The Hermitage Trails
Hermitage, today’s meaning is where a hermit lives but the old saying went “where a group of people lived religiously” you could say that the religion at the hermitage farm is bikes and it’s running through the soil and seeds grown yearly. At the heart of the hermitage farm is Nathan, Nicole and their little son Joel. With Nathan growing up just down the road at his parents house was where the passion of trails was ignited, he built his first jumps at the long plains farm.
Skate parks are frowned upon in this area of South Australia (mid north/ Adelaide plains) and they are a rare specimen in little country towns with football being at the heart of these little communities so the only thing to ride is what you can build. With vast area to build it began with his teenage love of trails Nathan began building jumps at his new farmhouse giving the trails the only name that would fit The Hermitage Trails. As the keener on riding he got the more jumps got
built digging alone he built 4-6 sets with a small line and the beginning of a bigger line, then came along the ratty crew of riders he found to help dig and roast. But then you average teenage problems hit these younger guys and now they’re dealing with girl problems instead of riding. But as people have come and gone the trails only get better with more sets being built bigger and better, some even being demolished for new ones.
The basics?
weeks. I’m stoked on how it’s turning out!
So how long have the trails been around when did you start digging? Ramp also?
I would have to say at the moment that I always enjoy the first set on the left line just because you can really pull back and get into the tall steep corner of the landing and then your set. Otherwise the 4th set is such a comfortable jump to spin 3’s, even when I haven’t ridden for ages. So that always gets me pumped!
26, married, father of 1 awesome little dude, farmer
I’ve always had some jumps at my parents until I moved over here (the hermitage). Then I started the trails sometime in 2011 after not riding for 3 years. I decided to get back into it and thought I’d just build a couple of small sets for fun. They’re getting to a point now that they’re real fun and flow well. The ramp has been around for the last 7 months, just slowly building it to this point. The shed I built it in wasn’t high enough, so I’ve been working on raising the shed in my spare time over the last few
Favourite thing you’ve built at the trails?
Who gets you Stoked on riding?
Almost anyone who’s keen to come out for a ride, if they just want to come out and have some fun that always gets me stoked! Especially if they help out ….haha. Watching people who hit things fast and stylish definitely gets me stoked.
Favourite tunes to blast at the jumps?
Old music is always good like Fleetwood mac, Tom petty, dire straits and then whatever new stuff I’m into at the time, but I’m not overly fussed. Redcoats are rad.
Favourite guys to ride/dig with?
You (Ethan Allen) you’re the only regular out here over the 3 years now who’s stoked to pick up a shovel. Garth is super handy to have around, it will be good watching him progress. Anyone who makes the effort to drive out here and has fun is my favourite person to ride with!.
Weapons of choice for digging?
Flat head Cyclone, a good broom and a barrow. I get the tractor in every now and then to speed things up.
Why was the ramp set up added?
A few reasons, the main one being I was hardly riding with windy or wet weather and not enough time to maintain the trails. Also now that I’m a dad I want to be able to just quickly have a ride whenever it suits. If I’ve only got 15 minutes and wanted to ride the trails, by the time I water it’s over. I’ve never been good at airing quarters growing up on a farm my whole life away from parks, so that definitely played into it. Riding Gus’ yard in Adelaide got the idea in my head. Now we can dig all winter and still get a good ride in no matter what the conditions.
What is farm life like?
Farm life is awesome! I work on the family farm with my dad and brother. There’s
a huge variety of work. We tackle pretty much any job ourselves so you gain a lot of different skills. There are times of the year that are flat out and then times that we can be really flexible with work. The obvious benefit is having room to build what I want and the tools to do it. The only downside is not having anyone to ride with most of the time.
Just because you have a farm does that mean you dig with a tractor?
Haha people without a BMX background come into the yard and think I just use a loader and that’s the end of the story. Considering I dig on my own 95% of the time I think it’s awesome to have available every now and then. I don’t use it much these days simply because it makes a mess and
going through dialling things in slowly seems to work better anyway
Any last remarks or thankyous to any one?
Firstly thanks to my wife Nicole for putting up with me digging jumps right next to the house! To the locals who come out and dig or ride and to anyone else who’s ever come out and had fun on the jumps or picked up a broom or shovel! Anyone who’s helped with the shed, especially my dad Robert Parker, brother James Parker, Garth Plackett and Ryan Lloyd. Last but not least, thanks to God! Look me up if your near Adelaide, I’m always keen to see fresh faces. I’m not even salty.
Nathan table in the ramp shed.
Height check.
Putting the jigsaw together.
Nathan turn down.
Nathan heavy whip.
If you dont dig.
The Parkers bon fire night.
Sweet trails and a very welcoming environment make for fun sessions! -Tom Hall
“I love having the trails and ramp at our place. It means we can have a lot of family time together watching Nathan ride. Being able to host different riders/riders families at the Hermitage Trails is something I get excited about. To get to know them personally and watch their riding skills is such a privilege. My favourite thing about the trails is watching the young lads get excited about BMX and achieve things they never thought they could do�. -Nicole Parker
Nathan Parker is a true Farmer. In his day to day family life and in BMX. He puts in plenty of good hard work and reaps the rewards! His trails and ramp are both testament to this and many good times have gone down at his place! He is always smiling and loving life! He will literally raise the roof! It's an honour to call him one of my best friends! -Ryan Lloyd
Ryan Lloyd and Nathan roll in repair.
Nathan, Ryan, Nicole, Joel and Jamie Moore enjoying the shade of the ramp shed.
Ryan Lloyd one foot table.
Nicole And Joel Parker on the grass with Ryan Lloyd
Light installation
With summer being the perfect time to ride trails in Australia Nathan is quite a lucky guy, but summer can be extremely hot and often windy so golden hour is when the lights turn on at the hermitage trails. This is a rare treat for most riders, flowing trails at night. It gives a different feel with the rest of the yard being so dark you can’t see 2 feet in front of your face but then seeing a perfectly lit section of jumps. The
Bonding seshions.
hermitage trails isn’t just an average set of trails, yes the jumps might not be huge but they bring something else to the table, an experience that city slickers don’t often get to enjoy. The freedom of blasting music with no one complaining, rolling plains of canola that give a lustrous yellow to the landscape, a fire roasting as hard as Nathan, the feeling that everybody knows each other (a sense of warmth) and within all
this lies the hard work of a tight knit family that will welcome you like no other. It is a place that anyone can enjoy..well nearly, no rails for street guys but you could huck a barspin off the roll in. No ABD on that! Whether it be transition, trails or a good time you are in search of or maybe just to escape the city vibe you can find the BBQ and riders roasting at The Hermitage Trails.
By Ethan Allen