Southern MTB (formerly Albany Urban Downhill), has grown bigger, better and more adrenaline inducing than ever before.
Featuring more competition events for the dare devils to sink their teeth into and more exciting viewing for the spectators – Southern MTB is here to put Albany on the map as a must see mountain biking destination.
Always a crowd pleaser, the original urban downhill event will still be a huge drawcard for those willing to take on this obstacle riddled, steep decline course. Participants will be hurdling at mind blowing speeds down through scenic bushland from Mount Clarence before encountering an urban maze to the town centre.
There will be dirt tracks, stairs, buildings, cars and plenty of other challenges the riders have to face on their slippery slope down to the finish line.
Presenting an extra challenge for mountain bikers who have a taste for rough terrain, uphill climbs and crazy descents, Southern MTB is adding Southern Peaks to the event menu.
A daring 50km race, following a thrilling, obstacle infested course through to Oranje Tractor. This event will be throwing everything at the competitors, making it a course to be remembered as the ultimate test for the toughest mountain biking skills.
Getting off the beaten track and adding to the nail biting action, Southern MTB is also introducing the Jump Comp. Expert riders are invited to compete in this event to showcase their gravity defying skills on the air boosting custom built jump course that will be set up in the town centre.
Akin to a dare devil mountain bike circus act, the Jump Comp will be a heart stopping event that will be sure to draw the crowds. Acting as the hub of the event, the Southern MTB Event Village will be set up in the middle of the action in Town Square.
Offering a variety of family entertainment, food stalls, merchandise and an information centre, the Event Village brings the entire festival together. This will be the site where both spectators and competitors can mingle, relax and take in all of the festival atmosphere.
“The City of Albany has been a great supporter of the Albany Urban Downhill and are proud to be sponsoring this year’s Southern MTB and seeing it grow into a larger, festival-style event,” says Albany Mayor Dennis Wellington
“It has huge potential to become a flagship event in the area, and with the creation of more mountain biking trails through the Albany Trails Hub Strategy, will encourage people to visit and explore the beautiful hills and trails around Albany.”
Originally the brainchild of a young local bike club member, Travis Fage, who saw the potential Albany had to host Australia’s first urban downhill event, the concept of the Albany Urban Downhill was conceived in June 2013.
Having run for two successful years since the first Albany urban downhill event in 2014, organisers of the event saw the opportunity to take this exhilarating event to a new level. Southern MTB emerges in 2016 as the new face of Australia’s only urban downhill race, armed with more tempting events for all of the two wheeled adrenaline junkies out there.
The new format for this event promises more challenges and excitement for participants and spectators alike. Dedicated to bringing Albany to the world stage of mountain biking competitions, Southern MTB will be presenting Albany and it’s scenic surrounds as a bucket list item for mountain bikers from all over the world.