Here to Help: Downhill Mountain Biking

Just outside Margaret River, in Bramley National Park, are the Wooditjup Trails.

Created by locals, they are a challenge for experienced downhill riders and a training ground for the next generation.

Meg, 15, and Sage, 13, know them back to front. Trails like Golden Carrot, Cut Cork, High Horse, and Cash and Karri have been sending them through the forest, across brooks and rivers, around berms and over jumps for years.

Now they compete across the state, and the country, picking up sponsorships and awards.

Bec is a downhill trainer, and Sage’s mum. Enjoying what the sport has to offer her and her family means being ready for anything.

“One Sunday we had a social ride. One of the girls had an accident in the bush, and she hit her head. We first aided her, did all the checks and decided it was a job for St John.

“I think we even used the (First Responder) app.

“As a mountain biker it’s really important to know there is support.”

Sage’s dad, Paul, rides too. He works FIFO and keeps his St John First Aid training up to date through work.

He’s never had to use it on the trails, but he did have to use it in East Africa, when somebody he was travelling with fell from the back of a ute.

Paul put him in the recovery position and called an ambulance.

“He was very lucky,” Paul says.

Downhill mountain biking is exploding in popularity in Australia. Trails in tourist towns like Margaret River will host more riders every year.

Those at Wooditjup have always been supported by their community, ready to make repairs when necessary.

And so have the people who ride them.