In an exciting joint venture, MTBA will partner with Dorset Council and Launceston Mountain Bike Club to deliver the premiere Marathon event in Australia. Formed ten years ago, Launceston Mountain Bike club has over 250 members and boasts former National Champion and Australian representative rider Rowena Fry as just one of their many talented riders. The club’s team includes those involved with the highly successful Blue Dragon Mountain Bike Challenge, bringing significant local event experience to the Championships.
Winning riders at the event will be crowned National Champions and will be presented with the coveted Green and Gold jersey. The Australian Championships are also a key qualifying criteria for our riders to be named on the Australian team for the annual UCI Marathon World Championships.
The exciting venue will provide a challenging yet highly enjoyable course on some of the best trails in Australia. The trail network at Derby in North East Tasmania is currently being constructed by renowned trail builders World Trail. World Trail Director Glen Jacobs said “Mountain bikers throughout Australia may not have heard of Derby yet, but I can guarantee by this time next year, it will be on everybody’s wish list as a ride destination.
The Trails
World Trail has been engaged to construct an 80km network of XC style trails in the naturally stunning North East corner of Tasmania, encompassing 40km of trails in and around the historic town of Derby and a further 40km trail in the adjacent Blue Tier Forest Reserve. Located in temperate rainforest, the trail network encompasses some of the most stunning landscapes and natural features in Tasmania and will feature 40km of stacked loops at Derby and a further 40km of trails in the Blue Tier predominantly in a point to point configuration. The crowning feature of the trail network will be a truly epic descent of approximately 45km from the top of the Blue Tier all the way down to Derby.
There will be three trail heads in the network, two in the Blue Tier and the main one being located in Derby which provides easy access to cafes, parking, public toilets, showers and a bike wash facility. Riders can access a range of accommodation offerings at Derby and immediately surrounding towns or choose to stay at the popular seaside village of St Helens on the East Coast which has an expansive array of accommodation offerings, restaurants and other attractions. The first 20km of the network is scheduled for opening in mid December of this year with a target of approximately 30km open in Derby by May 2015. Construction of the trails on the Blue Tier are scheduled to commence in early 2015 with the total project build scheduled for completion by June 2016. For trail maps, elevations and photos visit http://www.dorset.tas.gov.au/mountain-bike-trails/
Getting There
Flights: Virgin, Jetstar & QuantasLink all have regular flights into and out of Launceston Airport including direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne.
Riders can access a range of accommodation offerings at Derby and immediately surrounding towns or choose to stay at the popular seaside village of St Helens on the East Coast which has an expansive array of accommodation offerings, restaurants and other attractions.
Be aware that the quantity and range of accommodation in the smaller towns immediately adjacent to Derby is currently limited and will book out quickly, however, there is a much greater range in the larger townships of Scottsdale, Bridport and St Helens and at the world renowned Barnbougle Golf Courses. The following provides a brief snapshot of the offerings in each town with distances to Derby and Launceston Airport to assist you with planning your trip.
For additional information visit: https://www.northeasttasmania.com.au/destinations/ http://www.eastcoasttasmania.com
Derby: (Pop. 208) Travel time to or from Launceston Airport – 1 hr 30min (approx.). Approximately 20 beds available
Branxholm:(Pop. 207) Travel time to or from – Launceston Airport – 1 hr, 25min; Derby – 5 minutes Approximately 30 beds available
Winnaleah: (Pop 274) Travel time to and from Launceston Airport – 1 hr, 40min; Derby – 8 minutes Approximately 12 beds at Winnaleah Hotel
Scottsdale: (Pop 2460) Travel time to or from Launceston Airport – 1 hr, 10min; Derby – 20 minutes Approximately 90-100 beds available Scottsdale is the business hub of North East Tasmania. It is the service centre with banks, atm’s, supermarkets, and retail shopping.
Bridport: (Pop 1715) Travel time to or from Launceston Airport – 1 hr, 10 min; Derby – 45minutes Approximately 220 beds available. There are also numerous private holiday homes available for short term rental (mailto:[email protected])
Weldborough: Travel time to or from Launceston Airport – 1 hr, 50 minutes; Derby – 20 minutes Approximately 15 beds at Weldborough Hotel
St Helens: (Pop 1498) Travel time to and from Launceston Airport – 2 hrs; Derby – 1 hr Being a popular resort town St Helens caters well for visitors with an abundance of accommodation, restaurants and attractions.
Climate
First, let’s dispel the myths! North East Tasmania enjoys a pleasant temperate climate with average temperatures for Derby in May ranging between minimums of around 5o to maximums of around 17o. Autumn in Tasmania is a stunning time of year with the turning of colour of the deciduous vegetation and usually fairly settled weather with some magic golden sunny days. Yes, we can get a cool start, but out on the trails you’ll be quite comfortable riding in shorts and short sleeves most of the year round!
Our Region
While elsewhere in Tasmania people are tucking up by the fire and going into winter hibernation, North East Tasmania comes alive to celebrate and showcase local arts and crafts annually on the June long weekend.
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