Downhill mountain bike riders are increasing in the Hunter and it's not only the young involved.

People aged from 10 to 60 participate in the sport.

Increasing numbers of people are using the Awaba Mountain Bike Park, which riders consider among the state's best tracks.

"We have 300 members and a lot of people ride who aren't members," Hunter Mountain Bike Association Club president Tim Butler said.

"It's a fairly big sport."

The best downhill mountain bike riders in the State will meet at Awaba this weekend for a State championship event and a dose of adrenalin.

The association built the Awaba bike park two years ago and has steadily improved it since then.

Leased from State Forests, the track was built with "a lot of volunteer work", Mr Butler said.

For many riders, the sport is a step up from BMX.

"We get a lot of road riders who come across to the sport too," Mr Butler said.

This weekend's downhill event is expected to attract 200 riders from NSW and the ACT.

It will be contested in 17 categories for men, women and youths.

Practice will begin tomorrow, with racing starting on Sunday at 12.30pm.

The Hunter has seven riders in the top 10 of the NSW State Mountain Bike Downhill Championships after one round.

The Awaba course, known as the Monkey downhill track, will host the second round.