Event Description

Summary

The Back Yamma 17 Cross Country MTB Race (BY’17) is a multiple lap cross country mountain bike race to be run by the Orange MTB Club on 24th September 2017. Race length will be 25km for juniors and beginners, 50km and 100km for more dedicated athletes. The Back Yamma 17 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 include 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 some nice flowing high speed single track. There are also section of 4wd track to make it easy to grab a drink, fuel up or overtake.

All races will start at 8.30am. Sign on will be open from 7am to 8am. Race briefing at 8.15am.

The 100km event is for the serious enthusiast. The 100km event comprises of 4 laps of the track. The cut off time for the start of the 4th lap or final lap for all riders is 1pm in order to allow time for a sweep rider. The expected finish time for the 100km event is from 12.30pm to 2.30pm.

The 50km event will be 2 laps of the 25km loop. The expected completion time for the 50km event is from 11.00am to 1:00pm.

The 25km event should start immediately after the 50km event (30 second gap) and is intended for juniors and beginners. The expected completion time is from 11.30am onwards.
Prizes will depend on the number of entrants in each distance and on the event budget. Minimum prizes with be 1st male and 1st female for 25k and 100k, 1st pair for 100km and 1st, 2nd and 3rd for male and female 50k. If there are more than 90 entrants other place getters will be awarded prizes.

Entry fees are $35 for 25k, $50 for 50k and $65 for 100k. Pairs 100k entry is $50 per person.
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.

On line entries are open at https://online.mtba.asn.au/ERegister.aspx?E=4005

• Hot showers and BBQ for reasonable rates courtesy of Parkes rotary Saturday night through Sunday lunch.

• Note that entries are limited to 200.

• Depending on numbers there may be no entries on the day. On line entry is the preferred method.

Check Out The Footage From the 2013 Back Yamma (Bigfoot) Event

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.