Eden's mountain biking community and local businesses are rejoicing as the Eden Mountain Bike President, Stan Soroka, proudly announces the opening of Gravity Eden Mountain Bike Park in Nullica State Forest. With more than 58-kilometres of mountain bike trails spanning a remarkable 300-metre elevation, Gravity Eden promises to be a thrilling destination for riders of all skill levels.
Thanks to the collaboration between the Eden Mountain Bike Club, Eden Community Access Centre, and Forestry Corporation of NSW, the community can now enjoy the fruits of their hard work.
Stan Soroka, President of the Eden Mountain Bike Club, expressed, "The club seized the opportunity to host the Quad Crown MTB series in September as a chance to assess the trail conditions. Not only did the trails pass the test, riders from all over Australia praised the quality of our trails, filling us with joy. The local community has wholeheartedly supported the project from the beginning and is now reaping the social benefits that have exceeded our expectations."
The trails were completed a month ago, but due to a lack of rainfall since March, 16 out of the 20 trails are currently open. With the hope of sufficient rainfall, the remaining 4 will soon be accessible to the public.
Plans are underway to celebrate the opening of the trails and express gratitude to the community and contributors with a celebration day on Saturday 25th November.
Kristy McBain, Member for Eden-Monaro, expressed enthusiasm about Gravity Eden, stating, "Gravity Eden represents not only an exceptional mountain biking destination but also a vibrant community collaboration. We look forward to welcoming riders from near and far to experience the beauty and excitement of this new trail network."
Eden Community Access Centre’s (ECAC) Julian Webb said, “ECAC and the Eden Trails Group, comprising members of the Eden Mountain Bike Club, were excited about having reached such a significant milestone in the project. We are extremely grateful to have received the funding.”
The Bushfire Local Economic Recovery (BLER) Fund Package is part of the $4.5 billion bushfire support program co-funded by the Australian and NSW governments for bushfire recovery, response, and preparedness in NSW, and supports social and economic recovery in regional communities most affected by the 2019-2020 bushfires.
“This multi-million dollar project is now ready to deliver a critical contribution to the area’s social and economic development and resilience. Eden is a true mountain biking destination, providing opportunities to attract tourists and investment to the region.
The hub will also be an important community asset, contributing to employment opportunities and positive health and wellbeing outcomes,” said Julian.