Full Course Descriptions:

Coppermine Epic

The name says it all. The Epic has all the elements you could want from a great race. A massive mountain climb up to almost 900m, the sweetest single track with sections that will challenge all riders and stunning scenery that traverses Nelson’s mineral belt. 

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The loop starts at the ‘07 Nationals Start/Finish area (Almond Tree Flat). The course leads onto the Maitai River track and along to the golf course. The course then climbs through mature pine trees and descends on to the Tantragee Saddle (the start loop may change depending on access). From here it drops down to the Dun Mtn Rail Trail and makes its way along the Rail Trail for 5km of easy riding to the four way junction of Fringed Hill and the Brook (known as the Classic). After a hard left hand turn riders will click in to granny gear and climb all the way to the summit of Fringed Hill.

From the summit the track rolls into the native bush and follows a tramping route otherwise known as Black Diamond Ridge. The challenge here is to ride as much of this undulating ridge line as possible. The trail rejoins the Rail Trail above Third House at the start of the Wells Ridge Track.

This is the 15km mark.

From here the course continues on an easy route up the Rail Trail through native beech and eventually enters the mineral belt. The track smoothes out for a fast flowing ride to Windy Point. The track has been slightly changed in its route and now takes you past the original cromite mine shaft on the way to Coppermine Saddle, not that you will have the time to look at it...

This is the half way mark at 20km.

From here it’s pretty much down hill to the finish. Boulder valley has had a significant amount of track work completed over 2009. The descent into Boulder Valley is now a fast and flowing exciting decent. The nature of this valley will always mean new rocks arriving on the trail will keep everyone on their toes. The landscape is amazing and the scenery breathtaking. The lower section which had been previously upgraded remains fast as you descend into Solander Creek and out to the Maitai Dam. The course stays river left and follows the pipeline track before crossing the pipe bridge below the dam. Then using the Maitai Valley gravel road it’s a fast 5km to the Motor camp (The Maitai Valley Road is open to general traffic. Normal road rules apply). Here the course crosses the pipe bridge and follows the Maitai River single track back to the finish at Almond Tree Flat.

It is expected that the fastest riders will take between 2-3 hours to complete the course. All other riders can expect a race time of approx 4 to 6 hours (see the Pace Guide for more info).

Coppermine Enduro

The Enduro is aimed at those wanting the achievement of a 40km loop of the mineral belt without having to climb Fringed Hill and negotiate Black Diamond ridge. The Enduro stays on the Rail Trail all the way to Third House and on to Coppermine Saddle. The course has less climbing than the Epic and does not require the same technical skills as is necessary for the Epic course on Black Diamond ridge. It is an opportunity to complete the full loop of Nelson’s stunning mineral belt under the guidance of a race format and you still get to ride the exciting newly upgraded Boulder Valley.

Click to enlarge

The loop starts at the ‘07 Nationals Start/Finish area (Almond Tree Flat). The course leads onto the Maitai River track and along to the end of golf course. The course takes a right and joins a dirt road passing the water pounds and a short sharp climb up to the Tantragee Saddle. From here it drops down to the Dun Mtn Rail Trail and makes its way along the Rail Trail for 5km of easy riding to the four way junction of Fringed Hill and the Brook (known as the Classic). The Enduro continues straight ahead along the Rail Trail to third house another 5km of gentle climbing track through stunning native bush (ie. it does not climb Fringed Hill). 

A clearing is the 1st sign you have reached the historic Third House. From here it’s straight on to Wells Ridge intersection and the 15km mark. Both courses rejoin here and continue on an easy route up the Rail Trail through native beech eventually entering the mineral belt. The track smoothes out for a fast ride to Windy Point .The track has been slightly changed in its route and now takes you past the original cromite mine shaft on the way to Coppermine Saddle, not that you will have the time to look at it...

This is the half way mark at 20km.

From here it’s pretty much down hill to the finish. Boulder valley has had a significant amount of track work completed over 2009. The descent into Boulder Valley is now a fast and flowing exciting decent. The nature of this valley will always mean new rocks arriving on the trail will keep everyone on their toes. The landscape is amazing and the scenery breathtaking. The lower section which had been previously upgraded remains fast as you descend into Solander Creek and out to the Maitai Dam. The course stays river left and follows the pipeline track before crossing the pipe bridge below the dam. Then using the Maitai Valley gravel road it’s a fast 5km to the Motor camp (The Maitai Valley Road is open to general traffic. Normal road rules apply). Here the course crosses the pipe bridge and follows the Maitai River single track back to the finish at Almond Tree Flat.

It is expected that most riders will take between 3 to 5 hours to complete the course (see the Pace Guide for more info).