The answer is no. The oddly dressed workers you might have seen around Tathra are not investigating UFOs or an outbreak, but instead preparing bike tracks for the upcoming Tathra MTB Enduro. 

Volunteers in bee suits and face masks caused quite a stir last week, but race organisers were quick to point out it was race season and the crew had simply been preparing the tracks. 

“What do they say, ‘people should be alert – but not alarmed’,” trail curator Andy Johnson said with a laugh.

“These volunteers certainly look strange, but there’s nothing sinister going on. The guys are just wearing head gear to help them breathe when they clean the tracks.”

Johnson said there was more than 53km of sprawling trails to be groomed ahead of the race so volunteers had taken up a variety of tools, including leaf-blowers, rakes and clippers. 

The leaf-blowers do a great job of clearing the course, but stir up the dust, so respirators were in use to filter the air, he said. 

Weekend rain in Tathra won’t have spoiled the course either, organisers said, as a sandy base ensures all but the most low-lying areas drain well. There is just under two weeks until the ride, more than enough time for the circuit to dry out and be in top condition.

Johnson said interest in this year’s ride was on the rise with building early entries and a new event on the schedule. 

This year riders have the option of entering five different events.

For youngsters there is the Bega Cheese Children’s Chase events over 1km and 3km courses. 

These will be followed on Saturday by the popular “lap-it-up” events that are held over 5, 10 and 20km rides. 

“These easier-style timed events allow riders to tackle as many loops of the five kilometre course as they wish,” Johnson said. 

The long weekend Sunday is where competition will really step up with longer feature rides including the Tuff 25km Mitas 50km and the new King Nelba 75km distance. 

Johnson said the 75km event was a nice medium for 50km riders to advance to without being the full 100km marathon ride as in previous years. 

Entries to the Tathra MTB Enduro are now open – with discounted early bird entries closing on Friday night, June 3.

To enter and for further information visit the event website at www.mountainbiking.com.au/tathraenduro.

All funds raised by the Enduro go to local community organisations and the development and maintenance of the Tathra MTB trail network.