Just getting an entry was the first challenge of The Highland Fling, with all 1500 places sold out within 2 weeks of entries opening back in July. The main Highland Fling race on Sunday 9 will see riders competing in The Full Fling (110km), The Half Fling (55km) and The 100-Mile Fling (160km). The Fling winds a fantastic, varied and challenging route through forest and farm with less than 2km on sealed roads.
The 2008 race, which doubles as The Australian mountain bike Marathon Championships, has attracted a veritable who's who of Australian mountain biking. Two time champion Shaun Lewis will have his work cut out defending his title against World 24 Hour Champion James Williamson and former World Champion Craig Gordon. Jason English, the form rider this year, will be keen to add to his Australian titles and his 2nd place in the World 24 Hour championships.
Whilst a race such as The Fling cries out for a bike with a full complement of gears, some 15 riders will be going singlespeed and a couple will be going single wheel. Yes, unbelievably there are a couple of 'Munis' - Mountain Unicycles - entered in 2008!! The Highland Fling is all about participation; just finishing will be the goal for many riders. Whilst the first Full Flinger will cross the line in a little over 4 hours, the last will roll across the line in over 10 hours.
The Highland Fling is not just about the race on Sunday. Saturday will see The Bundanoon Dash, a 6km 'dash' around the Morton National Park trails from the centre of Bundanoon. Fling in The Vines, a mountain bike winery tour has proved very popular and includes a visit to Tertini Wines, where our very own Highland Fling Pinot Noir is made! A free mountain bike Skills Course for primary school age children is on in Bundanoon on Saturday afternoon, preparing young riders for The Kids Fling that takes place on Sunday morning. New in 2008 is The Casual Fling, an untimed 14km participation ride, that takes new riders or less fit riders on a journey along the first and last sections of the race course. On both days there will be live music, food, sponsor displays in Bundanoon.
The Highland Fling will again be Carbon Neutral, with all carbon emissions from the running of the event offset. As part of this, we have also focussed on improving recycling and resource reduction at the event. Working with the local council, the main Event Centre has a central recycling depot where all cans/bottles etc are recycled (via a deposit system) and all food scraps/waste are composted (including the palm frond biodegradable plates/cutlery all caterers are required to use).
The Highland Fling is sponsored by Virgin Blue, Specialized, Ground Effect, Forests NSW, Vaude, Tertini Wines, GU, Mountain Biking Australia, Ay Up and Tourism Southern Highlands