STU Adams will be the one to beat when the third round of the Hammer Endurance Series hits Jolly Nose Mountain Bike Park on Sunday.
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The Novocastrian has so far cruised through the opening two rounds of the series and is expected to do the same again in the five-hour event around the 10-kilometre circuit.
Adams currently leads the male division and also won the Port to Port over-50 category in Newcastle.
Event director Jamie Vogele said there would be solo riders such as Adams as well as teams of two who will ride the trails from 9am.
More than 50 riders from around the Mid North Coast of New South Wales will converge on Port Macquarie after earlier races were held in Taree (April 8) and Nambucca Heads (May 12).
“We’ve been averaging 50 riders which is an increase on last year and we expect it to rise again next year,” Vogele said.
“Being a really great location I’d expect to have over 50 riders here.
“It’s perfect to get out in the bush, do some cross country riding and be able to bring your whole family and ride around.”
Vogele said the event was important to Port Macquarie and the Hastings because of the benefits to tourism and the local economy.
“It’s definitely important,” he said.
“It helps everybody to find out about the trails around here and it boosts the tourism because of the people visiting.”
A section of the trails dubbed “Dutch Fun” will provide a choice of taking an easy ride, or one that’s a little more challenging.
“There is an A and a B-line down that section where if you take the B-line it’s nice and cruisy, but if you take the A-line there is some really big gap jumps to take on if you want to,” Vogele said.
“There’s a bit of everything out there.
“It’s about a 10-kilometre circuit and has some jumps, has some drops, has some rocks, little climbs, and there are some fun flowy sections.
“There are some nice easy sections that are straight as well.”
Last year’s race was the first for the series, so Vogele said it would continue to increase in popularity.
“It’s new to the area, but they do have some of these series around the capital cities so it was good to be able to bring something like this here.”
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