How eDirtbikes are helping share the gospel with a unique bunch of kids
1973 — the year the Watergate scandal began to unfold, the World Trade Centre opened in New York as the world’s tallest building, the Sydney Opera House officially opened, the first barcode was scanned, and the first handheld mobile phone call was made.
This was also the year the first CRU minibike camp was held, on a 20-acre property called “Coorabin” in North Richmond, with boys riding Honda QA 50cc dirtbikes.
In 1984/85 minibike camps moved to Galston Gorge where they were run until 2000 when they moved to Attunga in the Southern Highlands. By then the camps were open to both boys and girls and they rode Honda XR80s and XR100s, much more powerful (and noisy) bikes. The last dirtbike camp with petrol-fuelled bikes was run in 2023.
Now a new era has dawned for dirtbike camps!
In June 2025, a new fleet of electric dirtbikes was introduced (Talaria Sting R-MX4 TL4000 bikes for those who are interested in such things), and the next generation of dirtbike camps was brought back to Galston Gorge after two decades away.
What’s so special about dirtbikes and dirtbike camps you ask? Good question.
Yes, electric bikes are good for the environment and are deathly quiet (you really can’t hear them coming) but that’s not what makes them special. It’s about the kids who come on these camps and the opportunities for the gospel they provide. You see, often the kids who attend dirtbike camps only come on these kinds of camps. These camps have a unique style, culture and community.
So, bringing back the dirtbike camps with electric bikes was a no-brainer. And with the huge reduction of noise, we could bring the camps back to CRU Galston Gorge without fear of disturbing the neighbours.
13-year-old Alexander became a Christian on Dirt Action last winter. He recalled how it “was a fun, thrilling camp. Learning about God and hearing the leaders’ life stories really inspired me to become a follower of Jesus.” Georgia, also on Dirt Action shared, “Camp helped me see Jesus more clearly. Leaders explained the gospel really well and I understand it better now.” Lou Ann from Easyriders in spring recommitted to following Jesus saying, “It was the perfect way to spend my week.” William shared, “The best things about camp were God, adventures, adrenaline and fun! Camp helped me better understand the Bible and helped my friends love God.” Ashlie recommitted her faith on Extreme Bikes, “It was very exciting, extremely scary and I made new friends. Camp also helped me learn more about Jesus.”
Jess Thorpe has been leading on dirtbike camps since 2011, and now co-directs Easyriders with her husband, Andrew.
“Dirtbike camps always leave a tyre-sized track mark in kids’ holidays. Many kids come for the excitement of learning to ride a dirtbike or honing their skills on new tracks, the adventure it brings or the friends they make. But it’s more than that. It’s amazing to see how Jesus and His love for us, told through the story of the Bible, makes a difference to kids today. To share with them this awesome news is a blessing and a privilege.
“CRU dirtbike camps are unique because they provide the opportunity to learn a specialised activity, taught by experienced and caring leaders who love Jesus. They also reach kids with the gospel who maybe wouldn’t choose other camps. As we teach kids new skills on the bikes, we build them up, encourage them, trust them and seek to show that we care for them, especially when riding isn’t easy. I see this as a valuable ministry that impacts kids for the glory of God. Kids matter and are valuable to Jesus whether they get A’s or detentions, and so they matter to us.”
Reflecting back over the last 13 years of leading on dirtbike camps, Jess is encouraged to see the immense impact these camps have: “I have been blessed to chat with many young people about life and God over the years. But it’s always the kids who are considered hard, whom I love to chat with and spend extra time with. Each time, they are totally surprised that us leaders want to care for them, and that God loves them as they are. I had the privilege of being on camp with one such kid who had lots of hard struggles in her life. After a hard week on camp, as she navigated new spaces and friends and rules, she gave her life to Jesus because she realised that He would never leave her, He loved her as she was, and she could be part of God’s family. We were able to gift her a Bible and some options for youth groups near where she lived to help her as she started her new life with him as her Lord and Saviour. Praise God!”
Give thanks for dirtbike camps and the unique opportunities they provide for sharing Jesus with the next generation of rev-heads, mechanics and bike enthusiasts.
“CRU dirtbike camps are unique because they provide the opportunity to learn a specialised activity, taught by experienced and caring leaders who love Jesus.”
For more information about CRU Dirtbike Camps and CRU Camps in general, visit crucamps.com.au