A battle for survival in the wild

SMASHING your enduro bike over fallen trees, jagged rocks and tree stumps ... trying to stay upright in slimy, freezing creeks and taking on hill climbs littered with tree roots, stones and washed-out ruts.

Then there are the manmade obstacles, just for fun: tyres, logs and huge cement pipes ... all sadistically arranged to cause maximum discomfort — to man and machine.

Your whole body aches; muscles scream. Your goggles are fogging up and “arm pump” leaves you barely able to hold the handlebars.

It starts as a race but quickly becomes a battle for survival. Many don’t make it. Man or machine. Insane? You bet .... welcome to the 2019 Insane Ride.

Nearly 100 riders will put it on the line at the hard enduro in the spectacular but brutal environment of the Central Highlands this weekend.

Local riders will take on Australia’s best extreme riders as the event grows in stature in its sixth year.

Competitors will take on a man-made prologue course based on the old hydro site at Poatina village on Saturday. On Sunday they will head off into the wild to attempt to tame the track — the term is used loosely — of about 35km in eight hours.

Tasmanians Chris Bayles, Matthew Vos and young gun Tom Woodhouse will lead the local charge. They will be up against leading interstate riders such as defending champion Chris Perry, Anthony Solar, Neil Foster and Tim Coleman, all from Victoria.

Race organiser Josh Statton, of Hard Enduro Adventures Tas, said the event was getting bigger each year and was great entertainment for spectators.

“The spectator-friendly course is totally viewable to the public,’’ he said.

“The course is very testing. They can get up close and personal to witness the great riders attack the course.

“The spectators can jump on the shuttle buses and walk from the drop zones to witness the natural terrain hard enduro. With live timing via an app they will know when the riders pass a checkpoint and who’s leading.”

Spectator tickets are $20 for one day, $30 for two days and children under-16 are free. There will also be food and entertainment for children. Go to www.hardendurotas.com/