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You can look forward to varied trails against an impressive scenic backdrop. On average, you’ll have to cover some 35 kilometres and ascend around 1,000 metres. Riding technique will count just as much as orientation, fitness and intelligent battery management*. The stages, which offer a mix of uphill and downhill sections, are ridden against the clock without any prior training runs. In the transfer stages, the emphasis is on good orientation rather than just speed. It’s a real voyage of discovery!
The trails are designed for all levels of experience, whether you are a high-end professional or an e-bike newbie. Just choose from the two different categories; Advanced or Amateur.
The Bosch eMTB Challenge supported by Trek 2019 results
*you should comfortably be able to complete the course with 1 fully charged battery – used wisely!
“Just taking part in the first ever Bosch eMTB Challenge was a great experience. A fantastic course with stunning scenery and what a place to stop for lunch added to what was the help and encouragement from course marshals,” Phil Repton, 2019 Rider
The Course
DOWNHILL STAGES
Downhill sections are an important part of the Bosch eMTB Challenge. The downhill stages lead down into the valley over bumps, stones, roots and steps. Here, a hard or an easy route can be selected depending on experience and performance level.
UPHILL STAGES
As well as fitness and motor performance, the uphill stages mainly test eBike riding skills. Obstacles and small steps challenge you just as much as tight corners. A ‘No Feet Zone’ after the start must be completed without touching the ground, otherwise a time penalty is applied. Afterwards, you can choose between a difficult route and an easy route on several sections of the trail.
TRANSFER STAGES
There is no time measurement in the transfer stages, but your coordination skills are tested as these stages are completed according to a map. You’ll have to find various orientation points close to the track. For every missing point a time penalty will be added to the time recorded on the Uphill and Downhill stages.
In order to offer all riders the best possible flow experience, the trails are designed for various levels of difficulty: While beginners will have the opportunity to adapt slowly to challenging trails and fast bends, advanced bikers can prove themselves on shorter, but technically challenging track sections. Participants are not allowed to check out the stages in advance, but instead start the challenge ‘blind’ – so that anticipatory riding and spontaneous reaction to the trails is vital. Times are only recorded on the race stages and the individual sections are added together to get a total time at the end. The transfer stages between the stages are completed according to a map and without timing, so that the teams can enjoy the ride together and prepare for the next stage.
A further special feature will be the Eddie Current Stage, sponsored by Schwalbe: Here, riders can complete tasks within a stage in order to win a prize.
Entry options
From this season onwards, you’ll start in two competition categories:
AMATEUR
In the “Amateur” category, the technical difficulty is somewhat lower so that hobby riders with some MTB experience can participate.
ADVANCED
The “Advanced” category is mainly intended for experienced mountain bikers, you will be tasked with an additional, more demanding stage. You’ll also be required to ride a larger loop – a test of both your fitness and technical skills, where smart battery management will also be essential.
TEAM
A team can comprise between three and six members from the “Amateur” and “Advanced” categories. The three fastest stage times for each team will then count in the overall rankings.
Categories
MALE
- Advanced
- Amateur
FEMALE
- Advanced
- Amateur
TEAM
What you get
- Fully marked route
- Electronic timing by SI systems
- A specially prepared lunch stop
- Access to TweedLove Bike Festival and Electric TweedLove ePowered by Bosch with food, drink (including beer tent) and expo stands galore
- Podium Prizes from Tweeddale Whisky
- TweedLove surprise swag
- Number Board
- Event programme
- Course map
- The best course medics available
- Safety marshals
- On site tech support
- Instant results service
