But, they'll also be racing off-road motorbikes at speeds of more than 150km per hour through the desert as part of a tough event.

Tamworth's bravest motorbike riders are on their way to Alice Springs, where they'll take off for the Tatts Finke Desert Race next weekend, which has a reputation for being fast, tough and unique.

READ ALSO: send text message in new bid to find missing man

Andrew Taylor, Duncan Davidson, Matt Wheatley and Richard Murray - with team leader Dave Newberry - have headed off to Alice Springs for the Finke Desert Race 2021.

"It's flat out ... we're used to riding up and down hills and lots of corners but out there she's pretty flat and, well, you don't get back to second gear," Mr Taylor said.

The group of mates ride together around Tamworth, but are now about to navigate the more than 400km round trip from Alice Springs to Aputula and back, crossing the ancient Finke River.

"The boys have got a couple of new bikes and Duncan and I have got our old girls and that's how we're going to roll," Mr Taylor said.

"It's pretty fast in the first section and then you get into the whoops and dunes and the landscape doesn't change dramatically but there's some sand and some rocky stuff."

He said the foursome were feeling excited - with a few nerves - about the race, which will take place on Sunday and Monday of the June long weekend.

"We're looking forward to the whole thing, the road trip and being with mates, and the race itself is just fantastic," Mr Taylor said.

The race has been running for nearly 50 years, but was cancelled last year due to COVID-19. Thousands of people are expected to camp along the track to watch.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: