Family fun at track run

BUDDING young and mud-bound motorbike riders started their small engines over the weekend as part of a come and try day hosted by members of the Creswick and District Motorcycle Club.

Held in collaboration with Motorcycling Victoria, the event took place about the club’s Allendale track and saw about 30 keen kids take to the obstacle course on Sunday.

With about 50 families registered with Creswick and District Motorcycle Club, president Greg Atterbury said the day was a great opportunity to show more people what the group is about.

“Basically, we’re a stepping stone into race tracks,” he said. “We don’t actually race here. The riders compete against the poles, six at a time, and we have divisions based on their capabilities.

“They’re learning listening skills and coordination with bending and weaving. We have four-year-olds to 15-year-olds riding anything from 50cc engines up to 150cc engines.”

Established nearly 50 years ago, the Creswick and District Motorcycle Club hosts 11 events each year.

Ride days are normally registered through a licence with Motorcycling Australia while the come and try event was offered free to participants.

Annual memberships normally cost $120 for families and $80 for single riders, but were halved on the come and try day.

Mount Clear resident Aaron Smith brought his daughters Tegan and Riley to the event and said it was a great, supportive environment for them to develop their riding.

“It’s really good for them,” he said. “It’s been a real social atmosphere. We’ve met by chance some parents whose kids go to school with our kids.

“It’s a bit more exciting for them because it’s sort of that friendly competition to push themselves a little bit. When we go to other tracks, it’s just riding and mucking around. Here, they actually learn.

“I reckon they’ll definitely be signing up. It’s a safe, supportive environment for them and a great place for them to start out.”