The Kowalski Classic 2017 event

THE RACE
The Kowalski Classic is a one-day showcase of the famous trail network of East Kowen Forest and Sparrow Hill. The event celebrates the achievements of local trail builders Paul Cole, Alan Anderson and the award winning Kowalski Brothers Trailworks (our trail building crew), who together have hand built over 120km of flowing trail in East Kowen (the Kow) & Sparrow Hill (the Bird). The Kowalski Classic is the ultimate single track marathon with three race distances taking in the very best trails in Sparrow Hill and East Kowen.

THE LAST KOWALSKI
Entries in the Kowalski Classic 2017 will open on July 1st. We strongly encourage you to enter this one as it may well be OUR LAST EVER KOWALSKI. The reason for this is that East Kowen and Sparrow Hill are set to undergo massive change over the next few years due to forest clear fall. This work will change the riding landscape and dramatically reduce the trail network so we think it is fitting that we give the trails a fine and fond farewell with a full day of racing sniggle. Join us for one last lash [and maybe shed the odd tear].

Viva la Kowalski.
Love single track? Then you will absolutely love the Kowalski Classic.


PLEASE REFER TO THE RACE WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE RACE CATERGORIES, SCHEDULE, ETC.

WHAT’S NEW?
New Course. The Kowalski Classic celebrates our obsession with trail building. We’ve hand tooled mind bending amounts of it over the years and we’re always dreaming up more, so each year we craft a course that weaves them all together in a magical way. We’re folding in our all-time favourites, long lost (seldom ridden) friends and brand spanking new trails to debut on race day. The course is quite different each year and 2017 will be no exception. Expect a day full of flow, challenge and smiles on this grand tour of skinny dirt. A singletrack marathon like no other.

New Trails. Absolutely. The trail fairies have been busy, so you can expect to ride new trail and trail that feels new (but weirdly isn’t). Check out the Kowalskis Facebook page for more information.

XCM Series Final. The Kowalski Classic forms the final round of the MTBA National XCM Series. It will be the deciding round for series contenders across all categories. (Series winner presentations will be held right after the race).

WHAT’S THE SAME?
At 25km, the QRTR Kowalski (Tyrion) is a distance that will suit riders coming into the sport as well as those getting back on the bike and unsure if they have the legs for the Half Kowalski. Loads of singletrack, maybe a stout hill and jelly snakes. Sweet.

The TWIN Kowalski is your chance to ride 50kms of our finest trails with your favourite training buddy, family member, your significant other or in fact your identical twin. Singletrack with your bestie… it doesn’t get much better. The twist for this category is that you need to dress alike (so we can’t tell you apart) or dress up so well that we can’t do anything but stare in wonder.

Junior Category. The minimum age has been lowered to include riders 12 years and up. (Parental consent is required for participation in Junior category)

WHICH DISTANCE IS FOR YOU?
Each race distance features a great combination of our favourite trails so there’s little compromise should you choose something shorter (higher on smiles, lower on miles) however the FULL KOWALSKI will remain a proper test of mettle. Get ready to be ridden hard and put away wet after this mind bending, leg testing, mega trail fest.
The Bird is the Word and the Kow is like Wow.

THE FULL KOWALSKI (circa 100 km):
The Full Kowalski will challenge you over a mind bendingly high proportion of flowing single track across East Kowen Forest and Sparrow Hill. Of course, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention tantalising traverses, sweet carving descents, and a number of delightfully stout stem-biting climbs (provided free by the ACT Parks and Conservation Service!). This race will have it all… and more.

The final distance for the FULL Kowalski is unclear due to clear fall operations currently underway but our aim is for a minimum of 90km. Should we be able to feather in more trail we will do so. Stay tuned.

THE HALF KOWALSKI (50KM):
Worried that the Full Kowalski will overwhelm your good vibes receptors? Then take on the Half Kowalski: shorter on distance and long on single track. This is a no compromise race distance with the very best trails in East Kowen on display. We have woven an intricate course that will challenge and reward. Don’t expect it all to be easy either – well honed bike skills can be more advantageous than fitness in places… just sayin’.

THE QRTR KOWALSKI (25KM):
The QRTR Kowalski (or Tyrion) will suit people coming into the sport or for those who have had time off the bike and don’t want to hurt themselves too much. It is still mountain biking, so you will get to climb steep bits and squeal along curvy downy bits. This is not a ‘tacked-on’ distance, so there’s no compromise on smiles for this distance. True mountain biking with a great combination of trails.