Tathra's famous mountain bike trails are enjoying a last minute make-over ahead of this year's Tathra Enduro, thanks to a generous donation from the East Coast Rotary Clubs of Australia.
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Last year's Enduro preparation was enhanced when more than 180 volunteers, who, in the wake of the Tathra bushfire, turned out to help rake the tracks ahead of the annual mountain bike event.
This year the Tathra MTB Club has again received a boost ahead of the June 8-9 event, with Rotary donating $5000 towards repairs and maintenance of the unique and popular bush trails.
Tathra boasts over 50km of "community" single track, with half the trail network requiring rebuilding following the devastating fires. Generous offers of physical and financial support and materials allowed the club to rebuild ahead of the 2018 Enduro.
MTB Club president Andrew Johnson said Rotary's financial support was timely, with the Enduro less than three weeks away.
"The Tathra trails are in good shape for our event, but there is no doubt the impact of the 2018 fires lingers," Johnson said.
"The rains over the past six months have been a double edged sword. They have encouraged vegetation regrowth, but they have also led to increased erosion.
"With Rotary's support, we are using a mini excavator to reshape the worst affected areas of track. This should put the 'woo hoo' factor back into some descents and smooth out some of the climbs for the race."
Bega Rotary Club president Marg Taylor said Tathra's MTB tracks are an integral part of the community, and it's essential they are maintained into the future.
She said the money was offered to Tathra by East Coast Rotary Clubs in response to the Tathra fires.
"Tathra MTB Club volunteers are joint custodians of the trails, so it is a natural fit for Rotary to support their efforts, in providing this great community facility," Ms Taylor said.
"The tracks are a significant tourism and sporting asset, which has a huge financial impact in the town."
Ms Taylor said it's equally important trails are preserved for locals who have also embraced mountain biking with gusto.
The Tathra MTB Enduro is on June 8-9, with the event featuring a number of cross country bike races from 1km for children, to 75km for serious endurance riders.
The event also encourages participation for those new to mountain bike riding with Lap-It-Up rides ranging from five to 20km.
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Entries to this year's event are now open via the Tathra MTB Club website at: www.tathramtbclub.com with full event details also on this site.
Money raised by the Enduro supports community organisations and trail upkeep.
