BUDDING cyclists in the Limestone Coast will have the chance to try their hand at the sport, with the Mount Gambier Cycling Club set to hold trial sessions for seniors and juniors to showcase what it is all about.
A “come ‘n try” day is set down for Sunday October 29 from 9-11am, meeting at the velodrome, then showcasing the fun of road racing.
The casual weekend bunch rider, new riders or past and current club members are invited to attend the day, beginning at 9am.
Riders will meet then head out to where the club generally starts it road meetings on Caves Road.
“Riders will be put into bunches, ride out the road and come back,” secretary Michelle Bennett said.
“It will provide an idea of what road racing is all about.”
Bennett said when she began racing just a couple of years ago, the idea of riding in such close proximity to others was daunting, but now she enjoys the experience.
“We usually find once someone starts they love it and keep going with it,” she said.
“This season in the club we want to do a bit of racing and a bit of social riding as well.”
Bennett said there were many opportunities for people to race close to home, with clubs not only in Mount Gambier, but also in Hamilton, Port Fairy and Warrnambool who hold regular competitions.
Junior riders are also catered for with a school series trial set down for the afternoon.
The afternoon is focused more on road racing, but the youngsters can try the velodrome, with track bikes available on the day.
A full season will be run, with the first two sessions set down to teach the youngsters the road rules and how to handle themselves among the traffic on the road.
Bennett said it was more about encouraging the young riders to become involved in cycling.
“We will have an introduction to road safety and bike checks,” she said.
“We hope to go for a couple of rides in the first sessions, but we will run through a few things with the kids first.
“We will make sure they know the road rules and feel confident and safe on the road.”
Bennett said overall the club hoped to run a combination of competition road racing and more social bunch rides this season.
