plans on track MTB

Bass Coast is home to a growing community of mountain bike (MTB) enthusiasts, who in following their pursuit continue to face one critical ongoing dilemma.

“Unfortunately, we have no local trail infrastructure in our area,” laments Bass Coast Mountain Bike Association Committee Member, Michael Wright.

“Riders here have had to resort to using unsanctioned jumps due to the absence of any properly designated facilities.”

Michael even went to the effort of creating a private trail circuit on his own property on Phillip Island but acknowledges that most people are unlikely to be able to emulate a similar set-up at home.

“Local Bass Coast MTB enthusiasts have no real option but to travel elsewhere to places in broader Gippsland such as PBI Ride Farm in Stony Creek and Haunted Hills near Moe, or further afield where established infrastructure does exist. We have become accustomed to driving considerable distances out of necessity, but hopefully some sanctioned local facilities for widespread use may be on the way to make Bass Coast a recognised destination for MTB.”

Mountain bike riding is a healthy, outdoor pursuit enjoyed both by individuals of all ages and families as a group. Michael has so far introduced two of his three sons to MTB.

“My elder two boys have become super keen riders, and I’ve just started introducing my youngest to the thrills of MTB. We find it such a fantastic activity to do together,” he says.

Michael has been advocating for local MTB facilities for several years, and both he and Bass Coast Mountain Bike Association Secretary, Eve Hollole were instrumental in the establishment of a MTB academy at Newhaven College on Phillip Island last year based around the installation of a pump track and micro trail within the school grounds.

“Eve and I both had children at Newhaven amongst a cohort of about twenty students who were really into MTB. Creating the academy was a parent-led initiative designed to provide better opportunities for the kids to compete in inter-school competitions,” Michael explains.

“In constructing the facilities, our group of volunteer parents drew on my own trail building experience from my home and transferred that to the school project.”

The establishment of the academy has been a significant step forward for the college and Michael now wants to see the impetus carried into the development of facilities for the wider community.

“The school project generated a lot of interest, and the natural extension is to now broaden the focus. Breaking out offsite will also complement Newhaven’s program,” he states.

“There is a massive need for MTB infrastructure right around not just Victoria but the whole of Australia at present. We also recognise that not all kids are able to access facilities outside our shire. The Bass Coast area very much typifies the current situation in terms of a lack of facilities and we’re just trying to help fill that void.”

But over the past year, the wheels of change have really been set in motion as a result of the development and recent adoption of Bass Coast Shire Council’s Mountain Bike, Pump Track and BMX Strategy.

“Their original blueprint encompassed only Pump Track and BMX, but Eve and I were successful in leading the lobbying to have MTB added within the strategy,” Michael notes.

The need for the MTB community to liaise effectively with Council was one of the main catalysts for formally establishing the Bass Coast Mountain Bike Association in June this year.

“Previously, our group had existed informally for several years, but it was important for us to come together with a united voice. It also provides the status to allow us to apply for financial grants,” Michael observes.

“As an association, our overarching aims are to promote the sport of mountain biking by implementing and enhancing local trail systems, advocating for further trail access, and fostering a community for mountain bikers of all ages and abilities.

We are committed to promoting the benefits of mountain biking, including physical fitness, mental well-being, and community engagement, while ensuring the sustainability and accessibility of the trails.”

Initial discussions with Council over recent months have been positive and the Bass Coast Mountain Bike Association’s input has helped shape the revised strategy.

“We are advocating for three tiers of Mountain Bike facilities in Bass Coast which includes micro trails in our nature reserves, urban infrastructure (pump tracks and jump lines) in our towns and a destination gravity trail network at The Gurdies Nature Reserve near Grantville,” Michael reveals.

Bass Coast Shire’s strategy identifies various short, medium, and longterm objectives. Michael acknowledges that the infrastructure gap will not be rectified immediately. Potential sites often require complex discussions involving multiple stakeholders across different levels of government or associated authorities.

Many items on the infrastructure wish list will require State Government funding.

The Bass Coast Mountain Bike Association considers micro trails to be the “low hanging fruit” that can realistically be achieved in the short term at minimal cost.

“These narrow trails designed specifically for mountain biking are often found in smaller nature reserves like urban sites but also in areas with limited natural amenity to cater for mountain biking like we have in Bass Coast Shire,” Michael says.

“Micro trails offer a quick and accessible way for riders to experience suitable terrain, featuring elements like berms, bumps, small jumps and wooden features. Despite their compact size, they provide an engaging ride experience, perfect for honing skills or enjoying brief, frequent sessions. They are typically built to be low-maintenance and environmentally friendly, utilising the natural landscape, navigating sensitive areas and incorporating sustainable trail-building practices.”

The Bass Coast Mountain Bike Association’s vision is for a network of micro trails to be implemented across the Shire.

“Council’s MTB strategy recommends various sites in which micro trails could be implemented. Our aspiration is to see micro trails implemented in three clusters where enthusiasts could cycle through a small network in a precinct for an overall experience,” Michael comments.

“The MTB strategy identified areas on Phillip Island and the Wonthaggi State Coal Mine as suitable locations for micro trails. We would like to also see micro trails in the middle of the shire on Kilcunda Foreshore Reserve. Early discussions with the various controllers of the suitable land sites that have been identified are starting to take place.”

The Wonthaggi State Coal Mine concept has been designed to complement and rejuvenate the existing historical site through the creation of a state-of-the-art mountain bike facility which would have the potential to include micro trails but also urban facilities such as pump tracks and jump lines as part of an overall MTB destination. It is envisaged that the facility would be themed with a coal mine influence in keeping with its surrounds and connections to local history.

Much of the inspiration behind the Bass Coast Mountain Bike Association’s vision for micro trail networks comes from the Coler Mountain Bike Preserve in the town of Bentonville in Arkansas, USA which has become a Mecca for the MTB world.

This wonderland of trails, jumps, bridges and slalom courses was developed through the investment of the Walton Family Foundation of Walmart store fame. It is described as the Disney World of MTB.

“There is hardly a mountain in sight around Bentonville, but they went all in to ensure everywhere there now caters for mountain biking,” Michael says.

“They’ve created little side trails off most paths and landscaped features that can be ridden right through the town. All nature reserves have micro trails running through them. It’s a theme and lifestyle the whole area has immersed themselves in, whether they ride or not. It has rejuvenated the town and had immeasurable economic and health benefits,” he adds.

Michael emphasises that Micro Trails are the most readily achievable MTB infrastructure solution for the Bass Coast in the short term.

“Micro trails are a great way to combat the unsanctioned trail building that most councils are dealing with at the moment and turning that around into the design and creation of new sanctioned facilities,” he says.

“Cost is not the issue with micro trails. It’s more about obtaining the necessary permissions, establishing some parameters and allowing the community to help implement and maintain any new amenities. Our association is assembling a group of volunteers ready to not only help design but also build some of this amenity. We’re also ready to help fundraise as well, as we did with the Newhaven College project.”

Urban facilities typically in the form of pump tracks and jump lines are another key component of the MTB vision for Bass Coast and are considered an essential part of mountain bike culture. Importantly, these facilities don’t require a lot of space or a hill and can be easily implemented in large parks. They fulfil the need similar to a skate park where like-minded people can gather and practise skills.

As the name suggests, urban MTB facilities need to be located close to populated areas and provide ease of access for frequent use.

“The latest trend is to have large scale destination urban MTB facilities rather than smaller facilities with more frequently placed within an area,” Michael notes.

“We would like to see two of these large scale, destination urban facilities implemented at both ends of Bass Coast - one in Wonthaggi and one on Phillip Island at Cowes. These types of facilities carry a significant cost to put in and funding would need to come primarily from the State Government. We’re asking for Council to confirm suitable sites and fund plans which would allow a shovel ready package to be put together.”

The third component of the MTB vision is gravity trails, which utilise natural topography to create steep inclines with the addition of daring jumps and challenging obstacles.

“We’ve identified that The Gurdies is undoubtedly the best location for a network of gravity flow trails in the area,” Michael says.

“It has for decades had a network of unsanctioned trails which are subject to the build it and knock it down mentality. There is no reason why The Gurdies could not be made similar to what is available at Red Hill or Creswick or the like. It offers an amount of elevation and vertical descent comparable with all the other popular gravity trail networks around Victoria,” he adds.

Michael says the involvement of several key stakeholders is required to remove roadblocks currently holding back this part of the overall MTB vision.

“Although recreational bike riding and horse riding are permitted on the fire access trails within The Gurdies at the moment, Parks Victoria have previously resisted allowing additional trails to be implemented for Mountain Bike riding.

Council also owns 150 acres at The Gurdies set aside for carbon offsetting, and there is also a special interest group, Save Western Port Woodlands (SWPW) campaigning for the cessation of sand mining in the area,” he notes.

“We would like to see all parties - Parks Victoria, Council, SWPW and our association - come together to discuss relevant concerns and plan how we can work together so everyone can see the benefit of utilising this amazing place for environmental education and recreational enjoyment for generations to come.”

In summary, Michael says the BCMBA’s view is that modern mountain bike amenity should not be reserved for Alpine Shires only and that Bass Coast has every attribute required to play a more prominent role as a MTB destination going forward.

“By pulling together various solutions across the state, national and global MTB scene, we can easily form a host of Mountain Bike experiences spread across the shire to not only satisfy the local MTB community but attract outside visitation from participants of one of Australia’s most popular pursuits,” he comments.

“Despite Bass Coast having extensive cleared landscape for farming which reduces the amount of suitable areas for traditional mountain bike trails, our association has been able to identify viable options for all three tiers of the required MTB amenity to be accommodated here in the shire. We have been encouraged by our discussions with Council prior to the recent Local Government elections and hope the new Council maintains the level of energy and momentum that we’ve built together so far.”

For further information or to support the Bass Coast Mountain Bike Association in its endeavours, contact basscoastmtb@gmail.com or visit basscoastmtbassociation.wordpress.com at any time.