THE Portland BMX Club welcomed a host of new and experienced riders on Saturday with an action-packed day of activities featuring local councillors.

Two come and try sessions, a councillors’ race and a club race were all on show at the Alexandra Park-based track.

What started out as a way to join in the This Girl Can initiative by hosting a girls-only come and try, turned into an opportunity for the club to offer some practice for local and out of town riders ahead of a big 2024 season.

In attendance on Saturday was mayor Scott Martin and councillors Jayden Smith and Michael Carr who also tried their hand on the bike.

Committee member Tim Thorp said it was a huge success for the club and the attendees.

“We had really good numbers for the day and by all reports the morning and all of the events went really well,” he said.

“To start the day there were good numbers at the girls come and try and then we had about 15 or 16 at the second come and try session.

“Our trusting mayor did the second come and try session to try and get some practice in before he was racing.

“It was so successful, and the councillors made it around the track and there were no fatalities so that’s definitely a win.”

Thorp said in the lead up to the club hosting a state series round in March next year, the event has built on the buzz happening around the track.

“We had some really good quality riders down from Melbourne to test out the track before the titles next year so that was great for them but also great to see,” he said.

“For our local riders to see the calibre of riders out there is special.

“The whole day just gives everyone a bit of motivation to keep people interested and building ahead of next year.”