HURTLE

This January, on Saturday 22, anywhere up to 200 mountain bikers will set out on a pretty extreme challenge, they'll compete in Western Australia's only 24 hour Mountain Bike Race based at Northcliffe in the Deep South of WA.

The SRAM 24 Hour Classic is in it's second year, proving itself in 2010 with a turnout of 50 competitors. While the organisers are sure that the challenge has bitten deep in the MTB community, they've set an upper limit of 200 participants for what will be a gruelling 24 hours in the big forests of the South West.

Entries for the SRAM 24 Hour Classic must be in by 18 December. Entry is $180 and includes camping fees at the Round Tuit caravan park, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on Sunday, and even Monday breakfast. Clearly the biggest inclusion is the chance to sit around and tell massive porkies about how good you were Sunday night, and wear the T shirt.

The Northcliffe track is extending to almost 7km long, up from last year's 6.2km, and is acquiring legendary status, according to Helen from the caravan park who is doubling as race organiser. It's a very technical ride, and 80% of it is single track, so passing's going to be for the very eager. Maybe the real trick is to still be able to pedal at 3pm on Sunday. According to Helen the track has been named as Australia's 6^th top track by MTB Australia, and again when the ran a list of 3 “tracks that rock”, this was the only entry from WA that made the cut. The Great Karri Ride takes it in as well, so it's getting it's fame around.

Last year's solo winner, Nathan Dyke, actually took the approach of going hard from the start, and assuming no one would catch him. When he'd ridden 41 laps at around 11:30, he knocked off, pretty much spent, and watched while the chasers came after his total. When the siren went, Nathan's record was still standing.... will the same strategy carry the day this time?

The six person team of J Lo's fan club pushed it hard and brought in an aggregate of 58 laps, also pretty creditable. They're both marks to be chased down if you're up to it.

So what are you doing next January? Play your cards right and you could be pushing yourself to limits you might not even know you have, with massive scenery, and 199 of your best mates (even if some of them are brand new). It's a MTB Australia affiliated ride, on a notorious track, and you even get a crack at the first prize of $1 000 (that's AUD, not that weak american money) for most laps.

I'm wracking my brain to come up with a better offer, but it's not working.

Send an email here to express your interest, or call 08 9776 7276.