Partnership paves new pathways at Stromlo Forest Park

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Canberra businesses and local mountain bike clubs have joined forces with the ACT Labor Government to build new mountain biking tracks at Stromlo Forest Park.

The ACT Government’s Trail Support Program gives local clubs and businesses the opportunity to invest in building new tracks and upgrading existing ones to keep Stromlo Forest Park on the top of the ‘must ride’ list for cyclists from across the ACT, the country and around the globe.

It’s an investment in the ACT’s tourism industry and the 13,000 jobs it supports. It’s also an investment in a facility that can be enjoyed by all Canberrans.

Today I joined program partners Capital Hotel Group, TREK, Onya Bike, cre8ive, Makin Trax and Canberra Off-Road Cyclists and Mountain bikers Ben Henderson and Ben Cory to officially open a new 2 kilometre test track known as The Playground.

The $60,000 Playground is a trail loop using new and existing trails and encompasses a wide range of mountain bike terrain. Features include jumps, drops, technical climbing and technical descending and caters for a range of skill levels. It will include a skills coaching area for clubs which will also serve as a guide for riders who are unsure of their level of ability.

Today I also announced Stromlo Forest Park will host two rounds of the Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA) national series in February 2012.

The events to be held on successive weekends are the:

• Gravity Cup (downhill) on the weekend 4-5 February, and
• All Mountain Cup (cross country) on the weekend 11-12 February.

These events traditionally attract in excess of 300 entrants and up to 3,000 spectators. Additionally we expect these rounds will attract a large national and global audience.

The fact these two events will be held here is a great vote of confidence by Mountain Bike Australia in the quality of Stromlo Forest Park and in Canberra generally as a great venue to host great world-class events.