Trails Information

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Trails Information

Trail lists

Trail care programs

Environmental issues

Securing our MTB Future

Trail care is something all MTB'ers need to be more aware of in order to ensure we do our bit towards securing our own future in MTB. Ignoring common courtesy, permits, signage, or riding where we shouldn't be, might satisfy our own selfish needs doesn't help to build a good relationship for future MTBing.

Staying on Track

Why should we stay on the trails and not do our own thing?
Without doubt, or room for argument, we should only ride on the tracks we are allowed to. We should also not stray off these tracks and cut corners or take 'shortcuts'.
Practise low impact cycling. Damage to the track occurs when we skid and when we ride in muddy conditions. Accept the challenge of the trail, if you can't ride a section, walk it until your skills improve.

SIGNS - They are there for a reason

Why are some tracks closed to MTB'ers?
There can be several reasons for this. Among them are these ...

It may be a very popular walking track and it gives walkers a safe path to follow. The track may be showing signs of wear and tear from MTBs, horses etc, and needs time to regenerate before we are allowed back on the track.
Sadly I often see many bike tire tracks leading down tracks clearly marked as bicycles prohibited, or marked No Access for regeneration. If we continue to ride where we are not wanted in these forests of ours, the rangers will close the area to us altogether. Stick to the trails we are allowed to ride on!

Legal Trails

Although great headway is being made in getting us more legal MTB trails by groups like the GCTA, many that we ride on are grey areas at best and we must show as much courtesy as possible to stop the authorities from banning us from them. Bit by bit MTB only trails are being designated and in the same way there are walking only trails too. Look for the signs.

Trail Manners

Other Riders Obviously you will meet other riders out on the trails. If they are coming towards you on a flatish trail then try to give them room to pass even if you have to dismount. Hopefully if they have a better spot to pull over they will do so first. If you are descending and see another rider coming up the hill do your best to give way to the climbing rider. It's alot easier for you to get going again then it is for the rider trying to climb if he is forced to stop.

Horses

Sometimes you'll find horses (and hopefully a rider on top) on the same trail. The rider usually knows their horse well so listen to their instructions if they give you any. Until then it's best to slow right up and stop on the side of the trail and let the horse and rider pass. While in the proximity of the horse keep quiet and make no sudden movements.

Walkers and Joggers

The speed difference between you and a walker or jogger is big enough, but on a tight trail it's even worse. These people will usually do their best to get out of your way, so do them the courtesy of slowing up and thanking them strongly for their effort. Some of these trail users have dogs with them also, some on leash, some not. Either way, if you see a dog, slow up and give the owner time to restrain, give the dog orders, or at least reassure their dog. Again, thank them for their effort.

Wildlife

We ride in their backyard, please remember that. Man takes more and more of their precious habitat away each year. The least we can do is try to minimise their inconvenience and give them right of way if we encounter them. It's common to see large spiders, small and large snakes, lizards and goannas, Koala's, wallaby's and roo's. Most of these will easily scamper or hop away in time to avoid you. Sometimes though you'll surprize a snake, especially the larger pythons. Simply give them time to move on and enjoy the chance to observe them from a safe distance. This is the best action for when you encounter all wildlife.

Don't Destroy What You Came To Enjoy

Ken Brown's words are true and concise, even for the MTB'er "If we enjoy where we are riding ... then why cause damage there? Why, as Ken Brown puts it, "Destroy what you came to enjoy?"

Leaving rubbish (including food scraps) in the forests can allow foreign flora to spawn and damage the delicate balance in these living playgrounds we spend so much time in.

If you bring it in ...take it out. Surely thats not too much to ask for the privilage (and it IS a privilage...not a right) to ride our bikes in the forests?

Don't disturb the habitat within the forests. Leave dead trees and live trees and plants alone. They all play apart in the ecology of the forest and if disturbed can disrupt an animal or insects home, or perhaps cause erosion etc.

The very serious MTB'ers often contact the Forest Rangers of the areas they ride in to offer their services in maintaining the trails they ride on. This establishes a good working relationship with the Rangers and goes along way to allowing the MTB'ers many trails to ride on well into the future.

National Parks

These are areas of special environmental significance and are simply out of bounds to all vehicles including MTBs!! Heavy fines can be incurred if you are caught in a National Park. Please stay out!

Here you can see how close the Koala let me get

In the same small patch of bush, which is located near a large housing estate, I've seen not only this Koala but also large Pythons, large Monitor Lizards and even an Echidna! You may not think anyone lives in the bush near you ... but I'll bet you are wrong!
This will help to ensure they will be there in future for yours and others enjoyment