The day was attended by 16 women from Armidale and Guyra who came together to learn some mountain biking skills from some of the more experienced club riders.

The day was organised by two of NEMTB’s female members, Jo Benham and Tieneke Trotter.

“The skills were aimed at all levels and taught beginners new skills while helping more experienced riders to improve technique,” Trotter said.

“The day was aimed at boosting the profile of women riders as there seems to be plenty out there but we rarely seem to all get out together.”

The sessions were instructed by John Scott-Hamilton, Dave Rugendyke, Matthew Benham and Mark Trotter, who shared basic skills with the ladies to build confidence in off-road mountain biking.

The skills taught on the day ranged from riding position and balance, riding over objects, cornering, ascending and descending, and bike maintenance.

These skills were then applied when the women broke off into smaller groups to jump small pieces of timber, ascend and descend steep slopes and to approach corners with pace and confidence.

The sessions also taught bike maintenance included cleaning, gear tuning and lubricating the chain.

The basic skills were taught on a flat grassed area while after lunch the women where given the chance to practice their new skills on the nearly completed mountain bike track which has been built by NEMTB members on land behind the ovals at Sport UNE.

A great day was had by all, with plenty of time to relax and chat with fellow lady mountain bikers over morning tea and lunch.

Each of the ladies received an information pack including detail of the skills learnt on the day, a water bottle, two Mountain Biking Australia magazines and some electrolyte powder and power bars supplied from Endura.

The NEMTB gratefully acknowledge Mountain Biking Australia and Endura for their support of this event and women’s mountain biking in Australia.

The NEMTB plans on holding another ladies skills day in the future, Benham said.

“It would be great to see more female riders get involved in mountain biking as it is such an enjoyable sport; and a sport where you can choose your own riding level.

“For example, when the NEMTB hold race events, we have a range of categories ranging from social to advanced levels, depending on how serious the riders are,” she said.

The NEMTB will hold their next race on March 29.

For more information please see www.newenglandmtb.com or phone Jo Benham on 6772-6383 or Tieneke Trotter on 0402-406-385.