High-octane start to 2025 for Narooma Mountain Bike Trails

Narooma Mountain Bike Trails are off to a blistering start this year with three events scheduled in February and March. They are designed to inspire people to get out into nature on their mountain bikes, with two aimed at high school-aged riders.

Completed in late 2023, Narooma’s 85 kilometres of world-class trails through the Bodalla State Forest have together become a destination for mountain bike enthusiasts of all ages and abilities.

On 8 February, the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) Australia is bringing its Try-It-Out event for 12- to 17-year-olds to Narooma.

NICA started in the US, and 25,000 student-athletes have been through its program since 2009.

Co-founder of Narooma Mountain Bike (MTB) Club Georgie Staley said three of the last US Olympic medallists went through the NICA program.

“It is a free program for kids to be on a bike and outdoors,” Ms Staley said. “It is about getting them out and getting them moving.”

NICA Australia started last year with its first Try-It-Out event in Canberra in November. Its inaugural race will be held in Canberra in February.

Ms Staley said AusBike catered for kids aged five to 12 so NICA Australia filled that gap for high school ages.

The Try-It-Out event is also open to adults who are interested in being a volunteer coach.

There will be four two-hour sessions, starting at 9 am, 11 am, 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm. Register here for the 8 February NICA Try-It-Out event in Narooma.

In March there will be two events over three days organised by Rocky Trail Entertainment, the local group that is bringing the mammoth Sea Otter Australia to Mogo’s Trails.

Starting on Friday, 14 March, high school students may be lucky enough to leave school to attend Rocky Trail Academy at the Narooma trails.

Juliane Wisata, director of the Rocky Trail Group, said that in collaboration with Narooma Bicycles and Narooma MTB Club, local schools would be encouraged to participate.

“We want to empower young riders and get them out on bikes. The Rocky Trail Academy events provide a great format for high school-aged kids, teachers and parents,” she said.

“Kids love that they can complete the timed sections in any order and as soon as they clock in one time per track, they have a result. They can do up to five runs on each and keep improving the time. With live timing, there’s an added motivation for progression.”

Ms Wisata said teachers and parents liked that they could ride with them and be part of the action.

She said the academy offered a thrilling racing experience. Three timed stages test riders’ endurance, speed, and technical skills.

“It’s a fantastic way for young riders to improve their abilities, make new friends, and have a blast on their bikes,” Ms Wisata said. “The event is all about fun, camaraderie, and encouraging riders of all levels to participate.”

She said many schools took students to the Rocky Trail Academy as a reward as part of a school MTB program.

The affordable entry fee includes all race photos and AusCycling insurance. More information about the South Coast Schools Comp that runs from 9 am to 1:30 pm on 14 March can be found here.

The thrills will continue with the Fox Superflow Gravity Enduro on 15 and 16 March.

Riders from across the region and beyond will be making a beeline to Narooma to tackle its challenging and exhilarating trails.

Ms Wisata said last year’s inaugural Fox Superflow at Narooma attracted 350 competitors and a large crowd. It was a resounding success that showcased the huge potential of the diverse range of Narooma’s trails that cater to riders of all abilities.

This year’s Fox Superflow will be bigger and better with even more thrilling stages to explore.

Fox Superflow allows riders to set their own pace and choose from a mix of technical sections, flowy trails, and high-speed descents.

This year it includes start orders so that groups of riders of different ages and ambitions can race together, creating a very social atmosphere.

To cater for the growing market of e-bikers, Rocky Trail has added Electroflow categories so riders can experience the joy of gravity-fed riding on electric bikes.

Ms Wisata said Fox Superflow was an unforgettable experience for seasoned pros and first-time racers alike.

“At its core the Fox Superflow is about having fun and celebrating the joy of mountain biking, so get ready for a weekend of high-flying action, epic trails and good times,” she said.

This year’s event is being supported by Eurobodalla Shire Council and more information can be found here.

“Our goal is to inspire the next generation of mountain bikers and create lasting memories through events like the Rocky Trail Academy and the Fox Superflow,” Ms Wisata said.