Shredding in the Sunshine

When one thinks of Australia Zoo they tend to picture a certain individual dressed in khaki shorts, shouting a catchphrase whilst wrestling a large semi-aquatic reptile.

But just up the road there’s hair-raising action of a different kind and it involves two wheels.

The Sunshine Coast MTB Festival is an annual race held on 18 April, 2020. It's home is the Beerwah State Forest and more specifically, the banks of the Ewen Maddock Dam.

But why should you don the helmet for the Sunny Coast MTB festival?

Sub-tropical escape

With an average temperature range of 13℃ to 26℃ in April, the Sunshine Coast is an ideal getaway for those wanting to feel refreshed. Those conditions are also perfect for mountain biking, not too hot, not too cold.

For those in the south-east of the country, the end of April usually marks the beginning of the winter chills and what better way to delay the onset of jumpers by shredding in the rainforest?

Wide variety of races

So what’s actually on offer?

There are two categories riders can choose from. The Sunshine Coast XC MTB Festival and the Dirt Masters challenge.
The former is an exclusively MTB event while the latter combines a 47 km MTB course and a half marathon over the space of two days.

Sunshine Coast XC

The Course
The Sunshine Coast MTB Festival is based in the Sunshine Coast’s rainforest hinterland in Ferny Forest, on the banks of Ewen Maddock Dam. Three course distances are on offer:
47.5k | 5 x 9.5 km laps
28.5k | 3 x 9.5 km laps
9.5k | 1 x 9.5 km lap

The 9.5 km MTB course is an action packed lap that dives in and out of the rainforest with flowing single track trails. New riders will enjoy the flowing nature of the course, while more experienced riders will love the pinchy climbs, creek crossings, bridges and roll overs. If you’re not too tired to look, you’ll also enjoy the panoramic views across Ewen Maddock Dam along the way.

The course is suitable for those new to mountain biking, but will also challenge those with advanced technical riding skills in a number of sections.

Sunshine Coast Dirt Master Challenge

AGE: 16YRS +
A highlight of the Sunshine Coast MultiSport Festival are the Dirt Master & Dirt Mistress Titles. Contenders for the title of Dirt Master and Dirt Mistress will take on two gruelling long course events across two days covering over 68km.


Events include:

Saturday AM: Sunshine Coast MTB 47km Course
Sunday AM: 21km Half Marathon | Sunshine Coast Trail Run


Each contender that finishes all events will be awarded the title of Dirt Master or Dirt Mistress and receive a Dirt Master Finisher T-Shirt, Finisher Medallion and be inducted into the Dirt Master Hall of Fame.

There are also some modified categories for the Dirt Master as well.


Sunshine Coast Mini Dirt Master Challenge

AGE: 14YRS +
Our Mini Dirt Masters and Dist Mistresses will be challenged with two sprint off road events across two days of action.
It will take a huge amount of guts and determination to take out the Title of Mini Dirt Master or Dirt Mistress with events across two days covering over 40km. Events include:

Saturday AM: Sunshine Coast MTB 28km Course
Sunday AM: 11km | Sunshine Coast Trail Run

Each contender that finishes all events will be awarded a Mini Dirt Master Finisher Medallion.

Sunshine Coast Junior Dirt Dude Challenge

AGE: 12 – 15YRS
Here’s something for young champions of tomorrow with the Junior Dirt Dude Challenge.
Youngsters can take out the Title of Junior Dirt Dude with events across two days covering 14km. Events include:

Saturday AM: Sunshine Coast MTB 9km Course
Sunday AM: 5km | Sunshine Coast Trail Run

Each contender that finishes all events will be awarded a Junior Dirt Dude Finisher Medallion.

How to enter

Just head to www.in2adventure.com.au/event/sunshine-coast-mtb-festival

THIS ARTICLE IS PART OF A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN MBA AND IN2ADVENTURE.