CONCEPT REPORT
2024
MOUNTAIN BIKE DIRT JUMP RENEWAL
1.
2.
6.
World Trail acknowledges and respects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples across Australia as the Traditional Custodians of our lands, waters, seas and skies. We recognise their deep spiritual connection and unique ability to care for Country.
We continue to learn from and honour Elders past, present and emerging, whose knowledge and wisdom will ensure the continuation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and the values which uphold them. CONNECTING TO COUNTRY THROUGH MOUNTAIN BIKING
FIRST, WE LISTENED
Following a comprehensive site assessment, we engaged in a online and in-person consultation process with local community and riders.
Consistent with the engagement that was undertaken for The Hill in 2021, the majority of respondents considered themselves to be intermediate to advanced riders, sharing a broad consensus that the sites were outdated and not meeting their needs.
A large focus was on the need to provide advanced jumps with more variety, and an enhanced network of MTB trails at The Hill. Many respondents also recognised the need to design the facilities to allow for continued progression and to provide spaces for beginners.
The need for Geelong to have a contemporary, all-weather pump track was another dominant theme, with many respondents referencing new pump track facilities in other towns.
The following themes came through in workshops and survey responses:
• A strong desire for advanced jumps.
• Jumps to incorporate features and have timber or concrete jump lips to maintain performance and reduce maintenance.
• Strong support for contemporary asphalt pump tracks with designated beginner areas.
• Enhancements to mountain bike trails at The Hill to provide more variety and improved flow.
• Future development of vacant areas at The Hill for Intermediate and Advanced flow/jumps trails.
• Better site layout and enhanced signage at The Hill to reduce user conflict.
Geelong Mountain Bike Facilities Renewal
MOUNTAIN BIKE DIRT JUMPS
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS 2
The following key design considerations, or principles, have been prioritised in the selection and design of the dirt jumps and supporting landscape for the renewal of the three Geelong sites.
DESIGN PRINCIPLES
Progression
Each design has a focus on structured progression, where beginner riders can establish skills and confidence on beginner features before progressing through the increasing levels of difficulty and more challenging jumps features.
Variety
Each park is designed with different features and design elements to provide variety and interest. Jumps features such as hip-jumps, cannon drop, wall rides and shark fins will ensure riders remain engaged and riding at all three parks.
The intermediate and advanced jumps lines are designed to enable transitioning between the jumps lines, increasing options for rider creativity.
Genuine advanced jumps
Each park will included some advanced to pro-level jumps with features only attainable by advanced riders. Step-up gap jumps and step-down landings may be offered to provide a perceived level of risk and exclusivity many advanced young riders are seeking.
Sustainability
The dirt jumps will incorporate reinforced steel and timber ramps to prevent erosion and ensure each jump performs consistently.
Drainage across the sites will be managed and designed according to WSUD principles and additional planting will support biodiversity and increased public amenity.
Inclusive
The parks will provide clearly defined access trails and spectator areas, to provide a welcoming and comfortable public spaces.
Designated beginner jumps will be separated from advanced jumps to ensure new and beginner riders feel welcome in the space.
THE HILL WAURN PONDS STEAD PARK
DIRT JUMP FEATURES
Berms
• Enables riders to corner faster without braking
• Variable sizes to suit different rider ability/speed
• Small ‘snake run’ berms a fun beginner feature Rollers
• Safe beginner feature
• Good for practicing ‘pumping’
• Used between jumps to generate speed
Table Top with reinforced jump lips
• Reinforced lips provide a predicable and robust jump ramp
• Option for concrete or timber
• Table top provide flat safe landing suitable for all abilities
Gap Jumps
• Used on larger intermediate and advanced jumps
• Suitable for advanced riders as can’t be rolled
• Step-up landings (landing higher than ramp) often used to reduce risk
• Hip jumps are used where a change of direction is required and for variety
• Landing ramp is different direction to take-off ramp
• Suitable for intermediate and advanced riders
• Suitable for advanced riders
• Riders jump off ‘cannon’ and land on ramp lower than takeoff.
Hip Jump
Cannon Drop
Shark Fin
• Riders can exit low and high depending on ability
• Used for variety and changing direction
Wall Ride
• Suitable for riders of all levels
• Riders progress higher up wall as they improve
• Good at end of run and for sharp changes of direction
Transition Jumps
• Enables riders to move between two jumps lines
• Adds variety and rider creativity
THE HILL
FUTURE ENTRANCE
FUTURE JUMP LINES
Jumps
Jumps
Jumps
Trails
DESIGN STRATEGIES
GENERAL
Site Configuration
The site layout has been significantly modified to improve the arrival experience and provide more intuitive orientation, visibility, and access through the site. Visitor movement is clearly defined along purpose-built access trails.
Spectator Zones
Clearly defined spectator zones provide opportunities for families, groups of young people or riders to gather, watch, picnic and socialise. The central spectator zone offers good visibility to both jumps and pump track.
Amenity*
Visitor facilities including toilet block, bike racks and drinking fountain are proposed near the main entry.
Northern Entry*
A new park entry is proposed at the northern end of the site to provide more direct access to the adjacent residential communities. There is opportunity to design an iconic Trailhead sign to increase awareness and foster a local sense of pride in this community recreation asset.
This new entry is intended to replace/remove the entry along Shannon Avenue, which is a current point of conflict as it intersects with a fast-flowing descending trail.
JUMPS PARK
Jumps Orientation
The new jumps footprint maximises use of natural slope and brings the end of the jumps close to the main entry. This orientation increases the length of the runs and makes the jumps a focal point when entering the park.
A low-level wall at the end of the runout zone creates a clear barrier for riders to slow down and exit the jump zone safely, as well as providing a clear orientation point for new visitors to the site; the trail to the left giving access to the start of the jumps, and the trail to the right giving access to the pump track.
Fencing
A timber post fence is proposed along the outside of the advanced jumps line to reduce the risk of other park users entering the jumps area.
Future Jump Lines*
The large open grassy space – extending from Bridge St on the north-eastern edge of the site down to the proposed start mound of the new jump lines – presents an excellent opportunity
to design and construct two–three more jump lines in a future development phase. The 4% gradient provides the perfect slope for pedal-free jumping.
Pump Track
The existing pump track(s) will be moved and reconfigured as part of the new site layout. The reconfigured pump track is intended to maintain the existing offer until such a time that funding becomes available to design and build a larger sealed pump track* in the future.
MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS
Trail Realignments
As part of the site reconfiguration, minor trail realignments will be necessary to maintain the circulation of the trails.
These interdependent (i.e. essential) realignments will form part of the renewal project. Key benefits of these realignments are:
• The Easy inner loop is shortened with an additional realignment to provide a touch point near the new visitor node thereby improving visibility for parents with young children.
• The new access trail to the jumps start mound will also provide access into the series of skills trails, thereby enabling the current climbing access trail to become a fourth descending skills trail.
New Flow Trail*
To increase the offer of intermediate MTB trails, a new flow/ berm trail is proposed down the underutilised western edge of the park. This trail will connect into existing trails and the proposed new northern entry.
Enhancements To Existing Trails*
All existing trails are recommended to be enhanced with improved features including A & B lines for diversity and challenge. Some additional surfacing materials will be required.
The existing timber features are considered okay to be retained, but it is recommended that the rock garden features throughout the park – excluding those on the Rock Skills Trail – are removed and repurposed for drainage and landscaping purposes.
Trees are recommended to be thinned in some sections to improve sight lines.
*These items are not included within the renewal budget and are proposed as important future developments.
WAURN PONDS
LEGEND
Advanced Jumps
Intermediate Jumps
Beginner Jumps
Compacted dirt rider surface
Granitic gravel
Sandstone logs or similar (future scope)
Gabion or similar (retaining)
Native mass planting mix (future scope)
Turf or similar (future scope)
Platform bench seat (future scope)
Feature tree (future scope)
Shade tree (future scope)
A Lower Start Mound - Beg
B Upper Start Mound -Int/Adv
C Public amenity and paths (future scope) D Shaded Lawn and picnic space
WAURN PONDS
STEAD PARK
Advanced Jumps
Intermediate Jumps
Beginner Jumps
Compacted dirt rider surface
Granitic gravel Retaining wall
path (future scope)
bench seat (future scope)
shrub planting (1.5m high)
tree
STEAD PARK
THE CITY OF GREATER GEELONG
MOUNTAIN BIKE DIRT JUMPS
Disclaimer:
Client: City of Greater Geelong
Primary Author: Emily Pearce
Contributing Authors: Will Rayner
Document Name: Geelong Dirt Jumps Report
Document Version: Final