Coomealla Mildura Mountainless Bike Club strives to promote all aspects of cross country mountain bike riding in the Sunraysia region. From social rides ending with a barbecue, track work days to competitive racing, there is much more to the sport than simply riding a bike, Marina Hacquin discovers. Pictures: Carmel Zaccone
WITH a monthly race event and two major races each year, Coomealla Mildura Mountainless Bike Club members have plenty of opportunities to compete with each other.
But mountain bike riding isn’t just about beating the clock – it’s also an inclusive sport that allows riders of all levels and ages to enjoy the outdoors.
The club was formed in mid-2004, with only 15 members. In 15 years, memberships have skyrocketed to 140, and local riders never miss an occasion to gather on the club’s track at Coomealla.
Club president Tyler Beruldsen said the family-friendly sport was about having fun as much as racing.
“You can be competitive at the same time, try to beat (others) and learn new skills and tricks,” he says.
“Over summer, we hold three races which are handicap events, which give anyone an equal chance to win some serious championships.”
The region’s flat settings makes it a unique environment to practice mountain bike riding, provided the cross country track is challenging enough for the most experienced riders.
“It’s hard, but we manage to make more twisty sections and jumps,” he says.
“A lot of people are taking Mildura for granted for just being flat until they actually ride the course.
“They realise how tough it is, because you have to continuously pedal, whereas if you go to Adelaide or Bendigo, you have to climb up but then you can rest down.”
How to build a track
TURNING a flat environment into a challenging track for adventurous bike riders requires both imagination and practical skills.
That’s the job of club vice-president Damien Gibson, who supervises track work days at the club’s grounds every three months.
Located at Coomealla, within a shady area right on the banks of the river, the tracks – one is mapped out at six kilometres, the other just above 10km – need to be suitable for all levels, from juniors to competitive riders.
Putting as many features as possible – hills, bumps, jumps, bridges and rock garden – gives rides a chance to challenge themselves, Mr Gibson says.
“We can create any number of different variations within the trails we have,” he says.
“The rock garden, for instance, is a piece a track with rocks set into the ground.
“It helps our riders be better riders when we go away and we are faced with a lot of obstacles that other tracks have.”
The club uses a diamond grid – an erosion stability product – where the trail has the potential to cause erosion.
“We lay it down to help keep the soil together,” Mr Gibson says.
“We use as much natural track as possible to preserve the environment.”
His favourite spot is a complex 400 metres of track, full of tight sections with bridges and logs, jumps and rock gardens.
“I like riding that section a lot because it’s very challenging technically,” he said.
A passion for coaching
FOR local mountain bike coach Ben Nicholson, there is nothing as rewarding as seeing other riders improve their skill and confidence.
The father-of-three moved to Sunraysia in 2005, and started coaching younger riders shortly after he joined the Coomealla-Mildura Mountainless Bike Club.
“Once my children started to get involved in cycling, I started doing some coaching to help the juniors increase their participation,” he says.
“I’m also helping some of the women in the club to become more confident.
“Working with young people or people who are learning makes you want to be a better rider.”
An experienced competitor, Ben became involved in mountain bike racing in the mid-1990s when he lived in Western Australia.
He says more than a sport, mountain biking is about enjoying a real breath of fresh air with the company of friends.
“As soon as I had enough money to buy my own bike, I got involved in mountain biking as a recreation to be able to get out in the bush and enjoy the environment,” he says.
“It’s good physical activity and a good place to spend time with a really nice group of people, kids and families.”
As a coach and a math teacher, Ben is patient, but without losing his competitive spirit. He competes in A grade, and remains determined to beat the current club champion, Tyler Beruldsen.
“I like the competition and racing against other people. I get a bit of white line fever,” he says.
“When you get out on the track and see someone ahead of you, you want to chase them down, and maybe this week you can’t get them but next time, you might.”
His favourite riding spots are the club’s grounds at Coomealla, and the scenic Kings Billabong.
“The more you enjoy riding your bike the faster you go, and then you enjoy riding it more.”
