Stromlo Forest Park Canberra 26/July/09

Justin Fox · 26-07-09, 08:06 PM

Just got back home from a crazy day out at Stromlo Forest Park in Canberra.

In attendance was Jing (Trance), Zi (Blur LT), Crazy Dave (Anthem), Simon (Cell carbon hardtail) and myself (Reign).

I had little sleep last night, and was more than happy to bail but with a bit of pressure from Zi and Jing I considered my arm twisted and up I got.

We hit the M5 and stopped over at Pheasants Nest/Mobil for a bite of brekky ($25 for 2 sandwiches and a pie? What a rip!). I handed the keys over to Jing at this point and went to sleep for a couple of hours (thanks Jing!).

The carpark was full when we got there, the park featured all new signage and identity design since I was last here (Word cup). There was a big group of newbies playing around on logs in what looked like an introduction to mountain biking course of some sort (nice). And it wasn't long before we were sitting at the base of the mountain checking out the trail options.

We ended up going for trail Loop2

Rating – Intermediate
Time – 45 to 90 minutes

Loop 2 is one of the shorter loops climbing, traversing and taking you to access points to most of Stromlo Forest Park. The trail uses the main trunk trail network to climb gently to the top of Mt Stromlo, before a long, flowing descent back to the car park area. Riders are rewarded with expansive 360 degree views of the ACT from the summit and a descent that will leave you smiling for days. This trail requires a degree of fitness and skill level as there are a number of challenging climbs and obstacles.

As soon as we got going there was a funny log ride structure the boys were standing around. I had Grant's saying "those who hesitate, masturbate" in my head and despite not being warmed up I did it and that pretty much set my confidence levels up for a good part of the ride. Helps I was riding flats too.

The trail had a lot of tight switchbacks making the climb up the mountain (all the way to the damn top) interesting (ie: less painful). Once we got to the top the view from the observatory was amazing. And from there the descent back down to the carpark was an enlightening experience (yes the climb was well worth it!). Fanging it through the massive green container into a massive series of berms put a smile on everyone's face.

We had a bit to eat and set out to do Loop6:

Rating – Intermediate/Advanced
Time – 60 to 90 minutes

Loop 6 is a demanding ride that takes you over the Northern trails, climbing steeply to Echidna Gap before plunging down to the Western side of Stromlo Forest Park. The superb Double Dissolution trail drops you out near the Western Car park before you make your way back along the northern trails to the start point. The trail takes in a wide variety of the terrain and is able to be linked with a variety of other trails. Make sure you have your climbing legs on and enough in the tank to enjoy the fun and moderately technical descent

The climb was a little less fun than the last loop we did, steeper, more relentless but never boring. Again we climbed up to the top of the mountain but the descent down was more along side the mountain than straight down offering more variation in terrain. There was a silly see-saw thing that I had a go on too (only because the boys egged me on!) I almost fucked it, but managed to somehow pull it off

I was spent at the end of this, Zi had a few bad cramps, Dave and Simon were done too but Jing and Clifton wanted more, Zi decided the same but he didn't want to climb up again so the three were shuttled up to the top and did the downhill part of Loop 2 again, at this time the rain came too so I was glad I was all warm and cozy in the car lol.

All in all despite the farking cold weather I had heaps of fun. The signage was insanely clear and you were never ever lost. I did think that the trails we did felt very man made, in the end I couldn't help but feel that you really just had to climb up to the top of Mt. Stromlo in order to have fun going down.

Pics (edited with the Gimp as I am not on my machine atm! Grrrrrr!):

6.30AM, stinging eyes but ready to roll. The view from my Mum's place (hard life huh?!).

7am at Zi's. Dave's Stagea is soooo hot. I love it. Lots.

M5.

A cyclocross event was happening.

Far from the best cyclocross bike there but unforunately the only one I got a snap of.

Decisions decisions!

Main map.

More trails!

Jing and Clifton just checking out some of the double diamond stuff.

At the very top of Mt. Stromlo these were these remains of an old observatory building.

I thought I'd go inside it and take a snap of the Reign.

We thought we'd check out the observatory building whilst we were here.

The view was awesome.

These things looked like space pods! So sci-fi cool.

Black Diamond warnings, definitely next time!

Loop 6.

Great signage througout.

Great names too.

Phil · 26-07-09, 08:48 PM

I'm pretty sure I saw you boys ride past when I was practicing abit of 4x today. I <3 Stromlo

Clifton · 26-07-09, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil

I'm pretty sure I saw you boys ride past when I was practicing abit of 4x today. I <3 Stromlo

What bike were you on!?

Panda · 26-07-09, 08:54 PM

Nice ride today!

Im missing the downhill bit so much ...

lets organise a stay over mtb trip soon...

as I was so tired for driving on the way back tonight....

yes..i drove both way myself...

felixR · 26-07-09, 09:17 PM

nice one boys!

i'll definitely have to join in on the next one!

Justin Fox · 26-07-09, 09:24 PM

Pics are up!

Phil · 26-07-09, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clifton

What bike were you on!?

Giant STP with a Blue & white jersey. I got a flat early on and had to cut my sesh short and go home, Argh!
I assume you guys rode the luge trail? Did you try out western wedgetail at all? Both really fun tracks.

Clifton · 26-07-09, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil

Giant STP with a Blue & white jersey. I got a flat early on and had to cut my sesh short and go home, Argh!
I assume you guys rode the luge trail? Did you try out western wedgetail at all? Both really fun tracks.

Tried both, so much fun!

MrThanh · 26-07-09, 09:30 PM

we did xc loops 2 and 4 yesterday. how fucking awesome is the descent on xc loop 2?!!?

ADAM7935 · 26-07-09, 09:57 PM

TOP OF THE DH TRACK... I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!!

ONLY SHUTTLED UP THOUGH... NEW SIGNS SEEM VERY HELPFUL....

ILL HAVE TO TRY SOME XC SOME IME

WELL DONE BOYS LOOKS LIKE A TOP TRIP..

26-07-09, 08:06 PM	#1
Justin Fox Pro Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 5,396	Stromlo Forest Park Canberra 26/July/09 Just got back home from a crazy day out at Stromlo Forest Park in Canberra. In attendance was Jing (Trance), Zi (Blur LT), Crazy Dave (Anthem), Simon (Cell carbon hardtail) and myself (Reign). I had little sleep last night, and was more than happy to bail but with a bit of pressure from Zi and Jing I considered my arm twisted and up I got. We hit the M5 and stopped over at Pheasants Nest/Mobil for a bite of brekky ($25 for 2 sandwiches and a pie? What a rip!). I handed the keys over to Jing at this point and went to sleep for a couple of hours (thanks Jing!). The carpark was full when we got there, the park featured all new signage and identity design since I was last here (Word cup). There was a big group of newbies playing around on logs in what looked like an introduction to mountain biking course of some sort (nice). And it wasn't long before we were sitting at the base of the mountain checking out the trail options. We ended up going for trail Loop2 Rating – Intermediate Time – 45 to 90 minutes Loop 2 is one of the shorter loops climbing, traversing and taking you to access points to most of Stromlo Forest Park. The trail uses the main trunk trail network to climb gently to the top of Mt Stromlo, before a long, flowing descent back to the car park area. Riders are rewarded with expansive 360 degree views of the ACT from the summit and a descent that will leave you smiling for days. This trail requires a degree of fitness and skill level as there are a number of challenging climbs and obstacles. As soon as we got going there was a funny log ride structure the boys were standing around. I had Grant's saying "those who hesitate, masturbate" in my head and despite not being warmed up I did it and that pretty much set my confidence levels up for a good part of the ride. Helps I was riding flats too. The trail had a lot of tight switchbacks making the climb up the mountain (all the way to the damn top) interesting (ie: less painful). Once we got to the top the view from the observatory was amazing. And from there the descent back down to the carpark was an enlightening experience (yes the climb was well worth it!). Fanging it through the massive green container into a massive series of berms put a smile on everyone's face. We had a bit to eat and set out to do Loop6: Rating – Intermediate/Advanced Time – 60 to 90 minutes Loop 6 is a demanding ride that takes you over the Northern trails, climbing steeply to Echidna Gap before plunging down to the Western side of Stromlo Forest Park. The superb Double Dissolution trail drops you out near the Western Car park before you make your way back along the northern trails to the start point. The trail takes in a wide variety of the terrain and is able to be linked with a variety of other trails. Make sure you have your climbing legs on and enough in the tank to enjoy the fun and moderately technical descent The climb was a little less fun than the last loop we did, steeper, more relentless but never boring. Again we climbed up to the top of the mountain but the descent down was more along side the mountain than straight down offering more variation in terrain. There was a silly see-saw thing that I had a go on too (only because the boys egged me on!) I almost fucked it, but managed to somehow pull it off I was spent at the end of this, Zi had a few bad cramps, Dave and Simon were done too but Jing and Clifton wanted more, Zi decided the same but he didn't want to climb up again so the three were shuttled up to the top and did the downhill part of Loop 2 again, at this time the rain came too so I was glad I was all warm and cozy in the car lol. All in all despite the farking cold weather I had heaps of fun. The signage was insanely clear and you were never ever lost. I did think that the trails we did felt very man made, in the end I couldn't help but feel that you really just had to climb up to the top of Mt. Stromlo in order to have fun going down. Pics (edited with the Gimp as I am not on my machine atm! Grrrrrr!): 6.30AM, stinging eyes but ready to roll. The view from my Mum's place (hard life huh?!). 7am at Zi's. Dave's Stagea is soooo hot. I love it. Lots. M5. A cyclocross event was happening. Far from the best cyclocross bike there but unforunately the only one I got a snap of. Decisions decisions! Main map. More trails! Jing and Clifton just checking out some of the double diamond stuff. At the very top of Mt. Stromlo these were these remains of an old observatory building. I thought I'd go inside it and take a snap of the Reign. We thought we'd check out the observatory building whilst we were here. The view was awesome. These things looked like space pods! So sci-fi cool. Black Diamond warnings, definitely next time! Loop 6. Great signage througout. Great names too. __________________ SPAMVENTDOCUMENT Last edited by Justin Fox; 26-07-09 at 09:13 PM.

26-07-09, 09:17 PM	#5
felixR Pro Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 4,027	nice one boys! i'll definitely have to join in on the next one! __________________ felixalim.com - reign - steamroller - blog

26-07-09, 09:24 PM	#6
Justin Fox Pro Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 5,396	Pics are up! __________________ SPAMVENTDOCUMENT

26-07-09, 09:30 PM	#9
MrThanh Expert Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Fairfield Posts: 805	we did xc loops 2 and 4 yesterday. how fucking awesome is the descent on xc loop 2?!!? __________________ tai says: submit a picture of my dick

26-07-09, 09:57 PM	#10
ADAM7935 Semi-Pro Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: SYDNEY,AUSTRALIA Posts: 1,518	TOP OF THE DH TRACK... I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!! ONLY SHUTTLED UP THOUGH... NEW SIGNS SEEM VERY HELPFUL.... ILL HAVE TO TRY SOME XC SOME IME WELL DONE BOYS LOOKS LIKE A TOP TRIP.. __________________ 2009 rides=61 flats=1 stacks=10 2010 rides= 34 flats=1 stacks=6

26-07-09, 08:48 PM	#2
Phil Beginner Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Canberra, ACT Posts: 16	I'm pretty sure I saw you boys ride past when I was practicing abit of 4x today. I <3 Stromlo

26-07-09, 08:54 PM	#4
Panda Beginner Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 63	Nice ride today! Im missing the downhill bit so much ... lets organise a stay over mtb trip soon... as I was so tired for driving on the way back tonight.... yes..i drove both way myself...

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