About Alpine Epic
Mountain biking as it was in the beginning...
Like most good things the Alpine Epic was conceived whilst eating Sardines in Louisiana hot sauce.
Gus and I were racing in the 2007 Transrockies in Canada and were indulging in some savoury snacks after a pleasing result on Stage 4. Kathryn was back from checkpoint charlie duties and we were lying under a pine tree.
We were having a fantastic time in Canada and it had dawned on us that there was no similar event in New Zealand, no stage mountain bike racing, nothing fully supported that eliminated the need for support crew. Given that New Zealand has every other adventure sport event possible this seemed strange, so why not?
We started talking routes and insurance, access and aesthetics. Bouncing ideas off riders in the Canadian race gave us some confidence that we were on the right track. Creating a multi day MTB race that let kiwis explore some of our stunning and seldom visited high country, while allowing visitors to easily race as we had done in Canada due to the supported aspect was our objective.
We got cracking, immediately hitting a terrifying maze of paperwork and hoop jumping, so enlisted Pete Savage to the team. After more than a year of planning the inaugural event was held, in February 2009.
And now here we are... approaching the second instalment of the Alpine Epic. The inaugural event in 2009 saw 62 teams take the start-line in Mt Somers and we received some amazing feedback from riders who loved the relaxed atmosphere, tough riding, scenery and camp sites. As 2011 approaches we are tweaking the route and almost set to go with a modified route through the high country.
We've got our fingers' crossed for some long hot days but even if it's a howling norwester the epic will be memorable for the experience, which will be unique. Four day's of tough riding with a mate, through braided rivers and expanses of tussock, set against the rugged mountains of the main divide.
We hope you enjoy it.
Nick Ross, Peter Savage, Kathryn and Angus Jennings.