Local Legends: Meet the Trail Builders

Behind every great gravel route on Tasmania's East Coast, there's a team of dedicated locals working to create and maintain the trails. These unsung heroes combine local knowledge with sustainable trail building practices to create experiences that showcase the region's natural beauty.

The Visionaries

Tom Wilkins: The Route Master

Tom Wilkins has been mapping and developing gravel routes in the Break O'Day region for over a decade. His deep knowledge of the area's geography and history has been instrumental in creating routes that connect communities while preserving the natural environment.

"The best routes tell a story. They connect the dots between natural features, historical sites, and local communities." — Tom Wilkins

Tom Wilkins surveying potential new routes in the Break O'Day region

Sarah Chen: The Conservation Expert

Sarah brings her background in environmental science to trail building, ensuring that new routes minimize ecological impact while maximizing rider experience. Her work has been crucial in developing sustainable trails through sensitive areas like the Douglas-Apsley National Park.

Key Contributions:

• Developed erosion control techniques for sandy coastal trails
• Created guidelines for trail maintenance in sensitive ecosystems
• Established partnerships with local conservation groups

The Builders

The St Helens Trail Collective

This volunteer group has been instrumental in developing the St Helens Mountain Bike Park's gravel network. Their work combines traditional trail building techniques with modern sustainable practices.

Recent Projects:

• Bay of Fires Coastal Trail extension
• St Helens to Binalong Bay connector
• Douglas-Apsley National Park access trails

Members of the St Helens Trail Collective working on a new section of the Bay of Fires Coastal Trail

The Bicheno Bike Brigade

This community group focuses on maintaining and improving existing routes while developing new connections between popular riding areas. Their work has been particularly important in creating safe routes through the town's outskirts.

The Challenges

Building and maintaining gravel routes in this region presents unique challenges:

• Weather: Coastal erosion and heavy rainfall require regular maintenance
• Access: Balancing public access with environmental protection
• Resources: Limited funding and volunteer availability
• Coordination: Working with multiple landowners and government agencies

The Impact

The work of these trail builders has transformed the East Coast's gravel riding scene:

• Created over 200km of mapped gravel routes
• Established connections between key riding areas
• Developed sustainable maintenance practices
• Built a strong community of volunteers

How to Get Involved

Want to help maintain these amazing trails? Here's how you can contribute:

1. Join a local trail building group
2. Participate in maintenance days
3. Report trail issues to local authorities
4. Support local businesses that sponsor trail work
5. Practice Leave No Trace principles

A community trail building day brings together riders of all abilities

Looking Forward

The future of gravel riding on the East Coast looks bright, with several exciting projects in development:

• New coastal routes connecting St Helens to Bicheno
• Improved access to Douglas-Apsley National Park
• Enhanced trail signage and mapping
• Development of beginner-friendly routes

Final Thoughts

The trail builders of the East Coast are the unsung heroes of the gravel riding scene. Their dedication to creating sustainable, enjoyable routes has helped establish the region as a premier gravel destination. Next time you're enjoying a ride on these trails, take a moment to appreciate the hard work that made it possible.

Remember, these trails are a community resource. By respecting the work that goes into them and contributing where you can, you help ensure they remain accessible for future generations of riders.