Clyde born cyclist Samara Sheppard is competing against some of the best following the return of The Prospector Mountain Bike race this weekend.

Samara is putting her skills to the test during the three day event, which has become one of the district's most popular mountain bike races, but for her it was mostly about having fun and just getting on her bike.

The Prospector Mountain Bike Race returned to the district yesterday and finishes on March 13.

Samara said being able to compete near Clyde was a bonus.

“My fave spot around Clyde - the bridge – it’s beautiful, or the main street, a lovely place to hang out . . . or to start a bike ride from.

She is motivated to ride every day and then use the fitness she gains for her racing. 

“I love riding my bike, even if I don’t have a competition coming up, I ride my bike every day, enjoy exploring and getting out and going for an adventure."

In a typical week of training, she does a mix of road biking and mountain biking and has a few hard days and a few easy days.

“I generally keep Monday and Friday easy, to not overcook it . . . keep it fresh and find new places to explore.”

Her career highlights include placing fifth at Marathon Mountain Bike World Champs in 2019 and winning a World Cup for cross country when she was in the under-23 category. 

Winning national titles and Oceania titles as an elite rider and going to the Commonwealth Games in 2018 are among her other career highlights.

Samara's desire to compete this weekend, meant being able to return to Central Otago where her Mum's family still live. 

"Before Covid I would come back a couple of times a year."

She said she enjoys exploring the area on her bike, going for walks, visiting cafes and heritage sites, swimming in the river along with eating real fruit ice cream and feasting on Central Otago summer fruit like peaches and apricots.

“We [also] go to the horse races – Grandad has a few horses so we go to the Omakau trots.”

She said her top tip for young aspiring riders was to have fun. 

“Find a group of people who also enjoy riding their bikes, who are a bit faster than you and some who are a bit slower than you.

"Learn from riding with others . . . start racing as well, there is a lot you can learn through racing."

She said competitions offered a "different buzz", which was really fun and the community of mountain bikers and road cyclists was "really welcoming".

Samara hopes to represent New Zealand in the Commonwealth Games later this year on both her mountain bike and her road bike. 

For more on The Prospector click here.