Mount Baw Baw Dh Track Rebuild

[benmwatkins]

After many months of long phone calls, emails and a proposal or two, the DH nationals race track at Mount Baw Baw is set to be fully rebuilt. I just got the call from Stewart, the head ranger up at Baw Baw and after talking to him and several of his staff with many ideas on what is good for the mountain, the track and mountain biking in general we have come to an agreement between the mountain and Samaria MTB Promotions.

Soon as the snow and slush is gone ill be heading up to re-plan the lay-out, trying to totally avoid the slop fest which has always been at the top of that track, aswell as build some totally new sections to juice the track up a bit and make it more interesting, without loosing too much flow, aswell as fixing up alot of the problem erosion areas that the hill faces. It wont be Barjarg version two, but thats the direction im heading in.

All this wont start until late in the year and we'll fully promote the first build day, but for now its one more track re-opened for events in Victoria. Ride days at Bairnsdale, Apolla Bay and Barjarg soon. Stay tuned to www.smbp.com.au for all relevant updates.

[cam-o]

Unreal news.
Congratulations to everybody involved and thanks for your efforts.
Never ridden Baw Baw but that can always change.........

[ajay]

Im sure i speak for many here when i say - big props to Watkins and the crew for getting so much done in the last year or so. Top work mate...

Every time i log on here it seems there is another track in the pipeline... props mate, big props.

[Samy]

Sounds excellent. Great to see you have a good result from all the talks and proposals, good example showing that it is often worth putting in the hard yards, specially when it comes to MTB.

Will the track/races be run in conjunction with the chair up there?

Ride day at Apollo Bay sounds the goods!! Be keeping my ear out for that one!

[benmwatkins]

Na we dont use the chair lift (cause its not there any more!) but there is a tar road all the way from pick up back to the top and any one who's raced there knows its a pretty quick turn around time too. The mountain has invested alot of money in tourism lately and there is tons of new accomodation there and it seems like a great thing for all concerned, especially racing in Victoria.

Yeah I got another totally brand new track in the pipeline too but I keep these things to myself as I dont want random people ringing/hassling rangers.

[karl]

well ben that's awesome news, im off to spray lots of cfc's and drive my car to promote the green house effect and melt the snow quicker. BRING BACK BAW BAW,yeah ha.

[benmwatkins]

Imagine this as a very spread out vic state downhill series...........

Baw Baw, Ararat, Barjarg, Bairnsdale, Apollo Bay, Mt Buller, Eildon, Big Hill, You Yangs......... and one more brand new track close to melb....... how sick would that be???? Seven of those tracks are worthy of nationals races.

If all the clubs could sit down and make this happen, it would be great for racing down here, maybe even as good as Qld? If you lads from other clubs are reading this, pm me with your thoughts.....im listening

[gravity]

Add a race at Mt Stanley to that fine list of potential DH races in Vic. Parks Victoria have "officially approved" the track and we are hoping to run a DH race in December 2006. Not sure if it will be invite only (or advertised as an "elite course") or a general "open to all" race. The issue is some sections there are only advanced "A lines" available with no real option for easier "B lines" around stuff in the rock garden. First race there may just be open to "expert, elite, U-19 + U-17 riders". The other reason is access and a long run and turnaround time. May to limited to 100-150 riders. Fast times are 7-8 minutes. Lots more work has been done on Mt Stanley of late including track stabilisation, armouring, berms dug in, natural log jumps and widening of the lower (narrow) singletrack section. It keeps getting better.

[BrumbyJack]

I think although we live in NSW, we'd be more likely to do the Vic series!!! Most of the tracks are closer to home!!!

We have been to Baw Baw in summer and the kids tackled the DH track on their XC bikes but didn't get that far due to an encounter with a snake

This could give me another excuse to visit a friend at Baw Baw, he owns a lodge/restaurant/bar, so let me know when your race is coming up and I'm sure he would be open.

[Lombers]

I rode the original Baw Baw track and apart from the top section it was awesome. Can't wait to see this back on the calender