Getting into gear

IF you’ve got kids itching to hit the mountain bike trails this summer, there are plenty of ways to get involved with the high-intensity sport.

Jo Wall has been coaching in mountain biking for 10 years and operates her own business, Trailhead Coaching.

With her summer holiday program kicking off on 19 January for riders aged three to 15 years old, she said she loves sharing her passion and is keen to get more people involved in the sport.

“Mountain biking’s not really a mainstream sport but there’s a lot of kids out there that would like to do it more often, to participate and gain some skills along the way,” she said.

Classes take place at Spring Gully on the Muldoon Reserve pump track and mountain bike circuit, with advanced classes at the Harcourt Mountain Bike Trail.

Ms Wall said during the COVID-19 pandemic many people have taken to riding bikes, but extra training is required before hitting the big trails.

“There’s been a really big increase, there’s a global shortage of bikes,” she said.

“I think people realise that riding off road and on trails requires extra skill, it’s a bit different to riding on footpaths and rail trails.

“From a parent’s perspective I think they like the idea of kids being able to gain those skills in a fun way with some structure, it allows them to participate in a sport they’re really keen on doing.”

The avid mountain biker is also part of the Bendigo Mountain Bike Club, which will start the second half of its summer series races on 1 February.