ULTRA CHALLENGE THASSOS MTB (UCTM) 120km

1st UCMT 120km ROUTE DESCRIPTION

The race start will take apart at Saturday on 28/4/2012 at 8.00 in the morning, from SAN ANTONIO BEACH, the same starting point with MTB THASSOS CUP which will take apart next day.  The first 13.40km will be prestart. The athletes will follow the organizers car, with average speed 20km. The route is following the island ring road towards to Limenaria and then the traditional fishing village Maries. On the move and at the beginning of uphill dirt road, the free will give.

The uphill, finishing after 8km, in first top named “AI SMATIS” (910m.). From the top (21,2km) where will be also a check point, starts a steep downhill slope with a marginal, which leads to an old abandoned dirt road to the ridge of the mountain, until the main dirt road which leads to “AGIOS PANTELEIMONAS” monastery (30,5km). Asphalt road begins there and 5km. down hilling with fantastic view of the North West coast and the beautiful village KAZAVITI. In KAZAVITI (36km) will be the first supply station with food, water, energy drinks and gels.

After crossing the “big KAZAVITI” a passable dirt road up hills to the second and highest peak of the race, named “TUBA” (1070m.). The 13km. long distance ascent, is characterized by the slope of, especially in the last part before the antennas and also by the temperature difference. The unique view of the gulf of Kavala and the north coast of Thassos is stunning. In 48.5km. after passing through a deserted marble quarry, starts a fun descent 15km. long to the Limenas lowlands. The descent is characterized by many consecutive turns and a passage through the biggest marble quarry of the island.

In this point will be dust or mud, the weather depending. Also the athletes must be careful because the frequent crossing of trucks even if Saturday and marble quarry is closed. At the end of slope, we reach the St. Konstantin grove and after this, we mount to the main ring road we don’t cross but we ride parallel for approximately 20m. to the church of PANAGIA and then the graphic homonymous village ( 66,1km.). There will be the second station with snacks, water and energy drinks. From here on, the athletes would move in very greenery with planes and waters.

The rout traverses to the north eastern size of the Ypsario and is characterized by continual ascent descent in a passable dirt road. After, up hilling again in old left behind dirt road for 5 km. until the third peak named “KLISIDI” (550m.) and 78,1 km. from the start. The view of “GOLDEN BEACH” is amazing in whole ascent to the top. Another 3km. downhill and we meet the main ring road of island in location “PLATANAKIA” (81km.). From here we cycle in asphalt, first 4km. until the “KINIRA” settlement (85km.) where the last supply station is, with food, water, energy drinks and a time limit of 12 HOURS.

All the athletes after 20.00 must give their numbers and if they like they can continuous under their own responsibility. Here you should rest and prepare yourselves for the last difficult 35km. And another 6km. until the “BABURAS” peninsula (91,6km.) with sweet asphalt ascent. Here it starts again dirt road uphill, is the last part of the race and quite demanding because of the several small peaks, “Trapezia” 450m. is the highest in 103km. from the start. The slower cyclists will pass this race part at the night, that’s why is going to have night labeling already from “KINIRA” settlement.

In 103.5km. the route is meeting the MTB-THASSOS route and it follows it in the opposite direction for 6km. Then from the top “KORKARIO” (110.8km.) light declivity which after 3-4km. turns into a technical pit from the winter rains, crosses (114km.) with small ascent which leads in the top over the “ROSOGREMOS BEACH” only 1km. before the end. The last kilometer is on the main ring road asphalt to direction POTOS and SAN ANTONIO BEACH where everything started before 120.8km.

We wish you good strength!!

UCMT 120 SPECIFICATIONS
RACE LENGTH 120.8km.
TOTAL ALTIDUTE 3510m.
TOTAL ASPHALT 26.5 km.
TOTAL ASCENT 51.8%
TOTAL DESCENT 31.2%
FLAT 17%

These measurements are made after 2 test events and 3 different GPS
GARMIN 310XT, GARMIN OREGON 350 & GARMIN FORERUNNER 305.

THE MTB THASSOS TEAM

Download from here the GPS map.