In a major step towards the development of mountain biking in the area, the Batemans Bay MTB rider community last night voted to establish the Batemans Bay MTB Club. Around 40 interested riders met at the Broulee Brewhouse to vote overwhelmingly in favour of forming a club with the objectives of supporting and advocating for the local trail network, hosting racing events and developing the sport of MTB riding in the local community.
The inaugural members appointed a committee and agreed to pursue affiliation of the new local club with AusCycling, the peak body for all cycling disciplines in Australia. This will provide members with additional benefits available such as sport development, racing opportunities and insurance cover.
Batemans Bay Cycles and Moruya Bicycles have pledged support for the new club and its members, and the club’s funds were kickstarted by a generous donation from one of the inaugural members.
New club President Jamie Clout said “The BBMTB Club is a great opportunity to develop the sport in our local area, in partnership with other clubs on the south coast and southern NSW, as well as grow the sport in the broader local community. The club is fortunate to have so many enthusiastic members with a passion for riding and the experience to create a really vibrant club that is a feature of the local sport and social scene.”
As well as races, the club is planning social rides to bring riders of all ages and levels together to develop their skills to make the most of the local trail network.
Before the meeting got down to the business of forming a club, the Eurobodalla Shire Council gave an update on progress on the Mogo Adventure Trails, which will deliver around 150km of mountain bike trails between Batemans Bay and Mount Wandera, just north of Moruya. The trails will be world class and provide a major new attraction to tourism in the area, as well as provide an amazing recreational asset for the local off road riding community.
Membership of the Batemans Bay MTB Club will be open through the AusCycling website once affiliation is complete, most likely later in 2022. In the meantime the club can be contacted via ridebatemansbaymtb.gmail.com President and Secretary - Jamie Clout
Vice President - Mark Walker
Treasurer - Yma Carnall
Committee members - Andrew Hearne, Iain Oliver, Geoff Henderson and Steve Wright
Batemans Bay MTB Riders already has a Facebook page that welcomes new members to join and keep up to date in discussions and events
https://www.facebook.com/groups/451045276182285
