Bike race moves into top gear
From the Spring 2008 edition of Bush Telegraph Magazine.
An annual mountain bike race through Tumut State Forest is proving very popular. Photo by Trina Thompson ‘Tumut and Adelong Times’
A mountain bike race through Tumut State Forest, the brainchild of Forests NSW regional planning manager Duncan Watt, has proved to be a winner.
This year the race, which is in its fourth year, attracted more than 200 riders – some travelling from as far a field as Canberra and the south coast.
The bike race is held on the edge of Tumut and coincides with the town’s famous ‘Festival of the Falling Leaf’ in April.
The race, sponsored by Forests NSW and supported by Canberra Off Road Cyclists, uses Tumut State Forest’s recreational trails, which were officially opened in 2004 and have more than eight kilometres of multiple-use track.
Duncan said the main challenge for riders was a steep climb towards the end of each lap and the cold, wet and windy weather than descended on riders shortly after the race commenced.
Participants entered solo or in a range of categories and tried to complete as many laps as possible in three hours.
This year the leading solo rider Shaun Lewis from Canberra completed nearly 70 kilometres during the race.
“Feedback on the race has been very good with some riders saying it is the most enjoyable race they have ever entered,” Duncan said.
Sarah Chester - Public Affairs & Media, Albury
