Maydena Bike Park operators taking Tassie vibes to mainland
After hosting the Red Bull Hardline event last summer, Maydena Bike Park managing director Simon French has announced fresh plans to export “MPB good vibes” to the mainland.
Tasmania
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tasmania. Followed categories will be added to My News.
After successfully hosting the international Red Bull Hardline mountain biking event last summer, Maydena Bike Park managing director Simon French has announced fresh plans to export “MBP good vibes” to the mainland.
On Monday, Mr French will assume the operation of Mystic Park, a previously community-run biking facility located at Bright in the Victorian highlands.
To help Mystic Park keep pace with a rapid growth in popularity, its managers elected to move beyond a non-profit business model and offer the facility to a commercial operator.
“They began an expression of interest process, and we were successful in picking up the lease,” Mr French said.
“We’ve got a large development program plan of trial upgrades across the network,
“And then we’re also developing a whole range of other new facilities, including a café, bike hire, retail area, and a bike school.
“We will also be running a bike patrol, which is like a ski patrol, with crews out on the trails to help anyone who has had a crash, needs a hand with navigation, or just wants some advice or support.”
Mr French said he hoped to graft the supportive, inclusive ethos developed at Maydena to the already strong mountain biking culture of Bright.
And by providing Mystic Park with more social spaces – which will eventually include food and beverage facilities – the Maydena boss aims to encourage visitors to the region to stay longer.
“There’s already a strong mountain bike community in Bright, but we’re very keen to bring people closer together and get them more actively involved,” he said.
“So we’re looking at developing a really nice area for people to hang out and rest, and eventually grab a coffee and a beer at the end of the day.”
Gambling card delay angers MPs
Anti-gambling MPs have expressed disappointment that plans for a card-based precommitment scheme for poker machines have been delayed by at least 18 months.
Wilkie vs Collins: MPs lock horns on housing
Tasmanian MPs have gone head to head in federal parliament on Wednesday, with member for Clark Andrew Wilkie and Housing Minister Julie Collins clashing over housing funding.