Australian National Series Kicks-Off at Mt Taylor
The Australian National series has its staples - Thredbo, Mt Buller, Bright, and You Yangs. These are all familiar and well-known venues, highly regarded for the quality of their trails and recognised as mountain biking hotspots in the south-eastern region of Australia. This year, we open the series at Mount Taylor; which has never before been included on the national circuit. The DH course is a 2.6km trail with 300m of elevation drop, featuring iconic Aussie trail elements such as rocks, rocks, and more rocks (with some dust, to boot). Mt Taylor is known for it's rocky chutes and big jumps, and plenty of pedalling.
Constructed by Dirt Art, and maintained by the Victorian Government, Mt Taylor is a gem that's finally come to be a part of our National Series. As the Australian summer begins to hit, and we are blessed with bluebird skies and temperate weather, let's take a look at the dusty network of trails that is set to eat bikes, rims and riders for the next two days.
Reportedly left high and dry by the supporting club on the shuttle bus front, riders were disappointed with just two buses to transport DH riders meaning runs were few and far between. MTBA to the rescue, however, in sourcing a further five transports to get riders moving over the weekend. Time and time again, MTBA are tested in their resourcefulness in solving last minute problems, and while we are off to a rocky start here at the first round, the immediate future is bright. Despite the delays, all riders were able to complete a few runs of the course and get their bearings, with a full day of practice ahead to refine their lines and prep for qualifying and racing on Sunday.
Stay tuned for this weekend's race coverage of the opener for this National season – it's sure to be a good one.
MENTIONS: @RideDirtWake
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Constructed by Dirt Art, and maintained by the Victorian Government, Mt Taylor is a gem that's finally come to be a part of our National Series. As the Australian summer begins to hit, and we are blessed with bluebird skies and temperate weather, let's take a look at the dusty network of trails that is set to eat bikes, rims and riders for the next two days.
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 Michelle Crisp and Danni Beecroft, dropping into the first feature of the track - an open rock chute with a loose rocky finish. |
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| 25 minute shuttle rides are pretty good the first time. The rest time is valuable for the riders though and they had plenty during today's practice. |
Reportedly left high and dry by the supporting club on the shuttle bus front, riders were disappointed with just two buses to transport DH riders meaning runs were few and far between. MTBA to the rescue, however, in sourcing a further five transports to get riders moving over the weekend. Time and time again, MTBA are tested in their resourcefulness in solving last minute problems, and while we are off to a rocky start here at the first round, the immediate future is bright. Despite the delays, all riders were able to complete a few runs of the course and get their bearings, with a full day of practice ahead to refine their lines and prep for qualifying and racing on Sunday.
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| Tegan Molloy, undeniably the strongest Female rider who doesn't miss a series - the quiet achiever looking good in a fresh kit on a fresh trail. |
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| Dean Lucas sporting his "Thanksgiving" kit. |
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| Sending double drops in the lower half of the track, holding speed will be essential in getting through the undulating course. |
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| Mondraker, Specialized, Privateers... We are all friends on the National Circuit. |
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| The event centre is pitch quiet as the downhillers are out on last runs, and the XC populous have done their work for the day. |
Stay tuned for this weekend's race coverage of the opener for this National season – it's sure to be a good one.
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MENTIONS: @RideDirtWake
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10 Comments
- 12 0
aaronyo01
(Nov 28, 2015 at 14:08)
So good to see a race report like this on the Aus national series! Awesome work!
- 3 0
russthedog
FL (Nov 28, 2015 at 15:45)
Yeah, good to see coverage. The mtba bit seems a bit weird though, he must really love them?
- 2 0
RideDirtWake
(Nov 29, 2015 at 5:10)
Haha! I think MTBA have had a rough go - maybe there's a little over emphasis on their work in here, but what goes on behind the scenes is nuts. I really love mtb, aye.
- 2 0
ColquhounerHooner
(Nov 29, 2015 at 19:02)
Yes, great to see a race report like this up on pinkbike the day after watching the DH from the sidelines. A few corrections tho'. The track is old school home made/volunteer built. DirtArt came a couple of years back and built some doubles and maybe touched up a few berms. They have however completely built half a pretty damn fun flow track that has almost been completed by volunteers and land manangers, DELWP. The f*ck up with uplift etc. I think was completely down to MTBA 'cos communication with the locals and near by club (there is not a local Mt Taylor club) was not great as was the complete lack of promotion of the event. Shame really.
- 2 0
RideDirtWake
(Nov 29, 2015 at 19:37)
Thanks for your feedback and corrections. The local insight is good - I do agree on the promotion front and hope that this will change in the near future for the next events. Onward and upward.
- 1 0
ColquhounerHooner
(Nov 29, 2015 at 21:42)
@ ridedirtwake was great to go out and watch the race. I had missed the previous state rounds from a couple of years back. BTW, I just looked at your profile, met you yesterday. I'm Marcus. Glad you took my corrections the right way!!
- 1 0
RideDirtWake
(Nov 29, 2015 at 22:34)
Marcus! Great to connect with you after the race. I don't know all, but I do try for these reports - feedback is important, so thanks for speaking up! It was an awesome race indded 
- 2 0
ColquhounerHooner
(Dec 1, 2015 at 14:36)
Jaime! What really impressed me at the race was just how friendly everyone was, particularly that guy with the big camera bag and all the lenses and shit running around all over the place! Great to connect with you as I have an idea for a super fun style of team 8/10/12? hr race at Nowa Nowa and don't really know who to approach to get it up. I've never raced - except years ago, BMX - but I think there may be a place again for a not so serious team style fun sorta day race with big party after. Would maybe like to chat about it one day when things slow down for you. cheers.
- 2 0
rcrdrvr
(Dec 7, 2015 at 7:28)
With most of the season over for everyone else it would be so sick to see more promotion and coverage. Love still seeing the dust fly over there while the rest of us are drenched.
- 2 0
Worm-Burner
(Nov 28, 2015 at 17:59)
Good to see Malcolm branching out into the MTB shuttle industry!
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