Eagle Mountain Bike Park: Ron tests his legs in the Adelaide Hills region of South Australia

There's no doubting the persistence of young mountain biker Alistair Floyd-Howard. He's a kid who refuses to let the hazards of the Eagle Mountain Bike Park get the better of him

Alistair is one of many riders who hone their skills at Eagle Mountain Bike Park a short drive up the southeastern freeway from Adelaide. In fact in any given year about 20,000 riders cycle the 20 kilometres of cross country track.

Marty Kreig, Office of Rec & Sport: "We have green trails which are suitable for families and beginners. The blue trails are intermediate - a lot of the cross country riders like the blue trails. Then we have the black trails which are reserved for the more extreme riders."

The regeneration of the disused quarry over a ten year period has created one of the great mountain biking circuits in Australia. And with names like the 'loose moose', the 'hills hoist' and 'the mixer' you can tell that they're designed to test even the most experienced of riders.

The State Government purchased Eagle Quarry in 2001 to develop a mountain biking facility to cater for all disciplines and levels of the sport, from downhill to cross country and beginner to advanced. The rationale was part recreational - part environmental. Mountain bikers are demanding courses through native scrub. All too often this meant hammering through our national parks - with the likelihood of environmental damage - and not to mention the occasional clash with others wanting to experience the South Aussie bush in - shall we say - a more peaceful manner. The Office of Recreation and Sport took the view that 'if you can't beat 'em then join 'em' - in a partnership which has created a purpose built circuit for all levels.

Downhill racers take the view that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line or as straight as you can take it while hurtling ever downward. Much of the 130 hectare park contains some stunning bushland not that the riders get to take in the beauty of flowering wattle as they fly by at speeds of up to 60 or 70 ks per hour.

Inside Line and Adelaide Mountain Bike Club are two established mountain biking clubs with combined membership of about five hundred… and many have one abiding need - speed!

So if you want to give it a try head to Eagle Mountain Bike Park. Just go up the old freeway one and a half kilometres from Devil's Elbow.

The park will stage the National Mountain Biking Championships in February 2011 and the following year with the 2012 titles also serving as a qualifying round for the London Olympics.

Eagle Mountain Bike Park
Off old freeway - 1.5 kms ex Devil's Elbow

Publised 26th September 2010