http://www.ambmag.com.au - 17FAST TRACK
We won’t blame you if you haven’t heard of Blue Derby before, but we guarantee
that you’ll be hearing a lot more about it over the coming season. Located just a 90
minute drive from Launceston in North East Tasmania, the sleepy town of Derby is
set to become a mountain bike haven.Part of the wider North East Mountain Bike Project, Blue Derby has been
earmarked alongside nearby Hollybank and Blue Tier as having the potential
to become iconic mountain bike destinations with world-class trails. And with
Glen Jacobs and the World Trail crew having already clocked up 12 months of
construction under their belts, it is with much anticipation that the new Blue Derby
trail network will officially be opened to public from the 7th of February.We heard what was being planned and featured the area as a palce to watch in
issue 143, and AMB was recently invited out to preview the Blue Derby trails to find
out what all the fuss is about.As it stands there are currently 6 different trails open in Blue Derby, with
approximately 20km of singletrack on offer. A further 20km will be completed over
the next 6 months. Most of the network is graded green or blue, and is designed
to be ridden by 80-90% of riders out there, though hidden features mean more
advanced riders can choose bonus jump lines for extra yahoos. The trails feature
a looped design, which means enthusiastic riders can add on additional loops to
increase their mileage.You’re rewarded for your efforts on the climbs with stunning views of the
surrounding mountains. There are also some amazing natural features that you
get to ride past, including enormous rock boulders and picturesque waterfalls.
Many of the trails that follow the curves of the river are littered with tree ferns,
lush green vines, and a dense forest floor. It makes for a beautiful setting to ride
through. You’ll be hard pressed to notice anything but the soft loamy soil on the
descents though, which in typical Glen Jacobs style, is built like a dirt rollercoaster
on steroids.Adding to the overall excitement of the new trail development is of course the
news that Blue Derby will be hosting the National Marathon Championships in May
2015 and 2016. With the countries best XCM riders descending on Tasmania, it’ll
be the first big test of the new trail network.While Blue Derby is still fresh off the blocks, its combination of high-quality
singletrack, varied terrain and small-town charm means it has all the right
ingredients. Once you factor in its close proximity to Launceston, Hollybank MTB
Park and the Blue Tier Forest Reserve, you can start to see the potential of the
North East as a world-class mountain biking destination.Tassie gives The green lighT
on Blue DerBy!
AuTHOR: WIL BARRETT PHOTOs: AFICIONADIdescending on all manner of surfaces – from soil to dirt to pea
gravel - brought you back to the event center and onto some
of the new sections of man-made boardwalk and finally over
the finish line. A real test of all MTB skills. This was proper
‘organic’ MTB riding – natural, rocky and flowing with just
enough of a hint of ‘if you get this wrong, things could get nasty’
to keep you focused.
stage 2 was a multi-lap event around some of the event center.
4x6km lap, in a ‘figure 8’ configuration meant that a lot of
support, cheering and sledging for all team mates and rivals
was possible. Rider A set off and raced a lap, tagged rider B for
a lap – and this was repeated. simple stuff, but great fun – and
totally exhausting. Everyone went to bed after Day one thinking
“I’m glad Day 2 is only a single stage!”
Day 2: stage 3. A big loop of 48km (but we’ll agree it was 50km)
taking in all sorts of climbs, descents, singletrack and surfaces
again. Incredible open trails and an aptly named “Babies Head
Descent” meant that the riders had to keep on their toes, but
also had time to take in the amazing forestry, scenery, and
peace of the remote location. Mid-way through the stage the
clouds took the view that they also wanted to participate, and
gave riders the gift of a shower – but this merely served to
provide enough mud for excellent ‘face splatter’ photos, and
the odd ‘moment’ in some of the woodland singletrack. The
single-stage on Day 2 left the afternoon free for enjoyment of
the areas excellent food, beer and cider venues – The Dunalley
Waterfront Café and the fish pie they serve is worth the trip
alone!
Day 3: stage 4 is a cracker of a stage – a pairs ‘team time trial’
set off at 30 second intervals around a relatively benign 16km
loop. What makes this really fun is the certainty that at only
30 seconds gap you would surely either join or be joined by
the team directly ahead or behind you on the ‘GC’ – and then
it becomes a 4 person TTT to catch the next team. There is a
special sort of pain reserved for the final 3km of flat dirt road
either chasing or trying to hold-off another team of almost
identical ability, and for some reason it is awesome fun. High-
fives all around and a quick turn around before stage 5.
stage 5 is another multi-lap team event around the trails (but
completely different again) of the event centre. This time it
was just one lap each, but a bit longer at 12km. Legs were
screaming after the mornings time trial, but most riders
managed to tough it out and enjoy one of the fastest, craziest
descents of the whole event – a flat out, off-camber traverse
down a field with a surprise sharp left hander at the bottom.
Much skidding was observed.
The final day, Day 4, of the 2014 Hellfire Cup was part MTB
race, part party. The teams were split, and whilst rider A
did a hill-climb loop of 3km, rider B did a 2km short-track
Cross-County. The type of thing Paul Van de Ploeg secured
his rainbow jersey on. After a bit of a comfort break, riders
swapped and did the event their partner had just completed.
Times were totalled up and added to the total time – and before
you knew it, the racing was over.
But that wasn’t the end....
The sun was shining, and the major race sponsor “Ironhouse
Brewery” had specially produced a ‘Hellfire’ beer for the prize
giving. Many prizes were given away, and a lot of cheering,
jeering and slightly drunken cajoling was enjoyed. A local
band – The sin and Tonics, played a hillbilly style of blues and
rock as riders either departed for the airport or settled in for
an afternoon of beers and sunshine, chatting with new friends
made out on the local dirt. Every. single. Rider spoken to was
certain they would be back for next year, and would be bringing
friends, family and probably a video camera.
Best of all though was the sight of Duncan, and the Hellfire Cup
team patting each other on the back, and sharing a “cheers” at
an event well held, perfectly and finally delivered – in the face of
adversity, because they stuck at their belief that their event was
worth the trouble, and that third time would indeed be lucky.