The association put on a Ride2School day on September 17, the first ever of its kind in Cessnock.

Riders began at Baddeley Park then rode along to Cessnock High School before classes commenced for the day.

The event involved nine different community organisations and a dozen local businesses together offering a pre-ride healthy breakfast, over $1500 worth of prizes and sponsorship and a boxercise class.

“A good healthy start to anyone's day earned by riders whose bikes passed safety inspection by riders from Kurri Mongrels Mountain Bike club,” AHLA president Julianne Cripps Clark said.

While the teachers outnumbered the students, Ms Cripps Clark said most participants agreed that the event was likely to be a “grower” and looked forward to seeing future Ride2School events in the area.

The dreary weather ensured the Ride2School’s sister event, the Pit2Pit Muddy MTB Class Roam, lived up to its name the following day.

Starting and finishing at Kearsley Public School, the Pit2Pit involved 11 students riding 13.6 kilometres on an off-road course, to ensure the children reaped the benefits of riding bikes without having to ride near traffic.

The children rode through Werakata State Conservation Area and were educated on possible wildlife they may see.

They then stopped in at the old Aberdare South Colliery and Abermain No 2 mine at Abernethy for a look around.

Participants in both rides received a free bike inspection and bike safety education prior to setting out on the courses.

AHLA will now focus on the Great Cycle Challenge during October with the HUNTERHealthy!Happening! team, and encourages local people to sign up to the team and help fight kids cancer.

For more information, to join the team or donate, visit https://greatcyclechallenge.com.au/Teams/HUNTERHealthyHappening.