Dirt surfers spotted in south coast gums
From the Spring 2008 edition of Bush Telegraph Magazine.
A 7km track through Bermagui State Forest is proving popular with ‘dirt surfers’ on mountain bikes. Photo courtesy Bermagui Dirt Surfers Mountain Bike Club
Bermagui State Forest, near the town of the same name on the south coast of New South Wales, is home to one of the most active mountain bike tracks in the state.
The Bermagui Dirt Surfers Mountain Bike Club might be only a small operation with 20 core members, but it has taken up a Forests NSW occupation permit to develop a 7km track in the popular spotted gum forest.
“There are 2000 mountain bikers in Canberra, many of whom are regular visitors to our track,” said club official Peter McCabe. “We run three-hour cross country races as well as social events and some night rides, where we wear helmet lights.
“It is a pretty physical sport,” he said. “Our members find the course excellent, and being close to town it is in regular use.”
The club has established a car park and is starting on a picnic shelter.
Forests NSW has assisted the club with some earthmoving works and timber for the construction of a boardwalk over a creek bed.
“The bike course is not for the exclusive use of our members. The public is welcome to use it any day of the week there is not an event scheduled,” Peter said.
Howard Spencer Public Affairs & Media, Coffs Harbour
