Youth riding 25/26 season update
From Daphne
Guns
This season got off to a rocky start thanks to the uncooperative weather. The first three rides were cancelled for both the Shredders and the Rippers, and by the third attempt the Guns were so frustrated that we decided to give the Piki a try anyway. Little did we know it was actually snowing at the top of the hill! The kids absolutely loved it and declared it their best ride yet. It was pretty cold, though, so we wrapped things up after just two shuttles—everyone had frozen hands. Still, it’s a ride the kids won’t forget anytime soon.
The Guns headed to the Rameka for their next ride, but things didn’t quite go to plan. By the end of the day we had one broken arm, three stitches, a nasty thigh bruise, and an unfixable puncture—four different riders, all unlucky. It was certainly a challenging day out, but thankfully we had lots of helpers and tough kids. The Guns have been treated to a special guest lately — our local celebrity Brady Stone has been joining us on our rides! He’ll be in Golden Bay until Christmas, and the team is absolutely buzzing to have him along. What a treat!
Shredders
Shredders started with a great signup of 26 kids in total. With a few new faces it was back to basics. Our first two rides of the season were rained off so it was decided to do a Bike & Helmet check with a tyre changing competition session which the group loved. On the bike the group has been listening & riding awesome learning about body position & corning. All in all a great bunch of kids MTBing
Rippers
The Rippers — a lively cohort of riders aged eight to eleven — have grown in confidence on the Bay’s trails this term. With an average of eight riders showing up each week, the group has maintained a steady mix of boys and girls, with around a quarter to a fifth of participants being female. But perhaps the most heartening figure is the number of parents who turn up, helmets on and ready to ride. On many Tuesdays at 3.30pm, half the group has been made up of adults, a level of commitment that speaks volumes.
Weather pinched a couple of sessions, but one of those washouts became an impromptu workshop on tube-changing — a small but vital rite of passage as these young riders grow more independent. Thanks, Steve Cottle, for running that.
This term’s trails have included Motupipi Hill, the historic Rameka, and the ever-popular Pikikrunga. A standout development has been the kids arriving with increasingly reliable bikes and gear (proper shoes firmly non-negotiable), and some now carrying their own tube in a backpack — a quiet but telling marker of their growing self-sufficiency.
On the trails, the group has mastered Grade 3–4 descents and, without fail, they all loved the flowy rhythm of the Piki track. There have been no serious crashes or mechanical mishaps (touch wood), and everyone now holds a confident attack position — standing tall on the pedals, level and ready.
Some are already eyeing up their first jumps; all are buzzing to keep exploring and keep ripping through the trails of the upper South Island.
Last ride of the term
We’ll be having our final ride of the year on December 9th. The whole youth group will head up Piki together, then make our way to the Blue Hole for a swim and a BBQ afterwards. A perfect way to end the term!
Youth Riding Season 25/26
Youth riding is back for the 25/26 season!!
It runs for Terms 4 and 1 of the schooling year.
Registration: Tuesday 7th October at the TPS Pump Track. 3.30 - 4.40pm.
Every parent is encouraged to be there to sign a new waiver form for the season and to listen in for this season's info. Games and free juices for all the kids. We welcome new signups.
Look forward to seeing you all there.
Daphne and Steve
2024/25 Youth riding season
Our 2024/25 youth riding season has been busy, with kids now split into four groups Rippers , Shedders , Senders & Guns. We can have up to 60 rides every Tuesday. Please check out the latest Pics.
YOUTH 2024 What a Year !
What an amazing youth season we have had with close to 60 kids showing interest, split over two groups we managed to run a session per week. Our younger group have been having a ball learning everything from per ride bike checks to using both brakes.
Our older group this season has gone from strength to strength entering competitions and riding BLK runs all over the place.
ThankS to, The Lion Foundation
The Lion Foundation has approved $5,000.00 towards the purchase of a new 20-bike shuttle trailer, This gets us half way to ordering our new trailer to help our youth riding groups. If you know a smart way to fun raise the rest please get in touch
2023 /24 YOUTH RIDING SEASON SIGN UP
Wow Soooo Many kids at our sign up day, We had an awesome afternoon signing up about 60 very keen MTBing kids, With Sausages, juicies & games. What a great season to come let the fun begin.
Thanks TDC !!
Golden Bay Mountain Bike Club application was supported and $575 has been allocated towards sending volunteer youth coaches on a Train the Trainer coaching one day course.
Exciting news
We have secured funding for a new club 20 bike trailer! This will be ready for us in the new year. So exciting and this will make such a difference to transporting the youth and doing club rides. A huge thank you to the lion's foundation and TG Contracting for coming on board to support this.
