VENUE: Awaba State Forest, Awaba (west of Toronto).
MAP: MTBO map: “Hawkemount” 1:15000 5m contours (some new tracks 2017). The eastern edge of the map is the fence preventing people accessing the railway line. Riders should make no attempt to enter the rail corridor.
NOTE: there is a change to the previously advertised start location.
DIRECTIONS: Due to the erection of a new gate and limited parking, the start has moved from Freemans Drive on the western side of the map, over to Awaba on the north east part of the map. Directions are as follows:
From the M1 take the Toronto exit and travel towards Toronto. After 3.9km turn right into Gosford Street. From the main set of traffic lights at Toronto, turn west and travel 4.6km towards the M1. Shortly after crossing the railway line, turn left into Gosford Street.
Once in Gosford Street, travel 1.1km, past Awaba railway station and turn left into Wyong Street. The start is at the south west end of Wyong Street. Wyong street is a quiet residential area so can be used for warmup. When parking, please be respectful of people's driveways and leave residents enough room to get in and out. Watch for children riding their bikes along the street.
TERRAIN: The area is more mountainous than other MTBO maps in the BOSS series. You may need to push your bike up some sections. Due to loose gravel on some downhill runs, getting off and walking may be the safest thing to do. One steep track into a 2pt control has been marked as a forbidden route in order to protect riders from a potential lack of judgment. Some new motor bike tracks have been marked but are slow, leaving the older tracks as the preferred route choice.
COURSE LENGTH: The line course is only 6 km and takes riders down and up some gentler spurs ensuring even novice riders can complete the line course, then find a fairly direct route home to make it back inside 75 minutes.
NOTE: In order to minimise the chance of other forest users interfering with controls, corflutes tend to be placed on trees along minor tracks a short distance in from a main track. You will get used to needing to turn around and ride back out again.
START TIME: between 8 - 9am. Course closure 11am. Please be back at the start by this time.
PLANNER: Peter Newton