Event Description

Summary

The Back Yamma 2020 Cross Country MTB Race (BY’20) is a multiple lap cross country mountain bike race to be run by the Orange MTB Club on 6th September 2020. Race length will be 25km for juniors and beginners, 50km and 100km for more dedicated athletes. This year there is also an ebike category. The Back Yamma 2020 is a “not for profit” club based event with the emphasis on fun.

The race will be run on a 25km loop in the Back Yamma State Forrest near Parkes, NSW. The loop will be fast and flowing, incorporating all the best features of previous Back Yamma events. It will be fast and fun with not too much climbing. This is a great event to get out and stretch your legs and enjoy nice flowing high speed single track. There are also sections of 4wd track to make it easy to grab a drink, fuel up or overtake.

The 100km event is for the serious enthusiast. The 100km event comprises of 4 laps of the track. The 50km event will be 2 laps of the 25km loop. The 25km event is intended for juniors and beginners. The 100k race will start at 8am, 50k at 9am and 25k at 9:30. Starts will be staggered to ensure social distancing on the start line.

Entry fees are $35 for 25k, $50 for 50k and $65 for 100k. Pairs 100k entry is $50 per person. If the event cannot be held due to reasons beyond the control of the club, refunds will be given with a fee ($5) withheld to cover costs incurred.

Camping will be possible in the Back Yamma State Forrest and portable toilets will be available for the Saturday night. A small donation from campers to cover costs would be much appreciated.

Note that entries will be limited to 200.
On line entries open August 8th on the MTBA web site.

Covid Safety Plan

A comprehensive Covid 19 safety plan has been written to ensure risks are minmised. The plan includes
• All riders, spectators and marshals to sign on and agree to these measures with name and phone number at the registration desk or pre-register on line
• Limit of 3 people per row on start line
• A distance of 1.5m between feed stations
• If you are unwell please stay at home
• If a family member is not well, please do not bring them to the event
• Multiple hand sanitizers to be placed around event
• Toilets to be cleaned regularly. Users to report any issues as soon as observed. Cleaner to sanitize before and after and wear gloves.
• Marshals to hand sanitize before, during and after marshalling.

Racing

Safety at Back Yamma

There are a couple of safety issues you need to be aware of riding at Back Yamma.

Watch Out For Kangaroos! This is important. The nature of the thick undergrowth, long trains of riders and thin, fast track in some places means that a collision with a kangaroo is more likely than in other places you may have ridden. Often when you see one kangaroo there are others near. If you see a kangaroo slow down and take care. Also, warn other riders around you. In previous years there have been injuries resulting from collisions with kangaroos.

Watch Out For Tree Stumps! This is also important. Back Yamma forest is a working forest and logging operations have left behind many tree stumps throughout the forest that can be hazardous to us mountain bikers. Many of these stumps are right next to the track and can be well hidden by grass or dust. If you have to ride through grass for some reason slow right down. Take extra care when over taking, wait until you can see the ground. Don’t be too hasty in your overtaking, this is an endurance race and there’s plenty of places to over take.

How to get there

Parkes is approximately 5 hours drive from Sydney or 4 hours drive from Canberra.
The Back Yamma State Forest is located in Central West NSW, approximately 25km south of Parkes and 17km north east of Eugowra on the Parkes-Eugowra Road.
The event centre is located about 1km south along the eastern boundary road and will be well sign posted.
Here’s some maps and a link to the forest on google maps.