Workshop 4: Lysterfield, Melbourne Four on the floor; that is for sure. The pace was really picking up by the time we hit Melbourne. Especially when you have got a guy like Snozza (of Full Gas Promotions and Trailmix fame) driving the peloton. Trying to keep up with this guy is like trying to tame the wind. Fresh off the Margaret River workshop, Joey and I were due to take different paths. I was off to Adelaide to assist the City of Mitcham in the Tender briefing for the design and construction of Zones 3 and 4 (Stage 2 of the trail development). After all, I was the person responsible for the approvals, public consultation and pulling together a fair amount of the detail for the next stage of development so I was there to answer a few questions. While I was mixing with the nation’s most prestigious trail building companies, well 3 off them, Joey went for a blast around You Yangs and caught up with the local trail builders and rangers to investigate and capture the essence of the innovative trail work that has been achieved there. From what I can tell, Joey did get the chance to enjoy the Merida 140 as supplied by Trailmix. Anyway, the workshop was huge, massive in fact. Almost 70 delegates all up with about 40 of them being land managers and that’s no mean feat. With a strong contingent from Parks Victoria (PV) and the Dept of Sustainability and Environment (DSE), and delegates from all corners of the State, it could be suggested that his workshop was the most important meeting in history for Victorian mountain biking. With that in mind, it felt like the start of a race. I remember that feeling, sweaty palms, butterflies, and no space for mistakes. All I had to do was unleash the Trail Master, give him a clear run so that he could work his magic. That sounds a little out there, but the delegates definitely related to what Joey was presenting but they were truly amazed at what has been achieved in difficult places. Urban MTB opportunities are the toughest challenge for land managers, but they will yield significant results if the hurdles and conflicts can be overcome. But more importantly, it was clear that the regions were well on their way to developing world class MTB facilities and Joey was able to give them a nudge in the right direction and provide encouragement to think big. Think big – build big. You Yangs, Forrest and Mt Buller are testament to that. Now it’s time to replicate this success in the remaining regions of the State. Day 2 got a bit crazy. Showing people how to cut in grade dips was one thing, but Snozza was committed to achieving some significant outcomes on the ground so in rolled a 10 ton excavator and all off the PV Lysterfield Headquarters big equipment. Large rocks were deposited in strategic locations for the delegates to create Technical Trail Features and Chokes but the machine was also on hand to move some massive pieces of rock to make the most full on granite wall ride in the park. Needless to say that the delegates got very busy, and even when the rain settled in, there were still plenty of hands on deck to make this ambitious undertaking a success. Once more, with a feeling that we had made a difference, but also the knowledge that IMBA Aust needs to maintain the momentum built during the last 3 weeks, we were off to NSW to rock their world with the news of fantastic trail developments from around the world and Australia. Special Thanks to: |
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