If you feel like you need a challenge in your life, slap on your helmet and jump on your bike, the McDonald’s Ashburton 4 & 6 Hour Mountain Bike Race is set to go.
Ashburton Mountain Bike Club president Brad O’Brien said the event was the club’s main fundraiser, with the money raised going towards maintaining the ACL Skills Park and mountain bike track.
‘‘This year we have decided we want to give something back and we’re going to have a BBQ that will run throughout the day and (funds) will go towards Ronald McDonald House.
‘‘We’re also encouraging competitors and spectators to donate items to Ronald McDonald House, we’ll have an area setup that people can come to for that.’’
Previous races had been six hours, but this year they have incorporated a four hour race. ‘‘The six hour will start at 10am, the four hour at 12pm. We’ve also added an ebike category which will run in the four hour event.’’
As well as main sponsor McDonald’s, Brad said they have great support from local businesses including; Ag-Serve, Cates, ElectraServe, Isaac, Mid Canterbury Motors, Newlands, RD Petroleum, Stoke Cycles and 360 Collision.
Brad is expecting over 200 people to take part in the event, either as solo riders or in teams.
The race starts at the Allenton Rugby Club rooms, heads along the track to the State Highway One bridge then back again.
In previous years the race has been held in May, this year it will run on Saturday, April 15. Junior (10-18) $25, adult $50 plus registration fee, to enter visit the Mountain Bike Ashburton Facebook page.