FERRY Reach hosts the third race of the mountain bike season on Sunday in a competition which is promises to be especially intense this year. The top rider is Garth Thomson, a physical Education teacher at Francis Patton School, while Davis Padega is the current national champion.

But Neil de ste Croix, who came third in the second race of the Conrad's Mountain Bike Series at Admiralty Park last week, said others were set to challenge.

Riders like Tim Fox and Ricky Sousa possess the technical skills and once they develop the fitness levels required they will be forces to be reckoned with. It's definitely getting more competitive ? people have done a few seasons. Both the Veterans and Open categories will be very competitive while the Juniors is always that way.

"People are taking it more seriously than a few years ago, they have done a few seasons and they are training more."

With the sponsorship deal this season with Conrad's, Neil de ste Croix hopes the profile of the sport will be lifted and more people will become involved.

"Clinics have been held in order to assist those new to the sport with some basics of the sport and these have been well attended," he said.

The sport started here around ten or so years ago but did not take off very quickly. It became more organised around five years ago when Peter Matcham became involved.

Last season 61 people competed in races held throughout the season which runs from November until February and encompasses the variety of weather conditions Bermuda can throw up in those months, from bitter winds and lashing rain to blazing heat.

"During the national championships last February people were complaining how hot it was."

The youngest rider is eight while and the oldest is close to 60.

There are three women currently competing but organisers hope to encourage more to join. There is a novice division for those who are either new to the sport or not quite up to the a fitness levels required by those who compete in the Open division.

The Veterans category is for those 40 and older but those 40-plus can elect to race in the open. Mountain-biking clinics were held before the season.

De ste Croix said new riders can expect sore butt, legs and backs until they get accustomed to it while those without suspension can also suffers sore arms from vibrations.

But there can be worse fates. "You can, as with most endeavours involving speed, get injured. Last season I dislocated by shoulder and punctured by leg with three inches of tree."

However he noted they were freak accidents and generally riders could expect the odd cut or bruise. "I have never seen anyone get impaled on a tree before," he said.

To avoid such gruesome injuries its best to try out the course before hand notes de ste Croix. "You can be a little bit more aggressive if you know the course."

There are venues all over the island. They are Ferry Reach, Admiralty House, Fort Scaur, Locust Hall, Hogg Bay Park.

Speed average 10-15 miles an hour during races for top riders who cover up to ten miles of track during a race.

The opening day featured a 40-minute course but as the season grinds on riders will be doing sessions lasting up to 90 minutes.

"Some overseas races go on for two and a half hours. I did one in Maine like that. It's challenging but its fun."

De ste Croix, 39, said: "Course here are rather short thus the races include multiple laps which is good and bad as it makes it easier to ride as you know every inch of each course.

"In the overseas most race seem to be long laps of approximately four to five miles per lap. The venues are varied but courses such as Ferry Reach Park have some unforgiving rocks if you are unfortunate enough to fall.

"Some of the courses are not overly challenging. I prefer Ferry Reach because it's the longest course and you can get some rest and catch your breath, other courses are so short, you are furiously going at it the whole time."

Courses vary between categories so newcomers don't get thrown in the deep end.

"We are always looking for new venues but this is difficult because of permission to use private land," said de ste Croix who has mountain biked in Bermuda for the last 15 years and have raced for the last 10 or so years.

"It is a change from road racing and it is nice to ride around the various parks and gain a different perspective on the island. It improves your bike handling skills which is always a plus.

"Any one can do it. It is a healthy sport and teaches good bike handling skills. It is good for youngsters to become involved with and can be a stepping stone towards road racing or triathlon."

Entry fees are about $5 per race while bikes can be from as little as a few hundred bucks to $6,000 for the super light bikes.

"I ride a titanium Airborne Bike which cost a lot."

Mountain biking was featured in the Island Games last year when Bermuda was represented by three male riders ? the first time a team has represented Bermuda overseas in mountain biking. The island will be represented again at the Island Games in 2005 in the Shetland Islands with a similar sized delegation set to attend.

"It would be nice to have more trips overseas to race but this involves cost. The Bermuda Bicycle Association have been trying to organise an overseas trip for the junior riders but to date it has proved difficult from a logistical point of view."

The season's schedule can be obtained from the Bermuda Bicycle Association's website, www.bermudabicycle.org.