LEFT TO RIGHT: The trail ended with spectacular views at
Swimcart Bay; plenty of pictaresque rest spots along the wayIn his excitement, he f lipped his bike around until it faced
downhill then took off doing wheelies down the track. Finn
looked over his shoulder at me with mouth agape, as if to say,
‘What the hell!’ I could almost guarantee it being only a matter
of time before he tried the stunt himself.
TO SWIMCART BAY
The next seven kilometres followed long, straight fire tracks,
though plans are afoot to eventually take the entire trail
off-road. Jarrod nullified the boredom by jumping dirt mounds
and bunny hopping from one tyre track to the other. I hung on
tight and marvelled at how pedalling an e-bike could make
otherwise dull tracks enjoyable.
Tim was waiting for us at the halfway mark, where the
Ansons Bay Road intersecting the trail provided the only real
vehicle access all day. He offered up snacks and water refills,
and the break allowed time for us time to chat. With so many
plans to open up mountain bike parks around the country, all
seemingly with state and federal backing, I suggested that
Derby might have to keep building new tracks to stay ahead of
the curve.
“Or add to its offerings,” opined Tim. “I don’t know how many
people have said we need a day spa here.” Evidently, business
opportunities await.
After the break, we continued along poorly maintained fire
tracks until they merged onto singletracks that climbed
through scrublands littered with bulbous granite outcrops.
Plenty of rock hops have been incorporated into the trail and
there are some lovely, sweeping berms. As was the case
throughout, there were no nasty obstacles to catch us off guard
either – unlike in Derby.
The last eight kilometres is almost all downhill, with a final
f lat section squeezing between tea trees anchored to the sandy
soils. Tim is once again on hand when we finish our ride at
Swimcart Bay, waiting to ferry us back to Derby.
“How was it?” he asked.
“I can’t wait to come back and do it again,” said Jarrod.
“What about you Finn?”
“Loved it,” he said, smiling broadly. “Derby next.”
If only he knew how bruising that would be. For me, at least.
Mark Daffey was a guest of Tourism Tasmania.The trail is fast and flowy,
punctuated by big rollers
and sweeping, 180-degree
berms that weave between
man ferns and white gums
on some of the grippiest
dirt imaginable
Outdoor \ 47