Hi Team,

Blue Mountains Gazette is scheduling a photo shoot follow up article on the Knapsack DH approval tonight (Thursday 15/3/12) at 6:30PM.
I would like to invite anyone that is interested to attend the photoshoot to present at the carpark at the base of the Mitchells pass and the Great Western Highway or "the shuttle pick up" as I imagine it will become known in the future
A few Bikes for the shot would be good, I will be on my Trance, and yes I will be wearing Lycra lol

See you there!

The long awaited council vote is less than a week away.
This will be the fate of the Knapsack Reserve Bike plan. (Cross Country and Downhill)

For more information on the Council meeting and Bike plan, the council Business paper can be downloaded from here. Refer to Item 9 (Page 78)
Click here for date and time information

As part of our developing relationship with NPWS in and around the Mountains, BMORC have been invited to participate in a new Volunteer trail hosting program.

Similar to some of the bushwalking trail hosts that you might have seen else where, 2 volunteers will be placed at the Woodford trail head to meet and greet, answer any questions and share relevant news.

For Example, Trail conditions, weather forecast, ranger contact details, trail basics, NPWS info, BMORC info, just to name a few topics that could be covered.

Article in the gazette about the progress on the plan for a cycleway up the hill. I know this isn't off-road, but it is something a lot of riders could use in their day to day life.

Penrith Mayor Greg Davies said he was happy to work alongside Blue Mountains City Council (BMCC) on plans for a cycleway from Lapstone to Leonay.

Preliminary discussions have been held between Penrith City Council and BMCC since the proposal was put forward by Blue Mountains Mayor Daniel Myles and Deputy Mayor Mark Greenhill earlier this month.

While Clr Davies said he had yet to speak to local representatives on the issue, a meeting attended by a Penrith City Council traffic engineer had been held and work was under way to cost the proposal.

“We have had some preliminary discussions,” Clr Davies told the Gazette.

“[We are] looking at a number of options. Blue Mountains City Council was going to take them away and come back with costings.

“We have not dealt with it as a council, however.”

Last Sunday several BMORCers received some instructional training working on some of the drainage issues on the Oaks single track with the NPWS.

David Croft who is involved with the NPWS RNP trail maintenance came up and gave us his time to show his expertise in the area. A few areas were fixed with plans to take crews out in the future to tackle more sections. Some may well remember David's posts on Farkin when he was employed in Canada on some serious trail work.

Just received this from Bicycle NSW

Blue Mountains City Councillor, Howard McCallum is putting a Notice of Motion to Council TONIGHT to propose that Council examine the possibility of keeping MITCHELLS PASS closed to motor vehicles, except in emergencies, to allow cyclists and walkers to use the road for downhill and uphill access between the Mountains and the Plains.

IT WILL BE ALL DOWNHILL FOR THIS VITAL LINK ONCE CARS & TRUCKS ARE ALLOWED BACK!!!

Sorry for the short notice.

There is a bushcare working bee this Sunday at mundee

10am @ the lower car park.

Sorry, Wes kindly gave me the details last night.

We are both going (Wes & I), and I'm bringing the family as usual ... we like the spread that the Rangers provide us

I forgot to mention that at the Plant ID and Aboriginal Cultural day ... we were talking about getting stuck into the Lantana down near the water ... let me know if your interested and when

Highlights moves by State Government and National Parks to provide legitimate riding opportunities in an attempt to curb illegal trail construction.

MOUNTAIN bikers will be welcomed back into some state national parks under a government plan to stop illegal trails being cut.

BMORC reps met with NPWS project managers to disscuss the Oaks trail.

A 3 year plan is being set in motion to upgrade the Glenbrook precinct. NPWS staff sought input from BMORC on how to improve the oaks trail and make it more sustainable and enjoyable for riders. Currently due to the layout of the trail beginner riders and those less familiar with the trail are often pushed to the road.

The trail was first approved so as to separate cyclists and motor vehicles. BMORC reps essentially covered the basics of IMBA guidelines, focusing on both erosion minimisation and also trail flow so that both beginner and experienced riders can share the trail and still gain the riding experience that they are capable off.

A good walk and talk was had and in 6 months the NPWS managers will be comimg back to us with a planned propsal. For the Interim volunteers will be fixing the puddle prone areas.

BMCC for the consultation phase is requesting submissions from interested parties.

http://bluemountainshaveyoursay.com.au/downhillb...

The Closing Date for Public Submissions is the 29 August 2011 so don't delay.

You don't have to be verbose but just state your support for the project, the more submissions the better as there is still some strong opposition to the project.

Firstly Apologies for taking so long.

I have ordered a 30 jersey / shirt run in the Blue short sleeve dri-fit material. For those that saw the samples from Either myself or Mog ... its one of those.

In limited numbers for Large, XL, Medium and a couple of small.

Please post on here to indicate size and I will PM bank details. (Important to keep track of sizes available)

If you are quick, I might still be able to increase the order as they are being made now. Prolly have a week, but you snooze you loose

A really interesting night where the recommendations were passed unanimously. There was no discussion from the councilors on the issue either. So all good news.

So there will be the community consultation meeting on the 7th of August at Knapsack Park and then the final council meeting on the 11th of October which will be the big vote and likely to be a little more complex .

When I spoke tonight I really tried to get across the idea of positive communication being able to get to the real issues and understanding each sides issues (yeah makes me sound like a 10th rate Bono.)