Kids loving the jumps

By Iris Huizinga

New, exciting track upgrades, a “clubhouse” and wonderful gardens: the Helensburgh Off Road Cycle Club (HORCC) has been busy. The club is also a recipient of the NSW government’s Local Sports Grant Program, along with nine other community sports groups in Heathcote.

On this particular sunny Saturday afternoon, cycling enthusiasts have come together to enjoy, for the first time, the black painted container that is now officially HORCC’s clubhouse.

Club member Steve Neal says: “The last couple of weeks we’ve been building the base here and yesterday we dragged it into place with an excavator, helped by Jenko’s Excavations. So, we got a clubhouse, so to speak.”

Next to the container clubhouse is a garden with a plaque in memory of former club member Rob Wright, who died in 2021.

“So the container is here. We can have a beer with him every time we come up here.”

Christina Robinson, who tends the garden, shows me the engraving of a new plaque recognising the gardening work performed by Helensburgh Land Care and Northern Illawarra Neighbour Aid (NINA).

“The oldest volunteer [to help in the garden] was almost 90, the youngest 18 months,” says Christina.

The cycling enthusiasts at HORCC really have been busy. Club president Wayne Teal explains: “In some parts down the bottom, the track has been reconfigured, some new berms have gone in. There will be a big wall ride going in shortly with a timber frame. So you go on an angle around the corner, really fast.”

Wayne adds that the day of our visit is HORCC’s mountain bike social session, the fitness challenge.

“We’ve changed the concept to make it more user-friendly and to encourage more women, more kids and more non-riders, so to speak, to come and have a go. First and third Saturday of the month, except school holidays.

“It’s $5 entry and we just have a great day. Just ride. It’s a staggered start, but it’s not a race. It’s a race for yourself and anybody can rock up. They’ve got to be a member of AusCycling (adult $9 per month) to be insured, have a helmet and a bicycle. Anyone who wants to ride is most welcome.

“We’re a great bunch of people and it’s one the best clubs I’ve been involved with as a member.”

In 2023, six clubs take part in the interclub series. “It’s a good excuse for everyone to come in and have a race, have a barbecue and talk about mountain riding. On all other days, if it is not wet, the tracks are open dawn till dusk. The club organises social rides and night rides and a lot of members look after the park.

“We put a call out for a working bee and this morning we had 15 people. They started at eight o’clock. They come in and give a couple of hours here and there, weeding, raking, mowing.

“One guy had his baby on the front while he’s raking the track down. Stevie, Chunky and Matt are our track guys. Christina and John do the garden.”

Club volunteers put in big jumps last year and those have been a great hit.

“The kids love them. They don’t come up this end anymore, they all go down the big jumps. They love the jumps. It’s fantastic.”

Besides all the mentioned improvements, there will also be a sign at the top of the town that says “Helensburgh Mountain Bike Park”.

For more info, visit horcc.com.au and auscycling.org.au/membership