Victoria; the current situation.

[Roy Turner]

Hi burners,

I'm posting this thread to help get my head around the current situation/state of DH riding in Victoria. Bare with me.
I've been down here for a year now and been riding infrequently at some of the spots around the city (unfortunately less than more of recent). Work doesnt allow me a lot of free time so a free second is spend in the saddle and taking in what I can.

Most of my riding has been through my own research and the good word of riders on shuttle days, but I still find myself meeting a little hostility out on the trails from riders for still being new to the area (fair enough, some trails to some riders might be all they have or are a manifestation of their hard work, and props to them!) and not wanting to really pass on any "off the grid" spots.

My second concern is what trails really are legal down here and whats not. Without divulging too much information, what areas are strictly no go or ride spots? I dont want to stumble upon trails that either are "locals only" or be hightailing it away from rangers.

Is there anyone out there who can point me in the right direction, be it places, people or pages, to help me get in the know or circles of trust?
I've been looking to join legal groups to help contribute to the trail networks down here also, who leads the charge?

Much appreciated lads.

 

[teK--]

Hi burners,

I'm posting this thread to help get my head around the current situation/state of DH riding in Victoria. Bare with me.
I've been down here for a year now and been riding infrequently at some of the spots around the city (unfortunately less than more of recent). Work doesnt allow me a lot of free time so a free second is spend in the saddle and taking in what I can.

Most of my riding has been through my own research and the good word of riders on shuttle days, but I still find myself meeting a little hostility out on the trails from riders for still being new to the area (fair enough, some trails to some riders might be all they have or are a manifestation of their hard work, and props to them!) and not wanting to really pass on any "off the grid" spots.

My second concern is what trails really are legal down here and whats not. Without divulging too much information, what areas are strictly no go or ride spots? I dont want to stumble upon trails that either are "locals only" or be hightailing it away from rangers.

Is there anyone out there who can point me in the right direction, be it places, people or pages, to help me get in the know or circles of trust?
I've been looking to join legal groups to help contribute to the trail networks down here also, who leads the charge?

Much appreciated lads.

No one is going to talk about illegal trails on here out in the open. via PM maybe.

Check out the regular shuttle days run by You Yangs MTB, Club MUD, Alpine Gravity, Bluedirt, DH Shuttles (Warrenbayne/Kinglake). Lots of knowledge will be shared at those events.

Realistically you're not going to find any DH in the city which is basically flat. You have to drive at least 40-60 minutes out in any direction.

 

[Roy Turner]

No one is going to talk about illegal trails on here out in the open. via PM maybe.

Check out the regular shuttle days run by You Yangs MTB, Club MUD, Alpine Gravity, Bluedirt, DH Shuttles (Warrenbayne/Kinglake). Lots of knowledge will be shared at those events.

Realistically you're not going to find any DH in the city which is basically flat. You have to drive at least 40-60 minutes out in any direction.

Thanks for the heads up, I should havd been a little more specific regarding trail locations and such. I dont really expect anyone to drop any spots until I've had the chance to make myself known out at the shuttles, but thanks for a few names to get me started.

I also should note I'm out in Lilydale at the moment, never been much for that city living. Mountains for me!

 

[teK--]

Thanks for the heads up, I should havd been a little more specific regarding trail locations and such. I dont really expect anyone to drop any spots until I've had the chance to make myself known out at the shuttles, but thanks for a few names to get me started.

I also should note I'm out in Lilydale at the moment, never been much for that city living. Mountains for me!

Lilydale is an awesome place to be staying if you are into that kind of riding

Check out:

Red Hill
King Lake
Barjarg
Warrenbayne
Mt Buller
Thredbo
Bright

Plenty of sanctioned trails at all those place, plus good ones off the map if you get local knowledge.

All out on the East side.

 

[Roy Turner]

Lilydale is an awesome place to be staying if you are into that kind of riding

Check out:

Red Hill
King Lake
Barjarg
Warrenbayne
Mt Buller
Thredbo
Bright

Plenty of sanctioned trails at all those place, plus good ones off the map if you get local knowledge.

All out on the East side.

I'm trying to get back up to kinglake more after this year's earlier stack, the ground up there is like a cheese grater! But also because Juan is a great guy and really want to support his move to Warrenbayne. Its going to be sick!

But I'm looking to get up to Bright, Beauty and Falls soon. I was up at Hotham with work not long ago but couldnt being the bike with me. Ive heard good things about Dromana and Redhill, and Barjarg as well.

I'm put a list together of anything else listed through the previous posts, just a matter of figuring out what you can and cant push up, cant shuttle with just one haha

 

[Mywifesirrational]

Good list so far,

Maldon is another, council sanctioned trails, FB has a page for them.

Have both Long Gully and Iride ceased to exist, enjoyed both but nothing from either has popped up for a year or more.

Are Narbethong and Granton 'official trails yet? was talk a while back, but havent been following things.

 

[samsty]

Welcome to Victorian DH! I'm sad to hear that you have found hostility in the scene. I think maybe you have bumped into the wrong people.

Reading one of the earlier posts it mentioned Barjarg as a riding spot to check out. Please keep in mind that as much fun as this place is, it is on private property and only ever open on organised events so please don't bother going there at any other time. But, keep an eye on http://alpinegravity.com.au/ as any events for Barjarg would be listed there. I'm sure on that link you can sign up to their mailing list to be notified about any other ride weekends they have too so check that out.

Around home check out the below clubs that spring to mind:
http://www.redhillriders.com.au/
http://ftf.com.au/
http://www.youyangsmtbinc.com.au/

They are 3 clubs close by that all manage and look after local (ish) tracks. Get involved with them and I am sure you will meet up with some friendly folks.

Even if you arent into racing... Go and race! haha.. But seriously you will have fun, ride new tracks and meet new people. Keep an eye on http://vdhs.com.au/ It looks to not have been updated yet for this upcoming season but I am sure they will update it soon. Their facebook page is already updated with the races this season. So, go check out https://www.facebook.com/vicdhseries/ There arent many rounds this season but I suspect that is simply due to the series having a slight rest this season and coming back even bigger than last year. The last few seasons it looked to me like people got all excited about Enduro (which is fun if thats what you are into) but people are starting to remember just how awesome DH is and I am sure that this season will see an improvement on participant numbers which would allow the series to grow next season to include more venues and races.

See you at the races!!

 

[Roy Turner]

Welcome to Victorian DH! I'm sad to hear that you have found hostility in the scene. I think maybe you have bumped into the wrong people.

Reading one of the earlier posts it mentioned Barjarg as a riding spot to check out. Please keep in mind that as much fun as this place is, it is on private property and only ever open on organised events so please don't bother going there at any other time. But, keep an eye on http://alpinegravity.com.au/ as any events for Barjarg would be listed there. I'm sure on that link you can sign up to their mailing list to be notified about any other ride weekends they have too so check that out.

Around home check out the below clubs that spring to mind:
http://www.redhillriders.com.au/
http://ftf.com.au/
http://www.youyangsmtbinc.com.au/

They are 3 clubs close by that all manage and look after local (ish) tracks. Get involved with them and I am sure you will meet up with some friendly folks.

Even if you arent into racing... Go and race! haha.. But seriously you will have fun, ride new tracks and meet new people. Keep an eye on http://vdhs.com.au/ It looks to not have been updated yet for this upcoming season but I am sure they will update it soon. Their facebook page is already updated with the races this season. So, go check out https://www.facebook.com/vicdhseries/ There arent many rounds this season but I suspect that is simply due to the series having a slight rest this season and coming back even bigger than last year. The last few seasons it looked to me like people got all excited about Enduro (which is fun if thats what you are into) but people are starting to remember just how awesome DH is and I am sure that this season will see an improvement on participant numbers which would allow the series to grow next season to include more venues and races.

See you at the races!!

Hey, thanks for the heads up on Barjarg! Seems there are quite a few of the tracks on private property, would have felt like a royal twat showing up to ride only to be turned away.

A little hostility is fine, it seems like a similar situation back up north as to when the council and parks really started taking a hold of their areas and people started losing spots. They don't know the difference between me and a bar of soap at the moment, so the idea to grt into the racing scene might be the best thing for it. Shuttles and racing abould hopefully let people see ive got the best intentions for the sport at heart.

Its good to know the scene is returning again, Newcastle took a big hit when the enduro's rolled out and never really bounced back.