2024 Race posponed to 2025

Date: October 30th, 2023

Due to timelines, Illness and landowner negotiations we are unable to bring you the Contact Epic for 2024. However we are working hard to ensure the opportunity to ride the Hunter Valley remains with the race rescheduled for April 2025.

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The 2023 event is cancelled.

Date: February 24th, 2023

It is with the deepest regret that we have had to cancel this year’s Contact Epic. We have a major health crisis that requires immediate and long term focus. It has been sudden so we apologise for the timing.

We realise this will not just be disappointing but also extremely inconvenient for  a large number of you. We are very sorry for this. 

You are all entitled to a 75% refund. This may take some time to action but it will be done over the following weeks. Please note that we are not able to roll over entries to 2024.

Stay riding, stay safe and have an epic day on April 1– whatever that looks like for you.

Danielle and Aaron Nicholson

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2022 is cancelled due to Omicron…. but entries are now open for 1 April 2023.

Date: February 1st, 2022

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PRE RACE BRIEFING 2021 – Must Knows

Date: April 15th, 2021

Welcome to Lake Hawea and the 13th Contact Epic. The LMS Events team congratulates you on getting this far and look forward to you adding to the camaraderie and positive vibe this race experiences. The next is the easy bit, just hop onto your bike on Saturday morning and keep pedaling until we say stop.  If you need any help with anything please ask someone with a fluro vest.

If for any reason you have registered and decide not to race please text your name and race number stating DNS to Danielle Nicholson 0274595106.

Pre Race: Breakfast, Toilets and Coffee will are available at the Hawea Hotel from 5:00 on.

Full Circuit: CENTURION, EPIC and TRAVERSE

• The Epic and Centurion race starts at 7.00am beside the Dam. If you wish to be near the front you need to get there early. However, for everyone’s safety if you are not a serious contender please do not stack up at the front for the start. Most importantly please do not arrive late and try to push in or jump the fence, respect the fact that some have got up early to get their spots. A portaloo will be on the start line for any last minute nerves.

• Traverse, Your race starts at 7.30am at the same place as the Epic. The Hawea and Clutha River Tracks remains open to the public so please show the appropriate courtesy and share the space if you see other track users.
• For parking, drive past the front of the Hawea Hotel and turn right behind the garden bar. Follow the signs to the rear of the Hawea Hotel where, on the top level, there is a large paddock for parking. No parking please on the roads leading to or around the dam. If the Hotel area is full you will be directed up to the road to the Hawea Store which is about 3 mins away. Drivers, be aware of cyclists riding down-hill from the hotel to the start line in the dark.

• Bike lights are required during the hours of darkness.

• The Centurion race: An Aid Station will be situated at the Centurion turn around point at the very top of the course. Once you go past the Epic turnaround you essentially head straight up the valley. Follow pink ribbons and black arrows that will mark the easiest route and general direction as will the marshals for the river crossings. It is a bit of an adventure up there.

Full Circuit:  Classic

• Start time is 7.00am at Kidds Bush. It will take approximately 45-55 mins from Wanaka to get to Kidds Bush. There are no lights out there until sun rise, so bring a head torch. 2 toilets flushing are located in the Kidds Bush camping area or via the portaloo next to the start line. The start line is on the eastern end of the reserve. For those supporters driving out, remember to leave straight after the start or stay (approx 1.5 hrs) until the Epic riders have come past as this will be greatly appreciated and reduce vehicles V cyclists on Mead Rd heading back to the state highway.

Alternative Route:  Hawea Hotel to Green Bush Hut and Back (due to too much rain in the headwaters)

You will have opposing bike traffic on the way back down the course. Ride with your fellow rider’s safety in mind. Road rules apply. Keep Left, pass on the right. There will be a mix of riding abilities so be patient if you can’t pass safely or where you want.  Let’s get everyone out and back in one piece.

Traverse: no change

Epic and Classic start: 7.00 am beside the Dam. Epic riders will be drafted to the front and ride a 15km loop down Domain Road to the Hawea Back Road before joining the Dingle Burn Road. You will ride to Green Bush Hut (aid station) and 3 km past this to your turnaround; if track and side creek water level allow. Then back track to Hawea Hotel as per the normal course.

Classic riders will be drafted to the back of the Epic and start 5 mins after the Epic riders.  If you are in the Epic start group you will end up doing an extra 15km so make sure you are surrounded by blue plates at the start line please. Classic riders will turn off down Cemetery Road and head to the Dingle Burn Road. You will also ride up to Green Bush Hut Aid Station and then retrace your steps back to the Hawea Hotel. This is approx. 105km. 

• The biggest hazard for this type of start is high speed bunch riding resulting in crashes on the tarseal, ouch. If you are unfamiliar with bunch riding give yourself lots of room. Be predictable with all actions, Avoid sudden braking and changes of direction or speed, Be smooth with turns at the front of the bunch, Always retire to the back of the bunch,  Point out obstacles, Don’t overlap wheels, Do not panic if you brush shoulders, hands or bars with another rider, Look ahead, Obey the road rules.
• Centurions, your race will start at 5.00 like the old days. You will ride the Traverse Course and then back to the start and follow the Epic Course up to and past Green Bush Hut before turning around and heading back. If you average 17kmph on the Traverse course you should come out at the start just as our Epic boys and girls are heading off or you may be well ahead or behind them. Make sure you are familiar with the Epic Hawea Flat road course. Obviously you will need lights and a bin will be provided at the Traverse Finish to leave, or grab other gear etc.

Race Information:

• If you are crossing a river or significant side creek, spot your exit point down river before you start. Cross at a 45 degree angle to the flow. Keep your bike above the water if possible and on the down river side of you. If you are not sure, ask for help. If you are crossing a side creek and you are unsure please wait for another rider to come along.

• The existing hazards: Bunch riding on the road and other vehicular traffic both marshals and public. Loose and exposed rock, narrow tracks, fast descents with water ruts at the bottom, steep exposure at the tracks edge at times, wandering stock, other passing riders and rider fatigue, very cold and deep river and stream crossings. All the things that make the Epic an Epic but needs to be managed by you.  You may encounter a 4×4 vehicle coming towards you on the private Hunter, Dingle Burn or Hawea River 4×4 tracks. This will be in emergency cases only as they will be heading to an accident site, so always ride in control, keep focused and be aware.
• Remember to take your donation (paper is lighter than coins) for the tea and scones fund raiser at the Dingle Burn Café (Centurion/Epic/Classic only).

• There are no road closures. Normal road rules apply to all roads and 4×4 tracks on all courses at all times.
• Note to self; it doesn’t matter if you are coming first or last, your rubbish is your rubbish. Own it, love it, keep it. No one wants to see it on our tracks. If you are seen dropping rubbish you will be disqualified. We take a very hard line on this as it’s an essential part of keeping the land access for this race. Since I’m waving the finger the other issue to remember is no drafting off e-bikes.
• E-bikes: will line up and start at the very front of the Classic start area and will be released 4 mins before the rest as its good to give them a head start. For the Traverse all will start together. There are no ebikes in the Epic or Centurion.

• Very Important Note. Keep left on all tracks and roads, particularly so on the fast descents. Do not change suddenly from one side of the 4×4 track to the other as faster cyclists trying to pass could end up in your spokes and both of you will, at best, end up in a heap on the ground. Be prepared for the passing cyclist to call out that they are coming through “on your right” and keep to your line. For this safety reason we do not recommend IPODs.

• The above point is particularly important for the slower Classic riders that will be caught and passed by the faster Epic riders. So keep left on the descents, ride in control at all times and indicate your intentions early.

• Weather: 0 degrees on the start line, morning cloud then becoming fine for the rest of the day reaching 10 degrees max. Light winds. It will be cold so dress accordingly.

• Your transponders will be attached to your race plates, do not cut your plates as you could end up being untimed.

• We do not accept transferred entries. For professional and medical reasons we need to know who is on the course and what medical conditions etc they may have in case of emergencies.

• If you withdraw from the race, PLEASE inform a marshal ASAP and do not cross the transponder mats if you are back in the garden bar with your bike.

• You will receive a Contact Epic Vehicle sticker at registration. Please place this on your car for two chances to be first at prize giving to pick from our top selection of spot prizes on our models. Traverse prize giving, 11 am / Cent, Epic and Classic at 5.30pm.

• If you want your bike cleaned after the race for $10, we have a fundraiser for the Girl Guides at the finish line. By the time you have had your 2^nd beer the bike should be looking like new again. This means you can put it straight in the garage and not think about it again for a few weeks without feeling too guilty.

• Most importantly be safe out there. Focus on the journey, not the destination. If an opportunity arises to help someone out with a break down or at crash then take it. Karma will pay you back in spades one day. Record your time lost and we will credit it back to you. Traditionally we have the friendliest riders and volunteers out on course, it’s a tradition well worth preserving.

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The weather………….Mother Nature always wins!

Date: April 14th, 2021

But that is how it should be right? We just embrace her and bring her along for the ride…… As avid outdoor adventurers, I know you have been pouring over the weather maps of late, as have we, to work out what’s happening with the weather.  You will appreciate that it looks ok on Saturday at this stage. Unfortunately the important stuff is the 2 days before with Friday expecting a significant amount of rain in the head waters which will impact on crossing the Hunter River and some of the big side creeks on the Hunter side. So that means we are currently looking at an 80% chance the course will be running up to Green Bush Hut on the Dingle side only and then back.We will hold out for as long as possible to try to get you around the full course but won’t compromise competitor safety in trying to achieve this. We will advise you all at registration (or earlier if possible by email) what the final outcome is. This is just a heads up to help with your planning for both options.If the alternate course is used, we will try to get as close to the original distances for you but some may vary slightly. We did the up and back in 2014 and everyone enjoyed the change and rode responsibly to ensure there were no head on collision on the track. I think we can do it again with everyone’s help. Centurion 160km riders will start beside the dam as normal but at 5:00 am, ride the Traverse Course at night and then join in with the Epic riders. A light bin will be available to drop your lights if you don’t have anyone around to collect them for you. Classic and Epic will start beside the Hawea Dam at 7am no light required.  Epic riders will be funnelled into the front group and start at 7am riding through Hawea Flat before looping back onto the Dingle Burn Road (approx 15km) and heading to or past Green Bush Hut, subject to weather conditions. 125km total. Classic Riders will stack up at the back of the Epic Riders and will start 5 mins after the Epic. ebikes to the front of the Classic please. They will start 4 mins ahead of the Classic field. All Classic riders will turn off down Cemetery Road and head straight to the Dingle Burn Road. You will head to Green Bush Hut which will be your turnaround point. 102km there and back….it make sense to turn there where there is an aid station, bike mechanic, shelter, first aid etc. Traverse: Unchanged, 7:30 besdie the dam.   Hawea Hotel…food, drink, accommodation, finish line…. The Hawea Hotel is under new management and we hope you enjoy theri hospitality.  Parking is on the top paddock above the Hotel and then further up the road next to the Hawea Store. The Hotel will be open from 5:00 am for coffee, breakfast, toilets etc.  If we do the fully course, the bus picks up riders from the front at 5;30am for the classic start if you have booked. There is no pasta specific meal this year so you will have to choose from the menu.  It will pay to book in for a meal on Friday after registration and Saturday after prize giving as seating is limited. 03 443 1224 or https://haweahotel.nz/eat/   Registration is at 3:00 – 8:30pm Friday at the Lake Hawea Hotel There is no registration on the morning of the race. You need to collect your race plate and check your details all match at Rego. If you can’t make it, someone will have to pick up the plate for you and check your details. You will also need to read the pre race info provided that has all the last minute safety information and course changes etc. It will also be published on our news section of the website. Merchandise will be available for collection and sale at registration and race day.   CLIF bars and BLOKS along with nuun hydration will be available at both Aid Stations.       Don’t forget the cash for the Dingle Burn tea and scones and the bike wash at the finish line!

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Congrats on entering 2021

Date: April 10th, 2021

Aid Stations, supported by CLIF Feed your adventure with CLIF. CLIF’s range of delicious energy bars, and bloks are designed to meet your racing energy needs. Look out for their chocolate chip bars and strawberry and orange bloks on course. Want to try them before the race? You’ll find CLIF at all leading sports retailers nationwide.   For a full run down on whats at the Aid Stations Click Here

Bosch Our friends at Bosch will have a demo fleet of eBikes at registration and at the finishline on race day for you, your friends and supporters to demo while waiting for prizegiving. They are also supporting our River Crossing Team with a dedicated ‘Bike Sherpa’ to help get the ebikes across the river if the river is in high flow.

Pre-ordered merchandise will be ready for you at registration

Click Here to Order by Wednesday the 14th of April

Click Here to Order by Wednesday the 14th of April

Do you need a bus ride for you and your bike to the Classic start line from the Hawea Hotel? If so, Click here to Book

If you still haven’t sorted accommodation now’s the time to make the most of the Contact Epic deals at Oakridge Click h

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Contact Epic is on again for 18 April 2020……

Date: April 13th, 2020

The Contact Epic is back on for April 18 !!!!!!!!!!  Well, in a slightly different fashion. Read on…..       To enter the Contact Epic 2020 all you have to do is post on FB a short video clip of you doing a Epic ride, however you want to interprate that. There are just three rules: You must not breach your bubble. You cannot go further than the street you live on. Any distance or duration is acceptable. Maybe one more rule, you should really be on a bike of some sort??? You will be disqualified if your ride requires the need for any emergency service to render assistance. ie please don’t break a leg. Share a facebook clip of your 2020 Contact Epic ride on our FB page here.  We will judge the winners and send you one of the awesome prizes below. Enteries close at 5.30 pm, 18 April, in time for prize giving. We hope you have some fun with this and look forward to sharing the Hunter Valley and Dingle Burn Station with you all again next year. Kia Kaha  Aaron and Danielle   Lazer Helmets who support the race will be giving away two brand new Mips helmets.   Choice Bro…..Here is the red MTB Impala Mips helmet that offers extended shell coverage for better protection and a large adjustable visor to protect you from the sun, low hanging branches etc. For MTB and roadies this orange high vis Mips Century helment offer an interchangable areo or max venting option and tricky, recharagable LED light built into the rear of the helmet for maximum safety.

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Contact Epic 2020 cancelled due to Covid-19

Date: March 17th, 2020

As we are all aware Covid-19 has swept the world and now arrived in New Zealand. All information we have received indicates an increasing need for social distancing to prevent further spread. Last night the government banned any event, indoors or outdoors with over 500 people.  

We wish to be part of the solution to this national crisis and, at the same time, caring for our community, our riders, volunteers and staff.

We have consulted with our principal partner Contact and have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Contact Epic event. We apologise for the inconvenience and disappointment this may have caused but trust you understand that it is the right thing to do in these unprecedented circumstances.

We are offering all our competitors a refund. While there have been significant costs to date for LMS Events this close to the race we will still honour the 75% refund as per our policy, despite this being designed for a 5% or less withdrawal rate. We are unable to roll over entries to next year.

The refunds will take a while to process as they need to be individually actioned. We hope to have these completed by next week. Pasta meals will be refunded in full and jerseys will be posted out at our expense.

We understand that many of you will be impacted personally and professionally with this outbreak far beyond this event. We wish you all the best for the months ahead and look forward to celebrating good health, good times and great people at the 2021 Contact Epic.

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Date: April 19th, 2019

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PRE RACE BRIEFING 2019 – Must Knows

Date: April 11th, 2019

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Welcome to Lake Hawea and the 12th annual Contact Epic. The LMS Events team congratulates you on getting this far and look forward to you adding to the camaraderie and positive vibe this race experiences. The next is the easy bit, just hop onto your bike on Saturday morning and keep pedaling until we say stop.  If you need any help with anything please ask someone with a fluro vest.

If for any reason you have registered and decide not to race please text your name and race number stating DNS to Danielle Nicholson 0274595106.

CENTURION, EPIC and CLASSIC

• For parking, drive past the front of the Hawea Hotel and turn right behind the garden bar. Follow the signs to the rear of the Hawea Hotel where, on the top level, there is a large paddock for parking. No parking please on the roads leading to or around the dam. Drivers, be aware of cyclists riding down-hill from the hotel to the start line in the dark. Bike lights are required during the hours of darkness.

• The Centurion race starts this year with the Epic riders at 7.00am. The Centurions have yellow plates and are riding a very long way so let them draft, help them out, you are not competing with them 😉 Centurions will go straight ahead at the Epic/Classic turn around point out and back on the same course for 35km before reaching the Epic river-crossing point again and then joining up with the rest of the Epic and Classic riders. A small Aid Station will be situated at the Centurion turn around point at the top of the course.

• The Epic race starts at 7.00am. As with the Centurion, if you wish to be near the front you need to get there early. However, for everyone’s safety if you are not a serious contender please do not stack up at the front for the start. Most importantly please do not arrive late and try to push in or jump the fence, respect the fact that some have got up early to get their spots.

• Toilets are located at the Hawea Hotel or at the start line for Centurion, Epic and Traverse riders. The Hawea Hotel will be open for coffee, toilets and breakfast (not necessarily in that order) from 5.00am.

• For the Classic, 2 toilets are located in the Kidds Bush camping area or via the portaloo next to the start line. The start line is on the grass on the eastern end of the reserve. For those supporters driving out, remember to leave straight after the start or stay (approx 1.5 hrs) until the Epic riders have come past as this will be greatly appreciated and reduce vehicles V cyclists on Mead Rd heading back to the state highway.

• Classic Parking, follow the marshals’ directions to parking areas. It will take approximately 45-55 mins from Wanaka to get to Kidds Bush. There are no lights out there until sun rise, so bring a head torch. There will be some campers using the camp ground so some consideration for them would be great. For those getting the shuttle bus to Kidds Bush, the pick up is from the front of the Hawea Hotel at 5.30 am and is independently organised through Ritchies Bus service 027 511 1264. There is no return trip to Kidds Bush after the race.

• Course deviation: About 14 km past Kidds Bush you now have to go around the Leap Hut bridge as this is closed to all Marshalls will direct you (no distance change).

• The river crossing has changed, at the turnaround point (which is marshalled) you will now go straight across the Hunter River to the opposite bank and ride via a new track on the Dingle Burn side to just past where the old river crossing came out. It will all be well marked.

• If you are crossing the river, spot your exit point down river before you start. Cross at a 45 degree angle to the flow. Keep your bike above the water if possible, if not, keep it on the down river side of you. If you are not sure, ask for help. Remember the first Aid Station is approx. 4 km from the river crossing and you may get wet again before you get there so if you are into changing socks etc I suggest doing it at the Aid Station.

• The existing hazards: Bunch riding on the road and other vehicular traffic. Loose and exposed rock, narrow tracks, fast descents with water ruts at the bottom, steep exposure at the tracks edge at times, wandering stock, other passing riders and rider fatigue, very cold river and stream crossings along with marshal vehicles on the course.
• Remember to take your donation (paper is lighter than coins) for the tea and scones fund raiser at the Dingle Burn Café (Centurion/Epic/Classic only).

• The Traverse 7:30am start is the same place as the Epic start only you will be heading in the other direction. Come early to cheer on the Epic riders as they head out on your adventure.
• For the Traverse, your biggest hazard will be crossing Camp Hill Rd at the 5km and again at the 30km mark. Marshals will manage that crossing point so please slow down and be prepared to stop if asked or if vehicles are on the road. On course, there are black printed arrows → on signs to indicate any track / course deviation from the one you are on as well as orange painted arrows on the ground.
• For the Traverse riders, the Hawea and Clutha River Tracks remains open to the public so please show the appropriate courtesy and share the space if you see other track users.
• There are no road closures. Normal road rules apply to all roads and 4×4 tracks on all courses at all times. You may encounter a 4×4 vehicle coming towards you on the private Hunter, Dingle Burn or Hawea River 4×4 tracks. This will be in emergency cases only as they will be heading to an accident site, so always ride in control. However, there are a few private vehicles on both sides of the valley as the roar is on and they are there hunting, we cannot control their movements so keep focused and be aware.
• Note to self; it doesn’t matter if you are coming first or last, your rubbish is your rubbish. Own it, love it, keep it. No one wants to see it on our tracks. If you are seen dropping rubbish you will be disqualified. We take a very hard line on this as it’s an essential part of keeping the land access for this race.
• Very Important Note. Keep left on all tracks and roads, particularly so on the fast descents. Do not change suddenly from one side of the 4×4 track to the other as faster cyclists trying to pass could end up in your spokes and both of you will, at best, end up in a heap on the ground. Be prepared for the passing cyclist to call out that they are coming through “on your right” and keep to your line. For this safety reason we do not recommend IPODs.

• The above point is particularly important for the slower Classic riders that will be caught and passed by the faster Epic riders. So keep left on the descents, ride in control at all times and indicate your intentions early.

• Weather: Frosts and morning cloud then becoming fine. 6-10 degrees. It will be cold for the Traverse riders on the Hawea River track in the morning so dress accordingly.

• This year your transponders will be attached to your race plates, do not cut your plates as you could end up being untimed.

• We do not accept transferred entries. For professional and medical reasons we need to know who is on the course and what medical conditions etc they may have in case of emergencies.

• If you withdraw from the race, PLEASE inform a marshal ASAP and do not cross the transponder mats if you are back in the garden bar with your bike.

• Bunch Riding can be dangerous: If you are not familiar with bunch riding please stay out of them. We tend to get one significant crash from the bunch riding on the road each year and we would really like none. This will mainly affect the Epic riders. Remember these rules: Be predictable with all actions, Avoid sudden braking and changes of direction or speed, Be smooth with turns at the front of the bunch, Always retire to the back of the bunch, Pedal downhill, Point out obstacles, Don’t overlap wheels, Do not panic if you brush shoulders, hands or bars with another rider, Look ahead, Obey the road rules.

• You will receive a Contact Epic Vehicle sticker at registration. Please place this on your car for two chances to be first at prize giving to pick from our top selection of spot prizes on our models. Traverse prize giving, 11 am / Cent, Epic and Classic at 5.30pm.

• If you want your bike cleaned after the race for $10, we have a fundraiser for the Girl Guides at the finish line. By the time you have had your 2^nd beer the bike should be looking like new again. This means you can put it straight in the garage and not think about it again for a few weeks without feeling too guilty.

• Most importantly be safe out there. Focus on the journey, not the destination. If an opportunity arises to help someone out with a break down or at crash then take it. Karma will pay you back in spades. Record your time lost and we will credit it back to you. Traditionally we have the friendliest riders and volunteers out on course, it’s a tradition well worth preserving.

• If you are unsure about whether you will need lights, take them just in case. It will be dark just after 6.30pm. If you are not past the Dingle Bluffs by last light you will be withdrawn from the race. If you are still on the Traverse course at this time you should be calling for help!!

• Enjoy the day 😉

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