At the same time as many of the Island’s cycling enthusiasts will be tackling the End-to-End bike ride tomorrow, top local rider Grant Goudge will be putting himself through an altogether more gruelling six-hour mountain bike race in Georgia.

And if that sounds daunting enough, consider that it’s merely in preparation for a 24-hour non-stop relay event he has entered in June together with another local racer, Dave Padega.

The two will be part of a five-man team for the event that takes place in Bolton, Ontario.

This weekend, however, the 40-year-old will be racing in the six-hour solo event in the Yargo State Park, Winder, Georgia — where he will test his endurance on the tough, undulating course that will see riders compete over an 11-mile loop that ascends some 300 feet in less than half a mile at the five-mile mark.

Goudge, however, is not intimidated by the course or the distance — but is certainly respectful of the task ahead of him.

“I am looking forward to it, it will be a new experience having only raced MTBs in Bermuda over much shorter courses,” he said.

“However I have looked very closely at the results for last year and I am setting myself a goal of top five in my category if all goes well.”

Last year there were 25 riders in his category, but with a 12-hour event running at the same time there will be over 350 riders on the course.

The format requires the riders, who will be wearing electronic ankle sensors, to check in with timers at the end of each lap and notify them if they plan to go straight out on the next lap or go to pits for a permitted break.

If a rider comes to the end of a lap at least one minute before the six hour period expires he can start another lap but must finish it within 60 minutes to avoid it not counting towards the overall total.

Goudge will have to make a decision as to whether he feels capable of completing another lap in that time, otherwise he will find himself riding an extra 11 miles for no reason.

Goudge said: “I have done my homework so far as preparation has gone and have been racing as much as possible lately as well as following a stringent training programme with up to five and a half training rides and a lot of quality work.

“It is an unknown but I am confident I have done enough. I plan to stop after each 11-mile lap for refreshments, but if I feel good may do two laps without a break.”