Students have access to a bike education program facilitated by our Physical Education teacher and classroom staff. A group of Senior Pathways students train for the Annual Blackwood Bike Camp at the Blackwood Outdoor Centre. Last year was our first attempt at the event so please read about it below.ANNUAL BIKE CAMP – AT BLACKWOOD OUTDOOR EDUCATION CENTRE.
In 2014 Yarra Ranges SDS entered its first ever Blackwood Super Ride cycling event. Held in Blackwood, the ride involves at least twenty special schools who enter teams of six students and at least two staff per school, riding 40 gruelling kilometres through the stunning Wombat State Forest. Riders need to demonstrate determination, motivation and endurance as you climb over 600m in altitude through the Forest only to be rewarded with the exhilaration, excitement and thrill of over 500m in descent at the finish.
This is an event that we intend to enter each year and that we will train up our students for during the year. It is a great challenge for students and something to really look forward to.
On Wednesday 5th November the first ever bike team from the newly named Yarra Ranges SDS set off to take part in the Blackwood Special Schools Outdoor Centres annual “Super Ride”. The team was made up of Students, Jack D, Jack G, Josh H and Liam A. They were assisted along the way by PE teacher Phil Ware and Volunteer Stephen Taylor. The group camped out in tents for the two night stay and had to complete a 25 kilometre ride from Blackwood to Trentham and then back again. Everyone completed the ride and they were presented medals at the camp on their return. It was a great team effort and the team aim to enter more bike events in 2015.
A special thanks goes out to a couple of local businesses that gave significant support to the team. Andrew Swann of Yarra Valley Cycles provided the use of his bike trailer and support equipment which was a huge help in allowing the team to complete the event. Also Adam Flynn of Biggin and Scott in Knox, who provided much needed financial assistance to help meet the costs of accommodation and food during the camp. Congratulations to everyone involved in getting the Yarra Ranges SDS Bike Team up and running!
