Dates for the 2012 Terra Australis were announced today. Stage 1 will begin on Friday 2nd November 2012 and the final stage will be on Tuesday 6th November. The 2012 version of Terra Australis will see some substantial changes. The race will occur over 5 days, whereas in previous years it has been 7 days. For the first time solo entries are available and the entire event will run out of the spectacular alpine village of Bright.

The changes have been implemented after consistent feedback from past competitors. The changes will make the event more accessible to more people and make it easy for competitors to bring along family and friends as support. Having the event based entirely out of the one location will remove the logistical challenges of the previous format. The availability of solo entries will also help ease the pressure of trying to find a ride partner of equal ability and fitness.

The changes to the event are supported by some significant changes behind the scenes. Bicycle Superstore CEO, Nigel Letty, Torq Australia owner, Dean Clark and mountain bike race organiser, Russ Baker have joined Iain Moore and Clayton Neil at Terra Australis Event Management.

Registrations are now open. Keep an eye on www.terraaustralismtbepic.com or go to the Terra Australis Facebook page to join the conversation.  

Photo: Scott Hartvigsen Photography

Terra Australis will be back in 2012. An announcement on the dates, location and some other very exciting developments will be made soon.

 Things you want us to KEEP doing for 2012

 These were the most common responses 

1. Time trial format, but a bit longer
2. Accommodation package and the baggage transport option
3. Quality of the catering package
4. Challenging yet stunning route, particularly stage 5 (Mt Buffalo)
5. Relaxed, family, communal vibe of the event
6. Feed stations and friendly race staff
7. Multiple nights in key towns and finish in Beechworth
8. Later start times on the shorter days
9. Great Mechanics
10. Big climbs rewarded by big descents

Some of the your comments

• Stunning routes, not too easy, not too hard
• Overnight Stops/Accommodation: having the race stop at major resorts/towns ensures heaps of quality accommodation, this is  a major benefit relative to overseas stage races.
• Mt Ebenezer
• ALL the singletrack
• uss Baker, he is invalueable! (could not agree more)
• The awesome trails for T3
• The even spread of towns where generally you stay two or three days is great as you don't have to pack up all the time
• Singletrack sections although would be good to have some earlier if possible as you do not appreciate them as much when you encounter them at the end of a six or seven hour ride
• All the tough tracks & trails - even some wet weather!
• The comfortable accommodation & lovely locations
• All the happy & patient volunteers & great mechanics
• Full support package
• 7 days of hard riding in the pairs format

Photo: Scott Hartvigsen Photography

Things you want us to START doing for 2012

These were the most common responses

1. More concise stage briefing each night
2. Early presentations and stage briefings
3. Enduro style time trial
4. Solo entries
5. More family friendly
6. Accurate distance and profile summaries
7. Climber’s prize
8. Improved course signage
9. Better event updates for the outside world

Some of your comments
 

Photo: Scott Hartvigsen Photography

Things you want us to STOP doing for 2012

These were the most common responses

1. Stage 3 saw tooth section
2. Hike a bike – use only if necessary
3. Wait times for transport
4. Late rider briefings
5. Inaccurate distances for stage briefings
6. Singletrack at the END of stages for the sake of having singletrack

Some of your comments (what would you like us to STOP doing next year?)
 

 

Photo: Scott Hartvigsen Photography

The rain, the mud and the cold made the 'Queen' stage, the circumnavigation of Mount Buffalo the favourite stage for the competitors this year. Two of Australia's elite riders were a little more clear headed than the rest of the field with one observing that they had just climb Mount Buffalo twice. The response, "this is a day we will talk about when we play remember when. Remember when we circumnavigated Mount Buffalo, climbed the bloody thing twice in the driving rain through mud that stuck to your tyres like nothing else and lived to tell the tale".

What was your favourite stage?

1. Stage 5: Bright to Bright (Circumnavigation of Mount Buffalo) 29%
2. Stage 2: Falls Creek to Dinner Plain 24%
3. Stage 7: Beechworth to Beechworth 24%

Note: There were no votes for stage 3. Surprised?

Brad Davies was in a contemplative mood at the end of stage 5. His mud splatered jersey and face tells the story of the day.

If any photo captures the true character of Mark Fenner, then this is it. Also taken at the end of stage 5.

The competitor surveys from the 2011 Terra Australis have thrown up some interesting results. Not surprisingly the brutal third stage was rated the least favourite by the competitors. It was a particularly hard day with a searching saw tooth section early on followed by a brutal climb before the final descent into Bright.

What was your least favourite day?

1. Stage 3: Dinner Plain to Bright 41%
2. Stage 6: Bright to Beechworth 18%
3. Stage 2: Falls Creek to Dinner Plain 11%

Like a diamond, stage 3 was tough it was also beautiful as the following photo shows.

We have been receiving a few requests for dates for the 2012 Terra Australis. We are currently working with the land managers whose land we travel through to set dates suitable for everyone. We are hoping to have the dates set by 20th May 2011. It is great to see so many people are keen and eager for Terra in 2012.

The maddest bloke on a mountain bike, Mark Fenner from FTP Training has pulled together a great training program for those looking at competing in the T3 this year. Mark developed this program for his wife who is competing in T3 in March. Not long to go, the training needs to work from here on in.

“It is not the mountain that we conquer, but ourselves” Sir Edmund Hillary.

 "The Terra Australis in 2010 has been the highlight of my mountain biking life. The opportunity to ride in some of Australia’s most amazing terrain with amazing people will stay with me forever. The only thing more amazing than the scenery, the other racers and the support crew was the feeling of holding my mates hand in the air as we crossed the finish line in Wangaratta. That’s a highlight for life".
Graham Menzies - Terra Australis finisher 2010

“Overall the Terra was a fantastic week of racing, it challenged, it thrilled, it amazed us all with the scenery and stunning vistas from the mountain tops. The organisation was first class and special mention should go out to the Finish Line Team…... I can definitely recommend the Terra Australis to those who want a real challenge, a life changing experience amongst likeminded people. It is a race for some it is a personal journey for others, it will whatever your motivation be in your soul forever.”        
Mark Fenner – Total Rush/Specialized Team – 2nd place, Terra Australis 2009.

“In a word,.....WOW!!!
Without a doubt one of the best events I've experienced, with all the right ingredients,
Extremely challenging terrain with stunning scenery, really well organized (hats off to Iain, Clayton & the whole Finish Line events crew), Great people with lots of laughs & friendships forged & perfect weather all thrown in with the fresh mountain air”.
Troy Bailey  -  BMC Racing  -  3rd place  - Terra Australis 2009

“Going into the event I wasn’t sure what to expect…….But by the end of the week the realisation that we were going to achieve some thing great was overwhelming”
Peter Hepworth  -  Topgear/Avanti  -  7th place  -  Terra Australis 2009

“As well as Mountainbiking, there was one thing that united us all and that was the belief that happiness and a sense of achievement comes from doing tough stuff. If you shy away from a challenge like this, you will never feel as good as I do right now and that’s a fact”.
Matt Hart  -  TORQ International  -  4th place  -  Terra Australis 2009

Terra Australis is an epic seven-day Mountain Bike journey. An unforgettable adventure that will take you from the heights of Victoria’s Alpine Resorts, through historic high country villages and Australia’s premier gourmet food and wine region. Jaw dropping scenery, Nirvana single track and an amazing natural environment are all part of the experience.

Every competitor will be rewarded with a personal victory over the course, over the elements and over your mind, body and soul. If you are looking for the ultimate Mountain Bike endurance challenge then you need to be on the start line of Terra Australis on March 21st 2010.