The Tasmanian Trail Association have just finished updating the maps on their website to include more information on services to be found in towns along the Trail including a better description of all the campsites and some advice on attractions on or adjacent to the Trail.

Maybe everyone is out riding their bikes (or building trails), but December was a fairly quiet month for event updates with only one new event added (and that was for the Tas Mud Run in April) to the Tassie Trails Events Calendar.

That's not to say there's nothing coming up.  For those wanting to race the Cranky Penguin on 1 February, you've only got until 8am on January 5 to get that entry in, which means do it now (or it may already be too late).

Our friend at ridetassie.com sent us this link to the new (and I think official) Ride Blue Derby website which is worth checking out while you're waiting for the trails to open on February 7.  It looks like it will be a great resource for those looking to go and ride the area, and let's just hope that the site is maintained and kept up to date.

The Chair of the West Coast Economic Working Group, Adam Brooks, has released more detail on proposed upgrades to mountain bike tracks in the region.

The Tasmanian Trail Association has released Edition 4 of the essential Tasmanian Trail Guide, just in time for those thinking of riding some or all of the trail this summer.

Glenorchy City Council have contracted track maintenance to be undertaken over the next month in the Glenorchy Mountain Bike Park and sections of the North South Track, starting December 1st 2014. All affected trails will remain open to the public and caution signage, relevant bunting and detours will be used as necessary to ensure public safety during the maintenance activities.

Issue 2 of the "Blue Derby" MTB Trails newsletter is now available.  News includes that the official launch date has been pushed back to February 7 (but the Blue Dragon event has been cancelled), The "Corner Store" and a new B&B are already setting up in Derby and there's more pics and updates on the trails ...

The Zeehan MTB Hub came one big step closer yesterday with the Tasmanian Cabinet approval of $1.21 million for the construction and marketing of eight trails connecting Zeehan, Rosebery and Tullah.
Rumour is that the cyclists are already lining up to get to Zeehan and ride these trails ... (OK, so maybe I'm trying to start that rumour).

Hobart City Council is seeking feedback on the proposal to replace the gravel track with an all-weather sealed surface. Click here to provide comments [link removed]. A successful grant from the Trails and Bikeways Program is funding some of the improvements. Last winter sections became wet and boggy and the lack of sunlight prevented it from drying out. The muddy surface makes it unpleasant for people using prams, on bicycles, mobility scooters or simply walking and combined with the slope from McKellar St, the slipperiness has safety issues for people riding or walking.

The good news is that the new (and I think rather awesome) logo for the North East Trails (still under construction) has been released, and as commented by one person, it would make a rather awesome beer label for one of the microbrews at Weldborough Pub.  Not so good news is that the same article notes that the trails will open in early 2015, not December 2014 as has been previously reported in The Mercury newspaper.  Full details below.

The Kentish and Latrobe councils are jointly exploring the development of a world-class mountain bike facility, stretching from Sheffield to Devonport.  The facility is proposed to be built to achieve a Silver Rating under the IMBA Ride Centre evaluation criteria. Only one Australia venue presently has this rating.

The first edition of a new newsletter highlighting what is happening with the Derby/ Blue Tier trails is now available.  Perhaps the most exciting news for we locals is that the first trails are likely to be open before Christmas (though some may argue that the new toilet block is also pretty exciting news). There's lots of other great information in the newsletter including news that Hertz are getting on board and will be offering bike racks and trailers from Launceston.  These are the small things that will make this whole concept work.

Construction of the skills park and pump track are well underway, and although it may take a few weeks for the trails to dry out, given the wet and wild weather we've experienced, the Hollybank MTB Trails will be officially opened on Saturday,4 October at 11am!.

The quarterly land manager updates for the Greater Hobart Mountain Bike Master Plan is out and it makes for interesting reading. Tip Top Track has gone official and will soon be up on the Greater Hobart Trails website, there's a proposed conversion of the Old Farm Track to a one-way downhill track (comments sought), a big surprise for me was learning that the new Pilchers Hill and Caves Hill tracks will be designated as one-way uphill tracks only (not sure how much I like that), but on the good news front there are yet more plans, for yet more trail around the Clarence MTB Park and a connector track between Caves Hill and Belbins Rd (mega 5-star awesome).

The City of Hobart is proposing to convert the Old Farm Track, between Old Farm Fire Trail and Main Fire Trail from a shared use track, to a single use (bicycle only), single direction (downhill) track. The proposal includes a new ~70m section of track between Old Farm Track and Main Fire Trail, to separate riders from walkers at the Myrtle Gully Track junction.

The Meehan Ranges trail notes and maps have now been updated to include the full length of the cliff top track and the new switchbacks just before you come out onto the golden hill trail.  The trail angels are monsters on steroids up there, but we're trying our best to keep up ...

The Tasmanain Trail Association is looking for more individuals who are prepared to help advise them on good trails for cyclists based on the Tasmanian Trail.  They're also looking for cyclists who have ridden the trail to be part of an ABC programme on the Tasmanian Trail.  These and more details are in the August 2014 Tasmanian Trail News - August 2014 update.

Glenorchy City Council have finished installing new signage at the Glenorchy Mountain Bike Park and have also released a new pdf and ineractive maps of the site.

Here's a very brief summary of what has happened in the past few weeks:

1. The Reserve Activity Assessment process has begun with Warrawee land manager Parks & Wildlife Service. This is a two-stage process. In Step 1, I have submitted a project proposal to Parks & Wildlife. It states (in general terms) what we want to do, where we want to do it, and how. They look at this proposal, and consider what issues may potentially arise (e.g. impact on flora and fauna, cultural heritage considerations, proximity to riparian environments, future land management and maintenance issues, future land tenure/lease arrangements). Parks then come back with a list of things we have to address, and how they want them addressed. They say they will take two months to assess it and will get back to us by the beginning of October. At that point, we will need specific trail design plans, so, it is time to have a site visit and develop a proposed trail map.

A DEDICATED group of volunteers has assisted the City of Hobart to reinstate the popular Tip Top mountain bike track in South Hobart.

The track was originally built in 2007 by a group of local mountain bikers, however unsustainable construction techniques led to the track's erosion and it was eventually closed in 2009.

The restoration project engaged with volunteers and mountain bike riders over four weekends to improve the track's sustainability and it also provided an opportunity for riders to design a track that was tailored to their needs. The collaboration has resulted in a high grade construction with extra care taken to harmonise the track with the local environment.

The Tip Top track plays an important role connecting riders between kunanyi/Mount Wellington and South Hobart and it also connects with a number of other tracks within the area. The City of Hobart is grateful for the volunteers' efforts, collectively donating more than 200 hours of their time to complete this community project.

To find out more about City of Hobart tracks and trails visit hobartcity.com.au/Recreation

Source: Hobart City Council Capital City News August 2014