Fairly befuddling isn't it. Great watching from a spectators point of view too, heaps of action and you can watch it from start to finish from one spot.I was always confused how it didn't become a more popular aspect of the sport. It is (comparatively) cheaper and more accessible than most other genres while featured a lot of the good stuff jammed into a fast paced event.
Yep. Also pretty hard to make a good 4x track. We were in negotiations with Glen Jacobs (pre Worldtrails) to make one at Black Hill in Ballarat in the early 00’s, but council approval and price ended up torpedoing it.Do many people have access to 4x tracks outside of races? Makes it a bit hard for the average rider to get into and makes it more dedicated to an event.
The future of MTB in city area is likely to be smaller urban bike parks that could suit 4x again. The larger scale bike parks seem to only get up in areas away from the mass populations.Do many people have access to 4x tracks outside of races? Makes it a bit hard for the average rider to get into and makes it more dedicated to an event.
Very true. I agree it would be good but I don't expect it to get across the line with bureaucracy. It seems that most mtb infrastructure gets through by promising family friendly, what challenging trails there are only get by tacking them on to family fun tracks. In your scenario there isn't likely enough space for both and we know who will lose out. (Or they would go for a skate park instead)The future of MTB in city area is likely to be smaller urban bike parks that could suit 4x again. The larger scale bike parks seem to only get up in areas away from the mass populations.
Yep, Once the bureaucracy takes over you end up with something like this:Very true. I agree it would be good but I don't expect it to get across the line with bureaucracy. It seems that most mtb infrastructure gets through by promising family friendly, what challenging trails there are only get by tacking them on to family fun tracks. In your scenario there isn't likely enough space for both and we know who will lose out. (Or they would go for a skate park instead)
We're probably riding the same trails. Once those trails at Cringilla are I'll be driving past Cringilla on my way to ride the excellent network of trails that should have been formalised but haven't. Atleast the trails haven't been compromised to suit nonriders.Yep, Once the bureaucracy takes over you end up with something like this:
https://our.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/50575/widgets/266313/documents/120638/download
It will be interesting to see how it turns out as it is in my local area. Family friendly extends past the trails and becomes toilets, bbqs a cafes/bar and even free wifi was floated for this project.
Then they have to please all the non MTB riders and the environmentalist for a site that was an industrial was land.
The plan includes challenging trails for all skill levels but it won’t include the type of trails I mostly ride on our informal network. I guess there is potential for short course style races which will be good overall.
The best part about this plan is that it is close to some pretty fine Burek shops so the post ride feed will awways be good.
In Perth we have a public track in the hills and a accessible tracks out of the city...I wonder if the dual shox enduro/trail industry has not provided enough bikes for fast technical close competitions to push new products into our homes...Maybe no one wants to trash their $6000 trail steed in close contact.Do many people have access to 4x tracks outside of races? Makes it a bit hard for the average rider to get into and makes it more dedicated to an event.
What's the bet it will be known as "Cringe-y Hills" ?Yep, Once the bureaucracy takes over you end up with something like this:
https://our.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/50575/widgets/266313/documents/120638/download
It will be interesting to see how it turns out as it is in my local area. Family friendly extends past the trails and becomes toilets, bbqs a cafes/bar and even free wifi was floated for this project.
Then they have to please all the non MTB riders and the environmentalist for a site that was an industrial was land.
The plan includes challenging trails for all skill levels but it won’t include the type of trails I mostly ride on our informal network. I guess there is potential for short course style races which will be good overall.
The best part about this plan is that it is close to some pretty fine Burek shops so the post ride feed will awways be good.
I don’t realize you were in the Gong area as well. Still a bit to go on the escarpment project. It’s now down to about 30 km stage 1 and no one is refering to it as world class any more. I am still optimistic that it will be great. No 4x in the plan as far as I have seen.We're probably riding the same trails. Once those trails at Cringilla are I'll be driving past Cringilla on my way to ride the excellent network of trails that should have been formalised but haven't. Atleast the trails haven't been compromised to suit nonriders.
Haha it is already is a bit Cringey there.What's the bet it will be known as "Cringe-y Hills" ?
saw my first track at eagle mtb pk friday past, seems cool to be able to race your mates down a short track with mix of berms/rocks/jumps..the one at eagle was also a bit rough in places, some biggish rocks just lying around and the outside line just seemed to end in a super tight u turn, while the inside line had a nice wide cnr or berm to get around the 2nd cnrthe 4X track at Stromlo is still there (from the Worlds 2008), but not worth riding..no maintenance and badly erroded.
If you come off, the razor sharp shale would see you off to hospital right good and proper!
Only one of the WA tracks has government funding...more of a land management grant program...the others are on Private land and maintained by enthusiasts.Very true. I agree it would be good but I don't expect it to get across the line with bureaucracy. It seems that most mtb infrastructure gets through by promising family friendly, what challenging trails there are only get by tacking them on to family fun tracks. In your scenario there isn't likely enough space for both and we know who will lose out. (Or they would go for a skate park instead)