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Urban race
What do you think of a MTB race in the CDB?
I've done one some time ago (90s) in my hometown (event was called 'Grand Prix VTT de Genève') and have great memory of it. We had to go up in old city, ride on pavements roads, and go down true some mad sets of stairs etc… I did it first as part of state series, but then I've enrolled last minute for a 4hrs team race which was the best part of the race day.
How crazy would it be to do this in Sydney?
Here some 'vintage' pics i could find
and one more recent (seems they restarted the event after a 15 years break)
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I proposed the idea to Chocolate foot a year or two ago. I thought Cockatoo Island would make a great destination for an Urban Mountain biking 4, 8, 12 or even a 24hr event.
Pros
- There is Camping available on site
- Has a very unique setting with Great views, Warehouses, harbour docks and tunnels
- Some good potential obstacles
- One steep hill climb
Cons
- Requires a ferry service
- about 70% of the landscape is flat
- Could be costly
The closest urban downhill I know of is Lyttlelton, NZ, just outside of Christchurch.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lyttelton-Urban-D...
Here's a link to my brothers attempt at it:-
https://www.facebook.com/moray.wilson/media_set?...
His rear tyre blew just before the take off ramp but by then he was already committed, lost too much speed and didn't quite make the landing.
The Cameraman's face is priceless in the first few pics!
@Chop, What did Chocolate Foot answered you?
Cockatoo Island it's a beautiful place, always enjoy going there – specially when the ferry is free (Biennale is one of those excuse to go there). All those different settings could make some interesting riding experience.
But I think an urban race (XC), in a big city, is the perfect place to showcase our sport and inspire many new riders. So I would reckon access for the public to the event trail and village is a major point. This would attract more visitors and new riders, but mainly would attract more potential sponsors to participate because of how much their brand would be visible… to perhaps a point where the cash prize would get big and make such event a national event. So I had in mind more something like The Rocks, Circular Quay, Opera House, Martin Place.
@Pete, do you know the Red Bull Valparaíso Cerro Abajo race (in Chile)?
ie. I was talking more of a XC style race
They liked the idea but were too busy organising other events at the time to look into it. They said they would contact me later. I guess they forgot or were not that interested.
Homebush Olympic park would also have potential but wouldnt receive as much spotlight compared to the city.