Hornsby MTB Trails Update

OMV is officially open!

Hornsby Council and Northconnex have kept their word to the community, re-opening most of the custom-built MTB trails (created by professional trail builders, Synergy Trails) near the old quarry. Trails have been improved, linked by subways under the conveyor belt and steep fill-truck access road. It is really interesting to take a breather on the steep TAFE side of the trails and look down upon the hive of Northconnex activity.

Council is also reviewing the unofficial, community-built trails of Westleigh (aka H20) and, fingers crossed, there may be some exciting news about that in the near future.

Since the official opening on 13 December, 2017 by Mayor Philip Ruddock, thousands of offroad cyclists, some travelling from as far as Newcastle, have been enjoying these two small MTB trail networks. The new Old Mans Valley (OMV) trail access ramp below the TAFE is proving very popular with mountain bikers from surrounding suburbs who are leaving the car at home. During school holidays it is wonderful to see how many local teenagers and primary school kids are now cycling at OMV and living life, instead of watching it go by on a screen.

Sadly, the Quarry Road fire trail remains officially closed to all BVNP trail users, thanks to rifle range bosses. NSW Govt (OEH) cut budgets to our National Parks, so there’s ‘no money’ to build QRT detour trails (or build and maintain any bush trails generally) for taxpayers to explore our vast National Parks on foot or bicycle. But, billions of dollars are lavished on toll roads and stadiums… enough said.

Regenerating OMV is a sound investment in ratepayers’ quality of life and the local regional economy. It’s not just off-road cyclists who are benefitting either. OMV is a perfect example of how authorities and communities can work together to transform an environmental eyesore into a valuable asset. With Sydney MTB trails development and land access looking rather grim back in 2017, it is absolutely marvellous to share this very good news in 2018!