Batemans Bay set for Silverback 100 - XCM at its wild best

Round two of the 2014 Real Insurance Cross Country Marathon (XCM) Series, the Silverback 100, will be held in Batemans Bay, NSW, later this month and promises to be a great event for the region.

Starting and finishing 10km outside Bateman’s Bay at the Mogo Zoo, the race is set to showcase some of the best trails in the state, encompassing the single track of Maulbrooks Mountain Bike Park, as well as the picturesque state forest.

Paul Morgan, from Bateman’s Bay Cycles, designed the course and said the track will lead riders up challenging climbs, down exhilarating descents and through tunnels of overgrown bush.

“Its going to be a challenging ride with lots of climbing but we’ve tried to design it so that with every climb there’s a reward,” Morgan explained.

“There are two courses – a 60km and a 100km – and both take in the Maulbrooks course so that all riders get to ride the tracks of the local mountain bike course.

“Seeing the anticipation on people’s faces at the start of the race and then the look on their face when they finish, whether its an expression of ‘that was awesome’ or ‘I never want to do that again’, that is what I’m most excited to see.”

The race caters for all ages and abilities, from the elite right through to the weekend warriors, and both Cycling Australia and Mountain Bike Australia members will receive a $20 entry fee discount.

“We enjoy it so much down here and we just want to show people what we have and to encourage them to get out there and try it,” said Morgan.

“We are really happy to be a part of the XCM series and I think it will allow us to show off what the area has to offer.”

Scott Grelck, of Eurobodalla Cyclists Club, hopes the event will be a big success and can be pencilled in for the next three years.

“People are spoilt for choice here,” Grelck explained. “There is some great terrain to ride around here and we want people to discover an untapped, undiscovered jewel of mountain biking.

“There are fabulous single tracks, as well as old motorcycle tracks for people who want to be adventurous. The ride doesn’t even touch on all of what we have to offer. It’s a vast area to explore on a bike with some fabulous riding spots”.

The event, which will be held on the 30th March, is the second of five rounds in the Real Insurance XCM Mountain Bike Series. The event will be run by Cycling Australia in collaboration with the Eurobodalla Shire Council.

Entries close on Sunday, March 23 and further information can be found on the official website.