My name is Ben Forbes, I’ve been racing for 21 years across 29 countries. I continue to race whilst coaching mountain biking to all levels and providing mountain bike hire to push my mission of making it a more accessible sport for all. If you like what you see and hear on this article and want to get involved but don’t have a bike, contact me on ForbesMTB.com.au.
We are truly lucky here in Ipswich, and here’s why.
Castle Hill is the BEST option for rainy days
When it Rains, it Drains. Due to the porous gravel and rock, the trails of Castle Hill hold up super well when it rains so your bike isn’t going to degrade as much as going to somewhere where the mud would get amongst your drivetrain, brakes, frame bearings and suspension.
So if you’re like me and like fun in the rain Castle Hill is for you. Additionally the the Ipswich Council have done a great job in providing facilities such as parking, toilets, signage and drinking taps.
Yet another bonus to the Castle Hill trails is that it’s family friendly. There’s trails for all levels and everyone hangs out at the bottom next to the carpark where all the trails pop out with the pump track and jumps!
- 30min Drive from the Brisbane CBD
- Number of Trails: 56
- Total Distance: 19km
- See trail detail on Trail Forks.
Castle Hill is BEST for tuning your bike
I often choose Castle Hill to tune in my bike due to the PERFECT layout of the trail network. There is a gradual fire road which everyone socially rides up together while watching others doing the famous World Cup downhill trails right next to it.
From the start ramp the three best downhill tracks go down either side of the fire road. You can then use these tracks over and over to dial in different settings for your bike, suspension, tire pressures, cockpit whatever you want. Consistency is key, you’re not wasting too much energy getting back to do the same run six times, making this the perfect platform. The elevation may not be huge but that works in your favour to do more runs.
You still get a mix of high speed, rocks, corners, big hits and chattery hits.
Hidden Vale Adventure Park – Australia’s biggest
Here there’s 159km of TRAILS! Hidden Vale Adventure Park is Australia’s BIGGEST Mountain bike park. I’ve been here every year since it opened, whether it be for a ride with mates, racing the Flight Centre 100km EPIC bike race or the other events that are held here.
This place offers something unique to any other bike park. This park shares the land with Spicers Hidden Vale resort which have a nice restaurant and bar to finish your adventure.
- 60min Drive from the Brisbane CBD
- Number of Trails: 72
- Total Distance: 159km
- See it on Trail Forks
White Rock Spring Mountain is something different
Like Castle Hill, White Rock is also within a 30min drive from the Brisbane CBD.
White Rock is definitely a change from normal SEQ Trails. The rocky boulders are put to great use being incorporated into the trails with rock roll overs and re-structured rock gardens. As I always say: “It’s only as hard as you make it”.
So even though there is some really cool sections to test your skills, there is always a way around them.
- 30min drive from the Brisbane CBD.
- Number of Trails: 39
- Total Distance: 35km
- See it on Trail Forks
*As per Cultural Protocol the Traditional Owners have requested no one climbs White Rock.
Hillview Drive
That video above provides a great taste of what’s on offer at Hillview. I recently rode these trails with some mates, the 6km loop has some really fun flow sections, we even stopped to re-ride sections along the way as they were so fun. You could take anyone and any bike here, as the track is intermediate rated anything technical has a B line to go around. It’s only as hard as you make it.
- 30min Drive from the Brisbane CBD.
- Number of Trails: 1
- Total Distance: 6km
- See it on Trail Forks
