Mountain bikers planning to race around Lake Hawea tomorrow are being warned to carry warm, windproof clothing because of the forecast rain and low temperatures.
The course for the Contact Energy Epic race, which is over 95km and 105km courses, snakes through remote high country and requires the riders to cross the Hunter River.
Event organisers emphasise that the 586 riders must exercise personal responsibility, although there will be marshalls and aid stations at key places around the course.
Event safety co-ordinator Gary Dickson said the previous two races were held in fine conditions but he believed tomorrow's race could be a different experience for cyclists, especially if they got wet.
"You cool down 16 times faster wet than dry . . . if you are in the back country and that's happening to you, we don't want people to get hypothermic."
Mr Dickson said cyclists should avoid wearing cotton, because wet cotton did not keep a person warm and increased chafing.
"Thermals, fleece, polyprops, wind- and rain-proof - that's pretty vital," he said.
The bike race would double as a search and rescue communications exercise for the LandSar group, which was using newly acquired radio equipment, Mr Dickson said.
• Geoff Hewson, organiser of Sunday's planned four-wheel-drive vehicle trip around Lake Hawea to raise funds for the Lake Hawea Community Centre, said forecast bad weather for the weekend could force the postponement of the drive to next weekend.
If the bike race organisers used Sunday as their wet weather contingency day, the excursion would be held on May 2.
Mr Hewson said 155 vehicles were registered so far. The rally was scheduled to start at Kidds Bush at 9am on Sunday and finish at Johns Creek about 5pm.
