The fresh Choice Nelson City Musselman.

31st October 2010

Picton to Nelson

Kayak-Road Cycle-Lunch-Mountain Bike-Run

You will kayak from Picton to Momorangi Bay, before riding your road bike to Pelorus Bridge and the lunch stop. After Lunch you will Mountain bike into the back of Nelson before running along the Maitai River track to the finish in Central Nelson.

The Musselman is open to all individuals, teams & tandem teams in the multisport event. There are Duathlon & Cycle Odyssey options for those who do not wish to kayak or you can cut’n'paste the race to suit you.

The race starts with a 10km kayak from the Picton Foreshore to Momorangi Bay Motor Camp. (situated on the Queen Charlotte Drive which runs between Picton & Havelock) This kayak stage takes kayakers from the Picton foreshore across the harbour, then follow the coastline (you are not required to paddle into the bays you pass along the way) on your left to Momorangi Bay. Kayakers will be followed by support vessels. You can paddle a Single or Double kayak. Yes I allow double kayaks, so you can paddle  a double then continue on as an individual. However you need to tell me as I will put you in a double kayak class and you will not be able to claim the overall title.  

Once Kayakers reach Momorangi Bay they exchange kayaks for road bikes for their ride to Pelorus Bridge where the stage finishes and the race stops for lunch. The bike ride is about 42km, and you will follow Queen Charlottle Drive to  Havelock, turn right at the Stop sign, taking care as you ride through Havelock and head toward Pelorus Bridge and the  stage finish.

Should bad weather cause an issue for the kayak, everyone will cycle from Picton to Pelorus Bridge. This is the first stage for the Long Duathlon & Cycle Odyssey.

Should you wish not to kayak the Musselman offers a Cycle Odyssey and a Long & Short Duathlon options along with team categories in all events. The Long Duathlon & Cycle Odyssey competitors Road Cycle from Picton to Pelorus Bridge via Queen Charlotte Drive and Havelock.

The Short Duathlon is the Mountain Bike and Run stage of the race.

After lunch competitors Mountain Bike to the Maitai Valley Motor Camp Area in Nelson. Mountain Bikers will start in 2 waves, Slower rides will start 45 minutes before the Faster riders.  Fast is Sub 2hr 30 min. Mountain Bikers will follow the settlers trail over the Maungatapu track into Nelson. This ride takes competitors 10km up the Pelorus Valley to a solid 8km climb to the Maungatapu Saddle before an exciting 10km downhill into the Maitai Valley for the final 5km to the Maitai Valley Motor Camp transition where bikes are swapped for running shoes. 

The run follows the Maitai River Track into the Centre Of Nelson finishing at Millers Acre. This trial run is approx 7km along the Maitai River track from the camp to the Millers Acre finish line in the centre of Nelson.

Those who chose to do the Cycle Odyssey will ride to the Maitai Valley Motor Camp and then follow the Maitai River Track to the Millers Acre.

The only question you should now have is ….Wow what  a race, where do I sign up!