Entries open for 2009 Capertee-Challenge 26/27th September

Entries have just opened for 2009 Capertee-Challenge 26/27th September at www.capertee-challenge.com . I did it last year and it was a lot of fun and the two 50km+ loops over saturday afternoon and sunday morning is an interesting way to wind down from the more difficult 100km Mogo ride whilst keeping fitness.

It's a much more social event than others I have done, with a great camping spot and the fact you can have a few beers afterwards on the saturday around a fire and then get another ride in before heading back to sydney on sunday after lunch. I had some newbie mates last year who had a great time just doing the saturday ride, camping with us and then headed back once we set off on the sunday, so you can mix and match with different capabilities.

The route has apparently been much improved over last year, lots of private bush tracks, fire trail and some dirt road, with awesome vistas - the capertee valley is sensational if you have never been there. It is pretty up and down, although I haven't seen the final route - I did give the organiser a bit of a hand in getting away from the road sections from last year.

I didn't get to check it out last year, but there is a lot to see and do for families close to the camping spot. A few brought their whole families last time and camped out. There is an old abandoned mine settlement up the top of the escarpment (as in 400m high), ancient rainforest, great natio park walks and other amazing stuff I didn't have time to see. Although I did convince the local helicopter pilot (in return for emptying my wallet) to fly us over the valley and newnes/wollomi and in the 60km/hr winds, I was more scared than I have ever been on a mt bike.

It's also a charity event for the Paraplegic fund and I think also gives you insurance from them, which is a pretty good cause for us mountain bikers.

hopefully we can get plenty of northern beaches riders up there and have more time to chat over a beer on saturday night, than meeting on the trails.