Plenty Gorge and Parks Vic

cracker

Likes Dirt
so whats going to actually happen ?
close old trails? open new trails ? clean up existing trails? removal of jumps ?
 

emerthis

Likes Dirt
so whats going to actually happen ?
close old trails? open new trails ? clean up existing trails? removal of jumps ?
Good questions.

Our proposal is to keep all existing trails, hopefully in their current form. We expect that some may have to be closed, but in any such case we intend to reroute them as necessary.

The first part is to have environmental, heritage and safety assessments done on everything which is already there. The environmental and heritage studies are to be done by PV Rangers. The safety and sustainability aspects we will be able to contribute to, looking at everything from an IMBA standard (yes, we know that's not the only set of standards that could be used, but it's the one PV is relying on).

We'd like to propose new trails at a later stage. Something to suit all comers, hopefully a skills area, maybe a pump track, and possible extensions to the XC network. We intend to have an area for jumps trails - pretty much where they are already - but we will support keeping all the trails open, jumps and all.

When the time comes for further planning and additional proposals, we'll be consulting widely to make sure we're backing what a large number of people actually want.

It's a long process, but as I said in my last post, at least we're finally starting to make some headway.

Cheers,
Emerson
 

Big JD

Wheel size expert
Had a good ride at PG yesterday.

Ran into a guy with a new Evil The Following- holy crapper, in the flesh this is a work of art. Light, stiff and rode beautifully. Bike porn of Plenty
 

Marx

Likes Dirt
Pump tracks do require a fair bit of maintenance, in comparison to XC trails, and requires powered equipment to keep in shape.
The pump track at Kensington (JJ Holland park) is closed on wet days & large parts of the winter, not sure how something like that wold be managed at Plenty Gorge.

Signage seems to suffer in parks within urban environments, it'll be hard to come up with signage that can withstand vandalism. Perhaps engraved/embossed logs/stumps instead of painted signs?
 

emerthis

Likes Dirt
Pump tracks do require a fair bit of maintenance, in comparison to XC trails, and requires powered equipment to keep in shape.
The pump track at Kensington (JJ Holland park) is closed on wet days & large parts of the winter, not sure how something like that wold be managed at Plenty Gorge.

Signage seems to suffer in parks within urban environments, it'll be hard to come up with signage that can withstand vandalism. Perhaps engraved/embossed logs/stumps instead of painted signs?
Yes, a pump track would be some way off yet. The main plan is to see how much we can get approved and maintain without powered equipment because this is much easier to arrange on PV property.

The signage issue is challenging too. Engraved signage is the preferred option, but there will need to be printed maps and information signs at the main trailheads, so we'll see how other areas manage it and run with the best option - when that time comes, of course.
 

Beej1

Senior Member
Had a good ride at PG yesterday.

Ran into a guy with a new Evil The Following- holy crapper, in the flesh this is a work of art. Light, stiff and rode beautifully. Bike porn of Plenty
Was it a matt black frame? Saw some guy riding in from Kariboo direction that morning on something I could not identify in ride-past-glance. Looked awesome.
 

dynamitedread

Likes Dirt
Thought I'd bring this thread back from the grave. Recently I've been exploring new to me trails at the gorge and was wondering how far north is there still single track ?. Have explored all around Yellow gum and a couple of km northerly but not any further. Also after you cross the river after yellow gum can you link back towards Greensbourgh. Just curious to add variety to regular ride
 

emerthis

Likes Dirt
Thought I'd bring this thread back from the grave. Recently I've been exploring new to me trails at the gorge and was wondering how far north is there still single track ?. Have explored all around Yellow gum and a couple of km northerly but not any further. Also after you cross the river after yellow gum can you link back towards Greensbourgh. Just curious to add variety to regular ride
There's a fair bit of trail to explore between yellow gum and mill park, check strava for details. There are at least 3 places to cross the river, so you can join up a loop heading back towards Greensborough but the trails become pretty vague on the mill park side as you head back south downstream from those crossings.
 

dynamitedread

Likes Dirt
Thanks. That's where I keep getting lost on the south side mill park. I will have to search harder. I got as far as Blue lake but lost the track around there and ended up following the roo fence back to Greensbourgh. Will say I do love Plenty gorge, there is such a variety of riding out there.
 

emerthis

Likes Dirt
There have been quite a few reports of trail vandalism in Plenty Gorge Park recently. This morning someone posted a photo of what seems to be part of the Goat Track (or Cliff Track) which has been deliberately dug up - not really somewhere you want to encounter a sudden trail obstacle.
Other reports have been of partially sawn planks on (unapproved) bridges, and trees/saplings cut to lay across the trails up near Mill Park.
Take extra care when riding out there at the moment. Please report any suspicious activity and post photos of anything you see that doesn't look right.
We're liaising closely with the Rangers and police reports have also been made where dangerous vandalism has occurred.

Safe riding, folks.
 
A follow up to the previous post about the track damage on Goat Track. On further investigation, a tree near the edge of the track has fallen down the slope damaging part of the track in the process. Repairs have been made so everything is ridable again, please take it easy while it beds in.

Happy Riding
PGMTB
 

dynamitedread

Likes Dirt
Saw some young blokes a few weeks ago pulling trees over and being a general nuisance, also saw a group of kids ripping the place up big time on dirt bikes. This was the southern side of yellow gum. Wondered if it was worth putting parks vic phone number in contacts so I can let them sort it out instead of getting jumped by a group of angry teenagers.
What's the go with recent trail being closed down. I was one of my favourite bits to ride. Will there be any alternate routes being planned
 

emerthis

Likes Dirt
We posted something about the trail closure on the club website and Facebook but probably neglected to put it here. The trail cuts through an environment protection zone (that's what the fence is there for) so we really had to support the closure by PV. There is an alternative route (or two) around it - not nearly as much fun but sadly necessary. See the club website for exact details. We had some signs up too but they tend to disappear pretty quickly.

Cheers,
Emerson
 

dynamitedread

Likes Dirt
Yeh I understand that the closure is for environmental reasons. It was the furthest I'd made through the park and was wondering if it's worth exploring further north than those trails. Hope so, I quite enjoy my exploring days there. Still haven't found a good way to loop back to Greensbourgh after the rock slab river crossing after yellow gum lake.
I really should join the club but mainly ride midweek and do shift work so not sure how much help I would be. Anyway thanks for your reply
 

Ezkaton

Eats Squid
The trails here keep getting better and better. So few people in there yesterday, was awesome.
Is it more than climbs upon climbs with featureless descents yet?
I've been out there twice since moving to the area (10 min drive away), south side then north side... and thought it was rubbish.

The descents weren't worth the climbing, at all.
 

Big JD

Wheel size expert
Is it more than climbs upon climbs with featureless descents yet?
I've been out there twice since moving to the area (10 min drive away), south side then north side... and thought it was rubbish.

The descents weren't worth the climbing, at all.
Its Xc mate- there are no features at this stage as the trails have not been formally authorized. If we stick jumps, drops and berms then nothing will be authorized. There are lots of other spots to get your chunk/stunt on- Red Hill, Youies. PG have some of the rawest, old school ST in VIC. I would love to see a few stunts but the local mtb club has been lobbying for 4 years to get permission to maintain whats there and develop new stuff- including some jumpy stuff.
You have to embrace your inner trailer........................
 

link1896

Mr Greenfield
PG is single track heaven. Push it to the limit and the downs are life threatening with all the steep dropoffs into the creek. Plenty of features to navigate on the downs on 100mm XC bikes. I enjoy up as much as down.

It's a park for 100mm bikes, taking the 150mm enduro here would be 2 hrs of hell.

I've enjoyed PG since racing there with fat tyre flyers in 1994
 
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