Issue 2 of the "Blue Derby" MTB Trails newsletter is now available. News includes that the official launch date has been pushed back to February 7 (but the Blue Dragon event has been cancelled), The "Corner Store" and a new B&B are already setting up in Derby and there's more pics and updates on the trails ...
Hobart City Council is seeking feedback on the proposal to replace the gravel track with an all-weather sealed surface. Click here to provide comments [link removed]. A successful grant from the Trails and Bikeways Program is funding some of the improvements. Last winter sections became wet and boggy and the lack of sunlight prevented it from drying out. The muddy surface makes it unpleasant for people using prams, on bicycles, mobility scooters or simply walking and combined with the slope from McKellar St, the slipperiness has safety issues for people riding or walking.
The first edition of a new newsletter highlighting what is happening with the Derby/ Blue Tier trails is now available. Perhaps the most exciting news for we locals is that the first trails are likely to be open before Christmas (though some may argue that the new toilet block is also pretty exciting news). There's lots of other great information in the newsletter including news that Hertz are getting on board and will be offering bike racks and trailers from Launceston. These are the small things that will make this whole concept work.
Construction of the skills park and pump track are well underway, and although it may take a few weeks for the trails to dry out, given the wet and wild weather we've experienced, the Hollybank MTB Trails will be officially opened on Saturday,4 October at 11am!.
The City of Hobart is proposing to convert the Old Farm Track, between Old Farm Fire Trail and Main Fire Trail from a shared use track, to a single use (bicycle only), single direction (downhill) track. The proposal includes a new ~70m section of track between Old Farm Track and Main Fire Trail, to separate riders from walkers at the Myrtle Gully Track junction.
The Meehan Ranges trail notes and maps have now been updated to include the full length of the cliff top track and the new switchbacks just before you come out onto the golden hill trail. The trail angels are monsters on steroids up there, but we're trying our best to keep up ...
The Tasmanain Trail Association is looking for more individuals who are prepared to help advise them on good trails for cyclists based on the Tasmanian Trail. They're also looking for cyclists who have ridden the trail to be part of an ABC programme on the Tasmanian Trail. These and more details are in the August 2014 Tasmanian Trail News - August 2014 update.
Glenorchy City Council have finished installing new signage at the Glenorchy Mountain Bike Park and have also released a new pdf and ineractive maps of the site.
A DEDICATED group of volunteers has assisted the City of Hobart to reinstate the popular Tip Top mountain bike track in South Hobart.
The track was originally built in 2007 by a group of local mountain bikers, however unsustainable construction techniques led to the track's erosion and it was eventually closed in 2009.
The restoration project engaged with volunteers and mountain bike riders over four weekends to improve the track's sustainability and it also provided an opportunity for riders to design a track that was tailored to their needs. The collaboration has resulted in a high grade construction with extra care taken to harmonise the track with the local environment.
The Tip Top track plays an important role connecting riders between kunanyi/Mount Wellington and South Hobart and it also connects with a number of other tracks within the area. The City of Hobart is grateful for the volunteers' efforts, collectively donating more than 200 hours of their time to complete this community project.
To find out more about City of Hobart tracks and trails visit hobartcity.com.au/Recreation
Source: Hobart City Council Capital City News August 2014
Did anyone manage to keep up with all the event and track updates in July?
Let's see ... the Pickles Hill MTB Enduro on 31 August seemed to come out of nowhere, including a new Dirt Devils Adventure Ride on the 10th August to check out the course, and of course entries are now open to the Meehan Monster.
While there's still a couple of winter events to be enjoyed this September, event updates and additions have been pretty sparse.
LMBC's Geard Cycles 4 Hour Enduro has apparently grown up into the Geards Cycle Giant 275 enduro and I somehow suspect that with Kim eyeing off one of these new Giant 27.5's that I might find myself at this event come October 6.
The only new additions to the tassietrails.org calender come from Audax Tasmania which has published its long distance events for the summer period. These events are generally road events, but if you're not into racing, but still like to log up some kilometres on challenging but scenic rides then these Audax events are a great alternative.
The current list of Audax events include:
October
November
December
January 2014
See the Addax calendar at www.audax.org.au for full details including links to entry forms and maps.
Finally, and although not event update still worthy of note, BikeTas have completely updated their website and of course the North East Mountain Bike Website is also now up and running and waiting for you to join the community.
Rob Potter will be giving a presentation at TBug's AGM, Tuesday 10th September, on "Making and riding the best mountain bike tracks".
As an all mountain rider, Rob has ridden a lot of the best trails around the world. He is the man responsible for building the wonderful tracks around Trevallyn and Kate Reed (and other parts of Tasmania). Rob is now contracted to national trail construction company Dirt Art, and is responsible for designing tracks which are fun, just the right amount of challenge, accessible to most people, sustainable, and not leading bikers to crash into walkers.
He’ll be talking about the riding around Tasmania and the world, and how he goes about making MTB tracks.
So if you live in the Launceston area, and you've ever wanted an excuse to see what TBug's about or to hear from Rob, then head out to the Newstead Tennis Centre, Olive St, 7pm.
For more details contact Anna at
For those who like to drool over future trails, check out the Hollybank Mountain Bike Facility- Trail Master Plan 2013 listed below.
This document gives a great overview (including maps) of what is to come from the Hollybank MTB project and it's got me rather excited.
While you're checking out what's happening in the North east, jump on over to the new MTB North East Tasmania website (Note linked deactivated July 2018 as now defunct).
Note: weblinks removed in 2019 as no longer live.
For those up in Launceston that are curious as to what is happening with the NE Trail Project, the LMBC have an information night at 7pm on August 12 at Gunners Arms Hotel. Flick through to the LMBC facebook page for more details and to register your interest in the event.
The Tasmanian Trail Association is a volunteer association that promotes and maintains the Tasmanian Trail which is currently the only long distance (Devonport to Dover) multi-use walking, cycling and horse trail in Tasmania.
I've ridden this trail twice over the years (once end to end and a second time in sections) and I believe that as well as the obvious end to end route, it provides some great day ride and overnight options for mountain bikers.