The Coppermine Epic has announced a new date of 20th February, 2010. This event is an epic all-mountain race. It will test all riders' skills and fitness. The descent down Boulder Valley is what legends are made of.

Entries will be available online from 9am on the 1st of October. Numbers have been limited to 250 riders to make sure you can make the most of the fantastic Nelson single-track.

Check out the course on http://www.coppermine.co.nz.

was a different ride today, for october. snow from coads creek to the top of boulder valley. boulder valley was a creek. nice.

Nice one, thats keen up there in the snow.. How far was the digger? Last time i rode the course was early October and was a blast

I saw the old Coppermine itself today for the first time. A piece of re-routed track passes the entrance. Nearly all covered with an old slip - but, if you were sub 60kg and had a lilo to float on it would give a nights shelter.

They have certainly been doing a lot of work up there.. how far down was the digger?

It was just past the little forest bit, where you briefly ride through some trees, when I was there on Saturday.

Not being familiar with the track how technical is it? Look's like a winsome race.

Digger is nearly right through I hear. Such a shame

Twas quite techy but not anymore.

Have they done a (rapaki grade) on the track after you come off black diamond ridge and go along the top to boulder valey?

RHR_Rob wrote:Have they done a (rapaki grade) on the track after you come off black diamond ridge and go along the top to boulder valey?

I think the upgrade is on Boulder Valley and not the mineral belt after black diamond ridge. It would make for a much more enjoyable downhill if it is a bit more rideable.

Has the bike carry section through the Manuka at the top of the Coppermine saddle been fixed up? That was really tough the first year. Hopefully I can manage to get up there to race again this year...

RHR_Rob wrote:Have they done a (rapaki grade) on the track after you come off black diamond ridge and go along the top to boulder valey?

Yep. The track from black diamond ridge intersection is a wide smooth benched trail now - mineral belt included.

JUANGEAR wrote:Has the bike carry section through the Manuka at the top of the Coppermine saddle been fixed up?

Yip. That's now an easily ridable section of trail.

so that nice technical ish trail up from black diamond and out accross the open minerable belt is now an easily ridable graval track?

will they be grading boulder valley as well then?

RHR_Rob wrote:so that nice technical ish trail up from black diamond and out accross the open minerable belt is now an easily ridable graval track?

will they be grading boulder valley as well then?

some photos here of the difference in track windy-coppermine-being-converted-nana-track-t100116.html
yes boulder valley will be finished soon

In answering how technical, BDR keeps you very honest esp if you don't know it. Enter the epic if you like a good physical and tech challange, take on the enduro if you want less of that.

Was up there the other day and the little 1mt Digger is through the mineral belt, and carry sections across shingle screes are now gone. The next bush section off Coppermine saddle is also been complete, ie no more carry in here, which is all good. They have done a good job with the switch backs and flow is nice. Digger is heading down BV, but will be slow going now. All up more time on the bike in 2010 for the vast majoiry of us :-) . Mind you the bottom which was upgraded has roughed up already, and in fact i spent time upside down on this section :-), never saw that rock !