Mountain Bike Therapy Services

We offer sessions for individuals, pairs (dyads), families or groups.

We are available to collaborate on existing or new programs. Located on Djaara country in Castlemaine Central Victoria, we can offer sessions in Walmer State Forest, Campbell’s Creek State Forest and Castlemaine Diggings Heritage Park (including the Goldfields Track).

What do MTB Therapy sessions involve?

Mountain bike skills instruction and guiding either on gravel roads, single track or at mountain bike parks. We incorporate therapeutic processes during the session.

There is a focus on how the lessons learnt on the bike might inform daily life and visa versa.

Option to utilise creative arts therapy throughout.

Mindfulness can support you to be more grounded and present during your time in nature.

This in turn can assist self regulation and capacity building in order to try new skills, ride different trails.

Sessions include more than bike riding:

  • Off bike sessions for starting off, planning, reviews and integrating learning

  • Bike literacy & independence - learning how to care for your bike and do trailside repairs

  • Time in the bush - being in nature

Recommended duration for sessions:

  • Initial meeting* - 1 hour

    to complete registration, check bike, discuss consent & make a plan for our work together (if child/young person this sessions happens with Parent/Carer)

  • MTB Therapy sessions - 2 hours is ideal (depending on age). Minimal duration is 1.5 hours to make the most of time on the bike and also therapeutic process.

  • Planning and/or review sessions* - 1 hour.

Session frequency will be determined by the reason for attending and goals

* Can be in person/tele-health

Everyone can benefit! We work with ages six years and above, supporting those starting out their off-road riding journey through to those who are experienced riders. This is not a “learn to ride” lesson therefore some basic ability to ride a bicycle is required.

You don’t need to have a particular “issue or problem” – rather be interested in creating changes in your life or having an experience in nature. The focus is not on fixing illness but rather on fostering wellness. Here are some of the specific and often-complex experiences people live with, which mountain bike therapy can be beneficial for:

  • Bike riders reconnecting with riding after a significant break

  • Bike riders who have had an accident/s and are physiologically, emotionally or physically impacted by this

  • Mental health challenges (anxiety, PTSD, depression, trauma)

  • Neuro diversity

  • Cultural trauma and oppression

  • LGBTQIA+ and gender diversity related experience or trauma and oppression

  • Relationship challenges

  • Family violence and/or gender-based violence

  • Survivors of emotional and/or physical/sexual abuse

  • War Veterans

  • Transition into different stages of life (e.g. adolescence; midlife)

  • Work based injury (including psychological)

  • Team building

  • Business and life direction

  • Girls and women specific groups

Who is MTB Therapy for?

What equipment is needed?

  • A well maintained bicycle suitable for off-road riding (recently serviced with gears, brakes, suspension, chain all in good working condition)

  • A helmet that meets Australian, European and US Safety Standards (no cracks, well fitted)

  • Drink bottle (and a way to carry water when riding - either in a bottle holder or hydration backpack)

  • Clothing suitable for riding conditions (wind and wet weather, sun safe) and protection (knee and elbow pads and glasses are recommended)

  • Closed shoes (with or without cleats, MTB flats or or sports shoes with a stiff sole)

  • Gloves noting that full-finger gloves are our preference 

  • Basic tools for changing a flat tyre and trailside mechanical repairs relevant to your bike set up (e.g. pump, spare tube, C02 canister and applicator, tubeless patch repair, tyre levers, multitool, chain breaker, chain link)

    Please note: If you are unable to obtain any of this equipment please contact us to discuss possible options.

    WE HAVE BIKES & EQUIPMENT YOU CAN USE (size & availability dependent).

We also have a bike shop in Wesley Hill, Castlemaine called Rad Cycles & Gear. If you need support getting ride-ready (your bike serviced or gear needed to ride) we can assist you.

Safety & Process

Our weekday rate for sessions for an individual:

  • Initial meeting - 1 hour - $150.00

  • MTB Therapy session - 1.5 hour - $225.00

  • MTB Therapy session - 2 hour - $300.00

    We offer a sliding scale for those experiencing financial hardship.

Please contact us for a quote for dyad, family or group sessions.

Recommended duration for sessions:

For outdoor sessions 2 hours is ideal (depending on age).

In person/tele-health sessions e.g. for initial planning or reviews is 1 hour.

Session frequency will be determined by the reason for attending and goals.

Private health counselling rebates available for eligible providers

If you have a Private Health Insurance with extras cover, you may be eligible for rebates. Depending on your policy, Bupa, Medibank, ahm, Police Health, Emergency Services Health, St Luke's Health, Phoenix Health, CUA, Doctor's Health, and Grand United may provide rebates. 

Registered Provider for Family Reconciliation Mediation (FRMP) program

The FRMP program is funded by the Victorian Government to support young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to:

  • stay or return home, if safe and appropriate

  • connect/reconnect with family, significant others or community

  • recover from recent family conflict and breakdown

  • build on their capacity to create ‘families of choice’

We are able to provide individual therapeutic support in the form of mountain bike therapy sessions to young people (aged between 16 - 25) who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. There up to 10 initial sessions with the possibly to extend the work.

These sessions are fully funded.

We can accept referrals via application through FRMP by a professional who is providing ongoing support or case management to an eligible young person. We encourage you to discuss with us, your interest in our service prior to submitting at referral to FRMP.

Please reach out if you have any questions or think we would be a good match. For more information you can look at the FRMP website or look at this flyer.