Following five weeks of honing their mountain bike skills, fitness and bike maintenance skills in Outdoor Education, a small group of Level 1 and 2 students took the opportunity to extend their skills and complete their first cycle tour to the Wharfedale Hut in Oxford.

During this inaugural mountain bike journey, students covered nearly 70 km’s and over 800 m elevation over the two days on some technical and challenging terrain.  Students worked collaboratively to take all of the shared gear including tents, first aid, bike tools, emergency communication devices and spare parts along with their fine cuisine to keep them fueled for the epic ride.  A highlight was seeing the students supporting one another and displaying some outstanding leadership, initiative and communication to ensure everyone stayed safe and together.  A considerable amount of time was spent by the students ensuring they had all the correct gear and strategically packing (and repacking) their bags and home-made panniers.  It was great to see them applying their understanding about the importance of good gear, planning and following the cotton is rotten rule.  We are now looking forward to our upcoming adventures in the amazing playground we have on our doorstep.  

Coming up, we have overnight sea kayak expedition to Quail Island and a 48 Hour Challenge near Lake Tennyson where the Level 2 students have planned their own journey that is ultimately an accumulation of the skills gained from the year which includes mountain biking, kayaking, bush navigation and camping.  Lots of students are stepping out of their ‘comfort zone’ and experiencing the ‘growth zone’ and creating some lifelong memories in the process.