2025 Courses

This year, as a result of the severe weather events that impacted the region in January and February, it has been necessary for to make several changes to our event format.

As a special one off, 'collectors edition' of the Mike Carney Toyota Paluma Push, the 2025 Start and Finish Line will be located in Hidden Valley. The courses will also consist of a 30km looped track, it just will depend how many times you are able to ride it.

The 2025 event distances will be:

  • 1 Loop (30 kilometres);
  • 2 Loops (60 kilometres); and
  • 3 Loops (90 kilometres).

There will be an e-bike competition in the 2 Loops (60 kilometre race) or, for those not worried about being eligible for places, a non-competitive option in the 1 Loop.

Please note that our Mini Push course remains unchanged from previous years.

We acknowledge the Nywaigi people and Gugu Badhun People as the Traditional Owners of this land. We pay our respects to their cultures, their ancestors and their Elders, past and present – and all future generations.

Although there will be no namesake Paluma start line, the road between Hidden Valley and Paluma itself is open and we encourage everyone to visit Paluma and its great local businesses over the weekend. For more information on Paluma, please visit the National Parks website or the Paluma Info website.

PALUMA PUSH 2022 - BEST SHOTS-13

30KM (One Loop) Course Overview

The course will start and finish in Hidden Valley. For those familiar with our usual courses, the loop will incorporate the Graves Loop (in reverse) and Jacobsen's Loop.

The course is a combination of dirt roads, old 4WD tracks, technical and cow pad single track with climbs, lots of fun downhills and a few creek crossings to make things interesting. The vast majority of the course is on PRIVATE PROPERTY. Please do not attempt to ride the course unless you have been authorised to do so by the property owner, Brian Furber. If you do wish to ride these parts of the course prior to the race, please join us for the free social rides we host in the lead up to the event.

Although it is the easiest in distance, this is the same loop that all of the riders will be doing. Some of the sections of the track is loose and can be tricky to navigate, so speed control and balance is essential. You will require a basic level of experience and confidence in mountain biking and a good level of fitness and endurance. If this is your first endurance mountain bike race this course will be the most suitable.

We are also offering an E-Bike category in the 30km (One Loop) Course. Please note that the 30km E-Bike category is NON COMPETITIVE, which means you will not be racing and there are no placings/awards in this category. This option is meant for people who would like to ride with their mates towards the back end of the field. If you are riding an E-Bike in the 30km Traditional Course, please ensure to select the E-Bike category when registering.

Download the course GPX file here.

Bike Fix 60KM Course Overview

If you've done our 42km Traditional Course previously and are looking to further challenge your skills, then the Bike Fix 60km (Two Loop) Course is for you. This option is recommended for more experienced riders with a good level of fitness and competence.

The course starts and finishes in Hidden Valley and is identical to the 30km (One Loop) course. The only difference is that you have to do it twice.

The Bike Fix 60km course offers a competitive E-Bike option. Please ensure to register for the correct event if you are using an E-Bike. Please note that chipped E-Bikes are not allowed in this race (boost over 25km/h). All top three riders' bikes will be checked at the finish line and if they are found to be chipped, riders will be disqualified.

You can find a copy of the single loop GPX file here, just play it twice.

DLB Communications 90KM Course Overview

This course is the ultimate endurance mountain bike challenge.

If you've done our 70km Cross Country Course previously and/or are looking for the ultimate mountain bike challenge, then the DLB Communications 90km (Three Loop) Course is what you want. This option is recommended for very experienced riders who are trained for endurance marathon races.

The course starts and finishes in Hidden Valley and is identical to the 30km (One Loop) course. The only difference is that you'll do it three times.

You can find a copy of the single loop GPX file here, just play it thrice.

Note: A cut off time will apply. Any riders who are yet to commence their third lap by the time nominated will be changed into the 60km distance and listed as unranked.

2km Mini Push

Gotta train 'em early! The crowd favourite, the Mini Push is back for 2025. Come down and watch the next generation of riders rip it up around our 2km set course, starting at the Event HQ Bus Stop at 2.30pm and finishing down the official finishing chute.

All participants will receive a complimentary t-shirt, a race plate and an all-important finisher’s medal, and we’ll even have a cash prize for the overall male and female winner. If you have little ones that would love to race, please register them in advance using our online registration system. The maximum age to participate in the Mini Push is 10 years, while the recommended minimum age is 4 years.

Download the GPX file here.

General Course Info

PRIVATE PROPERTY

Majority of the course runs through private property. Access before and after the race is prohibited. Outer Limits has special permission from property owners granting the event access to use these tracks on race day and for volunteers leading up to the race. Any unauthorised access prior or post to the event can jeopardise the event’s access to these tracks.

This is an endurance mountain bike race and with that, mountain biking has its inherent risks.

The conditions along the course are variable but being in July it’s traditionally a glorious North Queensland winter, cool and sometimes misty in the morning and drier and warmer conditions later in the day. Ultimately, conditions can depend on the amount of rain the area gets in the Summer/Wet Season and any rain in the lead up to race day. A good wet season makes for a couple of interesting creek crossings and slippery root sections.

Riders are required to be mindful of others around and behind them. Please do not stop suddenly without checking behind you first. Please note that the road sections of the course are NOT closed to traffic and riders must adhere to general Queensland traffic regulations.

There are several Check Points along the course, all with radio contact to each other and Hidden Valley.

There will be sweep riders to offer mechanical assistance, first aid and make sure no one is left behind.

Riders are required to take note of all course markings, safety signage and warnings on the course. Examples of signage will be available in the Athlete Guide.

DISCLAIMER: Outer Limits reserves the right to alter the courses in any way to ensure the safety of riders, volunteers and workers should a significant weather event cause damage to any part of the course in the lead up to or during the event.