DERWENT Valley Mayor Ben Shaw finally tackled the Maydena Bike Park last week, with a good cause behind his descent.

Mr Shaw, who has so far resisted pressure to take on the downhill trial, was joined by Liam Hooper of Maydena Bike Park and Minister Guy Barnett, who took the opportunity to announce the state government will be providing $475,000 in funding to support future international events in the state.

“It’s another feather in our cap in being a globally recognised mountain bike facility, it’s great for the town and it’s great for Tassie,” Mr Hooper said.

Maydena and Blue Derby will be play host to an international ‘double-header’ of the Enduro World Series in March and April 2022.

For the Mayor, his ride was the crescendo of the ‘Mayor vs Mountain’ fundraiser, which saw funds raised to upgrade barbecue facilities at the community park.

The upgrades, made possible alongside grants from the Derwent Valley Council and a pledge from the state government will also include new tables and footpaths to the area.

“It was a fantastic experience that enabled me to get closer to our Maydena community who are the furthest community in our municipality away from New Norfolk.

“It’s so important not to forget that these communities deserve just as much attention as the main centre, and sometimes that’s forgotten,” Mr Shaw said.

“I faced it knowing that I’d made a promise to the Maydena community that I would do the ride.

“I was very shaky, and a bit concerned in parts, but we had a brilliant, laid-back riding instructor in Luke who guided us down the mountain.

“Full disclosure, we also didn’t drop right from the top at the most extreme part of the mountain, but that’s the great thing about the Maydena Bike Park – there are so many levels for all abilities and interests you can still get the thrill and amazing experience of coming down the mountain without the extreme challenges if that suits you better.”