GET SET FOR REEF TO REEF IN 2019!

One of our favourite events in 2018 was the inaugural Reef to Reef MTB event. At first you’d be forgiven for thinking the event would be a mix of the RRR (Rural, Rainforest, Reef) point to point mountain bike race and either the Cape to Cape or Port to Port. But Reef to Reef had its own character – not uncommon for anything in Tropical North Queensland. In 2019 the course remains mostly the same but with a few changes. This is probably the most diverse 4-day mountain bike event in Australia, aided by the location and of course good course planning.

Stage 1 stays as a time trial at Smithfield MTB Park behind James Cook University. The course drops to 18km and 740m of climbing. While Smithfield has been the home to World Cups and World Championships – don’t fret. The trails are challenging but not too crazy. It’s an excellent start to the event with plenty of fun rewards on the trails, and a good way to get the legs ready for the next three days.

Stage 2 starts up on the range at Davies Creek. It’s completely different to Smithfield as you have moved into the Dry Tropics. Expect loose over hardpack singletrack and fast rolling doubletrack between grasstrees and open bushland. It’s perfect for racing in pairs with room to pass and a good line of sight to hunt down the competition. The 51km has at least 800m of climbing, but most of that is in short pinches so you’ll be feeling it!

Stage 3 is further north on the Tablelands, and is the Queen stage. With 70km to cover, the stage starts in Mt Molloy before taking on a mix of rainforest trails, moto trails and old dirt roads. Reef to Reef have said there’s a new trail included this year and we are crossing our fingers it’s the Twin Bridges route! There’s 600m of climbing before you end up back at Mt Molloy.

Stage 4 is the epic descending stage. This is based on the iconic RRR, although this is a stage unto itself and the RRR runs later in the day. While the highlight of the day is descending the Bump Track, you’ve got some exploring up in cattle country to do first. The stage is 51km long with just 385m of climbing, but be ready for the Bump Track. It doesn’t plummet right away but when it does it drops you right off the plateau, before you and your team mate need to hightail it through the canefields and along to beach to the finish line in front of the surf club.

Just like in 2018, Reef to Reef can be raced in pairs or solo. But we are firm believers that an event like this is way better with mates. So find someone to pair up with and join the fun in the tropics this winter. The event runs from 8-11 August – and it is the perfect time for a week-long winter getaway in Tropical North Queensland.