Imagine the wonderful feeling of riding a shiny mountain bike through a beautiful forest setting, or a bushland scene, the wind tangling your hair and the sun warming your face. Imagine having that feeling, meeting lots of new people, seeing things you've never seen before, and being exhilarated by the sheer beauty of the, Munda Biddi trail for five days non-stop. Sounds fun, doesn't it? Take it from two 13-year-olds who have experienced all this, and more. Sure, there was the camping out and the cold "showers", but all the fun we had certainly made up for it! 

We spent five days with a great bunch of people, mountain bike riding along the gorgeous Munda Biddi trail. A combination of rolling hills and flat forested regions, the Munda Biddi provides a challenge for those skilled (and those not so skilled!) riders who have a taste for fun. 

The Ride camp director, Neil Brandon, did a great job organising the camp, and an even better job organising the cooks! When the going got tough, the leaders' favourite phrase was, “Five more minutes and it’s all downhill.” Even though this wasn't necessarily true, with the leaders’ encouragement and great snacks from the cooks, the group made it from Dwellingup to Jarrahdale an hour early and with only one injury (sprained ankle, courtesy of a dangerous tree root). 

All participants had loads of fun and the camp was extremely successful. All campers (and leaders) made lots of friends and we pray that the camp will be continued next year

Submitted by: Thea Leander Sutherland, 13

Thea on the trail

Notes from Scripture Union leaders:

We rode part of stage one from Dwellingup to Gleneagle picnic ground over 5 days.  First day was a slow start from Dwellingup and just went as far as Marrinup and did some training on the bikes with the riders on the mountain bike circuit and set up camp (and fixed bikes!).  Second day went to Whittakers mill and camped (with lunch at Oakley dam).  Third day was to Jarrahdale where we stayed at the environment centre and had our shower for the week!  Next day was a rest day at beautiful Gooralong reserve, where we did a bushwalk and played some sport (and did a lot of resting!).  Final day was from Gooralong to Gleneagle.  Apart from some wet weather at Whittaker’s mill the camp went perfectly.  All had a good time.  There were 8 leaders and 12 campers.  The WOW factor is still the section going down into the Serpentine River. 

The camp is being run by a Christian organization called Scripture Union.  We plan to run it again next year in the September school holidays.  It is open to school children (co-ed) from years 8-10.  We might even extend the age group to include year 11s next year and increase the number of campers from 12 to 18 (with also additional leaders).  Camp forms and information are available at www.su.org.au/wa/camps or by phoning Scripture Union on 94435055