Wednesday 3rd March 2010

Hi there good people - if you managed to have a crack at the 8th annual Coastal Challenge on Saturday just gone, then hope you had a cracker. It was an amazing day and our biggest Coastal Challenge yet. I sat around on Sunday thanking the event gods for smiling on us and leaving the Tsunami warnings until Sunday (which would have seen us have to cancel the event). I sure felt for those other (many) event goers and organisers who would've had their Sunday event plans shredded.

So, we're nudging closer to the DUAL Motuapu - Rangitoto Traverse, coming to some of the finest gulf islands near you on Sat 27 March, around 3 and a half weeks away. There's still plenty of entry spots available, we've managed to get some more capacity through the introduction of the 30km event, so get yourself, your family and friends together and enter now -
online entry available direct from this link;
click here

DUAL - specific, pre event training sessions

with totalsport run coach Claire Smith

in association with bio-mechanist, Greg Pain

If you're looking for some quality pre event, course-specific training for The Dual, then check out the upcoming sessions in the total sport TRAINING calendar: Two practical Saturday sessions plus a 'must-be-at' Seminar to take your training to the next level...

This Saturday March 6th

7.15am-1.30pm - "RACE REKKIE" - THE DUAL RANGITOTO/MOTUTAPU

The best way to mentally and physically prepare for a race like The Dual is to get out on the course itself. We will be covering most of the distance in a slightly different direction, giving you the chance to check out the terrain - from the pitted farmland to the unstable scoria, and the two big ascents (and therefore, descents!) Perfectly placed as a peak run for your training programme, and to give you the race edge!

Seminar: Monday March 8th:

6.30-8.30pm - Trail Running Workshop

Note: This is an evening seminar held at bioSPORT, 119a Wellesley St West, Auckland CBD.

The 3 biggest mistakes runners make and how to correct them. How to be an efficient and pain-free runner with just a few simple structural changes to your running style. Explained in real-time with silicon coach video analysis - bring your trainers!

Register directly with bioSPORT by emailing reception@biosport.co.nz or phone 09 373 3800

Saturday March 13th

7.30am-9.30pm - THE DUAL - MOUNTAIN BIKE TECHY SESSION 101 AND 201 - RIVERHEAD (with Greg Pain from bioSPORT)

Want to get around the 30km or 50km MTB track without blowing the quads any sooner than is absolutely required?? We'll break MTB'ing down into its biomechanical components looking at tempo riding and climbing particularly - get those hammies and glutes doing what they're designed to do: DRIVE THAT BIKE FORWARD QUICKER!

Places limited!

Check out the full total sport training schedule here: http://www.totalsport.co.nz/training/index.php
All sessions are $40 for your first total sport Training Session or $35 for any you register for after that right throughout 2010.

Register now by contacting claires@totalsport.co.nz Once registered and paid, your place is confirmed and you will receive all the details for your session.


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Registration & Expo - pre event

This is compulsory for everyone (unless you've got a really good excuse!!), and there are several reasons why we'd like you to come this please - they are;

• Everybody needs to pre register for the event, plus pick up race number, goody bag etc
  

• If you're mountain biking, then you need to give us your CLEAN bike so we can get it to Motutapu for you
  

• You need to sign a Department of Conservation biosecurity waiver
  

• There will be a bunch of great "event special" deals to be had - from our event sponsors & supporters;

There's probably a few more reasons, but don't worry we'll keep reminding you over the next few weeks...

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Spectator / supporter ferry tickets

These are now available for those of you that are not participating in the physical activity side of things, but see an opportunity to come to this beautiful spot to support your family / friends, or just to hang out and enjoy the festivities.

Prices for return ferry tickets are

$27 for adults, and $13.50 for kids (ages 5 - 15 years inclusive) - see ferry transport schedule here;

http://www.thedual.co.nz/transport.html

You can go here to book your tickets; http://regonline.activeeurope.com

Event ferry transport timetable

Rightyo then, this one is always a major. It's a pretty important piece in the DUAL puzzle, so is worth making sure we get it right. Thanks to the tremendous folk at Fullers who have been working with us to make sure all of the bases are covered.

The BIG thing here (drum roll would be appropriate at this point)... we have organised for you to get your bikes back to Auckland ON EVENT DAY! What this means is that the Kea will make three dedicated / bikes only trips from Home Bay back to Auckland.

Your precious bikes will then be available for pick up on Saturday, when you get back to Auckland. See the event transport schedule to see when these trips are happening; http://www.thedual.co.nz/transport.html

Major event sponsor spot

The DUAL - It's all happening!

Auckland City Council is once again thrilled to sponsor this event and is working to enhance your race day experience even more this year!

The 'Auckland Pit Stop' at the trig station on Motutapu Island is the last aid station before the finish…it's all downhill from there and as all event categories pass this point just 2km before the finish, so it's a great location for your family and friends to see you in action!

There'll be space for spectators to relax and take in the spectacular scenery - and more importantly for you, there'll be lots of goodies to keep you powered to the end of the race.


And from our friends at Fullers;

Last Chance to Train in the Terrain! !

Jump on board Fullers weekend sailings from Auckland, Devonport or Half Moon Bay to Motutapu, or daily services to Rangitoto, with your cross trainers laced, your water bottle filled (and nicely iced) and be ready to tackle the rugged farmland tracks of Motutapu and neighboring lava crops on Rangitoto.

Unfortunately for the biking enthusiasts, bikes aren’t allowed on the islands until race day, but why not work on your fitness and enjoy the tracks by foot. Please stick to the tracks at all times, as we’d like to preserve these gems of the Hauraki Gulf for as long as possible....

For timetables and more information visit www.fullers.co.nz and to find out about discounts on group bookings email enquiries@fullers.co.nz

Tees from Huffer

The trusty DUAL - Huffer tees are selling well, and are limited in numbers. We've got two designs this year, so get in quick to get yours!

NZ Mountain Bike mag - special event subscription offer!!

Exclusive offer for THE DUAL participants

Congratulations on entering THE DUAL! To make sure you perform at your best you will need to keep up to date with the latest in mountain bike gear and skills. We have teamed up with New Zealand Mountain Biker magazine to bring you a great offer that will keep you updated with all things mountain biking. Subscribe to NZMTBR for 6 issues (1 year) and receive a free pair of NZMTBR branded riding socks worth $19.95.

Click this link now for all the details.

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Update from Department of Conservation

Help keep pests out of the Hauraki Gulf

The Hauraki Gulf and its islands are a national treasure. Many Gulf islands have no animal pests and are sanctuaries for native plants and animals.

Pests can easily destroy our wildlife. The only way they can re-invade our islands is by stowing away in your gear or vessel.

Before you depart check for stowaway pests:

Check all gear for pests - rats, mice and ants.

• Take extra care if you have Argentine ants where you live.

• Clean dirty gear especially footwear, removing soil and seeds.




• Pack food into sealed containers to keep pests out. Open supermarket bags are unacceptable.

• Check your vessel for stowaway pests - rats, mice and ants.

• Look for signs of rodents - droppings and gnawed items eg. wiring etc.

• Keep fresh bait and/or set traps on your vessel or where it's stored.

0800 DOC HOT line (0800 362 468) - call to report sightings of pests on pest-free islands.

Pets can easily injure or kill wildlife eg kiwi or ground nesting birds such as NZ dotterels. Pets are not permitted on conservation islands.

Check out www.treasureislands.co.nz for more information Visiting overnight?

• Camping and/or overnight gear offers an ideal home for stowaways as it is often stored for long periods. Before you visit please unpack and thoroughly check camping gear, sleeping bags etc for pests (especially mice, soil and seeds).




• Pack food into sealed containers to prevent attracting rodents into your gear. Supermarket bags are not acceptable.

• RATS eat birds, eggs, reptiles and insects.




• MICE eat insects, small birds and reptiles.




• ARGENTINE ANTS can grow into large colonies with an aggressive appetite, killing native insects, birds and reptiles.




• WEED SEEDS can become a weed forest, smothering native plants.




• SOIL can contain plant diseases eg. kauri dieback disease. See www.kauridieback.co.nz

Which islands are free of pests?

The DOC managed islands in the Hauraki Gulf which are pest-free are: Motuihe, Motukorea (Browns), Tiritiri Matangi, Motuora, Little Barrier (Hauturu), Beehive, and the Mokohinau islands. Rangitoto & Motutapu (DOC managed) and Kaikoura islands are becoming pest-free with eradication operations well underway. Rakino Island is also pest-free. Other islands are free of some pests so check for stowaways between islands to be sure you don't transport pests around the Hauraki Gulf.



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Well that was quite a bit of info huh? Until next week then...
take care out there.

Cheers


the total sport team
p: 09 446 3205
www.thedual.co.nz