HEPBURN Shire district youth have benefited from Daylesford Christian Fellowship's inaugural Ride to the Divide Mountain Bike Classic to the tune of $300.

The event attracted nearly 20 local and visiting riders and followed a challenging mountain-bike trail, which started and finished at Jubilee Lake in beautiful sunny conditions.

The amount raised included riders' registration fees and generous donations from Country Cuisine and Monty Media.

All of these funds will be donated to the Rock Christian Youth Group, which is coordinated by Daylesford Christian Fellowship.

Ride organiser Glenn Rowbotham said that all the riders, including local youth, thoroughly enjoyed the ride and are already "chomping at the bit" to organise another mountain-bike event to support local youth services next

year.

He said about 30 teenager regularly attend the Daylesford Christian Fellowship's Rock Christian Youth Group, which organises social and recreational activities including bowling, rock climbing and music events.

Mr Rowbotham said he appreciated the support of local business and the wider community.

"On behalf of the Daylesford Christian Fellowship Youth Group team we would like to express our gratitude to all local businesses and community members who supported the ride as marshals, water carriers and by providing

first aid support.

"We would also like to express our thanks to the Great Dividing Trail committee who also supported the ride."