Karmen pedals up a gear for Wild West Series

KARMEN Butler will pedal with mountain bike riding’s elite this Sunday during the first race of the Wild West series at Adare.

Karmen Butler in action at Adare Mountain bike track. Picture: Ali Kuchel

KARMEN Butler will pedal with mountain bike riding's elite this Sunday during the first race of the Wild West series at Adare.

The Gatton bike rider is set to compete in her first B-grade race and will ride the course with world enduro riders Jared Graves and Rich Rude.

Last year she claimed honours in C-grade for the Wild West Series and the Sunshine Series.

It's Karmen's second year of racing but on Sunday she will have a home track advantage.

"The B-grade is a step up, being more competitive, riding harder with an extra lap and more distances," she said.

"I don't really know what to expect this year … I just want to see what the competition is like."

In the B-grade event, riders will complete four laps of a five kilometre course with an added hill climb and rocky descent.

"The rocky descent is a bit challenging because it's on a slope and the rocks can be slippery, you've got to know where to put your front tyre and which line to take," Karmen said.

"You've got to have the confidence to do it."

The Wild West Series features six races run fortnightly across south east Queensland, with two races held at Adare.

Karmen's teammate Caitlin Dore will race in the elite level for the first time.