Sunday's Tathra MTB Enduro will be a showdown between man and machine, with E-bikes set to make their debut in the cross country marathon cycling event.
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he battery powered E-bike sounds like a ticket to victory, E-entrants say batteries don't necessarily guarantee success - just an easier ride.
Traditionally riders in the Tathra Beach and Bike Enduro relied on their own fitness, endurance and skill to pedal their way around the 25km, 50km or 75km courses.
Half the challenge for me is to nurse the battery for the full 50km. You can't just set it to turbo and ride into the sunset.
- Justin Roscoe
However, this year event organisers have added E-Bike categories to encourage participation.
Tathra MTB Club President Andy Johnson says E bikes make riding more accessible for everyone, especially those gaining confidence and fitness.
"It will be very interesting what elements, the E bike class brings to the Enduro," he says.
So who is fastest? Man or machine. Mitas 50km e-entrant Justin Roscoe says elite riders on unassisted bikes should win outright.
He says there are two challenges for E-bike riders; battery life and the fact E-bikes have a maximum speed of 25km/hr.
"Half the challenge for me is to nurse the battery for the full 50km. You can't just set it to turbo and ride into the sunset" he jokes. "The other issue is their max speed. The riders who win the 50km average 22-23km/hr. It's hard to do that on an e-bike and make it to the end."
Roscoe says the real appeal of racing an e-bike is taking the grind out of cycling uphill.
"There's no doubt they take the sting out of climbs like Evil Tom - but funnily enough the good guys still do the same speed as me and they are NOT on an E-Bike."
Enduro sponsor and former MTB racer Aaron Bashford backs-up Roscoe's sentiments.
"It will be highly unlikely an E-bike will win overall," says Bashford. "Because they have max speed of 25km/hr they lose out massively on sections where normal riders can exceed this.
"A battery is a big boost, but it's not going to make you a winner if you don't have good skills, race craft and a decent strategy!
"In reality most e-bikers are entering the Enduro for the challenge and to have fun," he adds.
Only a small number will contest with only five per cent of entries on E-bikes so far, while there will be a special e-bike class to keep rides fair.
Officials said no matter battery or pedal power, it should be an epic Enduro, with rain settling dust, while conditions are expected to be warm and sunny.
Entries are still open with online entry closing Friday night, with registrations at the Tathra Beach Country Club available until race day.
Events start 1pm Saturday with kids and lap-it-up events, while the 25k and up courses run sunday morning.
Further details on the Tathra Beach and Bike Enduro can be found at www.tathramtbclub.com.au.
Spectator info - Where are the best places to view the action?
If you are looking to catch some of the Tathra MTB Enduro there are a number of different locations you can walk to, to view the action on Sunday.
Just remember the Enduro consists of three events, starting at different times (see schedule), so there will riders coming through intermittently.
Here's our pick of locations:
Thompsons Rd, Tathra
Park on Thompsons Road (near Old Tip Road) and walk to Evil Tom (which runs parallel to Thompsons Rd,
Best times: 9am to catch 100km riders as they head up Evil Tom from 10.30am the 50km riders will trickle through and 12.30am the 25km crew head on over.
There'll also be drummers and music on the mountain.
Tathra Rural Fire Shed
Located at the top of Tathra near the water tower from 10am. Look out for the Uniting Church group - who sing and play up a storm at the drink station.
Tathra Beach Country Club
Catch the race starts and finishes here - 8am sees the welcome to country and 8.30 the 100kers set off. The 50km racers head out at 10am, and the Tuff 25km riders start at 12noon
There's also fresh coffee all day, the Lions BBQ for breakfast and lunch.
The final presentations take place at 2pm.
Full course maps of each event can be found here use the scrolldown box at the top for different courses.
Enduro event times / schedule
Saturday, June 8
1pm Bega Cheese Children's Chase 1-3km race briefing/Start line
1.30pm Bega Cheese Children's Chase 1-3km (presentation after event). - Tathra Country Club.
2pm-5pm Lap-It-Up 5km, 10km and 20km - Start at Tathra Country Club. (Random prize draw after event)
Sunday, June 9
8.00am Race Briefing King Nelba 75km Start line
Welcome to Country
8.30am King Nelba 75km start - Tathra Country Club.
9.40am Race Briefing for 50km- Start line
10am Goat's Knob 50km start - Tathra Country Club
11.40am Race Briefing for Tuff 25km - Start line
12 noon Bundadung Tuff 25km start - Tathra Country Club
2 pm Podium Presentations. In addition, a random prize draw will take place during racing, with winners posted during the event.
SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE PENDING WEATHER CONDITIONS