BMX young gun Kimberley Alsop has a new set of wheels thanks to the generosity of local businesses and community groups.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Southlakes Old Boys, Prestige Smash Repairs, South Lake Macquarie RSL sub-branch, Cheeky Bikes and Advance Traders all pulled together to get Kimberley a top-of-the-line bike.
The Silverwater resident was previously racing on a bike bought second-hand for her older sister five years ago.
Kimberley thanked everyone involved in the collaborative effort and said the support means a great deal.
"Hopefully the new bike will help me get closer to achieving my goals," she said.
Among those goals is a strong performance in the Lake Macquarie team to contest the Lake Macquarie International Children's Games in December.
Once Kimberley received the bike, she had a week to get used to it before racing in the NSW BMX State Titles in Elderslie.
Her mum Melissa said adapting to the new bike in under a week was a big effort and compared it to a V8 Supercar driver jumping in a new car for the first time.
The first time Kimberley took the new bike for a spin around the Argenton BMX track she was going so fast she came off over the handle bars.
Despite the tumble she pulled herself together and resumed practising.
At the state titles, Kimberley finished third in the cruisers and fifth in the 20-inch division.
"She's always had the skill level to be competitive, now she's got the competitive edge on the bike as well," Ms Alsop said.