab breakfast, coffee or a muffin. During the day along with the usual, tasty restaurant menu, they will also offer a variety of quick, off-the bbq meals that will suit the starving and children a like. It is a fantastic afternoon, and the Hotel is the most relaxing of venues to be part of the event. Anyone is welcome to come out and support.
Sailz restaurant, just up the road from the Hotel, will be open from 7.30 for supporters’ breakfast, coffees and morning teas.
A carbo loading pasta meal is available on the night of registration and orders can be made up until Wednesday night , the week before the race, for $19. These can be purchased via our merchandise page www.lakehaweaepic.co.nz/merchandise.html for yourself and any other supporters. We will have a limited number of these for sale on the night for a cost of $25.
Points of Note
Remember the Tea and Scones at the Dingle Burn Aid Station. For those new to the race, the kids on the station go to correspondence school, they help with making tea and scones for all riders and ask for a gold coin donation as a fund raiser. One year they brough a computer for the school, last year they donated their money to the Christchurch Earthquake appeal. So bring some change and support a good cause(notes are a lot lighter than coins!).
If you are in the Classic division please consider how you will get out to the start line. If you are unable to get dropped off then you may need to contact Alpine Coachlines who provide reasonably priced transportation for you and your bike. Please make your booking now at www.alpinecoachlines.co.nz. Any queries regarding this service are to be directed to them, they are an independent company.
If you need to withdraw for any reason please inform us as soon as you can. This just makes the logistics and safety procedures smoother and tighter. We would appreciate that.
A reminder for those wishing to vie for the cash prizes you need to be entered into the Open leg of either division.
Some merchandise sizes are still available online for the t-shirt and cycle shirt as well as caps. There are also women’s t-shirts which are not on the site, but have a more fitted cut and higher cut sleeve. If you wish to order these please just email info@contactepic.co.nz direct.
Where to stay , What to do
For those of you who have not booked accommodation yet we advise you consider Edgewater, Wanaka’s lake-side resort with extensive amenities including a spa pool!! This majestic setting will turn your arduous journey into a memorable holiday.www.edgewater.co.nz
Updated information will be on our Facebook page and Radio Wanaka, tune your radio to 92.2 on arrival. Any emailed newsletters will also be posted on the news page of our site so please check this Thursday and Friday if you are unable to access your inbox.
On the Sunday after the race Lone Star Wanaka is offering a plate for a plate deal where you can show your race bike plate for a free entrée or dessert. This is a great place to take the family or your crew to celebrate the completion of such a huge goal.
Of course those who are supporting may have a little bit of time on their hands so consider the first ever Makarora Valley Creative Arts Trail which is running from 10-4pm on the day of the race. Entry to all 4 venues is just $3 and all the funds raised during the day will go to Makarora School. An extensive array of art genre will be exhibited as well as a silent auction and food stall. For those who wish to go earlier the Makarora Tourist Centre will be open for breakfast. The Makarora Country Café will also be open.
Makarora supports competitors by manning the most remote stations as well as providing 4wheel drive transportation. You can support them by checking out www.makaroravalleycreativearts.org . Only 15 minutes from the Kidds Bush turn off.
Last Man Standing contenders
There is a shrinking group of loyal attendees who have entered and completed the Epic leg of each and every Contact Epic. Now, in our 5th year we gone from 540 to just 41 vying for the LMS Kitty which the Last wo/Man Standing will take (once there is only one left!) This year’s draft list of contenders is below, please check and inform us of any omissions or inaccurate inclusions.
Last Man Standing Contenders:
| Alex | Dodds |
| Andrew | McLeod |
| Andrew | Mitchell |
| Andrew | Pellowe |
| Blair | Coupe |
| Bruce | Thomson |
| Chris | Pearce |
| Christine | Stowell |
| Craig | Rizzi |
| Craig | Ross |
| Dan | van Asch |
| Darren | Clay |
| Dave | Cowie |
| David | Drake |
| Dean | Winton |
| Dutchy | Vermeulen |
| Glenn | Randle |
| Grant | Fyfe |
| Hamish | Fraser |
| Harriet | Miller |
| Jeff | Rodger |
| Jenny | Prout |
| John | Burke |
| John | McKie |
| Kath | Kelly |
| Keith | Alexander |
| Malcolm | Patterson |
| Mark | Adam |
| Mark | Ladbrook |
| Mark | Lankow |
| Matthew | King |
| Michael | Wright |
| Neil | Ofee |
| Paul | Simpkin |
| Paul | Page |
| Richard | Huuskes |
| Richelle | Adams |
| Robert | Facer |
| Roy | Johnston |
| Tony | Culshaw |
| Wade | Rollo |
Date: April 11, 2012 by lmsevents
Category: Latest News
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2012 CONTACT EPIC – Update
The reward for those who persevere, far exceeds the pain that must precede the victory
TIME TO ACT: Entries closing in 6 days.
Entries have been extended until the 30th of March. This is the last chance to be part of the 2012 Contact Epic so go to www.contactepic.co.nz to make it happen because “A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams”
PREVIOUS WINNERS RETURN:
We are very much looking forward to this years race with 3 of the past 4 yrs Contact Epic winners returning to lay claim to the title of winning NZ’s Ultimate MTBing Challenge.
Brent Miller of Christchurch, winner 2009, Tim Wilding, winner 2010 and Dougal Allan, winner 2011, will be facing off on the start line to see who has the goods this year.
Women’s winner Kath Kelly will be back to defend her comprehensive domination of the Women’s field. Looking for a 5th consecutive title. We wait to see if there will be a significant challenge to her reign.
ACCOMMODATION:
If you are looking for accommodation for this event, there is no better option in Wanaka than to reward your efforts by staying and dining at the exquisite lake front resort in Wanaka, Edgewater.
It houses its own restaurant and bar and is easy walking distance to the centre of town. Please mention you are a Contact Epic competitor at the time you make your reservation to receive the special rate. Look here to view the suites and discover its numerous facilities. www.edgewater.co.nz
You can make this reservation by phoning 0800 108 311. You won’t be disappointed!
MERCHANDISE:
On our merchandise page you will see the new 2012 Contact Epic Tineli cycle shirts, as well as new t- shirts and caps.
There are a limited number of each so if you would like something to remember your challenge then go to the merchandise page on our website now by clicking on this link. http://www.contactepic.co.nz/merchandise.html
You can pick up all merchandise from registration the night before the race. Once you have registered take your number plate to the merchandise counter and they will assist you.
MEALS:
The Carbo-Loading Pasta Meal is held at the registration venue (Hawea Hotel), from 6-8pm and is a fantastic opportunity to meet and catch up with fellow competitors. The cost of the meal is a very reasonable $19 and can be purchased either at the time of entering on line, by ordering via our website as of the end of this week. If you prefer to pay via direct credit just email me with numbers of tickets wanted and we will sort this end. You are welcome to also purchase for any supporters who may wish to dine with you.
These tickets can be collected from the registration booth. Unfortunately, to cover the costs of extra catering, if you purchase on the day of registration or the race there will be an extra $6.00 added to the price of the meal. There will be limited tickets available on the night sorry.
On the day of the race there will be a variety of food available for purchase by competitors and supporters.
Breakfast is also available for those early rises at the Hawea Hotel (03 443 1224) and Sailz Restaurant (03 443 1696) which is a short walking distance from the Hotel itself. Please phone to book.
POST RACE plate for a plate will again run the Sunday after the event at Wanaka’s Lone Star restaurant. All you need to do is show your race plate at the time of ordering and you will be rewarded with a free entree or dessert.
TRANSPORT TO THE CLASSIC START LINE:
A bus service is available from Alpine Coachlines to get you and your bike to the start of the Classic so you can leave your car at the finish line. This will depart from the Hawea Hotel at 5.30 am to ensure you make the start line on time. The cost is $20 and you will need to book in advance via their website. www.alpinecoachlines.co.nz
Alpine CoachlinesPhone 064 3 443-7966 for Bookings
Email: info@good-sports.co.nz
Date: March 24, 2012 by lmsevents
Category: Latest News
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