The Magic of Margaret River Well, as most of you would know, Margaret River (MR) is generally know for is world class surfing and boutique wineries and more recently, some outstanding micro breweries, but did you know that Margaret River is also a hot spot for some truly amazing MTB trails. Sure, there are all the inherent issues of keen locals and time poor land managers, but the potential of the DEC forest and the people who are willing to make it happen, meant that Margaret River was the place to be for Trail Sustainability Workshop number 3. I have to say that when I was first discussing and contemplating holding the trail network in Margaret River there was some fairly heated debate about whether or not I had completely flipped it. The local Dept of Conservation (DEC) Rangers and managers were nervous, there was no legal trail network and the town was home to some totally insatiable trail fairies (I prefer to call them pirates, maybe trail trolls). But what Margs had going for it as far as a venue for the Workshop was that local trail issues were coming to a head, it also sat in the middle of the SW region so it was a reasonable trip from either as far as Bunbury or Albany, and well Perth had already had plenty of loving from Mr Joey Klein during previous visits. So as usual, not wanting to make life easy for myself, I stuck to my guns and insisted that MR was the go and no matter where you were at you had better make tracks to MR if you wanted to be part of the next major shift in WA MTB Trail development. Once again the turnout from DEC staff was well rounded with senior management making the trip from Perth to mix it in with the regional managers and rangers but also to get to know the local riders. Day 1 – the area that the DEC Rangers have suggested for the development of a new trail network is beyond belief. Trail builders like myself, could not believe it. We thought that they were taking the piss, like some sort of bad joke, but no, they insisted, this is the place and that’s when the imagination started to run wild. This block of 300 hectares (yes, 300 hectares) has the potential to provide a twisty single track link from the centre of town right to the front door step of a frigging brewery and a bloody good one at that. Good side slopes, perfect soil conditions and a tall canopy with rock outcrops and very big logs; I mean really, does it get any better than that. Day 2 – gets even better, looking at the local dirt jumps with DEC staff, it is easy to see that these guys are totally cool with the discussion about the development of a full scale bike park facility in amongst the pines. The dirt here in the pines is A1, no doubt about it and basically primed and ready for dirt sculpture. Of course there has been a history of dirt jumping in this location, but now it is time to ramp it up and take it to the next level with some decent machinery and well thought out designs that can cater for the littlest pinner through to the hardened dirt merchant. A key element of the future direction for the region is for the local riding groups to develop a comprehensive MTB submission to the local DEC office in the build up to the review of the relevant Management Plan. Thanks to the Joeys presentation and the roll out of the Workshop, the DEC staff now have a better understanding what is meant by “pocket parks”, “skills areas” tight twisty single trail and flow trails. Not only do they understand it they seem to be keen to make it happen and to work with local riders. Wow, I love my new job and the one way we (Joey and I) have been talking it up every day, motivating ourselves for the next big trail workshop is – SAVING THE WORLD, ONE TRAIL AT A TIME! By creating great single tracks and progressive trail networks, we can cater for everyone and get Aussies out there and into the great outdoors. Luck number 3! Thanks to: |
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IMBA Australia |
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