***Important update***

All the pine in the area is being logged. This means that traditions venue on the north side of the highway is no longer viable.

South side trails in the hardwood areas are still good and we are working on a new venue over near Rydal.

I'll post updated descriptions as it develops

Sniggle-tastic!

What more can one say? Just check out the comments on our first Lisdale outing.

Just Don't Get Lost!

OK, so superlatives aside there is possibly one flaw here, and that's the fact that showing up without a GPS, pre-programmed with the course might find one wondering around for hours. Mind you, in such a great setting, is that such a bad thing? Note that even a GPS might not save you though - it's thick, thick forest here and reception is pretty patchy.

To repeat the above, CTMTB Club have done an amazing job in picking smooth lines through a lot of the dense forest. The sniggle flows through trees between tracts of fire trail nicely spaced to give one just enough time to slurp down some water or grab a bite or Gu on the wider sections before pealing left or right back into more fun in the trees.

There are climbs here, but none excessively long so most moderate riders should be able to lap nicely without feeling too energy sapped - well - so long as they don't sprint the whole way, a'la race day. Grip was never a problem, but then again it was dry, I can imagine this could be a completely different story come a downpour. In fact, after a storm it's quiet possible the pine needles will cover the whole track, making it even harder to fine your way.

Fans of downhill and technical stuff are probably the only ones who'll be left feeling the place lacks that special something. There are some short sections of steep, rough and twisty stuff, but nothing very long or technically challenging to your average weekend warrior. Don't get me wrong though - some good speed can be had through the trees if you want to peddle hard on smooth downhill gradients. The club boys have also tossed in some man made features such as the (oops, now broken, but soon to be fixed) pallet jump - not to be taken lightly!! There are also yumps and double jumps throw around and even the 'Jumps of Death' - don't say you weren't warned.

Basically, head out on a lap, grin through the smooth bits, pant up the hills, sprint where you can, grimace slightly at some of the ever-so-slightly-too-twisty stuff (not much, but it has to be done) and blast back out to your starting point. Take a break, or head out for another lap. Fantastic.

Is There More?

You bet! To be honest, I had it in my head that after a lap or two of the XC course we could head on out South of the Western Highway on some of the fire trail marked on the local topo map. It seems possible to summit Mount Walker and make a nice 20Km or so loop. We're reliably informed not to trust some older maps though because Leyll Reservoir is now where many trails use to be! Not to fear, I've checked the ever trusty Google Earth pics (copyright 2007 even) and seems there is a way. Plan correctly and you might be in luck, it's a 200m rise up there. Not a lot, but the view might be nice.

P.S. Also known as Lisdale and mis-spelt as such here for a long time.