Tathra’s mountain bike trails have received a fast face lift, with over 80 volunteers turning out to rake the fire damaged trails on Saturday.
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Tathra’s Bundadung tracks were devastated by the March 18 bushfires, leaving the Tathra MTB Club floundering ahead of the June Tathra Enduro.
However, with both physical and financial help from wider mountain bike community the 25km of trails are now being restored and rebuilt.
Club president Andrew Johnson says he is overwhelmed by the generosity of individuals and organisations, many who have volunteered time and given money to get the tracks back up and running.
“You don’t appreciate how many people use and enjoy to Tathra trails, until you find yourself in a situation – where they no longer exist,” says Johnson.
“The trails are a huge tourism attraction and we wanted to get them back open as soon as practical to help the town recover. “
Johnson says Saturday’s working bee was the first time the public has been granted access the Bundadung trails following the fire.
Safety is a key issue, with many trees irreparably damaged and needing to be felled.
The club is continuing to work with the Council, landowners and the RFS to make the forests safe.
Johnson says the club held Saturday’s Rake ‘N Ride day to give volunteers the chance to come and help.
“We were inundated with offers to help restore our trails – and this was a great way to get everyone together in a really productive way.
“We had over 80 volunteers and the 25km trails were raked in under one hour.
“It was incredible, and very humbling, that people drove from as far away as Inverloch and Wonthaggi in Victoria, Dee Why in Sydney and the ACT to help.”
Johnson says he hopes the volunteers took up the offer to ride the trails after their effort.
The Tathra MTB Club is planning another Rake N Ride day in late May – ahead of the Tathra Beach and Bike Enduro on June 9-10. June 9/10 Tathra Beach and Bike Enduro.
Johnson says there is still plenty of restoration works to be completed– and the May 26 Rake and Ride day will give volunteers another chance to assist and gain a sneek peek of the Enduro track prior to racing.
Entries to the Tathra Beach & Bike Enduro are now open. For full details and to enter visit the club website on www.tathramtbclub.com
Organisers are hoping entries to the Enduro won’t be hindered by the bushfires with the course almost completely restored.
All funds rasied from the Tathra Beach & Bike Enduro support local community organisations and the Tathra MTB trails network.