World champion 24-hour endurance mountain bike rider and former Gloucester resident Jason English and Gloucester native James Saunders took out the top ranking position in the PBM Hardrock six-hour mountain bike race.
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Jason was ranked number one and James number five in a field of 218 riders at Kiwarrak State Forest near Taree on Sunday, August 20.
The second annual endurance ride was held by the Manning Great Lakes Tip Riders. The club was happy at the increase in numbers from the inaugural event in 2016.
With the number up to 218 from 188, club spokesman, Michael Eyb said it’s a sign that the event is growing popularity and he hopes this will continue in 2018.
Describing Jason English’s ability as “freakish”, Michael said that Jason rode laps in an average 27 to 28 minutes, compared to the next best riders, 34 to 35 minutes. Jason also completed 13 laps in just over six hours, one lap more then his nearest competitor.
Jason had ridden the track before but in a different competition.
“I am always looking for an excuse to visit the trails there,” he said.
“The tracks at Taree are some of the best in the country.”
James completed 10 laps in his 5 hours and 39 minutes, taking out the fifth ranking. It’s all part of his training for the Gloucester Mountain Man Trichallenge on Sunday, September 10.
Other Gloucester riders at the event were; Mark Lukas, Sue Tripney and Mark Beech.