Fling through the forests

Riders tackled some tricky water crossings at this year’s Highland Fling.Photo by Dave Bateman

About 140mm of rain fell, but cleared just in time, to allow rivers to drop and the course to dry for the third Highland Fling mountain bike marathon at Bundanoon in November.

Forests NSW is a sponsor of the event which attracted 1300 riders who flung themselves down the trails in the Half Fling (55km), Full Fling (110km) or Flinging Threesomes.

The beauty of the Fling is the variety of the course – the native forest, pine plantation, open farmland and village roads.

The course ran through the pine plantations at Penrose State Forest and also Wingello State Forest where there is a permanent single mountain bike track through the native trees.

This track was built during the past two years by volunteers from Conservation Volunteers Australia and members of the local mountain bike club.

Forests NSW supervising forest officer in the region, Grahame North, said the event gave riders a good look at an operational pine plantation where clear fall and replanting was underway.

“I think the riders really appreciated having access to the forests and they took on board that this renewable resource can be used for recreational and commercial purposes,” he said.

Grahame said the forest roads and singles tracks were ideal for this type of event.

“We are working hard to make sure the forests are managed for commercial, recreational and heritage values,” he said.