Now in its fourth year, the Kowalski Classic is a one-day showcase of the famous trails in East Kowen Forest and Sparrow Hill. The event celebrates the achievements of local trail builders Paul Cole, Alan Anderson and the mysterious Kowalski Brothers Trailworks, who together have hand built over 100km of flowing trail in East Kowen (the Kow) & Sparrow Hill (the Bird).
WOAH! Let’s all just pause for a moment there: The Kowalski Brothers, Paul Cole and Alan Anderson have HAND BUILT over 100km of singletrack. That is simply incredible. That alone is reason enough to come ride the Kowalski Classic, just to get an appreciation of what an effort on that scale actually looks like.
New Loop Order and Wave Starts. We have made a number of changes to reduce on-track congestion early in the race. The main changes are: 1. Riders in the Full Kowalski will head out on a different 50km loop to the Half Kowalski. 2. We will increase the time gap between wave starts. 3. We will include more passing opportunities (double single track and stabs of fireroad).
New Race Distance. At 25km, the QRTR Kowalski (Tyrion) is a distance that will suit riders coming into the sport as well as those getting back on the bike and unsure if they have the legs for the Half Kowalski. Loads of singletrack and never too far from HQ. Sweet.
Junior Category. The minimum age has been lowered to include riders 12 years and up. (You’ll a ‘yes’ from your parent or guardian though, kiddo!)
Which distance is for you?
Each race distance features a great combination of our favourite trails so there’s no compromise should you choose something shorter (high on smiles, lower on distance). The Bird is the Word. The Kow is like Wow.
AND THE FORESTS WILL ECHO WITH LAUGHTER
The Kowalski Brothers Trail Crew are hard at work building two bold new trails:
2. The Trail That Cannot be Named (not its real name) is a new descending trail right beside Stairway to Heaven. The terrain is steep and rocky so you can look forward to plenty of features, jumps and a healthy amount of gnar. More technical by design, this trail will ask for your undivided attention, so pack some attitude (and maybe some Band-Aids).