LOCAL mountain bike club members braved a chilly Thursday afternoon last week to proudly show Indi independent MP Helen Haines its new skills park, which was federally funded by a ’Stronger Communities Program' grant.

Beechworth Chain Gang president Lynn Frerichs said the club’s Junior Ride program participants had been thrilled to have Dr Haines join the session.

“We enjoyed sharing details of various programs BCG offers and the volunteer work our club does on the local mountain bike (MTB) trails,” she said.

“It was truly an honour to share our enthusiasm for mountain biking with an elected member of parliament.

"Our only regret is that we forgot to take a photo with our ‘Go Lia’ signs as we cheer on a founding Junior Ride participant Lia Ladbrook in an overseas race.

"Lia will be representing Australia in the UCI Downhill MTB World Championships on August 3 to 5 in Fort William, Scotland.”

Around 60 kids every Thursday between the ages of five and 11 learn how to ride bikes as part of the junior program.

The club manages the Beechworth Mountain Bike Park located around 2km north east of Beechworth as well as Flametrees, which runs alongside the Murray to Mountains rail trail about 5km south west from the town’s CBD.

The club also shares management of the Indigo Epic Trail with Yack Tracks.