Hells Bells - Fairy Bells

Who Said it was a Beach Holiday?

A ropes course erected high in the forest canopy was just one of the many surprises in store for Hells Bells and Fairy Bells competitors in the 2009 event. Competitors also swam through rainforest gorges, abseiled off cliffs, rode the best single track on the Sunshine Coast, tested their archery skills, clambered under waterfalls, paddled beautiful rivers and ran along picture perfect beaches!

Competitors numbers this year were boosted to record levels with an influx of teams traveling from interstate. Hells Bells even had two international teams from New Zealand and Vanuatu.

Congratulations go to all who took part in both Hells Bells and Fairy Bells. Mountain Designs won the Premier Mixed category with an insanely fast time leaving the rest of the field in awe. Second went to Hayley and the Nephillim from NZ and third was team Off the Map. The All Male winners were the strong local team of Two and a Half Men. All Female category was won for the second year running by the girls from Skirtsports Australia.

On behalf of the organisers and the event our thoughts are with the family and friends of Tavis Johannsen who passed away recently and unexpectedly. Tavis was the man behind the much appreciated support and sponsorship the event received from Cyclezone.

XPD Expedition Race

"as much an expedition as a race"

Entries Sell Out!

As expected, XPD entries sold out quickly and 50 eager and excited teams will be lining up in Cairns next May for an expedition of a lifetime. The team list includes strong international attendance with teams registered from USA, Canada, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, UK and France. Any teams who wish to be placed on the wait list should contact admin@geocentricoutdoors.com.au

Blackheart.com.au will be back to defend their title from last XPD but laying down the gauntlet will be Robyn Benincasa and her experienced US team Merrell/Zanfel. Also vying for the podium are a number of very strong New Zealand teams, last XPD's second place Blackheart/Salomon and Team France. No less competitive, but in a different way, are the teams who have raced every XPD. Of those "left standing" will be teams Goldfish, Caffeinated and Mawson. Sadly retiring from this race are teams most recently known as Starfactor, Box Jellyfish and Area51.net.au, bon voyage!

"Best Course Ever"

Organisers recently returned from extensive course development in North Queensland and were blown away with the race possibilities. Race Director Craig Bycroft said "I am confident this is the best XPD course we have ever put together!". In store for competitors will be a true expedition race in remote and unforgiving terrain. Forget modern, clean, consumer friendly racing, this edition will take you back to the expeditionary roots of the sport. An epic journey through incredibly diverse landscapes - a once in a lifetime opportunity!

Bribie Island Multisport

Start Training for 2010!

Entries are now open for the Bribie Island Multisport and the Bribie Half. Entries must be made through the online system on the event website.

2010 date is set for Sunday April 18th. The event will see over 300 competitors racing solo or in teams on Bribie Island, the Pumistone Passage and the Glasshouse Mountains over the 100km or 50km courses.

New change for 2010 - Due to severe beach erosion and marine park concerns Leg 3 (the combined swim/run leg) has been removed from the race. To offset this to a small degree the Leg1 swim has been increased to 1km. From 2010 and onwards the course will be 8 legs - 1km swim, 8km beach run, 13km kayak, mountain bike 20km, trail run 9km, mountain bike 30km, kayak 10km and run 4km.

City Raid

One Night in Vegas!

Have you seen the amazing race on TV? Wanted to give it a go? Why not join 300+ others in a race around the Brisbane CBD on a balmy summer evening in the event known as “One Night in Vegas”.

The 5th annual City Raid race is scheduled for the 12th of February 2010. Teams of 2 are given maps and a huge list of challenges just before the race starts. They then need to get themselves around the city by foot, train and ferry and obtain points by successfully completing as many challenges as they can. Previously challenges have included riding the ferris wheel, shopping for obscure items, launching off a 7mtr diving platform and making the perfect espresso. Teams choose which challenges to tackle and in what order, making it a fun event for all levels and abilities.

Entries are now open for the City Raid - One Night in Vegas 2010. Entries must be made through the online system on the event website.

Mountain Designs GeoQuest - 48hr Adv Race

Australia's Premier Adventure Race

After 8 years being held on the Queens Birthday weekend, the dates for 2010 have been changed to 20-23 August. This was due to an unavoidable clash with the XPD Expedition race. 2011 dates are expected to return to the Queens Birthday weekend.

Entries are set to open in early 2010.

When Too Much Adventure is Barely Enough!

French team WCup Issy les Moulineaux certainly didn't expect this close an encounter with Australian wildlife in the 3rd Edition of XPD in the Whitsundays. The burst of speed shown at this point of the race, 600km down and at the end of an 80km trek is worthy of admiration!

Craig Bycroft
Event Organiser/ Director
Geocentric Outdoors
www.geocentricoutdoors.com.au

(07) 5445 3317 (phone)
(07) 5445 2217 (fax)
0419 427 244 (mobile)

Geocentric Pty Ltd
PO Box 542, BUDERIM, QLD 4556

Louise Foulkes
Event Organiser/ Director
Geocentric Outdoors
www.geocentricoutdoors.com.au

(07) 5445 3317 (phone)
(07) 5445 2217 (fax)
0419 427 243 (mobile)

Geocentric Pty Ltd
PO Box 542, BUDERIM, QLD 4556