Mountain bikers from around the state and region will race on one of the world’s top-rated bike trails Saturday — right here in Lincoln County.

The sixth annual Dust & Bones mountain bike race at the Mt. Zion bike trails is a USA Cycling sanctioned event and is the third in the Mississippi off road cycling series.

The event will be split into three categories based on skill level. Each category will be divided into age groups.

“Category 1 is for the pros and experts,” Johnny Smith, a cyclist and photographer who operates the trails, said. “They race the longest distance, which is three laps on Mt. Zion’s loop or 27 miles total. Category 2 racers are fast, but usually don’t have the endurance or speed of the category 1 racers. They race two laps at Mt. Zion or 18 miles total. Category 3 riders are beginners, or those that may have been racing a long time but don’t have the time to train for the longer distances. They race one lap at Mt. Zion, which is 9 miles.”

“We also have age groups within the categories — 19-29, 30-39, 40-49 and 50 plus,” Smith said. “So a 44-year-old category rider is only racing against other riders his or her age. There are also men’s and women’s categories. Men race against men and women race against women. There is also a junior division for 13- to 18-year-olds. That makes about 18 different groups. We start each group at 1-minute intervals and usually have around 100 racers at each event.”

The Mississippi off road cycling series has eight races every year, Smith said. Mt. Zion bike trails hosts one of those races, the Dust & Bones race.

“Most mountain bike races have unusual names and unique awards,” Smith said. “Our trail is usually dusty and because of a story much too long to get into here, we have given cow bones as prizes. Polished, painted and captioned real cow bones. This year, we’re giving metal, laser cut awards.”

Cyclists enjoy traveling and competing at Mt. Zion bike trails due to the unique atmosphere it provides, Smith said.

“Our trail is different than most,” Smith said. “It has been ranked the No. 1 trail in Mississippi for the last two years and is currently ranked No. 24 in the world, according to singletracks.com which is the ‘Sports Illustrated’ of mountain biking. We have 50-plus wooden features, which include bridges, berms, creek crossings, jumps and a 14-foot seesaw. Lots of these are on the racecourse, but the technical ones have a short by-pass around it. Your tires never have to leave the ground, unless you want them to.”

An event like this can have a big economic impact on the community, Smith said.

“With 100-plus racers and their families, friends and spectators coming to a race like this, many stay in hotels for the weekend, eat in local restaurants and fill their gas tanks,” Smith said. “Most races are on Sunday. Ours is on Saturday. Many stay Saturday night and enjoy the trails on Sunday as well.”

Smith encouraged the community to come learn more about mountain bike racing this weekend.

“Looks like the weather is going to be great this weekend, so come on out and see for yourself,” he said.

For more information about  the bike race, contact Smith at johnnysmithphotography@yahoo.com.