Overview:
Course Options:
Gravity Nelson is excited to bring you the Aorere Junior Enduro for 2024! The Junior Enduro gives younger riders the opportunity to experience the challenge of completing a multi-stage race. With the explosion of technical skills among younger riders around the country the idea is for riders to race a course almost as hard as an adults Enduro, but with shorter stages and more breaks. To cater to the spectrum of abilities there will be an advanced course and an intermediate course.
Ages: Under 18 (as of 31 December 2024).
(Riders under 10yo need to apply to Gravity for sign-off).
Course Options:
Advanced
Shuttle to the Start of Fringed DH (FDH Skid),
Liaison: Riders make their way to the top of Te Ara Koa.
Stage One: Te Ara Koa (First Section) to the crossing of Classic.
Stage Two: Te Ara Koa (Second Section) Crossing of Classic to Coppermine Trail
Stage Three: Te Ara Koa (Third Section) Coppermine Trail to Brook Street
Liason: Pedal from the end of Te Ara Koa to Koata Whetu via Firball Road
Stage Four (advanced): Koata Whetu to Central Road (Fourth Section)
Liaison: Pedal up Central Road to Firball Skid and start of Turners
Stage Five (Advanced): Turners
Liason/ Party Train from bottom of Turners down Koata Rere to Golf Club
Liason up Maitai Face Climbing Track to top of Chomper/Loam
Stage Six (Advanced): Chomper/Loam special stage
Intermediate
Dropped off at Tantregee saddle.
Liaison: Pedal to Te Ara Koa where it crosses Dun (ie Lower Te Ara Koa)
Stage one: Lower Te Ara Koa.
Liason: Pedal from the end of Te Ara Koa to Koata Whetu via Firball Road/Firball Climbing track.
Stage two (intermediate): Koata Whetu to Central Road
Liaison: Pedal up Central Road to Firball Skid and start of Turners.
Stage Three: Turners.
Liason/ Party Train from bottom of Turners down Koata Rere to Golf Club.
No support parents are permitted to ride with racers on the advanced course but they are welcome to shadow/follow riders on the intermediate course. We will have lots of medics and marshalls on course to help riders if they need support.
Parents are encouraged to have their kids pre-ride a full Te Ara Koa run (with stops along the way) and Loam/Mr Chomper before signing up for the advanced, and intermediate riders should ride Lower Te Ara Koa to ensure they are going to be comfortable racing at this level.
A note for parents and caregivers who are unfamiliar with Nelson trails:
Please be aware that although this event is named a Junior Enduro, your children need to be comfortable riding hard Grade 4 or solid Grade 5 trails. We would advise all parents to please pre-ride the trails with their children prior to the event. Feel free to get in touch with Gravity to organise coaching on these tracks, or shuttles up to them.
Equipment:
Body Protection:
The following safety equipment is compulsory: Knee pads, gloves, and elbow pads. Advanced course - Full-face helmet (chin bar style helmets are allowed). We recommend full-face for the intermediate course too however riders are permitted to use a half dome. It is highly recommended that children race in a neck brace.
Bicycle Safety:
Bicycles need to be in excellent condition for this race and should be inspected by a mechanic before the race. If you have any doubts at all about the condition or safety of your bicycle please take it to Gravity Nelson for inspection. Riders must race on full suspension (For exemption please contact Gravity Nelson). Disc brakes are required.
