The GT Bike Buller Festival presented by Fox has been stepped up another notch for 2016, bringing another massive line-up of events for all types of rider.
The mountain bike festival will be held at Mt Buller Victoria, 12-14 March 2016 and will feature 14 MTB events, a trail run, the opportunity to ride with MTB Hall of Fame Member Hans Rey plus a full social calendar with spectator events, MTB movies, bike expo, and a huge food, wine and music festival.
Now in its eighth year, the GT Bike Buller Festival presented by Fox has become the ultimate biking weekend on the annual calendar, with the party scene providing appeal for groups of mates and riders’ families as well.
The event organiser, Rapid Ascent, is expecting another great edition of the event given its previous success and the new offerings in the event program.
“We couldn’t be more excited for the 2016 event at Buller! This year is set to be absolutely massive, with the addition of some great downhill and gravity events to really appeal to the growing contingent of riders looking to challenge themselves on Buller’s sensational tracks. We’ll have our popular short and long XC courses, and a great range of events designed for all types of riders no matter what their interest or level.
“We cannot wait to get back to Buller – it’s always such an awesome weekend of all things biking in arguably one of the best bike parks in Australia, and to have Hans Rey heading out to join us brings an additional element that will really take the event to the next level,” – Sam Maffett, General Manager, Rapid Ascent.
New key sponsors GT and Fox will add to the event’s drawcard, bringing with them Hans ‘no way’ Rey and the unique opportunity to meet and ride with this freeriding legend.
The GT Bike Buller Festival presented by Fox provides the ultimate test for mountain bike riders, and is set to challenge participants once again with a number of thrilling races over the three days. Riders are able to enter just one event or many events, or enter a specific combination of gravity or cross country races to get a combined race discount.
Back by popular demand are combined race categories to determine an overall weekend winner in the gravity and cross-country riding disciplines. You’ll need to enter the three designated gravity events or the three designated cross country events to be eligible to win the title and claim the cash prize.
Overall, the event provides eager mountain bike riders and their families with a massive weekend of bikes, single track, fresh air and partying at an internationally renowned mountain bike destination – Mt Buller.
Amber Gardner, Marketing Director for Mt Buller Mt Stirling Resort Management, is thrilled to see the GT Bike Buller Festival presented by Fox hit the mountain again in 2016.
“The GT Bike Buller Festival has proven to be a really successful and super fun event year after year, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back for another huge event in 2016. The Bike Buller Festival has really become the signature mountain biking event on our calendar, and every year we see so many happy faces enjoying our amazing trail network, which is really what it’s all about – getting people out and enjoying the fun, challenging terrain and fresh air that Buller has to offer.”
The three-day celebration of mountain biking will again coincide with the popular ‘Picnic in the Park’ food, wine and music festival held in the Mirimbah Park at the base of Mt Buller. There will also be a Bike Expo and plenty for non-riders to enjoy, including events designed for spectators and a range of social activities.
SCHEDULE OF RACES
GRAVITY RACES
Outlaw All Mountain Trophy – Saturday
All-mountain racing on two of Mt Buller’s (intermediate level) DH tracks – Outlaw Express and Yellow Post. All riders complete 5 timed descents with an untimed chairlift back to the top, and your fastest 3 descents count.
ABOM Downhill – Sunday
A single timed descent down the ABOM DH track from top to bottom. Fastest wins
Mt Buller Super D – Sunday
An exhilarating 12km Super-D race from the top of Mt Buller all the way to the bottom – descending over 1100m in a single run. Tear down the Delatite River Trail to finish in the Picnic in the Park festival at the base of the mountain.
20km Gravity Enduro – Monday
A gravity enduro around the most popular Mt Buller and Cornhill trails with 5 timed descents interspersed with untimed climbs and transit stages.
CROSS COUNTRY
Stirling Circuit 50km / 35km – Saturday
A spectacular 50km or 35km XC circuit over Mt Stirling and back again including Stonefly, the Corn Hill trails and a chairlift up Mt Buller at the end.
Hans Rey Epic Ride – Saturday
An exclusive ride along the Alpine Epic Trail with MTB Hall of Fame Member Hans ‘no way’ Rey. This is a 40km participation ride (not a race) where you can chat to Hans Rey along the way, enjoy the views, stop for lunch and be wowed by this Epic trail!
Dirt Jump Freestyle – Saturday
A brand new event that’s still in the making, which will be great for spectators.
20km Corn Hill Crankfest XC
A challenging XC race on the flowing singletrack around the Mt Buller Village and neighbouring Cornhill trails.
Brake Burner Enduro – Sunday
A multi-lap enduro down a 7km XC/DH course to the base of the chairlift and back up again until the final 12km Super-D (Race 9) to the Picnic in the Park festival at the base of the mountain
SPECTACLE EVENTS
16” Dual Slalom – Saturday
Two riders going head to head down a grass dual-slalom track on Bourke Street – on 16” kids bikes! – conducted in an elimination format with a ‘winner takes all’ final to the roars of the crowd.
Pump Track Pursuit – Saturday
Thrilling head to head racing on the pump track in a do-or-die elimination format. It will be a ‘winner takes all’ final in front of a massive crowd.
6km Trail Run – Sunday
A spectacular trail running race along the scenic alpine walking and riding trails leading to the Mt Buller Summit and back again. Great for non-riders or those who want to mix it up.
Picnic in the Park Festival – Sunday
The ever-popular Picnic in the Park food, wine and live music festival organised by the Mt Buller Resort Management team will be held on the lush green grass of Mirimbah. It includes upwards of 13 local food providers, 7 local beer / wine / cider producers, kids activities and entertainment, and non-stop live music.
KIDS’ EVENTS
Buller Village Ride – Saturday
A fun ride for kids and off-road newbies with 5km and 10km options on friendly trails around the Mt Buller Village.
Picnic in the Park Bike Fun – Sunday
An(other) opportunity for kids to get out on their bikes with a fun little ride in the Picnic in the Park festival at Mirimbah. Balance bikes, trikes and little ones all welcome.
Kids Pump Track – Monday
A fun event for kids aged under 13yrs on the Pump Track – it’s their time to shine.
Entries are now open for the 2016 GT Bike Buller Festival presented by Fox at www.BIKEBULLER.com