The first round will be held next Monday  but not all the races will be held on the one track, New England Mountain Bikers (NEMTB) publicity officer Steve Chapman said.

“The Summer Series is being held for the first time on three different tracks in and around Armidale,” Chapman said.

Races will rotate around Kookaburra Crest, Sport UNE and Armidale State Forest (The Piney). 

There are two races each Monday afternoon. 

The junior and female race starts at 5.30 pm, with the men and elite women racing at 6.10 pm. 

Registration for both races needs to be done at least 15 minutes before race start.

 Both races are 35 minutes long with riders completing as many laps as possible of the track. 

In addition, club coach David Harris will run a skills session before each Monday’s races at 4.30 pm for any interested riders.

The Summer Series consists of 10 races held every Monday afternoon during term 1. 

 More information is available on the club website (www.nemtb.com.au).

Meanwhile NEMTB is busy preparing for its biggest event ever,  Chapman said.

“The UNE 12 Hours In The Piney,” he said.

“It’s on March 23 from 10 am to 10 pm. 

“Get a team or ride it solo.”

SUMMER SERIES SCHEDULE

Round 1: 4/02/2013 Kookaburra Crest, Round 2: 11/02/2013 UNE Track, Round 3: 18/02/2013 Piney 2nd Gate, Round 4: 25/02/2013 Kookaburra Crest, Round 5: 4/03/2013 Piney 2nd Gate, Round 6: 11/03/2013 UNE Track, Round 7: 18/03/2013 Kookaburra Crest, Round 8: 25/03/2013 UNE Track, Round 9: 1/04/2013 Piney 2nd Gate, Round 10: 8/04/2013 Kookaburra Crest.

The cost is $5 per race for members and $2 for junior members. 

Non-members need to buy a day licence to race for a cost of $15. 

Membership for 12 months to NEMTB is just $45 for 3-12 year olds, $90 for 13 to 18-year-olds and $120 for adults. 

These fees cover the insurance cost to race and train.