The Nalgene Polaris Challenge

Wild Horizons / 26.02.2006

In two weeks’ time some 500 mountain bikers from across Australia will be welcomed to the Delegate/Bendoc region of Southern NSW/NE Victoria for the 2006 Nalgene Polaris Challenge. This is the first time the event has gone ‘transborder’.

The Nalgene Polaris Challenge is a two-day overnight event combining mountain biking with navigation, bush skills and touring.

Teams of two ride between checkpoints scattered over a large area of rugged country (approx. 25km x 25km). Each checkpoint has a score and the aim is to accumulate as many points as possible within each day’s time limit. Distant and hard to access checkpoints carry higher scores and there are tough penalties for exceeding the time limits. Each team must carry sufficient food and equipment for the weekend including an overnight camp on Saturday. The Challenge attracts all kinds of rider from the serious competitor to those in it just for a fun weekend.