Open invite to ride bikes

MEMBERS of the Ballarat Sebastopol Cycling Club are giving everyone the opportunity to take to their track and give BMX riding a go as part of a come and try day next month.

Taking place at the Marty Busch Reserve on Sunday 12 May from 9am to 10am, committee member Rick Ryan said the free event is about introducing the BMX sport to newcomers.

“It’s all about getting kids on bikes and building up our membership base,” he said.

“We’re trying to secure some state level events in the coming years so we want to continue to grow so it’s also about raising awareness because this is an Olympic sport and it’s growing.”

Capped at 24 participants, the session will be led by two superclass coaches who’ll show attendees around the track while teaching basic techniques as well as bike safety practices.

Mr Ryan said becoming a member of the club can open doors to other BMX riding opportunities should one be interested.

“From the come and try day we have a free four-week coaching program to sign up to following an AusCycling membership,” he said.

“If they want to further from training and gate sessions, they can move on to clubby events competing against their club mates, other clubs, and on to state and national. The sky’s the limit.

“Anyone can do BMX. You don’t have to be involved in team sports and it tends to bring out the best in kids and gives them an outlet and we’re a very family-inclusive club as well.

“We’ll have a clubby afterwards where members can have a ride and come and try participants can see the riders going a bit quicker and see what they can strive for if they want to.”

Beyond the come and try, a lifestyle club membership with AusCycling is up to $134 annual and $360 for an all-discipline race licence.

The event is open for people aged two and over, and as well as a BMX bike, participants must wear long pants, sleeves, gloves, and a full-face helmet, the latter of which the club can loan out if need be.

To register, visit bit.ly/3xIuGiJ.