Nalgene Polaris Challenge (10th Anniversary)

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A Polaris Decade celebrated in Delegate

Wild Horizons / 19.03.2006

Riders descended on the village of Delegate on Friday night to mark up maps with the 35 checkpoints scattered through the state forests, farmland and mountains of the district. Many camped at the Showground and many others took up every available bed in the area for one night of comfort before 2 days out in the bush. Thousands of sulphur crested cockatoos screeched a welcome on Saturday morning as gear was packed and repacked and bikes headed to the start line. In celebration of the 10th birthday many riders dressed for the occasion - party hats, balloons and birthday suits were in abundance.

Hot weather across the weekend made for additionally testing conditions with Sunday\'s temperatures up in the mid 30\'s and a hot northerly meaning dehydration was a problem for some. By the time the last group had left Delegate on Saturday morning, temperatures were already climbing. Talking of climbing, for over 100 teams the first destination was the cone of Mount Delegate, at 1308metres, the dominant feature in the area. Not only was there a checkpoint on the summit, but there was the honour of King and Queen of the Mountain at stake in the King of the Mountain Cyclery Hill Climb, a 4km long, 400metre climb. Ben Mather from Tasmania was the King in 18mins, 14secs with Victoria Farrar crowned Queen on 27mins, 7secs.
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