08/02/2023
In this issue, we cover all you need to know (and a lot you don't) about Tasmania's Wild West Coast. Where to ride, where to stay, who to avoid.
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The extensive Queenstown trail network, descending from the lofty heights of Mt. Owen, has captured the imagination of Tasmania's mountain biking community. Stunning panoramic views over Lake Burbury give way to the desolate Queenstown foothills, acid washed from decades upon decades of sustainable economy building. Reviews for the trails carved into the quartize hills glow almost as brightly as the rich chemical ooze which seeps out from beneath the rocky surface. A chemical concoction so potent that it has been receiving a significant amount of attention from one of the world's leading energy drink manufacturers. That's right, after almost two years of negotiation, Red Bull is coming to Queenstown!
In a deal struck with the West Coast Council, Red Bull will be hosting it's 2024 Rampage downhill mountain biking extravaganza in the town, in exchange for the rights to re-mine tailings effluent outflows for its popular line of energy drinks. Many of the esteemed readers of this magazine would be familiar with the event, the unnatural progression of the cycling pursuit to its most extreme and reckless form.
In this issue, we interview the five leading riders in this year's Red Bull event. What drives these athletes to risk life and limb? How do the careers so many promising young riders end up going downhill?
In a wholly unrelated story, we also speak with a leading nutritional scientist, who explores the inverse relationship between excessive consumption of Red Bull and tendencies towards self preservation.
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In 1642, naval explorer Abel Tasman was commissioned by the Dutch East India Company to travel through the Pacific Ocean searching for a new southern trade route to "peddle their wares". In what turned out to be a very fortuitous misunderstanding (for the global cycling community), Tasman set out, believing that he was seeking exciting new locations "where to pedal". Landing in what would eventually always have been known as lutruwita, he was immediately impressed by the obvious potential for the island to be developed into a cycling destination of international renown. Upon sighting the wild western coast of Tasmania, he named two large mountains after his twin ships, the Zeehaen and Heemskerck, writing in his log that they were "of particular note for their sick shredding potential".
Sadly, as Abel Tasman predated the invention of the bicycle by almost two centuries, his vision fell on deaf ears. It took nearly four hundred years for these mountains to live up to their potential. Amateur historian and professional trail builder Marcelo Cardona discovered Tasman's logbook in late 2019, and approached the West Coast Council with an ambitious plan to make Abel's vision a reality. In this month's issue, we chat with Marcelo about the painstaking process of creating world class mountain bike trails based solely on the etchings of a 17th century dutch explorer.
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With Queenstown and Zeehan receiving a lot of attention from more mainstream cycling publications, the editorial team at Velocipede would like to shed light on some of the more underappreciated trails that the west coast has to offer. In a juicy "sealed section" of this month's issue, we talk about the trails that "they" don't want you to know about. We feature in-depth ride reports from many of our favourite trails, including Lake Spicer, Mt. Mc Call, Lake Cumberland, Mt. Huxley, Climies Track, and Mt. Donaldson. It can be tempting to conform, shredding only where you are told it is safe to shred. Here at Velocipede Monthly, we have more faith in our readers than that. We present to you some clearly delineated alternatives, so you can do your own research, instead of being told what to do. You, dear readers, are special, and deserve only the very best of riding experiences well off the beaten path.
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While cycling on Tasmania's wild west coast has never been more appealing, it is about to hit a Low Point. A Low Rocky Point, to be exact. Responding to a freedom of information request from the magazine, the state government has confirmed that is in talks with an unnamed private tourism operator, looking to develop the famed "Low Rocky Point" trail into a fully supported multi-day boutique mountain biking experience. The venture, proposed by a self-proclaimed "mum and dad" entrepreneurial team, would reportedly cater exclusively to the crème de la crème of the world's cycling elite.
The five day guided tour starts with a scenic cruise across Macquarie Harbour, before travelling up Birch's Inlet and making land in the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers World Heritage Area. Overnight huts will be staged at intervals along the 75km trail, with the final day of riding delivering paying customers to the truly remote Low Rocky Point Lighthouse Dining Experience. Those fortunate enough to sample the creations of the on-site chef are then ferried back to Strahan in a chartered helicopter.
The government has confimed that the proposal will be subject to the strictest of approvals, including the stipulation that the price for entry is high enough to keep out the riff-raff.
Should our most remote and untouched locations be made available only to those who can afford to pay? Or should they be made available to everyone, to experience nature at its most pristine - via kilometres of quartzite bulldozed in the 1950's. Have your say in the comments below, and don't hold back!
