MOUNTAIN EXPERIENCE FOR MTB BIKERs

Transcription

1 MOUNTAIN EXPERIENCE FOR MTB BIKERs Birken World s largest MTB race PRODUCT MANUAL 1. Race & entry 2. Accommodation 3. Transport 4. Activities 5. Packages Rena Lillehammer, Norway, 94 km

2 1. Race & entry Birkebeinerrittet is the world s largest MTB event, and more than bikers participate in the 94 km race every year. The course passes through impressive mountain, forest and valley settings from the village of Rena to the Olympic city of Lillehammer. Both elite and recreational bikers enjoy this journey. UltraBirken. A real challenge for MTB bikers. Starting in Rena and finishing in Lillehammer, the course consists of 120 km of trails in mountain terrain up to 2000 m.a.s.l. The winner s time is usually between 5½ to 6 hours. Course map available as soon as the route is finalized. Online registration available at: Foreign participants can register up to one week prior to race date. In 1206, two warriors skied the infant prince Haakon Haakonsson over the mountains to safety, from Lillehammer to Rena and further to Trondheim. The race commemorates that heroic journey, and participants must carry a 3.5 kg backpack to symbolize the weight of the baby. START RENA 224 m.a.s.l SERVICE Skramstadsætra SERVICE Bringbusætra ASPHALT GRAVELLED ROAD PATH / TRACTOR ROAD BIRKEBEINERRITTET 94,6 km Kvarstad Rosinbakken FINISH LILLEHAMMER 261 m.a.s.l. - Håkons Hall km :00 SERVICE Elgåsen SERVICE Storåsen

3 2. Accommodation Hafjell LILLEHAMMER Sjusjøen 10 km A. HOTELS Rena region Hamar Østerdalen Hotell Located 4 km north of Rena village and the start of the Birkebeineritt. Restaurants and all facilities for bikers. MTB trails from the hotel. Free Internet. Søndre Løsset Family-run hotel with 16 comfortable single rooms incl. bathroom in historical buildings. Ideal for groups wishing to experience Norwegian rural culture. Highstandard kitchen. Located 25 km north of Rena village. RENA Elverum Hamar/Elverum region Rica Elgstua Hotel Brand new Rica Elgstua Hotel, opening on June 1 st. 110 rooms with inspiration and design from surrounding nature. Elgstua is among the best Moose restaurants in the world, serving dishes from traditional Norwegian kitchen. 300 m from the Elverum train and bus station. Wide range of activities with hiking and bike trails. 30 km from Rena and 95 km to Lillehammer. Rica Hotel Hamar Rica Hotel Hamar is centrally located 4 km north of Hamar centre near E6 and only a one hour s drive from Oslo Airport Gardermoen and Lillehammer. The hotel stands out as an all-round, pleasant hotel, with 176 newly renovated rooms in all categories, all with shower/bath, TV, video, mini bar and wireless Internet. The hotel is certified with the official Nordic Ecolabel. Free parking and Internet. Lillehammer region l Hunderfossen Hotell & Resort Located 15 km north of Lillehammer center, the hotel has 40 rooms and is characterized by a pleasant, traditional atmosphere, representing the best of local building culture. The rooms are tastefully decorated. A cozy lobby with fireplace, bar, restaurant and saunas. Close to Hunderfossen Family Park, high ropes course and Hafjell Bike Park. Rustad Hotel Located on the Birkebeiner track in the mountain village of Sjusjøen, Rustad Hotell & Fjellstue offers 46 rooms and an excellent atmosphere. Sjusjøen is situated approx. 20 km. northeast of Lillehammer, about 850 metres above sea level. It is surrounded by lovely forest and mountain terrain featuring many fantastic MTB trails. Rica Victoria Hotel Lillehammer Lillehammer Rica Victoria Hotel is centrally located in the Olympic town on the popular main pedestrian street Storgaten. The town is known for its charming old wooden houses. Close to the railway and bus station.

4 B. CHALETS AND APARTMENTS Lillehammer region Hafjell Booking Located in Hafjell, 15 km north of Lillehammer, the site offers 200 high-standard cabins and apartments, from 4 to 25 beds. Close to Hafjell Bike Park and a fantastic network of mountain trails starting at the top of the gondola. Hunderfossen Hotell & Resort Located 15 km north of Lillehammer center, 27 highstandard chalets, from 2 to 8 beds, offering a good alternative for Birke-beiners. Short distance to Hunderfossen hotel and its facilities, Hunderfossen Family Park, high ropes course and Hafjell Bike Park. Sjusjøen Booking Sjusjøen Booking 70 chalets and apartments in the heart of Sjusjøen s MTB trail network, located by the village center. Good access to shops and the Birkebeiner course. Sjusjøen Hytteutleie 90 chalets and apartments of high standard, 2-6 or 4-15 beds. Located in Sjusjøen, and offering direct access to MTB trail network. Close to the Birkebeiner course Transport Access to region Oslo Airport Gardermoen: 145 km to Lillehammer, 130 km to Rena and 90 km to Hamar. Oslo (ferryboat from Kiel, Fredrikshavn and Copenhagen): 180 km to Lillehammer, 165 km to Rena and 130 km to Hamar. Train from Oslo, Oslo Airport Gardermoen to Hamar, Lillehammer and Hunderfossen. Access to Rena/start: Busses from Hafjell/Øyer, Lillehammer, Hamar, Elverum to Rena. Return from finish/lillehammer to Rena, Hafjell/Øyer, Elverum and Hamar by bus. Lillehammer Hamar Gardermoen Oslo Torp Larvik Trondheim E6 Rena Elverum Rygge

5 4. Activities Moose safari Elverum Norwegian Forestry Museum Elverum Angling Lillehammer Elverum Maihaugen Open-Air Museum Lillehammer Wheelbob Lillehammer/Hafjell Downhill biking Hafjell High rope course Lillehammer/Hafjell

6 5. Packages: 5 and 7 days: 5 days Lillehammer region Day 1: Arrival Lillehammer Day 2: Lillehammer Options: MTB tour in the mountains of Sjusjøen to become familiar with the terrain and conditions of the Birkebeiner MTB race. Downhill biking at Hafjell, probably Europe s best downhill park. Visit Hunderfossen Family Park, the Lillehammer Art Museum or Maihaugen Open-air museum. Day 3: Lillehammer Easy ride in the morning. We recommend the mountains around Sjusjøen. After lunch, visit Lillehammer and the picturesque Storgata. Then visit the Birkebeiner Exhibition at Haakons Hall and collect your bib/chip. Day 4: Birkebeiner MTB Race Early breakfast and transfer to Rena. Start between 07:00 and 13:00 depending on your seeding. Arrival at Haakons Hall near the center of Lillehammer. Shower/diploma, food, etc. Transfer back to your hotel for farewell dinner. Day 5: Departure Breakfast and departure. Same program also available with accommodation in Hamar or Hafjell/ Hunderfossen

7 7 days Rena/Elverum region Day 1: Arrival Elverum Day 2: Biking part of the course Breakfast at hotel Drive to Åsta and park car. Short ride to Rena on road #3, and from Rena on the Birkebeiner course to Skramstadsetra and further to Djuoset. From Djuposet, easy ride along the Åsta river back to the car (45 km but can be extended). Day 3: Visit Elverum Easy cycling trip in the morning. After lunch, visit Elverum and the Norwegian Forestry Museum. Good angling facilities in Elverum region. Day 4: Biking part of the course Drive from Elverum to Hamar and then Gåsbu to Bringbusætra. Park your car there and start biking on the Birken track to Bjønn-åsbrua, Nysætra, Øyungen to Kvarstad. From Kvarstad, scenic ride along the Åsta river to Bjønnåsbrua and Bringbusætra (38 km). Return drive back to Elverum Day 5: Elverum Easy cycling trip in the morning. After lunch, drive to Rena to collect bib/chip and visit the bike exhibition at Rena. Day 6: Birkebeiner MTB Race 94 km Early breakfast and transfer to Rena. Start between 07:00 and 13:00 depending on your seeding. Arrival Haakons Hall near center of Lillehammer. Shower/diploma, food, etc.transfer back to your hotel for farewell dinner. Day 7: Departure Breakfast and departure. Same program available with accommodation in Rena or Hamar.

8 Contact Phone: Local tourist offices: Lillehammer: Hamar: Elverum/Rena: DM Photo: Geir Olsen, Esben Haakenstad, Jørgen Skaug