Chris Labes was thrilled to finally introduce Airlie’s first bike track designed specifically for mountain biking at a ribbon cutting ceremony on Sunday.
The Whitsunday Mountain Bike Club (WMBC) secretary said WMBC had partnered with the BIG4 Airlie Cove resort and caravan park in 2014 to make the track a reality.
Work began on the $40,000, 2.4km track in 2015 and on Sunday it was officially opened.
Ms Labes said it was completely unexpected for the resort to partner with the club.
“This caravan park remains the owner of this land so they invested privately in this development which is huge,” she said.
“We didn’t expect it but now that it’s happened, it’s really wonderful and now we’ve got to do our part, which is keeping the track well maintained and getting as many people riding here as possible.”
A number of mountain bikers attended the opening to “break in” the new trail, which starts at the Airlie Cove BIG4.
As the track is the first mountain bike specific trail constructed in the area, Ms Labes said it was going to help attract visitors to the region.
She said trails were rated by international standards, with the new Airlie Beach track a “blue trail”, or suitable for novices. “There’s nothing scary here – no jumps, nothing that’s going to hurt anybody,” she said.
“You do need to wear an Australian standard helmet and proper footwear but otherwise you should have a lot of fun.”
Anyone can join the WMBC and Ms Labes said they were always looking for more locals to get involved.
SOURCE: WHITSUNDAY TIMES
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