2025 PBM Hardrock 6hr

The PBM is a current staple on the endurance MTB  calendar, yet it's one mid coast NSW event we'd not ever raced. Having heard plenty of stories  about manicured trails and the great vibe created by the Tipriders, we've always been keen to check the event out.

When a Supavest team-mate reached out for like minded team-mates to attend the PBM for some fast, fun laps we jumped at the chance. Turns out the attendee numbers tripled in the last few days before the weekend, with over 130 riders keen for some mountain biking during their long weekend. It was great to see riders from as far as Sydney, Grafton and Tamworth pumped to get out on the PBM's Kiwarrak state forest trails.

Sunday morning, race start, with lots of teams present it was quick off the start line. Somehow we'd been voted to do the start lap, which was also our sighting lap. Our team-mates had arrived the day prior and already completed a sighting lap of the race loop. With lots of single track, a mix of riders on trail it wouldn't take long for the leading riders across all categories to make significant gaps to chasing riders.

With live timing, by the Tipriders, our team were keen to see how we went every lap. Turns out we were sitting in second after the first lap, three minutes down with 5.5hrs to go and we would have to get a full rotation of riders to really understand how strong the teams were.

Our team-mates for the PBM 6hr were Supavest riders Russell and Grant, both quality endurance riders in their own right. Most recently both attended the MVMTB 2/4hr Series, where we chased each other around the Kempsey loops.

Back at the PBM we'd now each completed a lap each and it was going to be close, there was less than a minute between the two teams. A rotation later and our team had remained consistent between our first and second laps, creating a two minute gap. But we were up against some PBM locals, with intimate knowledge of their trails.

Over the next couple of laps we switched leads, thirty seconds doesn't sound like a lot, but that's what we were playing with. Then in the back-end of the event, it shifted our way, the locals chasing to pin us back. A bit big well done to Russell and Grant whose lap times between fastest and slowest was never more than a minute, their consistency was really starting to show in the results.

We kept the pressure on, striving for consistency while others were starting to show signs of becoming tired. Then we crossed the line and sent Russell out with just 25 minutes and 30 seconds remaining of race time, could he do a sub 0:25:30?

We held our collective breath. Imagining the dusty first section of trail, the 'wall', the climbs, the green zone and then finally the tight dusty turns on the return...

It was so close, we don't remember a count-down but the race commensaire said he'd have to check the official time. Either way our MTB competitors for the day didn't go out and were clocked five minutes behind on their last lap, meaning we'd triumphed! Taking the top step!

It was great to catch-up with both our Supavest Team mates and Tamworth friends, who all rode really well. 

Race results can be found via the PBM Hardrock website.

Thanks to our Supavest Racing Sponsors;

@Supavest Racing 

@Supavest

#supavest

@theoddspoke

#theoddspoke

@praxis_performance_massage

#praxis_performance_massage

@Graveleur

#graveleur

#donnellyroofrepairs 

#Wavee

Round 3 - MVMTB Coast 4hr Series 2025

Macleay Valley MTB go all-in. What could have been the best SS track played host to the third round of their the MVMTB Coastal Series. Conditions were on the dry side of hero-dirt, which is probably the best it's been all year! No mud, no water, not a single bit.

We had a bit of company, twice as many as last round and it was good to get out on the trail, knock through a couple of laps before the 2hr riders appeared on trail. There were riders from as far away as Grafton and Tamworth who made the trip.

On course, making the most of the good conditions.

With dry hardpacked trails it looked to be fast, with endless corners to keep us all in check. The climb was about the halfway mark as we had descended most of the way there, punctuated by a GE gap or roller you were never suppose to take just prior to the turn point. 

The 2hr riders had little to no effect on the 4hr race this round as they started just after we began a lap. It took a long while to finally see some wheels to chase. The Super DirtMasters also shared a couple of kilometers of trail and were riding really well to when we caught them. 

Lots of good vibes at presentation, and a puppy!

It was great to be able to fall off the bike, after finishing our required laps, and straight into the BBQ queue for a works burger and a cold soft drink before the presentation. A massive congratulations to all our team mates and friends who found themselves getting a step on the podium. Well done to MVMTB and all their volunteers who made sure everyone was well looked after. 

Delicious. 

MVMTB will host their next GE/XCO weekend on the 25-26 October.

Results for MVMTB events can be found here.

Thanks to our Supavest Racing Sponsors;

@Supavest Racing 
@Supavest
#supavest
@theoddspoke
#theoddspoke
@praxis_performance_massage
#praxis_performance_massage
@Graveleur
#graveleur
#donnellyroofrepairs 
#Wavee

Round 2 - MVMTB Coast 4hr Series 2025

Macleay Valley MTB hosted the second round of their Coastal Series after a couple of wet months. The conditions were mostly dry, with only the lower shaded portions of track still slippery after recent rain.

We managed to get out on track early as part if the 4hr event as our team mates just began to arrive. Our team mates had traveled from Bulahdelah after a gravel event the day prior.

E-bike for company.

As the first set of tyres over most of the trails we took it suitably cautious on all the flat corners and shaded areas. The course had a real mix of on-course challenges, from easy smooth hard-packed to shade-driven slippery mud and moss covered corners. 

The MVMTB team used a GE trail was as the main climb, which should have had every rider looking for their bail-out gear at the top pinch. With 100% single-track and a course chicken to avoid, there was plenty to keep you calculating the next corner.

On-board photography.

It was good to have the 2hr riders get on the trail, a few more wheels to chase. I managed to catch most of the 2hr riders which felt good. Though our team mates were smashing it, supreme athletes, all of them. Which is great because all of us managed to get on the top step of our respective podiums.

MVMTB will host their next GE/XCO weekend on the 13-14 September.

Results for MVMTB events can be found here.

Presentations with a great prize haul.

Thanks to our Supavest Racing Sponsors;

@Supavest Racing 

@Supavest

#supavest

@theoddspoke

#theoddspoke

@praxis_performance_massage

#praxis_performance_massage

@Graveleur

#graveleur

#donnellyroofrepairs 

#Wavee

2025 Jacks Ridge Triple X

 The Triple X has been on our regular list of events for a number of years, it's a top spot with perfect trails, endless flow and a great vibe created by caring locals.

In the past there have been plenty of highs at the Triple X. There was a solid 3rd in 2022, and in 2019, a year we race GE and Endurance across NSW, we placed 2nd. 2024 wasn't the year for us and the Triple X however, a local lead-up event saw us visit a medical faculty, the day before the Triple X. We didn't return to riding for a number of months!

This year was good though, we had lots of Supavest Team mates and lots of our Tamworth MTB family visiting. Training had been going well and our bike was ready.

Supavest Racing

There was a bigger crowd than expected and on the start line we recognised riders from Sydney through to  QLD!

It was quick off the start line, quicker than we expected and with a tonne of single track to come it didn't take long for the leading riders to make significant gaps to us chasing riders.

Settling in for the 100kms around us were two of our favourite team mates, Peter Selkrig and Grant Hodgins, both 24hr Solo World Champions. 

After an hour of racing the 50km riders joined us, unfortunately they entered the single track just before we started our lap and there was a bit of shuffling as we worked our way through the back markers.

A NIAS Athlete and Pete being pulled along

There were a few rollercoasters along the way, a lap too hot turned the next lap into a recovery lap while trying to maintain the pace, but every so often I'd see Peter or Grant and be reminded to stay on pace.

The Pivot continues to ride so well, efficient on the up hills and a blast going down. Even still, the lead rider lapped us around the 50km mark.

A couple of hours later after spending even more time with both Peter and Grant we passed over the line having completed 10 laps. 

It was great to catch-up with both our Team mates and Tamworth friends, who all rode really well too. 

Race results can be found here.

Thanks to our Supavest Racing Sponsors;

@Supavest Racing 

@Supavest

#supavest

@theoddspoke

#theoddspoke

@praxis_performance_massage

#praxis_performance_massage

@Graveleur

#graveleur

#donnellyroofrepairs 

#Wavee