2007 Berghaus Polaris Challenge

Wild Horizons / 26.02.2007

500 riders in the 2007 Berghaus Polaris Challenge will head to Oberon Shire on 9-11 March. The event, now in its 11th year, moves to a different location each year and competitors are not told exactly where until 2 weeks before the event – Today! Riders come from across Australia for the event which will be based out of the village of Black Springs, 23km south of Oberon.

In the Polaris there is no fixed route. Teams of two riders; carrying tents, food, sleeping bags etc, will spend 2 days, using a specially made map, seeking out checkpoints scattered throughout a huge area of bush and mountain. The event encompasses an area running from Black Springs right into the depths of Abercrombie River NP, across through large areas of State Forest and farmland towards Burraga and towards Shooters Hill. Riders will leave Black Springs from 8am-9-30am Saturday morning, will all stay at a ‘secret’ camp on Saturday night after 7 hours of riding before returning to Black Springs on Sunday lunchtime after 5hours. The winning riders will clock some 180km on the weekend.

The Berghaus Polaris Challenge is as much about participation as competition and many ‘unusual’ things go on over the weekend. The theme this year is The Rocky Horror Polaris Show so don’t be surprised to see some strangely dressed mountain bikers! Each rider this year is required to carry a rock as part of their stipulated equipment too!