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The Paluma Push is a point to point adventure mountain bike ride. It is an individual challenge as well as a great social event. The ride starts in Paluma Village and winds it way through World Heritage rain forest to Paluma Dam, down into big timber and open cattle country and finishes at the historic tin mining settlement of Hidden Valley.
RACE COURSE
The course consists of dirt road, old 4WD tracks and sections of cow pad single track with some climbs and lots of fun down hills.
The Paluma Push Classic course ( Recreational Classes ) is approx 42km long and is recommended for the novice to intermediate riders.
The Paluma Push Marathon Course (Competitive Classes) is approx 59.6km long and has extra technical sections, difficult climbs and descents to make it more of a challenge and is recommend for the more experienced and fitter rider. Click here to download a Profile of The Marathon Course.
The conditions along the course are variable and can depend on the amount of rain the area gets up to race day. It's anyone's guess as to whether or not we will get any more rain, so we will just have to wait and see.
There are 4 check points along the route all with radio contact to each other and Paluma and Hidden Valley. The course is cleared by a sweep rider so if you have break down you won't be left out there (for too long).
START (At the Paluma Community Centre, Paluma Village)
Start for all riders will be at 10:00am sharp. The start is a Le Mans style run to your bike. The first 4 km along the bitumen road is behind a lead vehicle. The lead vehicle will travel at a steady 20km/hr. Competitive Classes will have preference at the head of the pack. The lead vehicle pulls away at the turn off to the Paluma Dam Road and then you are off!
At each check point Recreational and Competitive classes take different routes and these turns are clearly marked.
FINISH
The finish is at Hidden Valley Cabins. Time for a drink, some food and a well earned rest on the lawns.
NO WATER OR FOOD IS PROVIDED AT ANY OF THE CHECK POINTS
The essence of the Paluma Push is for every rider to be self sufficient. All riders must carry at least 2 litres of water, spare tubes, tyre levers and pump. It’s also a good idea to take some food (energy bars). All Riders are required to ensure their bike is in a safe and serviceable condition.
Littering is not acceptable. All riders must carry out what they carry in. This includes discarded tubes or bike parts.
There is a series on training tips printed in the Townsville Bulletin each week in the lead up to the event. These are a great guide to getting into better shape for the event.
The Paluma Push is a great ride and a great challenge so take the time to be properly prepared so you can enjoy the experience even more.
Google Map
There is no transport provided from Hidden Valley back to Paluma
If you don't have a driver who can pick you up at Hidden Valley after the event, you need to arrange a car shuffle.
First option:
Drive 2 cars to Hidden Valley and leave one there, then drive back to Paluma in time for the start. That gives you a car at Hidden Valley to get you and your bikes back to Paluma after the event.
Second option:
Team up with some others and all take your cars to Hidden Valley. Then have one car drive you all back to Paluma for the race start.
It is best to unload your bikes and gear at Paluma before you head off for Hidden Valley. You then have only one extra rider and bike to take back to Paluma after the event.
Third option:
Leave your car at Paluma and arrange with someone for a lift back to Paluma after presentations to pick up your car. Then drive back to Hidden Valley to collect your gear.
Travel Times:
Paluma to Hidden Valley is approximately 25km along a partly bitumen/dirt road.
You need to allow a minimum of 40 minutes driving time each way. Make sure you allow enough time so you don't miss the start. There will be another 500 drivers on the road as well as you all going to the same place.
Townsville to Paluma - 90 minutes driving (one and a half hours). Ingham to Paluma 90 minutes driving (one and a half hours).
IMPORTANT: You can only register for the event online at www.rockwheelers.com Registrations are open! Follow the "Paluma Push" logo link that will take you to this Information Sheet. There is a "REGISTER NOW" link appearing at the end of this Information Sheet. Registration closes midnight on Sunday 13th July.
All riders must register individually, including those in a team.
You must register for either:
the Push Classic course - 42km (Recreation classes )
OR
the Push Marathon course- 50km plus (Competition classes).
TEAMS: Riders who are also in a team must nominate their team name.
Please ensure that all team members spell the team name the same way.
This saves the volunteer admin a lot of work trying to figure out who belongs where.
Minimum Rider Age is 16 for both courses, however for U18 registering for the Young Guns Marathon Course only proven experienced riders will be accepted.
There will be Female and Male categories in all classes. The online registration will determine your category by your entry in the "Gender" field, which is marked * as required information.
Push Classic course (Recreation classes)
Rec - Juniors 16 to 17
Rec - 18 plus
Push Marathon course (Competitive Classes)
Comp - Young Guns 16 to 22 *U18 proven experienced riders only will be accepted
Comp - Open 23 to 29
Comp - Veteran 30 to 39
Comp - Masters 40 to 49
Comp - Super Masters 50 to 59
Comp - Really Old Farts 60 plus
Classes run will depend on the numbers registered. A minimum of 3 riders is required to make a class
Special requirements for U18 riders
The Paluma Push is classified as an Endurance Event and as such the Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA) “Policy on Junior Participation in Endurance Mountain Bike Events “ applies.
Download Policy
Minimum age 16 Riders (under 18) must have a parent or guardian sign a hardcopy of the rider waiver
Download Waiver Form
The Parent or Guardian must be present with the U18 rider to sign the form at Paluma when collecting your race number.
There can be exceptions to these requirements - Contact rockwheelerssecretary@gmail.com
Recreation: Push Classic course (Recreation classes)
The Rules:
All team riders must be entered in the Push Classic Course only (Recreational Classes)
4 riders - male or female any combination.
All riders must be identifiable as belonging to the same team. eg Similar jersey / shirt / handlebar tassles, spokey dokes etc etc.
Extra credit will be given to teams with costumes (subject to the crowds discretion) This is the one time your pink frock may be handy
Competition : Push Marathon course (Competitive Classes)
The Rules:
All team riders must be entered in the Push Marathon Course only (Competitive Classes)
4 riders - male/female, refer Categories.
All riders must be identifiable as belonging to the same team. eg Similar jersey /shirt/handlebar tassles, spokey dokes etc etc.
Categories - Competitive teams
Male - All ages all classes any combination
Female - All ages all classes any combination
Mixed - All ages all classes any combination of male and female
When completing online registration, each rider registering will be asked for their "gender". The Team Category you will be registered in, ie Male/Female/Mixed, will be determined by the combination of your "gender"/s in the online registration.
The team time is the sum of all 4 riders times
The team with the lowest total time wins
Entry Fee per Rider (both Courses - All Classes)
Registration fee - $60.00
Minimum donation to RFB - $10.00
Insurance ( MTBA Day License) - $15.00
Total Entry Fee - $85.00
Riders who hold the applicable, current MTBA License will receive a refund of $15 on race day on collection of rider pack and race number. To get the refund you must show your license (MTBA Rec for Classic Course and MTBA Comp for Marathon Course. No current license card no refund.
Teams
There is no additional fee payable for entering in a team.
All riders get a free T shirt and other stuff in their goody bag
An important element of the "Paluma Push" is to raise funds for the Rural Fire Brigade and to support the local communities of Paluma and Hidden Valley. These 2 communities have given Townsville mountain biking great support over the last 6 years and without them there would not be a Paluma Push.
Riders who collect $100 or more in donations for the RFB will go into a random draw for a prize sponsored by The New Townsville City Council, valued at $500.
Download Sponsor Form
To be eligible for the random draw you must present all your donations in cash or cheques payable to Paluma Rural Fire Brigade on race day. No IOU's will be accepted.
Tax Invoices (if required) will be issued after the event
The $10 minimum donation to the RFB paid as part of your on line registration fee is included in the $100 (ie a rider who presents $90 in cash or cheques on the day goes in to the draw... Are you with me?!?)
Random Draw valued at $500 sponsored by The Townsville City Council for
Riders who raise $100 or more in donations for the Rural Fire Brigade.
Random Draw valued at $500 sponsored by Mike Carney Toyota for
Junior riders
Random Draw valued at $500 sponsored by Top Brand Cycles for
Marathon Course (Competition classes) riders
Random Draw valued at $500 sponsored by Top Brand Cycles for
Classic Course ( Recreation Classes) riders
Riders must be at the presentation to claim the prize.
Competitive Classes place getters - Sponsored by Top Brand Cycles
1st, 2nd, and 3rd places for all competitive classes receive Top Brand Cycles gift vouchers
Dash to the Dam $200 cash - sponsored by Townsville City Council / Water & Waste Water
First rider to Paluma Dam (Marathon Course - Competition Classes only).
Outright winner - Accommodation for next year sponsored by Hidden Valley Cabins
First rider to cross the finish line (Marathon Course - Competition Classes only).)
Competitive Team Male
$200 Gift Voucher
Competitive Team Female
$200 Gift Voucher
Competitive Team Mixed
$200 Gift Voucher
Recreation Teams - Sponsored By Off'n'On Bikes
Up for grabs is the prestigious Paluma Push Recreation Teams Perpetual Trophy
designed and
crafted by a well known local acupuncturist. This trophy should go "straight to the pool room".
Each member of the winning recreation team will also receive an Off'n'On Bikes Gift Voucher.
Registration: Online only at www.rockwheelers.com
Opens Wednesday 18th June
Closes midnight Sunday 13th July
SUNDAY 20th JULY 2008
7.00am to 9.00am: Paluma Community Centre
Rider pack pick up (includes race number and goodies)
All riders must collect their race number prior to the start. No number = No start!
Be early. Allow plenty of time for the car shuffle from Paluma to Hidden Valley
9.45 am - Rider Briefing: All riders must attend and listen.
10.00am Sharp - Start: At the Paluma Community Centre.
Finish :
At Hidden Valley Cabins.
Fastest time will be just over 2 hours with the majority of riders completing the course in under 4 hours.
2.00pm: Presentations and prize giving
Enjoy a relax on the lawns at the Hidden Valley Cabins, have a drink, a barbie lunch and cheer on the others as they come in.
Paluma
Hidden Valley cabins
Ph: (07) 4770 8088 - www.hiddenvalleycabins.com.au
Camping is available at the Hidden Valley Cricket Ground at a reasonable cost. Contact Hidden Valley Cabins for all details.
BE PREPARED
The Paluma Push is an endurance race and as such riders are expected to be self sufficient.
Riders are required to have an:
Australian Standards Approved cycling helmet
have a recently serviced off-road worthy bike in good condition
have enclosed shoes, eye protection and sunscreen.
carry a minimum of at least 2 litres of drinking water (Hydration pack / water bottles)
carry tools, spare tubes, pump to fix a flat if need be
carry food (energy bars)
THERE ARE NO WATER STATIONS ALONG THE COURSE
SAFETY
The Paluma Push is a demanding and somewhat challenging course and carries an element of risk. Some hazards you may encounter include loose gravel, rocky, muddy and slippery surfaces, obstacles such as fallen logs, overhanging branches and/or vines, closed gates, fresh cow pats and cattle. Please take due care and use your common sense.
If you suffer minor injuries and require first aid make this known at any of the 4 check points and the volunteers will advise the ambulance as required via radio.
You must assist anyone who has suffered serious injury. Competitors forced to stop and administer aid will have their finish time adjusted applicably.
Do not move anyone with suspected neck or back injuries.
In the event of a rider being unable to move, one competitor must stay with the injured rider while another competitor proceeds to the next check point.
Any entrant withdrawing from the event - either before the start or during the race, must notify a race marshal at a check point.
Whilst the organisers have arranged for the Paluma Dam Road to be closed to vehicle traffic, they have no control over members of the public who chose to ignore the road closure. Competitors must therefore keep to the left and give way to any traffic. Similarly, whilst on private property riders are advised to take care on blind bends and on downhill sections and be aware of the possibility of vehicles approaching from the opposite direction.
COURSE ETIQUETTE / HOW TO PLAY
Before starting all participants must read all information in the course notes.
All riders must be presentw and pay attention to the pre-race briefing.
The Paluma Push is run according to the principles and practices of fair play and decency. There is ample space on the course for passing a rider. However, as you approach a slower rider you should let them know what you are doing by calling "PASSING ON YOUR LEFT / PASSING ON YOUR RIGHT". The rider in front has right of way but slower riders should not delay faster riders unnecessarily. A rider walking their bike must give way to a rider who is riding.
All riders must obey race officials, including check point volunteers, at all times.
In the event of serious accident any rider who does not stop to assist will be disqualified.
Anyone reported littering on the course will be disqualified. This includes punctured tubes and energy bar and gel packets!
No short cuts. (Shortcutters wear nappies).
Walking is optional and sometimes necessary.
Any form of protest should be lodged in writing to the organisers within 30 minutes of finishing. Any male wishing to lodge a protest will be required to wear a pink frilly ballet dress while singing a Kylie song to the post race presentation crowd. If this is done then you must be serious so we will listen. Any Female wishing to lodge a protest will of course get what she wants. In all matters the organiser's decision will be final.
COURSE MARKERS
It is the riders responsibility to look for course markers and to follow the correct course.
The course will be marked at regular intervals with Pink Flagging Tape. Red arrows on white background signify left and right turns. Black X on pink background signifies Wrong Way Go Back.
In technical areas or steep descents the course will be marked with a series of downward arrows. The more arrows the higher the risk.
Recreation Class = Yellow Number Plate/Competition Class = White Number Plate
Attach your number plate to the handlebars (front) of your bike using at least 3 ties. Do not wrap it around your stem, bend it or obscure the number with your cables so it cannot be seen. Remember, if we can't see your number you may not get your results. You may keep the number plate as a souvenir of the event.
VOLUNTEERS
There are many volunteers who give up their valuable time to make the Paluma Push possible. When passing through a check Point take the time to say G'day and thanks. Who knows, you may need them just around the corner.
Enquires:
Peter McLean - Ph: 0407 757 734 - Email: mcleanpk@bigpond.net.au
Haydn Tilley - Ph: 0410 684 891 - Email: hhtmail@aapt.net.au
A big thanks to our sponsors:
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