ACT Best of Canberra Mountain Bike Experience Workshops

rowdyflat said:
Not a brilliant reason to build a FU massive bitumen carpark complete with ticket machines.
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I will also add, the blister islands are too small to sustain a tree of the required dimensions for the ACT governments tree cover policy, the use of a root barrier will kill the trees by constraining the growth of the root structure, and no root barrier will eventually lead to a fucked pavement and shortened design life and complaints from users...
 
bear the bear said:
I will also add, the blister islands are too small to sustain a tree of the required dimensions for the ACT governments tree cover policy, the use of a root barrier will kill the trees by constraining the growth of the root structure, and no root barrier will eventually lead to a fucked pavement and shortened design life and complaints from users...
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There's hardly any blister islands at all, from memory.

I'm no expert on these or any other matters, but surely a solution could have been found to not have a massive, un-shaded area of blackness like that.

The ticket machines I can deal with, given that the proceeds go back into the park.
 
johnny said:
There's hardly any blister islands at all, from memory.

I'm no expert on these or any other matters, but surely a solution could have been found to not have a massive, un-shaded area of blackness like that.

The ticket machines I can deal with, given that the proceeds go back into the park.
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See above, trees and AC are not a good mix typically.
I also think it was not part of the design brief to include shading.

Disclaimer: I work for the company that designed and supervised the construction of the carpark. However, I was not involved in this project.
 
bear the bear said:
I also think it was not part of the design brief to include shading.
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That would be a major part of the problem that I'm referring to. I mean, I see other carparks around with big planter boxes and other similar solutions, not sure why something could not have been identified for this project.

I'm pointing the finger at the people who are responsible for the carpark and the commission of its development, not anyone else.
 
johnny said:
That would be a major part of the problem that I'm referring to. I mean, I see other carparks around with big planter boxes and other similar solutions, not sure why something could not have been identified for this project.

I'm pointing the finger at the people who are responsible for the carpark and the commission of its development, not anyone else.
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Denman is basically a tree free suburb too, I always thought maybe it's so there's less maintenance, as work and all that costs money plus tree roots etc. I wondered if that's why they didn't plant trees (and have just now started putting little pines on nature strips) in Denman as you see in other suburbs the footpaths require a lot of maintenance which costs the government money in the end.
 
Latest newsletter from Stromlo says:

At the recent Stromlo Stakeholder Consultative Committee (SSCC) meeting, we received an update from EPSDD and Dirt Art on the new Stromlo to Cotter trail. The trail is currently in the design phase and running to schedule at about half way through the project, aiming for construction to begin in November 2024.

Sure you can't share anything with us on here @dirtart?

I'm particularly keen to know if as part of 'flow trail' design there might be optional techier lines here and there for more advanced riders.

The new trail crew at Stromlo are doing a lot of work at the moment, and it's interesting to see how the main trail down from the top - Western Wedgetail and Skyline - have been smoothed out significantly. I can see the logic; newer riders are entitled to have a green run down, but it is taking out what challenges there were - it's rolling very fast now mind you:

Our trail maintenance crew have been working through what the coming months will look like for the maintenance of the trails, including the UC Stromlo Volunteer Program (more information on this below). The team currently have a main focus on the green trails, in particular Skyline and ensuring the trails meet the relevant grading. The team plan to undertake regular internal audits and are happy to hear from you with your suggestions.

Seeing as the Stromlo to Cotter is a different crew, I'm keen to know how they'll approach making it fun for all levels.
 
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Tubbsy said:
Latest newsletter from Stromlo says:

At the recent Stromlo Stakeholder Consultative Committee (SSCC) meeting, we received an update from EPSDD and Dirt Art on the new Stromlo to Cotter trail. The trail is currently in the design phase and running to schedule at about half way through the project, aiming for construction to begin in November 2024.

Sure you can't share anything with us on here @dirtart?

I'm particularly keen to know if as part of 'flow trail' design there might be optional techier lines here and there for more advanced riders.

The new trail crew at Stromlo are doing a lot of work at the moment, and it's interesting to see how the main trail down from the top - Western Wedgetail and Skyline - have been smoothed out significantly. I can see the logic; newer riders are entitled to have a green run down, but it is taking out what challenges there were - it's rolling very fast now mind you:

Our trail maintenance crew have been working through what the coming months will look like for the maintenance of the trails, including the UC Stromlo Volunteer Program (more information on this below). The team currently have a main focus on the green trails, in particular Skyline and ensuring the trails meet the relevant grading. The team plan to undertake regular internal audits and are happy to hear from you with your suggestions.

Seeing as the Stromlo to Cotter is a different crew, I'm keen to know how they'll approach making it fun for all levels.
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I thought it was always the plan for Stromlo to be smoothed out as its a family park and for accessibility riding?
This is also probably due to the rise in insurance premiums that the ACT has encountered for owned facilities, so easier to manage the risk if there is less 'difficulty'.
Just taking a stab in the dark, Ive only worked with getting permits for car shows, but thats why car shows more often opt to go over the border to NSW such as Auto Italia etc, its just become very expensive.
 
dancaseyimages said:
I thought it was always the plan for Stromlo to be smoothed out as its a family park and for accessibility riding?
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I haven't heard anything like that.

I think it's fair enough to provide an easier option down for families and newbies, given it's a government funded park, but there's plenty of opportunity to axe yourself on Vapour Trail or any of the rocky black trails from the top. I don't see them sanitising those for kids and adaptive riders.

It makes sense for Stromlo to have clearly defined trail grades so riders know what they're in for. In recent years you'd have trails tidied up and riding like a green, and then eroding and washing out to become a whole lot sketchier. I think if the full time maintenance crew can give each trail an identity and difficulty that's consistent from end to end then that's a good thing.
 
Tubbsy said:
I haven't heard anything like that.

... but it is taking out what challenges there were - it's rolling very fast now mind you:
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The one thing I did hear was that it would cater to all riders and have multiple lines like most of the rest of the park. I can't recall where I heard it.

Wedgetail had very little done for so many years, all the real challenges are still there, you (and me) just never hit any of them ;)

 
Scotty T said:
Wedgetail had very little done for so many years, all the real challenges are still there, you (and me) just never hit any of them ;)
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Oh absolutely, that guy is gapping things I didn't know existed.

I'm too old and uncoordinated to hit anything harder than a four-foot bench cut flow trail with regular park benches, but it's fun to dream.
 
Tubbsy said:
I haven't heard anything like that.

I think it's fair enough to provide an easier option down for families and newbies, given it's a government funded park, but there's plenty of opportunity to axe yourself on Vapour Trail or any of the rocky black trails from the top. I don't see them sanitising those for kids and adaptive riders.

It makes sense for Stromlo to have clearly defined trail grades so riders know what they're in for. In recent years you'd have trails tidied up and riding like a green, and then eroding and washing out to become a whole lot sketchier. I think if the full time maintenance crew can give each trail an identity and difficulty that's consistent from end to end then that's a good thing.
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Yeah I cant remember where I heard it, pedal power, bmx jump openings and the local members have all been in my ear lately, don't get me wrong its an awesome park for all skill levels and even when the races are on its probably one of the few I have been to that has a majority of the trails still running untaped.
 
Tubbsy said:
Oh absolutely, that guy is gapping things I didn't know existed.

I'm too old and uncoordinated to hit anything harder than a four-foot bench cut flow trail with regular park benches, but it's fun to dream.
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I was bummed last ride out that the inside line over the rocks on the first right hander in Wedgetail was now smooth dirt and much less of an inside line. But all the lumps have grown and on Skyline all the little lips with gaps are bigger lips now.

I've hit fuck all of the stuff I used to since my big off 18 months ago :( I think it's time for a quarry drop session again to bring back some "that's heaps easier than it looks" vibes.
 
Scotty T said:
I was bummed last ride out that the inside line over the rocks on the first right hander in Wedgetail was now smooth dirt and much less of an inside line.
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Yeah I felt the same way - with the right line and speed you could kind of float over those rocks and it was a fun challenge to get it just right. As long as they work on introducing some fun features and tech into the blue the trails I'm fine with it.

There's always Rollercoaster from the top, so you don't have to use Wedgetail.
 
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