Blog from September, 2005

The new review of the Mt Wellington Bike Strategy is open for comment until the 17th October.
See http://www.wellingtonpark.tas.gov.au/3_5.htm

One of the most interesting recommendations is for a new track from the Springs to Junction Cabin and then on to the bike park:

Recommendation 3

Undertake further feasibility investigations and assessments for:

• the construction of a bike trail from Shoobridge Bend to Junction Cabin below the existing Lenah Valley Track;
• construction of a track between The Springs and the new track from Shoobridge Bend suitable for shared use;
• continue the bike link from Junction Cabin to Kangaroo Fire Trail and thus link to the Glenorchy Mountain Bike Park);
• investigating the option of a new downhill bike riding link from the proposed new track to Middle Island Fire Trail or Main Fire Trail and with a possible connection to the Rivulet Track.

Recommendation 5

Depending on available resources, investigations be undertaken into the need and possible community and Park user support for bike access to:

• Old Farm Track (south fork);
• some sections of the fire breaks on the Main Fire Trail;
• the former 'Drops Track' linking Bracken Lane fire trail to Rivulet Track;
• Knocklofty Reserve through Noahs Saddle and connecting with the fire trails within Wellington Park (near junction with the Main fire trail);
• Goat Hills within the City of Glenorchy over land managed by the Council;
• extension of the Rivulet bike path along the Hobart Rivulet to Strickland Avenue (to connect to the nearby Rivulet Track) by negotiated access agreement with the land owner, Cascade Brewery; and
• possibly from Waterworks to Ridgeway Park and to Summerleas Road and Fern Tree (this may require negotiated access agreement over private land).

Details of Round 1 of the MTB Nationals to be held at the Glenorchy Bike Park on October 29-30 have been posted at http://tasbikepark.com/events.php.

An excerpt:

The Glenorchy Mountain Bike Park Association and the Dirt Devils Mountain Bike Club in association with MTBA presents Round 1 of the 2005/2006 National Mountain Bike Series

(XC & DH) and Round 2 (MTX)

October 29-30 2005 in Glenorchy (Hobart), Tasmania, Australia

Registration

Friday 28th October 1.30PM - 4.00PM
Saturday 29th October 7.00AM - 3.00PM
Sunday 30th October 7.00AM - 9.00AM

Postal entries must be received by Friday 21st October 2005

Courses

Take the opportunity to check out Australia's latest purpose built mountain bike park. The Glenorchy Mountain Bike Park is only 15 minutes out from Hobart's city centre. Downhill, X-Country, Mountain-X, and Dirt Jumps all centred in one facility that has been professionally designed by Glen Jacobs.

The XC course is a 20 to 30 minute circuit that winds around the whole park and through the race village. Lots of variation in terrain and landscapes, with climbs, downhills and technical sections throughout the course. The entire course should be negotiable for experienced riders however.

The Downhill starts at an elevation of approximately 400m and drops down to the race village at 160m- taking around four minutes to complete. Technical sections, fast flowing sections, drops, jumps, rock gardens and some big forest - this is a long course with heaps of variation and technical features.

The MTN-X course is located in the centre of the race village. The whole course is around six metres wide and has multiple line options. Expect the lead to change often on this monster-Australia's biggest Mountain Cross course.

Some great dirt jump trails are also tucked into the forest around the race village to keep you entertained between races.

Trail map and images available at www.tasbikepark.com

Event Hype

The only combined Downhill, Cross Country and Mountain Cross event in the 2005/06 National Series is being held at the recently opened Glenorchy Mountain Bike Park, in Hobart.

"Expect the Tasmanians to put on a huge show! Readers of other MTB websites will already know that the newest and biggest MTN X course in Australia has just been built in Tassie, which together with perfect weather for mountain biking, great beer and a very enthusiastic local crew: this event will rock." (Tony Scott, President Mountain Bike Australia).

Come and check out Australia's latest purpose built Mountain Bike Park, only 15 minutes out from the City Centre of Hobart. Designed by world-renowned course designer Glen Jacobs - think Sydney Olympics, World Cup, World Championships - over 150 courses in 17 countries, yet he calls this: "the most exciting project for years - the location, the tracks, the people. The place is set to become a major mountain biking destination. There is nothing else like it in Australia." (Glen Jacobs, Mudcow Visions)

The trip down to Tassie will be well worth it. A huge event is in store, with lots of local support and a prize pool expected to exceed $10,000 - including some awesome prizes and giveaways (e.g. Kona jump bike - thanks to Kona and Treadlies).

The Frenchmans Cap has been completely rewritten based on Phil Robinson's 1979 guide, and is now back online.

Thanks to Phil for providing the material and editing the drafts, and to Pete Steane for allowing the use of his 1991 and subsequent route descriptions.

The guide could probably do with a hi-res photo topo. So if anyone has a clear 4 mega pixel or higher image of the main face of Frenchmans as viewed from Barron Pass, please contribute.

• Go to the Frenchmans Cap

This is a video of Dis-Abled (V6) at the Reservoir taken by Dave Humphries.

There have been quite a few pods of whales of the coast this year. I spotted a couple of Cape Raoul, Stella saw a mother and a calf in Adventure Bay, and there were several reports in the paper. These photos are of dolphins in the Hobart Docks on Monday 8th Sept, and one of the whale in Adventure Bay

Dolphins in the hobart docks	Whale at adventure bay	Dolphins in the hobart docks	Dolphins in the hobart docks
Dolphins in the hobart docks