Serk gears up for Australian base camp launch

A BUSINESS launch in Torquay next week will not only open the Australian home of a global bicycle adventure company but also showcase efforts to create inclusive cycling across Africa.

Geelong-born Shannon Bufton was one of the co-founders of Serk in 2009, which is based in the Chinese capital of Beijing and offers frontier cycling trips across Asia – including to Tibet, North Korea, the base camp of Mount Everest and Kyrgyzstan – as well as its own range of specialised titanium bicycles.

 

Mr Bufton has partnered with Torquay’s Andy McKie to set up the Serk Australia “base camp” in Castles Drive and grow the cycling community on the Surf Coast.

“Andy heard about our trips, and the first Australians to come and do our Everest trip came from this region; Andy was one of our earliest ones,” Mr Bufton said.

Mr McKie said Serk Australia partly came into being because of the booming gravel riding scene in the Otways, and he had already run pilot rides through the Otways ahead of a formal riding trip next year.

“In terms of the gobal scale, this is a gravel riding mecca, so it made sense to bring the Serk brand here.”

 

He said Serk’s titanium bikes were “fairly indestructible” and “built for the frontier”, customised to suit the needs of each rider, and absolutely necessary for the gruelling conditions on a SERK cycling trip.

“It’s a life-changing experience, you can never forget it – it’s a great party story.

“In these environments, it’s really a test of your own character.”

Serk is also supporting the Masaka Cycling Club, of which Cotton On Foundation member Ross Burrage is the patron.

The Masaka Cycling Club is fostering cycling talent in developing African nations such as Uganda to the elite level, and manages scholarship programs, gender equality programs, feeding programs, coaching programs, racing programs and equipment programs through key partnerships and a monthly donor program.”Cycling pelotons around the world tend to be privileged, white and lack equality,” Mr Burrage said.

“We have some wonderful examples set by the athletics community from the decades past.

“African athletes now dominate distance running across the globe. Their journey was similar… but it takes heart and a will to fight.”

 

Mr McKie said Serk Australia was a passion project for him, and was part of a wider push to grow the sport of cycling everywhere.

The Serk Australia launch and Masaka Cycling Club information night will be held at the Serk Australia base camp, 12 Castles Drive, Torquay on June 23 from 5.30-7.30pm.

For more information, head to serk.com.au

For more information on the Masaka Cycling Club, head to masakacyclingclub.com