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DAY ONE - Saturday 19th November 2011
See bottom of page for Waikaremoana Classic + Duathlon
Stage One
15km Mountain bike
From the startline at the Race Village of Tuai the Stage first heads North-west to climb the 380m to Onepoto then follows the shoreline of Lake Waikaremoana via SH38, a winding gravel road. The Stage ends at Home Bay, Lake Waikaremoana. Surface – 20% seal / 80% gravel road
Stage Two
14km Kayak
From Home Bay a paddle North-west to the Hopuruahine Landing, Via Mokau inlet. Prevailing wind is a Norwester - could be choppy... If this stage is cancelled due water conditions, Stage Two will become an additional 21km mountain bike stage from Home Bay to the Hopuruahine Transition via SH38.
Stage Three
26km Run
From the Hopuruahine Transition the course heads South-west via the Lake Waikaremoana Track, one of NZ’s 10 Great Walks, to the Korokoro Landing at the Western end of the Lake. The track is undulating, with several swing bridges. Start is at 590m, finish is 580m. The highest point is 685m. Surface – clay / dirt / rock/ gravel. Not to be underestimated - a loooooong 26km...
Stage Four
20km Run/6km MTB
This is where the fun really starts… From the Korokoro Transition a flat 3.5 km warm-up before a climb and traverse of the Panekire Range. This is likely the most spectacular run in NZ, finishing at the Onepoto Transition before a 6km downhill MTB run to finish the day back at Tuai. The start is 580m, finish of the run is 590m and highest point is 1180m. Much of the track follows the edge of the bluffs. The final 3km of the run descends approx 600m – not much time for sightseeing… Surface – clay / dirt / rock / gravel. Be aware, the hard work is not over when you first hit the top of the Panekire Range after the first 8km. The next 9km of ridge top includes numerous short sharp ascents and descents so make sure there's still some gas in the tank !
DAY TWO Sunday 20th November 2011 (also L2L Lite)
Stage Five23km MTB
First 4 km on the gravel road heading from Tuai towards Piripaua before heading up a 4WD track through scrub on the ridge above Tuai. Then drops down through native bush into more scrub and open famland descending to the Ohuka School. Other than first 4km the course is all 4WD bush and farm tracks. Washouts and ruts in places. Surface gravel, clay, pumice and grass. Very scenic with a couple of steep uphill grunts but some long fun descents! will be exciting if it's wet...
43km Road Cycle
Awesome stage on the Ohuka Road kicking straight into a killer 3.5km / 360m climb (check the elevation diagram) before a ridge-top traverse and long fast descent to SH38. The next 30km is undulating as it follows the river to Frasertown and the Waitahora Transition. Another scenic ride on a smooth sealed surface.
21km Kayak
Starting 2km north of Frasertown, The river paddle finishes before the Wairoa River SH2 road bridge at the Wairoa Rowing Club beach transition. The stage is on flat tidal water.
Stage Eight
16km Run
A serious sting in the tail for Individuals. Starts with a 5km flat road section South on SH2 before heading into a 160m climb toward the Vodaphone cellphone tower on Turiroa Station. Not only great phone reception but awesome views back to Lake Waikaremoana, down on the township of Wairoa and along the coast to the Mahia Penninsula over the next 6km of undulating ridge tops ! Following a traverse of the Tawhara valley the course drops down to the start of the Wairoa River walkway for a flat 5km section back to the finish at the Lighthouse. Surface is seal, grass, gravel and concrete pavement.
Waikaremoana Classic + Duathlon, Saturday 19th November
First stage MTB as above Stage One. Second stage paddle (Classic only) follows Stage Two above as far as half way point before returning to Transition. Final stage run from Home Bay Transition to Tuai starts with a 500m climb to the top of the Ngamoko range before a long descent to the Tuai start / Finish line. The initial climb is on good tracks before a more technical section on a less used track with a very steep short pinch at the top. Awesome views of the Lake. Downhill section is on a more used track to Lake Kaitawa, opening onto a good grassy 4WD track to stretch the legs the last 4km, emerging onto the lakefront at Tuai. A great stage with a bit of everything.
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