Riders across the Macleay Valley are being urged to dust off their bikes, with the final round of the Macleay Valley Coast MVMB Race Series set to roll out at Kalateenee MTB Park in South Kempsey.
The event, run by the Macleay Valley Mountain Bikers club, spans two days of racing across two very different formats. Saturday is dedicated to cross country, with riders tackling a set loop as many times as they can within a two- or four-hour window.
“So the Saturday cross country, that’s where you do the same loop as many times as you can, either in a two-hour or four-hour format,” said club president Ben Bailey.
Mr Bailey said the fittest riders could clock up a serious number of laps in the longer format, while juniors and super juniors race on a shorter, modified track to comply with age-based time limits.
Sunday shifts gears entirely for a gravity enduro, where competitors ride to the top of the course with mates before racing back down across four timed stages.
“Our format is that there are four stages that you have to complete, but you can do as many times as you want and your fastest time is the only one that counts,” said Mr Bailey.
For younger or less experienced riders, the club also runs a Miniduro over two easier stages, open to junior riders under 13 as well as adults who might be hesitant to try the more demanding trails. Mr Bailey said the format had already drawn in newcomers, including a woman who had never raced before trying her hand at the Miniduro earlier this year.
Mr Bailey, a founding member of the club, said the social side of the enduro format was part of its appeal.
“It’s great because it is very social,” he said.
Behind the scenes, a small group of volunteers keeps the Kalateenee trail network in shape, carrying out regular maintenance including reshaping tracks and rebuilding bridges to sit higher above water. Recent works have also focused on widening tracks and bridges to accommodate an adaptive three-wheeled bike used by one of the club’s members.
The club has previously secured grants to fund professional trail work, including a rebuild of its jump line, and continues to pursue further grant funding and equipment.
“We’re always trying to improve what we have,” said Mr Bailey.
Membership currently sits at around 50, a figure Mr Bailey said had remained fairly steady in recent years, partly because many riders use the public trails without joining up. He said the club was always looking for new members and volunteers.
Those keen to give mountain biking a go can join the club’s weekly social ride, held every Saturday at 2 pm (3 pm during daylight saving) from the Forest car park on Grass Tree Road. Riders wanting to enter the race series need a race licence, with full details on rules, licensing and trail formats available through the club’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
“Always open for members and people that would like to help,” said Mr Bailey.
The Macleay Valley Coast MVMB Race Series runs from Saturday, 12 September to Sunday, 13 September at Kalateenee MTB Park, Grass Tree Road, South Kempsey. Booking details are available at entryboss.cc/calendar/macleayvalleymtb.
Don’t miss any of the important stories from around the region. Subscribe to our email list.