The Stages

Stage 01

Stage 1: Mt Somers to Rangitata River. 50km, 1250m ascent.

Fast and furious, lungs will burn as the pace will be red hot from the gun. After shuffling for position riders will hit undulating 4wd tracks through historic farmland and stands of native beech. Rocky creek crossings and the odd glimpse deep into the Arrowsmith ranges greet riders as the course enters Inverary Station. Traversing classic tussock downs to the edge of the Hakatere Conservation Area, the course hits the major climb of the day which takes riders to a commanding view of the Rangitata headwaters, before descending a fantastic mountainbike track through the Rangitata Gorge to end of day 1. Pending Department of Conservation approval

Stage 02

Stage 2: Rangitata Gorge to Lake Opuha. 80km, 2300m ascent.

Day 2, and with the odd tired leg you're off into the big mountains. A massive climb to start the day with a steep descent to the halfway point for the stage. Fill your drink bottles at the checkpoint and head off into wild blue yonder. Some sharp hills mark the end of the stage and you'll be stoked to ride into a great campsite on the banks of Lake Opuha. The riding will be unforgiving, the scenery wild and surreal. You'll need to work as a team to make sure there are no issues with dehydration or bonking as this could lead to massive time gaps. Technical prowess, an ability to pace yourself and endurance will be rewarded. Pending Department of Conservation approval 

Stage 03

Stage 3 and 4: Ashwick Flat to Mackenzie Basin. 80km, 1550m ascent.

Undulating and rough, this will be a stage that gets progressively faster as you climb over the hills of Burkes Pass and roll onto the harsh and desolate high country terrain of the Mackenzie basin. If it's blowing norwest it will be bakingly dry and tough; however stunning views of hanging glaciers, some river wading and a dramatic change in scenery will keep you happy as you ride onto an historic high country station and bed down for the night under the jagged evening silhouette of Aoraki Mt Cook National Park. 

Stage 04

Stage 4: As above

Stage 05

Stage 5: 65km, 900m ascent.

The final stage of the 2011 Alpine Epic will see riders roll out of a stunning campsite nestled in a stand of sheltering pine trees and climb onto hills above Lake Pukaki. At the head of the lake the permanent ice fields of the Southern Alps will stand out starkly in the morning sky. Remote shingle roads and smooth rollers combined with the odd bit of route trickery will take you past alpine tarns and the occasional startled Merino, before riding around the banks of Lake Tekapo to a chilled Moa and the finish line of the 2011 Alpine Epic.

Congratulations.

All stages are subject to change, we might discover some really cool terrain that we want to take you into, or may have to alter our route due to weather, access, stock, fire, big cat or Al Qaeda concerns. Also pending Department of Conservation approval.