Wisey
Likes Bikes and Dirt
Yes, it's true. After close to two years of work behind the scenes with Parks Vic Kinglake we have finally been given the "Official" head office approval for a complete overhaul and the subsequent legalisation of the Bowden Spur DH track near Kinglake.
Awesome news for not only the DH riders of Melbourne but DH riders everywhere in Aus. It will only be the second public legal DH riding facility near Melbourne and the first one that is really shuttleable by vehicle.
At this stage there is still a hell of a lot of the planning process to be dealt with as well as raising as much funding as possible to help out in the many areas we will need funding for. Parks Vic only have a small budget to work with so with their help we will be applying for several Gov't community grants to assist us as well as looking for and working with several sponsors and supporters from all aspects of the cycling industry and community.
We plan to build a track that will cater for all levels of rider from the DH beginner and juniors all the way through to the most experienced Elite level riders. Glen Jacobs has walked the entire area, looked over the plans and proposal and was extremely postive about what is achievable out there and has offered World Trails full support and any advice we may need in all aspects of the plannning and building stages. Parking facilities will be made at the top as well to accomodate the higher levels of traffic as well as appropriate vehicle turning spaces. The current issues of erosion on the powerline access tracks have already been fixed with the help of a dozer and Powercore which was an achievement in itself as this was the first thing that needed attention to make it work. The track will also be realigned in several areas so as to not cross or interfere with Bowden Spur Rd anywhere which is an obvious problem at the moment in regards to vehicle conflict.
The plan at this stage is to start working bees at regular monthly intervals at the end of summer in March/April 2009, we need to get properly organised to hit the ground running and besides the soil is just too dry to build out there at this time of year anyway. It'll take a hell of a lot of work from a dedicated volunteer group and as many part time volunteers as possible, it's not going to be built in 6 months, it's going to take time and will be built in sections and opened when ready. The more money we raise the more machinery we can utilise which will make the job happen a lot quicker.
If your reading this and would like to help out in any way please do not hesitate to contact me via PM and register your interest and I will keep everyone updated as we get closer to starting work. I also urge anyone reading this who has been building out there recently to refrain from building any more. Parks Vic signage will be placed at the trail head in the coming weeks to deter any further building and a heads up as to whats happening.
So if you already ride Kingers, get excited cause it's gunna be a sick track when it's finished...
Awesome news for not only the DH riders of Melbourne but DH riders everywhere in Aus. It will only be the second public legal DH riding facility near Melbourne and the first one that is really shuttleable by vehicle.
At this stage there is still a hell of a lot of the planning process to be dealt with as well as raising as much funding as possible to help out in the many areas we will need funding for. Parks Vic only have a small budget to work with so with their help we will be applying for several Gov't community grants to assist us as well as looking for and working with several sponsors and supporters from all aspects of the cycling industry and community.
We plan to build a track that will cater for all levels of rider from the DH beginner and juniors all the way through to the most experienced Elite level riders. Glen Jacobs has walked the entire area, looked over the plans and proposal and was extremely postive about what is achievable out there and has offered World Trails full support and any advice we may need in all aspects of the plannning and building stages. Parking facilities will be made at the top as well to accomodate the higher levels of traffic as well as appropriate vehicle turning spaces. The current issues of erosion on the powerline access tracks have already been fixed with the help of a dozer and Powercore which was an achievement in itself as this was the first thing that needed attention to make it work. The track will also be realigned in several areas so as to not cross or interfere with Bowden Spur Rd anywhere which is an obvious problem at the moment in regards to vehicle conflict.
The plan at this stage is to start working bees at regular monthly intervals at the end of summer in March/April 2009, we need to get properly organised to hit the ground running and besides the soil is just too dry to build out there at this time of year anyway. It'll take a hell of a lot of work from a dedicated volunteer group and as many part time volunteers as possible, it's not going to be built in 6 months, it's going to take time and will be built in sections and opened when ready. The more money we raise the more machinery we can utilise which will make the job happen a lot quicker.
If your reading this and would like to help out in any way please do not hesitate to contact me via PM and register your interest and I will keep everyone updated as we get closer to starting work. I also urge anyone reading this who has been building out there recently to refrain from building any more. Parks Vic signage will be placed at the trail head in the coming weeks to deter any further building and a heads up as to whats happening.
So if you already ride Kingers, get excited cause it's gunna be a sick track when it's finished...