Leanne Allan is nervous ahead of the Forrest Six-Hour mountain bike race.

COLAC’S Leanne Allan says she is apprehensive about the first lap of tomorrow’s Forrest Six-Hour mountain bike race.

Allan, 40, will compete in the endurance race for the first time alongside teammate and experienced rider Holly Lusher, and admitted she was nervous before the ride.

“I’m pretty pumped but I know I’ll get nervous as well, the first lap is always the one to settle those nerves so I reckon I might ride first to get it out of the way,” Allan said.

“Teaming up with Holly does make it easier though, she’s been great and she’s very supportive,” she said.

Allan said she had headed to the Otways hamlet to watch the annual race during the past three years.

But she said the desire to join friends and participate became too much this year.

“I’ve been out watching it each couple of years and good friends of mine are participating in it as well – Bec Luppino and Jess Douglas have entered the women’s solo and Tony Luppino and Hamish Middleton are in the male pairs,” Allan said.

“The event caters for all different levels of fitness, men and women, so I just thought I’d give it a go,” she said.

Allan has upped her physical training during the past three weeks, since last competing in a Mount Clay in early 2011.

The Bluewater Fitness Centre personal trainer takes indoor cycling classes but has hit the trails at Forrest to make sure she is ready.

“I am aiming to be competitive I’ve been going out and training regularly for the past two weeks,” she said.

“I’ve done the six-hour course a few times so I’m comfortable with the course and hoping to shave time off my laps.

“And the bits that I’m not good at, trying to better myself in those and know where my strengths are like the hill climbs.”

Allan also hopes to set an example for her three children aged between seven and nine, who will ride in the Bike Guru Junior Race from 11am tomorrow.

The senior six-hour race begins at 9.30am.

Tags: Mountain bike riding