Course Setter: Greg Bacon
ASH ISLAND BOSS 17th Jan 2016
Update (posted 4pm on 16th Jan 2016)
Despite the recent heavy rain all is set for tomorrows BOSS event at Ash Island. The tracks around the line course are a solid base with a few minor water holes to cross or ride around. If you run into a bit of water on the single paths you can backtrack and take the dry option on the main tracks. These are only short sections of water.
The ground is a little soft near some of the controls, you might get wet feet.
The average rider or beginners will have a mainly dry ride on the line course and the area closer to the parking area and the main roads should give you an opportunity to pick up a good supply of points on the score course.
For the elite riders there is a bit more water and the odd section of mud to negotiate on the score course but everything is still rideable at a good speed.
Due to the length of the course, over 20k and the slightly slower conditions, clearing the course will be a challenge. Some of the legs between controls are quiet long the further you venture south.
This is a very diverse landscape and you will get the opportunity to see an area close to Newcastle that few have seen. This area has a bit of everything and will give you a fun and challenging ride.
The area is suitable for all riders!
For those drivers coming from Sydney or the M1 access into the Island is easy near McDonalds at Hexham from the left turn lane. When you are heading home turn left off the bridge to the island, drive about 1k towards Newcastle and right turn at the traffic lights into a turn around area.
Please avoid turning right from Ash Island onto the main road.
It is not safe!
BOSS 4 Ash Island Sunday 17th January
LOCATION
Kooragang Wetlands, National Park ( Ash Island)
Head north along Sandgate Road. Turn off on right (near McDonalds Hexham) cross bridge over Hunter River. Follow signs and bitumen road for 2k and turn left onto gravel road. Start and parking 700m ahead at Riverside Park.
PARKING
There is room for approx 20 cars in the car park. The remainder of the parking will be on the left side of the access road only.
FACILITIES
Toilets and shelter at Riverside Park near start.
START TIMES
Starts between 8.00am and 9.00am. Course closes at 11.00am.
MAP
Ash Island (New map). Line course 1:10,000 and score course 1:15,000
COURSE SETTERS NOTES
There are no contour lines on the map as it is very flat, some of the roads are built up on levy banks along the main marsh area.
Most of the tracks are all weather gravel and are very fast but can be a little bumpy. There are small sections of walking/riding trails that are in good condition but covered with leaf litter, some of the tracks are mown grass and can be a little slow if wet. The area is suitable for all levels of riders and children.
Many of the tracks follow the river or pass through the marshes.
The navigation is not too difficult but you will need to know where you are on the map as the controls are located off the main tracks. There are some open park areas and short sections of single tracks. The boardwalks have been marked as a forbidden route on the map. There are several gates on the tracks that you can ride around or you can lift your bike over the gate. Bridges have been marked on the map to aid navigation.
The Line Course is approximately 6k in length and the score course is around 18k to get all the controls, total of around 24k to clear the course.
Route choice and a good plan to get back to the finish in time will be the main issue.
This course has a little bit of everything and will challenge all competitors depending on how fast you want to go.
There may be the odd 4x4 vehicle on the tracks but they are easy to see and pass.
The attached video link will give you an idea of the area.