Building resilience and life skills on rocky trails!
This event is part of the Rocky Trail Academy junior development programme, sponsored by Marzocchi and Sendy Gear and endorsed by AusCycling.
VIRTUAL RIDER BRIEFING
RIDER BRIEFING CONTENT IN WRITING
Queensland Schools, the Rocky Trail Academy is back to its home turf. Originally starting in 2019 the Gold Coast Academy has been growing rapidly with this year attracting over 330 students travelling from Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba and Northern NSW. Nerang National Park trails have been recently upgraded and we are looking forward to a great day of racing with a 4th track added to challenge the riders. We can’t wait to send our junior shredders out on the world class trails of Nerang National Park, home to the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
New to Academy racing? Check out the Event Guide for everything you need to know. Jump on our Venue Guide for location and parking info. Hit the Track Guide for info on all the tracks. Our team has been on-site and have provided some more information about the race day – scroll down for the detailed Rider Briefing.
Key things to remember: BREAKING NEWS – 4th track added 31/5/23
- EVENT FORMAT: 4 timed race tracks from 9am – 1:30pm offering a balanced skillset challenge and a rewarding experience for all – from “park rats” to inexperienced riders and already racing kids. Competition will consist of 4 timed stages and neutral liaison rides: Endurance, Speed and Technical Skills.
- Important: riders may sign up individually, you don’t have to be part of a school team. You can nominate a school when you register, however, to collect points for a “Champion School Ranking.”
- Prizes will be awarded for the top 3 riders in each category, and Champions school.
Event services and facilities:
- Groupset coffee will be onsite ready to take your first hot drink order for the day. Support the businesses that support our events.
- Nerang State High – Dirt Monkey BBQ will be operating from 10am with yummy burgers, banga sanga’s sandwiches and cold drinks. Bring cash .
- School marquees are welcome to be setup in the Event Hub area. Email jo@rockytrailentertainment.com to secure a spot and advise size required
- Bike support available on the day, see the crew in the Just Ride Nerang tent
- Onsite toilets and water available near the canteen building
Weather:
Perfect racing conditions, Sunny skies are predicted with a low of 14c and a high of 21c
Volunteers:
We encourage volunteering and we need your help – parent/teacher volunteers required on the day. Roles are race starter or course marshall. Add your name to the list at registration, or register via https://rockytrailentertainment.com/home/volunteering/ and we will create a roster on the day. Bring a chair, jumper and sunscreen, wear walking shoes and prepare a loud cheering voice to encourage the kids out on track. Come and have a great day in the outdoors!
Marshall spots on course can be found on the track map.
Venue Information:
The Event Hub is located at the Gold Coast Cycle Centre – Hope Street Nerang.
Parking:
- Limited onsite Vehicle parking is allowed for School buses/trailers and Team Managers. Please email jo@rockytrailentertainment.com if bringing a bus or trailer to site. Entry is via the gate opposite Scout Hall and Sims Metal works.
- All other parking is along Hope Street and local streets. Please ensure you park legally and don’t block any driveways. Parking inspectors are known to visit the area.
- Please follow the directions of event crew.
Recycle – Reduce Waste
Rocky Trail is committed to reduce land waste from events. We ask all participants to take home your waste and sort into your household bins. Limited bins will be on site.
Race Course Description:
- FOX – is the pedal. Out the revamped “Happy Valley” and returning via “Goanna”. We’ve all ridden it hundreds of times, now it’s time to race. 1.8km and almost flat.
- STAN – is a technical challenge with added spice of endurance. For the first time we are running the entire length of the realigned “Three Hills”. 2km long and dropping 125m.
- LAZER – The speed test will be LAZER. Running “Pete’s” from the “Jumbuck fire Break” all the way to finish at the event hub. 1.8km and dropping 75m
- NEW MAXXIS – This additional track will test pedal speed and technical skill… Sharing a start with STANS drop onto the fire road before dropping into “Rocky Horror” to finish before the climbing section of “Mongrels”.
1.4km dropping 75m.
Note – riders will need to liaise to the track starts by riding. Liaisons will be marked. No self-shuttling allowed.
Schedule for the day:
Sunday
- 7.30am – Registration opens
- 8.45am – Rider call up – safety briefing
- 9.00am – All tracks open for racing
- 1.30pm – Last race run
- 1.45pm – Presentation
- 2.00pm – Event closed
Event Format:
- The tracks can be completed in any order, because it’s your adventure for the day!
- Competition will consist of 4 timed sections – track names are Fox/Stan/Lazer/Maxxis
- Tracks have been designed to test a variety of skills, including endurance, speed and technical ability.
- To be in the results, each track has to be completed at least once!
- Riders may ride each timed section up to 5 times on each track with their fastest time counting.
- Tip of the day, first run is a sighter run, check the track and conditions, pick your line then race to improve.
- Combined best times will be tallied for the overall result for each rider.
- Riders are representing their school and will be allocated 1 point for each timed section completed, bonus points awarded for top 5 on each track per category.
- Overall Champion school will be awarded plus podium in each category, male & female.
For those of you for whom this will be the first Rocky Trail event, we differ from most other events by offering a much more relaxed format. For the Rocky trail Academy:
- Expect less of a winners-only-focused competition, but a positive and inclusive experience for all racers.
- We allow marshall riders to support students on the track, so teachers grab your bike and support the students.
- Our staff at rego and at the starts are there to help. Talk to them.
Course Marking:
- Course marking is a combination of Orange laminated A4 signs and Aus Cycling bunting tape.
- Liaison stages (=untimed “up” to start trails) are marked with “Neutral to Start” and arrows signage
- On track riders must stay within the designated trail and are not allowed to cross bunting tape.
- Riders who are seen to shortcut race tracks will have timed runs removed from the result.
We can’t wait to see you smashing it! – Remember, your race photos are included in your entry, be sure to download them after the race and share your stories using our hashtags. Spread the word!
#rockytrailracer
#rockytrailacademy
Rider List and Results
All weekend you can find links to Rider List and LIVE Results via the drop-down menu from the event page on our website! You can check these now and throughout the weekend via your mobile devices – to reduce touch points we will not have any public display computers on-site.
Come along and join the team to make the Rocky trail Academy a great success for the Region!
Event Photos – Keen for a photo? The LAZER track is the spot this Friday!
Official photographers will be on site to snap that action photo you have been dreaming about. School Managers gather your team before racing to capture the perfect shot for the Year Book and help promote Mountain Biking in your school. You will receive an email after the race with the direct download link; click below for the photo portal where the photos will be available:
Emergency contacts:
Race Director – Bob Morris 0458 299 558
Event Director & Media Liaison – Jo Parker 0424 955 332
Managing Director – Martin Wisata 0403 090 952
About the Rocky Trail Academy Schools events
This popular schools comp with timed sections and multiple runs provides a fun racing experience for the next generations of mountain bikers. The Queensland season is going to be HUGE! Register NOW for our other events as we have a standard cap of 300 per venue.
The format was the brain-child of Bob Morris and Jo Parker, our National Event Managers, who looked to create a format that tested multiple skills of mountain biking, whilst challenging the skilled pinner and yet providing an opportunity for riders of all abilities to have a go. Courses are designed to have a flat pedal for XC riders to excel, a technical gravity track for the gravity pinners to shine, and a flow track for the funsters to speed down. The format duplicates our very popular Fox Superflow with 3 tracks, multiple runs, and live timing, in a social safe environment.
Watching the growth of schools offering Mountain Bike programs as a school sport just demonstrates the tremendous popularity of Mountain Biking in the community and the benefits to all. Jo Parker, strives to see #morekidsonbikes and #moregirlsonbikes.
News
Last-minute changes are communicated via:
Rocky Trail Merchandise
- Rocky Trail Jerseys designed by Dharco ($75-$85)
- New in: Rocky Trail X Sendy Hoodies $65 and T-shirts $35
- Socks $20
- Mudguards $20
- Available from the Rocky Trail rego desk all weekend!
Rocky Trail Rewards – dont forget check out our the cool reward discounts from our sponsors
Shout-out to our main sponsors
Marzocchi
Marzocchi suspension forks are a reliable and cost-effective option for those looking to upgrade their mountain bike’s suspension. With their simple design and easy-to-follow setup instructions, even novice riders can quickly and easily tune their suspension to their liking. Additionally, Marzocchi forks are known for their durability and require minimal maintenance, making them an excellent choice for riders who want to spend more time on the trails and less time in the garage. Overall, Marzocchi suspension forks offer great value for their performance, ease of use, and low maintenance requirements. Find out more…
Sendy Gear
Sendy Gear is such a great fit with the programme because this is kid-specific mountain bike gear that is built tough and technical enough to endure all-mountain conditions, for kids who love to send it… just like our Rocky Trail shredders.
Sendy Gear is native to Australia’s Snowy Mountains and they’ve taken taken inspiration from their environment so that the designs are always on-point, pure and practical.
Did you know they also do custom-gear – get in touch with their team for information about school-specific garments. Find out more…
General race regulations
- Race etiquette – Important: you MUST adhere to social distancing rules AND rude behaviour out on track is not acceptable. Please be kind to each other. We are all here to have fun. Chat to our Event Managers if you have any questions.
- We love to help and chat! Our staff at rego and at the starts are there to help. Talk to them.
- Don’t litter – please take your rubbish back with you or throw it in the bins/bags near the registration tent.
- Timing will be done with your timing chip – please ensure it is on your bike/attached to your chest and in the MTB that the plastic doesn’t touch any metal parts of your bike (e.g. don’t wrap the number plate around your handlebar).
- You agreed to our RACE WAIVER when you registered online – here is a link to the RACE WAIVER again
- Click here for DETAILED RACE RULES
Any questions?
Talk to us via our online chat – click on the orange circle symbol on your bottom right screen corner and we’ll be right with you! (We always love talking bikes, racing and riding!)
See you soon.
