Mountain Bike Race Returns for 2008 Tumut Festival

Tumut’s Festival of the Falling Leaf once again includes a 3 hour mountain bike race on its diverse program of activities.  It will be the third time that this highly popular event has been run in the forest on the edge of Tumut.  The race is scheduled for Sunday 27^th April and as in previous years will commence at 12 mid-day.  The running of the 2008 event has been boosted following Forests NSW commitment to provide sponsorship and is supported by the Canberra Off Road Cyclists (CORC).

For the last three years the race has attracted more than 200 participants, many who have travelled from as far away as Wagga, Canberra, Albury, Beechworth and the South Coast to take on the demanding but enjoyable Tumut course.  Event co-ordinator Duncan Watt said, “feedback from our previous events has been very positive, with some riders describing the course here as the best they have ridden and the most enjoyable event they have entered.  Interest from local riders has also increased over the last two years and up to thirty local riders are expected to enter this year’s event.  There were a number of locals who are entering for the first time.  Some who came to watch last year were pleasantly surprised by the wide range of abilities and fitness levels that this type of event attracts.”

This year’s event will use the same 7.3km circuit as last year, comprising a selection of the recreational trails and road network within Tumut State forest.  There are a couple of short sections of moderate difficulty, however the majority of the circuit is open flowing ‘single-track’.  The main challenge for riders is likely to come from a couple of the climbs that will test their fitness towards the end of the race.  Participants can enter in solo or a range of pairs categories and try and complete as many laps as possible over the three hour period.  Last year the leading solo male riders completed more than 80km during the race. 

 “Bike events are a regular part of the festival and there is also a 50km AUDAX ride planned for the Saturday, but we are excited about the return of this event” said Heather Ward, Tumut Shire Councils Event Co-ordinator.  It’s good for the festival and tourism in the town.  The committee would like to thank the Canberra Off Road Cyclists for making the event possible.”

More information on race entry and other event details are available on the Canberra Off Road Cyclists website at www.corc.asn.au.  If you are interested in entering this year and want to do some training or get more riding experience a group mountain bike ride leaves the Tumut State forest trailhead off Fairway Drive at 5:30pm every Tuesday evening.

To find out more, check out the flier by clicking here, or contact Duncan Watt through the contacts page.