Where Session Started
Session MTB & Outdoor was founded out of a love for Mountain Biking, the outdoors and a desire to share that passion with others.
Col and Nathan started with Jollynose Gravity Groms and that grew their passion for sharing bikes and the outdoors with everyone. From that Session MTB & Outdoor was created.
Our Vision
At Session MTB & Outdoor, we aim to provide a safe, inclusive and positive environment that fosters the development of riding mountain bikes to a high standard. From getting ready for a race or just honing in on specific skills both individually or in group sessions, we are here for you. Furthermore, Session MTB & Outdoor wants to expose both kids and adults to a lifestyle that facilitates the great outdoors in and around the Mid North Coast. By providing a range of activities or “Sessions” that are tailored to individual strengths interest & needs, let us create a Session that fits you !
Nathan Hall
Nathan embodies the essence of adventure and service, making him a natural fit for our MTB community. From conquering the high seas as a skilled sailor to navigating rugged mountain trails on his bike since childhood, Nathan thrives in challenging environments. With an impressive two decades of service in the Rural Fire Service (RFS), along with multiple qualifications including expertise in remote area firefighting, navigation and bush survival skills, Nathan has proven himself to be a leader with exceptional skill and courage.
Before settling in the picturesque Mid North Coast region with his family, Nathan spent years chasing his passion for the outdoors around the world. Whether it's MTB riding, surfing, snowboarding, or rock climbing, Nathan has explored it all and carries a wealth of experiences to share.
Nathan's commitment to family shines through in his dedication to sharing his love for the outdoors with his children. Both, following in his biking footsteps from an early age, began racing and Nathan was there every step of the way, shadow riding alongside them, nurturing their growth, and finding immense fulfilment in teaching and sharing outdoor activities.
For the past decade, Nathan deepened his involvement with MTB clubs across NSW, and for the past five years, he has been heavily engaged with the JollyNose MTB club. Beyond simply riding, Nathan's passion extends to trail building and maintenance.
Together with his friend Col, Nathan co-founded Gravity Groms with the support of the JollyNose Club, a testament to their dedication to cultivating a thriving outdoor community. Today, their initiative has evolved into Session MTB & Outdoor, embodying Nathan's passion for adventure and commitment to sharing the joys of outdoor pursuits with others.
Col Saunders
Col has been riding bikes since he could walk. In the early years his passion for Bmx grew from making jumps in his backyard to carving trails with his mates down the side of the mountain in his local area. With little to no MTB parks in operation at this time, he had to make his own fun. From riding skateparks in both Laurieton and Bonnyhills, he developed the skills necessary to throw a bike round. From riding motorbikes through and around the Jollynose area of later years, the passion for MTB was born where the tracks were just to fun and no longer enjoyable on a motorbike. As time went on with some significant life changes, the racing scene was born, with Col competing along the east coast along with regular sessions with both the Jollynose crew and the Taree Tip Riders. He now runs Jollynose Gravity Groms with his mate Nath, where he volunteers his time each Thursday to teach a group of 32 young shredders how to ride gravity enduro with a passionate team within the club. In his younger years as a Diploma trained Early Childhood Educator, Col obtained the skills necessary to guide kids in a large group setting based on their strengths, interest and needs. Through this experience, providing the opportunity to expose kids to taking a controlled risk in a safe manner was born. Col is involved in the Jollynose MTB Park regularly and loves building and maintaining new trails with his Kanga machine on a volunteer basis. Bikes are a big passion of Col’s and loves sharing it with others. With a respect for the bush along with his love for camping and exploring with his young family, Session MTB and Outdoor is his perfect fit !
Andrew Carter
Andrew (more commonly referred to as Carter) has been riding, working on, and talking about bikes since anyone would listen. From riding BMX around the streets, skateparks and dirt jumps of Port Macquarie and Newcastle, Carter found a passion for MTB after moving to the Blue Mountains. An enthusiasm for adventure and the outdoors led him to the Australian Army and the NSW Police force where he honed his bush craft, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
Since moving back to the Mid North Coast with his family Carter has been heavily involved with the JollyNose MTB club through trail building, operating shuttles, or assisting with social rides and events. More recently Carter joined Col and Nathan to implement the JollyNose Gravity Groms to build young riders MTB skills and foster an inclusive riding community. Carter’s approach to coaching aims to help riders overcome fear, develop self-belief and handle challenges, while having a good time. As a father of two he understands that outdoor endeavors offer life lessons, build respect and cultivate the joy of exploration. Off the bike Carter holds a psychology degree and understands that confidence extends beyond physical skills, it is also about mindset. MTB isn’t just about conquering trails, it’s about building character, resilience and friendships.