Overview

This program will run on Thursday evenings from October 2026 through to March 2027. This program is open to riders between 14 and 17 years of age. Age is a guide; skill level/ability/fitness may also determine suitability.

Who is this Program For?

The terrain we access for this program is not suitable for beginner or newer riders. We will be alternating between two locations for this program;

• ‘The Piney’s’ Castlemaine
• La Larr Ba Gauwa MTB Park, Harcourt

Riders will ideally have experience riding intermediate to advanced terrain and be confident riding both green (beginner) and ‘dark blue’ (intermediate) trails. Effective and safe operation of brakes and gears, and the ability to ride trail features like berms, rock slabs, roll-downs, and steep gradients.

The program will cater to riders who are focussing on cross country along with gravity enduro or down hill disciplines. This session is for riders who are wanting to take their riding further, both in skills and fitness. It is imperative that riders have sufficient bike fitness to ride for up to 2hrs in challenging terrain including up to 300m elevation gain in this time period, yes we have to be able to go up to go down!

If you are unsure of your riders suitability to take participate in this program please get in touch with us here to discuss suitability

Session Structure

Each training session will have a specific focus and will rotate between the below session types:

• Timed race simulations or interval sessions to develop race craft/race fitness
• Intermediate to advanced skills sessions
• Guided endurance rides for maintenance of general fitness, build endurance and maintain connection between riders

Our goal for this program is to foster a fun, social but also supportive atmosphere for peers of a similar age with similar goals.

Program Details

• Total Sessions: 8 sessions in total (Term 4 only, 16 session for the Summer Season)
• Make-Up Sessions: Offered at the end of the term for any sessions postponed due to weather.
• Absentee Policy: No credits for missed sessions due to absenteeism.

Dates:

Thursdays throughout Term 4, 2026

• Session #1 October 8th: La Larr Ba Gauwa, Harcourt
• Session #2 October 15th: Piney’s, Castlemaine
• Session #3 October 22nd: La Larr Ba Gauwa, Harcourt
• Session #4 October 29th: Piney’s, Castlemaine
• Session #5 November 5th: La Larr Ba Gauwa, Harcourt
• Session #6 November 12th: Piney’s, Castlemaine
• Session #7 November 19th: La Larr Ba Gauwa, Harcourt
• Session #8 November 26th: Piney’s, Castlemaine
• SPARE Session:  December 3rd

Thursdays throughout Term 1, 2027

• Session #1 January 28th: La Larr Ba Gauwa, Harcourt
• Session #2 February 4th: Piney’s, Castlemaine
• Session #3 February 11th: La Larr Ba Gauwa, Harcourt
• Session #4 February 18th: Piney’s, Castlemaine
• Session #5 February 25th: La Larr Ba Gauwa, Harcourt
• Session #6 March 4th: Piney’s, Castlemaine
• Session #7 March 11th: La Larr Ba Gauwa, Harcourt
• Session #8 March 18th: Piney’s, Castlemaine
• SPARE Session: March 25th

Time: 5:30pm -7:30pm (2-hour session)

Cost

Program Fee:

Term 4 only: $310.80 Inc GST ($38.85 per session)

Summer Season (Term 4 2026 and Term 1 2027 – 2 x term special has a 10% discount applied): $560 Inc GST ($35 per session)

Coaches

At this stage we will have a range of coaches who will be rolling this program out. The program will be managed by senior coach Daan van Dorenmalen along with Angus Melville and Jo Wall . Daan Angus and Jo are certified GSMBC Level 2 coaches. All coaches are qualified wilderness first aiders and have a wealth of coaching along with riding and race experience to offer our riders.

Equipment Required

• MTB in good working order ( brakes working, brake levers working, gears shifting, tyres have ample tread and are not worn out, chain is not worn)
• Australian Standards Approved Helmet (no cracks, preferably has been purchased in the last 2- 3 years)
• Equipment to fix a flat (pump, tube, C02 canister & repair plugs if you have tubeless tyres, tyre levers etc.) and usual items for trailside repair (multitool)
• Suitable ride attire – Sun safe, rain safe
• Water, snacks, sunscreen and any medications (All riders will need to be able to carry all their own water for the duration of the session – there is not water on site)

Important Note

A minimum of 8 registrations is required for this program to proceed.

Waitlist

Missed out on a ticket? Please register your interest via our waitlist