Cup goes viral

Albany Mountain Bike Club’s Matt Bascombe has found a way to keep his fellow riders motivated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bascombe said a lot of members were training for races and lacked motivation when everything was cancelled and restrictions were brought in, so he decided to set up a unique event called the Covid Cup.

He sets out a course each week through the app, Starva, and posts that to Facebook for anyone to see.

Riders with a GPS device or smart watch can record their times and send in for the competition.

Bascombe said a lot of riders were taking part just for fun, rather than competition.

“I would have been happy with two or three riders but I think last week we had 23 times recorded,” he said.

“A lot of kids do the ride just for fun and don’t record their times, so it’s great.”

Two rounds of the Covid Cup have been run, with the third course currently on Mt Melville.