The magpies are backing off, the tracks are hard and fast … that can only mean one thing: time to get the mountain bike out for some summer fun.
While the die-hard MTB fans ride all year round, most wait until spring and summer to dust off last season’s dirt and pump those tyres up for some cross country action.
And Ipswich is quickly becoming the go-to region for mountain biking.
Around 3000 mountain bikers per month are hitting the trails around Ipswich – powering the sport and the local visitor economy forward.
Council has invested in upgrading facilities across the region, most recently at the Castle Hill Blackstone Reserve, with over 15 International Mountain Biking Association rated mountain bike trails, and just 30 minutes from Brisbane CBD.
Stage Two of the mountain bike trail at Brassall is expected to open this month, weather permitting.
Council’s Mihi Junction Mountain Bike (MTB) Trails is located beside the Brassall Bikeway, which links directly to the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail.
The new track would follow on from the completion of Stage One in 2016 – 600m of cross country MTB track, viewing shelter and bike repair station.
While the first part of the trail was designed for juniors and beginners who wanted to try mountain biking and build their confidence, the new section would be a little more challenging.
The privately-owned Hidden Vale Adventure Park at Spicers Resort, Grandchester, is open all year around and the public is welcome. Check out their website for availability and costs: http://www.hiddenvaleadventurepark.com.au/
Council offers free access to several venues. From easy, flat tracks at White Rock to the technically challenging single tracks at Blackstone. Check them out here:
Castle Hill Blackstone Reserve
Castle Hill (7B Mary St, Blackstone) is a great place for riders with more advanced skills to ride technical single track.
Much loved by local riders, this MTB mecca features a range of black diamond rated trails with challenging technical features for advanced riders as well as a network of blue rated cross-country style trails for those looking for a varied cross country ride.
The authentic hand-built single trails provide an alternative to the machine-built trails in other mountain bike venues.
The recently opened Blackleg Gully Circuit also offers a great ride for kids and beginner mountain bike riders. It is a 1km, green-rated loop which starts and finishes in the quarry area and is best accessed through the gate beside the railway level crossing on Mary Street.
About 300 riders visit Castle Hill every week.
White Rock
The trails at White Rock are family-friendly, and this is a great place to introduce new riders to the experience of riding in the bush without having to worry too much about obstacles or technical trail features.
These are multi-user trails, so remember that bikes must always give way to walkers and horse riders.
From Paperbark Flats Picnic Area (end of School Rd, Redbank Plains) riders can enjoy Six Mile Creek Track, White Rock Multi-User Trail and the Yaddamun Trail.
About 40 riders hit White Rock every week … although they are vastly outnumbered by the trail runners there almost daily over the summer.
Mihi Junction
Council’s newest bike trail opened last year with 800m of trails running off the popular Brassall Bikeway, providing a recreational loop for mountain bike enthusiasts.
The site also features a shelter for parents to watch their children ride and a bike repair station.
The trail has been rated green (easy) under the International Mountain Biking Association trail difficult rating system.
The second stage, which is expected to open on October 25, will still be a family-friendly, accessible area to go mountain biking.
But it will also have 200m of pump track features including large berms, rollers and jumps for the thrill-seekers. It has been designed to encourage skill progression from beginner to advanced.
Contractor Trailworx specialises in recreational trails and has a number of experienced MTB riders on staff.
It will likely double numbers from the current 85 per week visiting Mihi Junction.
Springfield Lakes
At Springfield Lakes, new trails can be accessed from Wild Iris Terrace and Speckled Circuit.
While you are in the area, check out the pump track at Grande Park, with about 200m of bumps and lumps for beginners and those ready to advance their riding a little.
Bellbird Park
And on a smaller scale, Annabelle St Park pump track.
For further information on Council mountain bike track, visit: http://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/residents/healthy_lifestyle/recreation/mountain-biking
Our tracks provide amazing variety and, most importantly, they encourage physical activity. Whether you are just starting out, or hitting the trails in style, there is something for everyone.
Brassall is an extension to an existing pump track.
It was proven to be so popular and there was land available so a decision was made for an extension to it.
The new trail at Brassall will invigorate a previously under-utilised area of public open space beside Mihi Creek and the Bremer River.
It will open up great river views and be complemented by future environmental works to re-establish native vegetation.
Beginners will enjoy trying out the trails at Mihi Junction Reserve at Brassall, or riding the service tracks at White Rock. The next step up is to do some laps of the Blackleg Gully Circuit at Castle Hill.
More experienced and fitter riders will be rewarded by a trip out to Hidden Vale Adventure Park at Grandchester where you can ride all day on flowing single track.
The pump tracks at Grande Park, Annabelle St Park and Castle Hill are great places to take kids and work on your bike skills.
For advanced riders Castle Hill is the place to challenge yourself on technically challenging, rocky, hand-built trails.
And don’t be put off by the wet weather. I’m told it is ideal after rain when the tracks are grippy and fast and you can push your limits.
Program
Saturday 21 October:
- Pup Dash: Kids Event
- Dingo Howl: 40KM MTB RIDE.
- Dingo Dash: 5KM Trail RUN
- Dingo Duo: 5KM Trail RUN, 40KM MTB RIDE, 5KM Trail RUN
- Dingo Duo Intro: 5KM Trail RUN, 20KM MTB RIDE, 5KM Trail RUN
Sunday 22 October:
- Dingo Enduro: 4 hours, 3 Stages – ride stages in any order and as many times you like within the allocated 4hrs your best time from each stage will go towards your final result. Full-face helmets are not a requirement for this event.
Give mountain biking a go yourself
You’ve smashed up some of those single tracks with your mates or family and are starting to think: I’m not so bad at this mountain biking biz.
So what about putting it to the test in a race? This weekend presents the ideal opportunity to find out how good or bad you might be with the annual 99 Bikes Dingo events at Spicers Hidden Vale on Saturday and Sunday.
They cater for everyone: from the mountain bike beginners through to the elite cross-country racers.
The Dingo provides fun and entertainment for the whole family, including a wildlife show with a crocodile, snakes, and cute marsupials. You can ride, run, run-ride-run, go long solo or team up for the enduro events.
There is an event just for kids and a new introduction duathlon race, plus the popular Dingo Enduro on the Sunday. Registration opens at 7.15am, with the first race, the Pup Dash, starting at 8.15am.
All events will be staged at the Retired Gun Range at the spectacular Grandchester adventure park, a working cattle farm that runs approximately 600 head of cattle over 5000 hectares. Camping is available Friday and Saturday nights and you’ll be able to rise with the sun and enjoy a leisurely breakfast barbecue.
Practice the stages late Saturday afternoon then prepare to get a good night’s sleep before taking on the newest challenge at Hidden Vale Adventure Park, being the Dingo Enduro. For more information: http://www.dingoduo.com.au/about/
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