RIDE INFO
Here is all the information you need to do either The Mystic Yak or Black Pearl events.
Each event is built for the average rider looking to challenge themselves as a step-up from a one day event or club race. Sure you will see some of the best elite riders in Australia at our events, but over 95 per cent of participants are just your average rider, looking for a weekend of fun, on and off the trails!
event format
Three Stages in 2026
We have made the decision to move both of our events in 2026 to three full stages. Gone is the Prelude on Friday afternoon, replaced by a full stage on the Friday beginning early in the morning.
Each of the three stages will be similar in distance and difficulty. We will start each stage early in the morning (around 9am) when the weather is cooler and aim to have most of our riders finished by 12 noon at the latest. The stages are designed off the back of our previous events, with each day set to be challenging but achievable for the average rider.
We have a focus on including the best trails in each region, so in most cases fire road and long climbs are minimised in favour of fun, flowy single track – pretty much all green and blue trails too. We want our riders to leave each stage with a big smile on your face, reminiscing about how great the trails were that made up the course, but with still enough energy left to go and enjoy lunch and an afternoon relaxing with friends!
Detailed stage information is available on each event page and in the Rider Guide which is released one month prior via our website and EDM.
Short Course Options
We understand the move to three full stages might seem a bit too much for some of our riders so we have implemented a further change to our events in 2026. There will now be two entry options – Full Course or Short Course, again making our events accessible to riders of all levels and abilities.
This has allowed us to make the full course for each stage a little more challenging for those riders wanting to test themselves further, whilst the short course will be approx 70% of the distance and elevation, often eliminating an extra long climb or technical single track toward the end of a stage. So there is no excuse not to get out there and ride with your partner, mates or meet new friends along the way!
HANDICAP SYSTEM
We want to see riders back on their bike and participating in events! So over the last few years we have put a lot of work into developing our own unique Handicap System. This system is designed so that riders can turn up to our events and “Ride Your Own Race” – and undertake your own challenge just to finish each day at your own pace.
With our new event format of three stages, the time your ride for Stage 1 will be averaged against the rest of the field of riders and then this is used to create an expected time for Stage 2 and 3. Your stage time is then used again and calculated as an average against the field to determine your expected time for Stage 2. Your results are then compared to the expected handicap time and the riders that records the two closest stage times (the most consistent) will be crowned the Weekend Warrior King and Queens at the conclusion of each event. If you choose to do the Short Course your handicap will be set against all the other riders doing the Short Course as well – which creates a level playing field for everyone to enjoy their own challenge!
The system is supposed to be a bit of fun and take the seriousness out of “racing”, but also to create some banter amongst mates and allow everyone of all abilities to compete for podium glory!
E-BIKES
We encourage those who ride E-Bikes to enter our events. Over the last couple of years we have experimented with where to best place riders in this category within the overall field. Beginning from 2026 we will be starting all of our stages in waves, with those riding E-Bikes to begin in their own dedicated wave.
By entering the event, all E-Bike riders agree to ride a bike that meets Australian manufacturing standards and that the E-Bike has not been mechanically altered (ie: “chipped). The onus sits with each individual E-Bike rider to meet this requirement, otherwise their rider insurance may be effected. E-Bike riders are not permitted to change batteries during any of the stages and must manage their power reserves as part of the challenge of riding each day.
All E-Bike riders are eligible for the Weekend Warrior Award under the exact same handicap system as other riders entering the event.
WAVE STARTS
All three stages at each of our events will involve riders starting in allocated waves. These waves will be decided upon based on self-seeding for Stage 1. Elite riders will begin in the first wave of each stage. Riders will then be seeded according to their ranking times from Stage 1 for the following stages, ensuring they are riding with others of similar ability, in groups of approximately 30. Riders undertaking the Short Course will begin in the final groups to ensure there is no crossover with those riding the full course. This should mean that the majority of riders, whether you are riding the full or short course, will finish at similar times.
REGISTRATION PICK UP
With the move to three full stages, registration pick up will now be managed for all riders on the Thursday afternoon or evening prior to the event starting. Here you will collect your Rider ID Plate, Timing Chip and Event Tee as well as other sponsor goodies. The location for registration pick up will be at a prominent social venue in the heart of our event destination, so you can plan to grab a feed and drink there at the same time as collecting your stuff. We will also have our event team and experienced riders on hand for a Q&A at the venue that evening to give you an update on course conditions and any last minute information. If you cannot register on the Thursday afternoon or evening you will be able to collect your Rider ID Plate and Timing Chip at the Start Line before Stage 1 begins on the Friday morning.
WATER POINTS
Each stage will have a Water Point at approximately the half way point of the course. This point will have water and recovery products and is normally manned by a marshall or volunteer. There may even be a boom box there playing a few tunes to motivate you for the second half of the course! Personal bottles can be dropped off at Registration before the start of each stage and they will be taken to the Water Point for riders to swap over mid-race. Support crew can also take items for their riders to this point on the course if they wish. The Water Points will be outlined clearly in the Event Ride Guide.
TIMING
We implement electronic timing at all of our events. This involves a transponder that needs to be secured to your bike fork. It is the riders responsibility to install this transponder correctly to ensure their ride time is recorded accurately. Instructions for installation are included in the Rider Guide for each event. Rider times are available online immediately after each stage. Weekend Warrior Results will be available after Stages 2 and 3.
SOCIAL FUNCTIONS
At each event, we like to choose some of the best socials spots in each region to get everyone together. Fun and very relaxed, the Thursday night Welcome Function also includes spot prize giveaways and a free drink for all our riders to start the event off right! The functions after each of the stages are also very low key, a chance to catch up with other riders and enjoy a bite to eat once the riding is done. Here we will present stage awards for each Category and the leader boards. Sunday’s presentation involves the crowning of our Warrior King and Queen – which everyone is a chance to win under our handicap system!
