MARGARET RIVER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS SET TO BE A PART OF CAPE TO CAPE

Riders from across Western Australia will be heading to the South-West next week for the return of the Cape to Cape mountain biking event, but they won’t be the only ones a part of the action, with a group of Margaret River High School students set to play a key role.

Heading out of winter in the South-West conditions for the four-day stage race are expected to be a little soggy, with the opportunity to have your bike cleaned at the end of each day of riding set to be welcomed by the more than 1,000 riders.

Enter BikeDr., who will be providing end-of-stage bike washes and servicing for this year’s Cape to Cape. BikeDr. works closely with at-risk youth and as a part of their involvement with Cape to Cape will have a group of Margaret River High School students at the event each day, working alongside their youth workers.

Luke Golden, Head Mechanic at BikeDr. said that the team was looking forward to being back at Cape to Cape, and having the students join them for the four-day event.

“BikeDr. is pumped to be back for its seventh year of on-site servicing and all things Cape to Cape,” said Golden. “This year, to support our sister charity, Dismantle, we’ll be employing around 15 at-risk young people to run our end-of-stage bike washes so make sure to book in and also grab some charity socks while you’re at it. We can’t wait to see all of the riders there.”

BikeDr. is a part of Dismantle, a not-for-profit social enterprise organisation that enables at-risk young people to rise above their circumstances and lead lives of hope and transformation. Dismantle works with over 400 young people from across Western Australia every year, helping them to overcome socio-inherited hurdles in their critical years, minimising long-term unemployment and providing skills that lay the foundations for personal growth and independence.

Dismantle CEO Pat Ryan said that being a part of Cape to Cape provided another link to the local community.

“We’re thrilled to be a part of Cape to Cape for another fantastic year,” said Ryan. “Dismantle is a charity that was founded around supporting at-risk young people, and bikes are at the core of our programs. Every year we recycle close to a thousand rusty old bikes as an engaging way to connect with young people, break down barriers and have better conversations on tools as we rebuild and refurbish the bike they earn to keep.

“Connecting with the cycling community through Cape to Cape to get behind struggling young people is always a very special event for us,” he said. “If you’re joining us in Margaret River this year, head down to the BikeDr. tent to say hello to some of our young people who’ll be running the bike wash.”

Dismantle will also have a group of riders taking part in Cape to Cape, Australasia’s largest and longest running multi-stage endurance mountain bike race, with the 2021 edition to be held from 21-24 October. Six riders will be representing Dismantle, aiming to raise $50,000 for the organisation.

Cape to Cape Race Director Nick Christopher said that it was great to have BikeDr. at this year’s event, with Cape to Cape returning after a hiatus in 2020.

“We’re thrilled to be back in action with Cape to Cape next week and can’t wait to have more than 1,000 riders join us in the South-West,” said Christopher. “Our riders love being able to visit the BikeDr. team at the end of each stage to prepare them for the next day of racing, and we love seeing the local students getting involved with the event, learning from the BikeDr mechanics and also having fun at the same time.”

To donate to Dismantle’s team at Cape to Cape visit https://www.mycause.com.au/events/dismantlecharityteam