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Wouldn't something like this be nice Somewhere around your neck of the woods
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
Refer to the code of conduct ... particularly the clean your bike and spread the word items
http://www.otesports.com.au/trails.htm
Also listen to the interview at about 10.30s ... what inspired leadership ... World class destination with Adventure Tourism as a prime draw card.
Diffused Income both direct and indirect and they don't even have world heritage listing to draw upon
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The tourism dollar seems to be something currently in the mountains that seems highly elusive considering the resources we have. So many people look at Katoomba sadly and say "what is up with this place" and Katoomba is the hub of Blue Mountains tourism!
The mountain biker seems to me to be the type of person easy to get money off. Often with a reasonable amount of money to spend and prepared to travel. All they want is lengths of dirt to ride. Provide them enough to stay for more than a half day and you start feeding their money into local businesses such as food and then accomodation. Then people staying overnight need to do something at night which provides income for local entertainment etc.
In the mountains we are too much of a day destination with an easy drive from Sydney and really what do people have to do.. look at the 3 Sisters then go home meaning all the lower mountains places miss out too.
Stick enough good single track riding up and down the mountains of a range of difficulties and styles to make it worthwhile and get some people in.
Maybe its more a case of creating an interest in something like this with the local businesses showing what has been done elsewhere so that its not just crazy riders lobbying.
Getting local businesses to start asking for and catering to mountain bike tourism would be a good way to get the council and other land owners to take a bit more notice.
Don't know how easy that would be, however.
For an upper-mountains example: I've been wondering for a while what it would take to plant the seed of mountain bike tourism in the farmers and businesses of the Megalong Valley. A lot of land (comparatively) to play with, not a not a lot of regulation (comparatively), and it would fit in nicely with the other activities that one can do there (e.g. horse riding). They could offer accommodation options as well, and existing businesses like the tea rooms, cellar doors and beef door would easily get extra business.
I think someone mentioned that one of the mountain bike clubs used to run a track on a private farm there and the relationship went sour. Don't know how true that is, or whether that would be any impediment.
You are correct, WSMTB I think ran races on a farm in Megalong, and possibly also the Police Games may have had a race there as well. Perhaps Kingy may have more info on this or Steve from WSMTB.
That is right, a property allowed it to be used, was not all that technical and was really out in the open, had a section called the "toaster" where you rode between these two large pieces of rock. The trip back up was a hairy one as the track was in poor condition. Was used for the Police games only once then moved on down to OBR. Owners pulled the privelidges after the joint was left like a tip after being used by a group of riders!!!!
The Wattle Cafe' in Blackheath now has a bike rack (with a complimentary lock) out the front for MTBers to park there trusty steads whilst enjoying the fine cuisine and log fire after riding the local trails.
The owner promotes MTBing and has maps for sale on rides in the mountains.
Yeah remember building that track designed it with Nathan Rennie with heaps of input from lots of riders I wanted to make it sustainable the owners of "Solar Tint" owned the land, I don't know the full story of what happened there is a video on my face book of the mid section.
I honestly believe I could go out there yommorrw and get that track back.
The owners were always good to me it would be great for the area they just need some decent revenue like us guys eating there and staying on sight it is a cool track.
Do you remember the road up being a real battle???