New trail to mark 10 years at Derby
Blue Derby trail builders Angus McLarty and Pete Coleborn with Blue Derby Foundation chairman Chris Cafe (centre) at Black Stump which will be the access point for a new trail being built to mark 10 years of MTB action at Blue Derby.
July 31 2024
A UNIQUE hand cut trail will be built for the ten-year anniversary of Blue Derby after the global mountain biking destination won a $125,000 trail building grant from global component brand Shimano.
Blue Derby Foundation chair Chris Cafe said the 1.37km trail would be challenging, sustainable and fun in equal parts, delivering a ride experience completely different to a machine forged trail.
It will be an intermediate design using a “Blended Earth” formula, allowing users to embrace Derby’s unique terrain and forest with a slim construction style that is challenging yet minimalistic.
Mr Cafe said the new slimline build would add extra feel to the wide range of trail options available in the region.
It will be situated next door to popular descent trail Flickity Sticks and be accessed via shuttles from Black Stump or the existing climbing track.
“This is the next stage in the evolution of Derby and its trail network,” he said.
Local trail builders will construct the new trail, set to be opened as part of the town’s 10-year trail anniversary in April 2025.
BDF secured the project through an application to Shimano’s new Trail Born initiative, which aims to increase and sustain mountain bike trails and trail access around the world.
Shimano Marketing Manager Toby Shingleton said Derby was the first global announcement in the unprecedented funding stream.
“Shimano will deliver industry support through the donation of ten million US dollars over the next decade across the world,” he said
“Building and maintaining great trails is really expensive. Costs typically range from $15,000 to $80,000 per kilometre, which includes everything from permitting and impact studies to tools, materials, and labour.
“But Shimano believes the return on investment is priceless.”
As part of the funding announcement, Shimano also committed to a maintenance fund worth $10,000 a year for three years.