The social outing was hosted by the Hastings Valley Mountain Bike Riders Club after the closure of Queens Lake State Forest was lifted on January 22.

The forest had been closed since November 2019 due to fire risks, the longest absence in the clubs history.

Vice president Eric Robinson said a social ride held on January 23 also attracted around 70 riders.

"This is the first time we have done an Australia Day ride but considering the showing here we should look at doing it annually," he said on Sunday.

"The forest has been closed but all the riders have been quite patient and respectful. People are trying to do their best job to keep people safe and that's the main thing. After the rain last week we are just stoked to get back out here.

"We include food and refreshments in our social rides now which we're finding is bringing more people out to the rides. We're finding the club is attracting more families and children to events."

Raffle prizes including Tasmanian holiday accommodation and a dual-suspension mountain bike were also presented at the Australia Day social ride.

"There were about 560 tickets sold for the dual suspension mountain bike worth $3500 and the Tasmanian accommodation package," said Mr Robinson.

"Raising close to $3000 for the clubs trail maintenance and trail building.

"This is important because some of the trails were damaged during the closure; the trails are quite loose at the moment and trees are down."

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