Port to Port - your coastal escape

The Port to Port MTB Stage race is an event that can be exactly what you make of it. Far from an event only for the elite riders with quads of steel, lungs like hot air balloons and clothing that makes your eyes bleed – the Port to Port might be your 1, 2, 3 or 4 day mountain bike escape as winter starts to arrive in the southern states. If you're from Queensland, pack a jacket.

Starting in 2014, the Port to Port has grown to be one of the biggest mountain bike events in NSW, and one of the largest on the whole east coast of Australia. It attracts riders from around the country – and the world – to ride through the beach-side trails at Nelson Bay, the Watagans National Park, the beautiful HUnter Valley, and the iconic Glenrock mountain bike trails before finishing right on the beach in the city of Nwwcastle. The Port to Port showcases a lot of the best parts of NSW, and while it's great to be proud of it, it's also great to be part of it.

If four days of mountain biking isn't your thing, the Port to Port organisers have single day options too. If you can't get any time off work, come race Saturday and Sunday. Or if you can't get any time of the family – maybe come and race Thursday and Friday!

If you want to get an idea of whatlast year was like – check out our feature.

Day 1 at Port to Port

The first day is a fast one for the front of the field, or a bit more casual further back. It's flat, by the beach, and has some interesting sections in the sand. The race leaves right from the Marina at Nelson's Bay, and climbs (via the notorious Three Bears) through some local hills and trail networks. Sandy sections might catch you unaware, or it could be the views across the azure blue waters.

Finishing at the Marina after about 34.5km leaves you at just the right place to grab some food, maybe pop in the water with the dolphins, and think about your plac for the next day.

Day 2 at Port to Port

With a shift to the Hunter Valley, expect a cool start before some hot racing. There are changes afoot for this course, But expect something that climbs up and around Mt Baker.

With a decent climb into the hills on the cards, be ready to shed those extra layers as you climb above the valley and into the warm sun. Today's route takes you high into the hills, onto twisty trails below a ridgeline, and of course the long and steep Down the Rabbit Hole descent. Twisty dirt roads through tiny farming communities bring you back towards the Hunter.

Day 3 at Port to Port

This course is being revised for 2017, but is still likely to involve the Awaba mountain bike bike and a climb into the Watagans. You climb high enough to look across to the ocean, and ride on some of the best trails of the event. If you could only get away for one day… this would be our pick.

Day 4 at Port to Port

Another few changes here! But there is no doubt that the race will head through Glenrock, the trails by the see. The finish location is one of the best in Australia, up there with finishing the Crocodile Trophy or RRR on 4 Mile Beach in Port Douglas.

You can check out all the course descriptions online.

What's there to do but ride?

Well, quite a lot! The area has fantastic surf beaches, great cafes and of course wineries known around the world. But you might just choose to relax and soak up the afternoon sun after your stage – although you shouldn't miss the Sundown Shootout on Friday evening, as the top 20 men and top 10 women race the clock for the fastest time around a tight course, with time bonuses and novelty cheques on the line.

What's best to remember with Port to Port is that although there is a clock running, you can take each day at your pace. But without any epic distances to cover, you might as well get back quickly so you can enjoy the afternoon. It's a holiday afterall, right?

Full event details are on the event website, from accommodation options, travel suggestions, and previous course profiles. You can even sign up for a training plan.