Red Bend takes on mountain biking

From cattle show teams to rugby league and public speaking, extra-curricular opportunities at Red Bend Catholic College have always been varied. And this variety now includes a Mountain Bike Team. With a focus on inclusivity, the college is proud to cater to so many diverse interests. Mountain Bike Team Coordinator Mrs Laura Tandy says that mountain biking is fun, testing both individual skills and the ability to work together as a team. “The competitions are all about making themselves better, improving their times and skills, not comparing themselves against others,” she said. Recently the team competed in the Central West Schools competition of the Rocky Trail Academy, held at the Glenwood State Forest in Orange. The students competed in three different trails, the Sandy trail (Pedal track), the Shimano Trail (Magic Mushroom) and the Bomber Track (Don't Believe the Hype). “Our students did a number of runs, had fun, and bettered their times each time they went down a trail. All in all it was a fabulous day, thanks so much to all parents for coming along, supporting their kids and for marshalling for the day,” said Mrs Tandy. It’s not all about the ride, with Mrs Tandy organising to have a local bike mechanic teach the team how to look after and service their bikes. “Bike maintenance is integral, you must look after your gear to have it work well and be safe.” The team is looking to the Thredbo Interschools competition in March next year, and in the meantime will continue to attend Rocky Trail Academy events.