A collaboration between Kurri Mongrels Mountain Bike Club and the Rotary Club of Kurri Kurri, the charity ride supports the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.

The bush ride offers a mixture of tracks and distances suitable for a range of ages and levels of experience.

The event has grown from 70 riders in its first year, to more than 150 this year.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service attends more than 1000 missions across the Hunter, Central Coast, New England, north-west, central west and mid-north coast regions of New South Wales every year, and relies heavily on community fundraising.

Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service Hunter region spokesperson Barry Walton said the Kurri Coalface Pedal was created for people wanting to have a bit of fun and assist the helicopter service with its fundraising requirements.

A schools challenge has been introduced in this year’s Kurri Coalface Pedal, with $600 in prizes up for grabs.

“There are a lot of youngsters that ride around the Kurri Kurri and Cessnock area,” Mr Walton said.

“The prizes could be used to buy equipment for their school.”

Eight teams from Kurri Kurri Public School have entered the 15-kilometre ride.

The students are looking forward to the challenge and have geared up for the competition by taking to the local bush tracks on their bikes.

Online entries close Wednesday, March 29 at www.rescuehelicopter.com.au/events.

Entries will be taken on the day, but riders must be there more than 30 minutes prior to their starting time.

The Kurri Coalface Pedal will start and finish at Pelaw Main Public School from 8am.

Events include a 60km dash (for faster riders), 60km general ride, 40km and 20km, family 10km and the schools challenge.

The Rotary Club will be serving breakfast at the start and a barbecue lunch at the end of the ride.

Riders are reminded that daylight saving time will finish that morning, when clocks are turned back one hour at 3am.