Both trails should be run counter-clockwise.
The novice trail is marked by the green arrow. From the sign head left down a winding path with lightly banked corners, once you get into the trees the trail starts to weave more and the berms become steeper and tighter to help keep your speed up. Near the bottom of the hill will be a log bridge that can be bypassed if you don't feel comfortable taking it. The return path is a gentle climb with some dips to give you a bit of a break but be warned that there are two short bridges over runoff areas that are very narrow. Easy enough to step over if you don't feel confident riding them. You'll end with a short slightly steep climb along the dirt road you originally arrived on to get back to the trailhead allowing you to make another loop easily or go onto the intermediate trail.
The intermediate trail is marked by the blue arrow. This trail is marginally more difficult by the presence of some rock gardens and a couple of jumps that can be taken slowly. Not all of the rock gardens can be bypassed but they're short and relatively easy to navigate. The first part of the trail is a tight technical section with banked corners, some of which are uphill and one corner is followed by a rock garden which can be difficult to cross if you don't carry enough speed. Once through the first wooded section the trail becomes a lot faster and flows a lot better, with a few jumps and nice berms on the high speed corners letting you whip round. Once you get toward the bottom of the hill there is a final jump that can be bypassed before a long climb that leads you back to the trailhead, you can turn right and do the novice loop or turn left for another lap of the intermediate loop.
I rode this trail for the first time yesterday as I am passing through the area. What a beautiful example of how good a less publicised trail can be! I'm on the line between intermediate and advanced and it was like this trail was made for me.
The description says that at the start you have a green and blue trail to choose from but I could only see the green. It felt like the green just flowed into the blue. In many places there are A/B lines and in some places A/B/C lines. The A lines and short black trail segments were real fun with great surprises. You never know what the back side of the obstacle is going to be like until you get to the top of it. But all are doable with a little momentum. Just don't balk at the last moment! At one point you go up what looks like a simple V-shaped up and down on wooden slats, only to find there is a bit of a drop-off before the down side. So much fun with surprises at every turn. And speaking of turns, awesome work on the berms!
I could tell that people are working on this trail because the grass/weeds were freshly trimmed in many places.
After a few kms you think, "This is just a fun trail, not too tiring." Wrong. There are two significant uphills, the second one is a real killer as you switch back up a very long slope. But then there is the very fun long downhill with jumps, bumps and berms all the way.
Thanks guys for all the work you have put into making this a great trail!
The directions say to park outside on the road but there is a sign on the fence saying not to park on the road but to park inside the gate.
| ThankOpen landscape with narrow, typically hard pack trails. Fun obstacles along the way with A/B lines. Keep your head up though, some of them can be a bit of a surprise. Bit of a climb up to the top but the berms will keep you smiling on the way back down :). I measured about 9km of track, but there were other loops for some variety. Tip: keep your mouth closed and bring some insect repellent in spring/summer....so many flies! Unless you want the extra protein...
| ThankThanks Ephphantha, just an update, the trail network is now closer to 8km at Bathurst Bike Park and racing takes place every Wednesday night kicking off at 6pm. Junior races are 30 minutes, while seniors race for an hour.
| Thank