The third epic Victorian Alps enduro group ride, the Extreme Motorsports Association’s High Country Classic III, will hit East Gippsland this March.
The enduro dirt bike ride kicks off on Wednesday, March 26, concluding with a celebration awards dinner and raffle on Saturday, March 29.
Guided by a team of local legends with mountains of experience, riders will take in a full three days of some of the best trails and scenery the area has to offer around Mount Hotham. There will be a mix of easy to very difficult trails, 4×4 routes and open trails.
The event is catered event with breakfast, lunch and dinner provided and accommodation taken care of.
RIDING CATEGORIES
E1 – The Hard Stuff
Very good riders riding a well maintained and protected bike.
This is a mix of tight, technical trails and all adjoining 4×4 tracks.
To enter this category riders must be:
– Fit and healthy carrying no injuries.
– Can take on just about anything including steep technical hill climbs, switchbacks, crazy descents, logs of all sizes, rivers, creeks, ruts, hundreds of erosion mounds and love tight technical riding.
– Can help lift bikes over logs, de-water bikes, help change flats and pull riders and bikes back together to get them through and work as a team to minimise delays in this ultimate terrain and carry the basic gear on you to do the job.
– Will know the corner-man system like the back of their hand.
This category will suit all good two stroke riders and small bore four stroke riders that enjoy awesome, technical enduro riding.
E2 – Epic Trail Riding
This is a much easier ride suited to average to good trail riders and weekend warriors.
Riders must be:
– Fit and healthy and capable of riding to the best of their capabilities for three full days, not nursing any injuries or illness that will have an effect on the rider or the rest of the group.
– A good rider with plenty of years of experience on well-maintained and protected bikes.
– Confidently hit some big hills both up and down, river crossings, hundreds of erosion mounds and know how to keep their bike going, change a tube and help other riders out with any issues throughout the ride to minimise delays and carry the basic gear.
– Will know the corner-man system or be open to a refresher course.
This category will suit most enduro bikes but riders may struggle in parts on a DRZ400.
A professional photographer will be riding with the groups throughout the event and all high quality photos will be available to riders free of charge.
Saturday night’s raffle and auction will raise money for Extreme Motorsports Association (EMA).
Base camp is Aardvark Lodge at Hotham Heights.
RIDING FOR A CAUSE – SUICIDE PREVENTION
Most people have been affected either directly or indirectly when it comes to suicide and having an event like this which can have a positive effect on each other can be life saving.
This event is a place where like-minded people come together to ride motorcycles without the distractions of normal life. A time to concentrate on themselves and the trails ahead. Everyone attending is open and willing to listen when and if the conversation arises.
Absolute respect and support to all individuals from all individuals is honoured at all times.
RAFFLE AND AUCTION
This year is all about raising money for the EMA and giving back to members.
For the past six years organisers have been bound to hire all gear from some companies throughout Australia, things such as communication devices including UHF’s, satellite phones as well as trailers, trucks, cars etc and it comes at a significant cost to running the events.
This year’s plan is to raise as much possible through events to purchase important items for the association, then members of EMA will be able to hire these items.
RESCHEDULING
If weather/fire/flood or other issues occur in the lead up to this event, it may be moved or the dates may be changed to keep riders and crew safe and ensure the absolute best time is had by all.
All attendees will be notified if this occurs and each rider will have a choice to be refunded or go with rescheduling.
