For a couple of years, the shiny bikes on an equally shiny trailer in our shed were the unit’s best-kept secret.
Purchased for Land Search and Rescue (LSAR), they hadn’t seen daylight—until Tim, soon to be our inaugural
Bike Team Leader asked the question we were all thinking: “What are those for, and can we use them?”
Fast forward to September 2024: three members signed up for the LSAR Bike Course run by the Bayswater SES Bike Team. Cue excitement! With training complete and Tim at the helm, the wheels were officially in motion. A few more joined, and suddenly we had a full-fledged bike team ready to roll.
Of course, it wasn’t all smooth riding. Ever tried pedalling in full orange and steel caps? Not exactly Tour de France. We had to get creative with gear to look official yet stay comfortable.
Interest grew, and another three members hit the course—one went over the handlebars during braking and the obstacle course! It was hectic, but we all passed with flying colours (and bruised egos).
Tim and Mark supported the Bayswater course leader, cheering us on and helping run the course. That teamwork tradition continues, now led by Rosie and Mark.
The bikes are a star attraction at the SES open days and recruitment events—nothing draws a crowd like a shiny set of wheels!
Our unit continues to grow, with three more members recently completing the LSAR bike course. We’ve added bike team drills to LSAR nights and monthly servicing to V-power checks.
Honestly, we could rival a McLaren pit crew with brake swaps and tyre changes.
SES Olympics event idea, anyone?
Beyond training, the Bike Team has supported major events and fundraisers, including Up All Night, Run for a Reason, and the rain-soaked 2025 MACA 500, which raised a record-breaking $10,104,999 for cancer research.
Our role? Hydration, first aid, traffic control, mechanical fixes, and running ‘tail-end Charlie’ to ensure every participant finishes safely.
Off duty, we’re out on social rides—sharing skills, lending bikes, swapping stories, and enjoying a post-ride cuppa. From road bikes to kid sidecars and old faithfuls, our mix of expertise and enthusiasm makes every ride memorable
Most importantly, the Bike Team boosts our LSAR capability. We can conduct rapid reconnaissance in bushland and coastal areas, peek over fences during suburban searches, and tackle trails with ease—helping us reach people faster.
We’re still waiting on official Team Two Rocks uniforms, so keep an eye out for us—the crew with the biggest smiles, mud splattered and bugs in our teeth!
Long transmission, over.