Glenrock State Conservation Area is part of NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and one of the most popular mountain bike and bush walking trail networks right in the heart of Newcastle. Rocky Trail Entertainment has been running mountain bike events like the Shimano MTB Grand Prix at Glenrock since 2015, the only private promoter to have access to the trails.
With one of the prettiest views of any mountain bike event centre right out onto the ocean this is also an ideal race to bring the family and partners along to.
Jason English on the top of the iconic “Snakes and Ladders” section at Glenrock.
There is so much to do and so much to see – we’ve chatted to some of our local #rockytrailracers for their insider tips on this #rockytraildestination and hope we can tempt you to a weekend away!
Jason English, multiple 24 Hour World Champion
Jason English on track at Glenrock.
About Glenrock
“Glenrock is the most popular mountain bike park around Newcastle. It’s popularity extends to runners, hikers, surfers and horse riders! There are 100’s of people using the park on any given day with a range of trails to suit all abilities and interests. While there is a range fire road sections, there is also a decent network of xc trails, free ride and more technical / advanced options that I won’t ride without 6 inches of travel.”
About the race track
Glenrock is Jason’s home track and as such he and his family are regularly exploring the trails – he says, as every year he is looking forward to racing there with Rocky Trail:
“Double Barrel and 6 Shooter are my 6 year olds favourite trails. My daughter has been punishing these same sections on her run bike since she was 3!
Luckily the race coveres Double Barrel. I’ll also be looking forward to Kenny, Seismic and the new and improved Pump Action.”
Before and after the race
Jason also said that especially being on school holidays he has been really appreciating how good Newcastle is! Here are his top 3 play days and tips for exploring this ever-changing city with the fam!
Fernleigh Track
Take the Fernleigh Track down to Redhead Beach or park where the kids can play on the beach, go for a swim, climb the rocks, hit the playground all before sucking down an ice cream for the journey home.
Speers Point Park
Speers point park is the best in the area. Huge slides, swings, learn to ride / skate / scoot sections, water play, bbq and Café on the side.
Yuelarbah Walking Track
If you have time, the Yuelarbah walking track is a surprise hidden in Glenrock. It is part of the Great North Walk and has a few waterfalls to play in on the way down to beach. From there it is a couple of kilometres to Mereweather Baths via a large rock pool wonderland. Mereweather Beach has just been crowned as ‘Best Australian Beach 2018”!
Suspension Café
Suspension Café is one of the best however, you will normally need to wait as it is popular. It’s worth grabbing a coffee and heading into Islington Park with the kids. This is also a great playground for the kids with a cycle way that then extends all the way to Newcastle Beach.
“One of my favourite parts of Glenrock is the ‘table’. A wonderful view of the beach and lagoon. Many wonderful conversations and snacks consumed there before heading off exploring Glenrock. My favourite part of Glenrock to take visitors is up ‘Snakes and Ladders’ the view 1/2 way up is amazing. “
Paula (2nd from the right) is an active women’s advocate in Newcastle and for the Hunter MTB Association and has been a supporter of Rocky Trail pretty much from the beginning.
Before and after the race
Our family loves to get out on the weekend. We enjoy all Newcastle has to offer.
Redhead Beach
One of our favourite things to do is meet friends down on the beach at ‘Third Creek’ on Redhead Beach. I love to take the car on the beach, it’s so much fun.
Munibung Hill
Our favourite family walk is up ‘Munibung Hill’ which is in Warner’s Bay. The view is amazing over our beautiful Lake Macquarie. When I’m not on the MTB you can find me out on my SUP out on the lake.
Every race is a stand-alone event and you collect points for a series ranking. This is your classic cross-country lap event – race solo or in teams for four or seven hours! We will deliver a set of events that is less of an elite- and winners-only-focused competition, but a positive and inclusive experience for all participants – on awesome trails at fun and exciting destinations that will make it worthwhile for your whole group of riding mates and for taking the family to!
Daniel Beresford.Briony Mattocks.Daniel Beresford at Glenrock.Shimano racer Briony Mattocks in the zone.Here is Claudia Fiess among the ferns at Glenrock.
About Rocky Trail Destination:
Rocky Trail Destination is part of Rocky Trail Entertainment Pty Ltd and specialises in the establishment, marketing and promotion of cycling destinations.
Do you know a region, a venue or an active council that could benefit from our services? Give us a shout!
Your Age group will automatically be assigned during the registration process based on your Year of Birth.
JUNIOR CATEGORIES
Male and Female Junior U13 (Challenge)
Male and Female Junior U15 (Challenge +Adventure)
Male and Female Junior U17
Male and Female Junior U19
Male and Female Junior Pairs U19
ADULT CATEGORIES
Male and Female 19-29
Male and Female 30-39
Male and Female 40-49
Male and Female 50-59
Male and Female 60+
Male and Female Open e-Bike
Male and Female Open Pairs
Male and Female Masters Pairs
This is cross-country racing at its best!
What's the challenge?
These cross-country events are normally run on an 8-10km circuit for solo racers and pairs. The solo rider or relay team in their respective categories/age groups with the most amount of laps completed in the least amount of time within the racing window, wins.
These events aim to reward as many riders as possible with prizes at each event and across the series. There are age-group and eBike category podiums. Racers receive a placing in their age category and the events present four specialty Awards including KOM/QOM, Fastest Laptimes for adults and juinior as well as an GC Title for the Male and Female Heroes. The races also offer eBike categories in the Adventure distance.
Who can race it?
Make this a smashfest, show off your sponsor logos, re-kindle your love for XC racing or catch the racing bug with us! From the first time between the tape to people that have spent a lifetime training for power output, we have you covered when you line up at the Rocky Trail start line! You will all enjoy the community spirit and classic XC racing thrill that Rocky Trail Entertainment delivers like no other – be a #rockytrailracer!
This is less of a winners-only-focused competition, but a positive and inclusive experience for all racers.
If you are at the pointy end of GP/XC/Enduro or sponsored, don't stress, we are building a overall points and ranking system to ensure if you are there to race, you can still have the fun you want. Each race is sure to test your endurance, skill and determination!
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
Your Shimano MTB GP® registration includes the following:
Personalised Race Plate with timing chip & results QR
Entry into your state Shimano MTB GP® series
Live Timing throughout the event
Free photos of you on track by professional crew of photographers
Free giveaways
Professional First Aid
Race Starters on all stages
Event Marshalls
Event Village with music and race commentary
Food, Coffee & Drinks Vendors
Neutral Service / Repairs
Sponsor Expo & Demonstrations
LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITY TO VOLUNTEER AND SUPPORT COMMUNITY EVENTS?
The Rocky Trail MTB events provide a perfect option for people who love to be outdoors and part of a friendly happy community. Many roles are available and we can find a match for you!
If you want to become part of the crew as a volunteer at some (or many) of our events let us know by filling out the form below and our Volunteers Coordinator and Event Manager Jo Parker will be in touch.
Parking attendees – early start but just a short shift that makes such a difference to the operation of our events
Course Marshalls – stationary or roving on your bike. Enjoy watching the competitors on track and keeping everyone safe. Short and long shifts available
Sweep Riders – Morning or Afternoon – check the track in the morning before racing or clear the track at the end of the day. Perfect for someone who loves riding but not competing
Registration/Village support – general helper in the Event Hub
Timing support and helping the riders
Kids activity support – depending on the event support activations on the day
Pack down – help clear course markings after racing – can be on foot or riding
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?
Helping your local community
Snacks and drinks
Discount entry to future events
Access to Rocky Trail Rewards Program (get access to the online portal to grab current offers from sponsors and supporters)
Event Schedule
Friday
TIME
The track is marked and you can practice on it but we wont have any services (marshals or first aid). Please respect any trail closures if there is an Academy Event in progress.
From 3:00 PM
Saturday
TIME
Registration Open
7:30 - 8:45 AM
Rider call up, be race ready. The official rider briefing usually held before the race start will be available online before the race.
8:45 AM
Race Start
9:00 AM
Race Finish Finish the lap you are on but can't start a new one.
1:00 PM
Last Rider and Sweeper across the line and event finishes.
1:30 PM
Presentation Ceremony
From 1:30 PM
How Does It Work?
The Distance:
We will be aiming for 25km (Challenge), 50km (Adventure) and 75km (Hero) for the event to still be concluding around the 4-hour cut-off time.
The Tracks
We aim to create 8-10km cross-country circuits and three different distance classifications: Challenge (shortest), Adventure (middle) and Hero (longest) distance classifications.
Mass Start & Start Lap
Its the famous Shimano GP mass start with solo and pairs riders going bar to bar before the single track. E-bikers will start in a second wave and our eBike Policy applies.
Solo or Pairs
Ride solo for the ultimate challenge or hit the trails as a pair (hero) and have double the fun, the choice is yours!
How many laps?
The number of laps required to be completed in each distance classification will be based on the terrain and conditions of each race track – therefore vary per event!
Podiums
Podiums are awarded to first, second and third place in ALL age group categories including ebike specific categories.
Always respect other riders no matter their skill, speed, age or gender
Start: There will be one mass start. Riders will be able to self-seed.
Duration: Riders have 4 hours to complete their laps. Riders will not be able to start another lap after the 4 hours of elapsed time but may finish the lap they are on.
Completion: If a rider fails to complete the number of laps signed up in the to do in 4 hours, they will be ranked based on the time taken and the number of laps they did complete and will be recorded in the results as “-n Laps”.
Transition: A transition lane will be provided for pairs racers after the finish line. The to transition to the next rider the teams’ wheels must cross on a plane perpendicular to the direction of the trace track. There is no need for physical touch.
Rider down procedure: probably the most important rule of all: if you come to an accident out on the track you MUST stop and make sure the rider is ok. If he/she is not, stay with him/her and send the next rider straight back to the event centre to let us know what happened. If you lose time while helping an injured rider we will adjust your lap time at the end of the race. The race directors phone number is on every race plate. We recommend you carry a mobile phone.
Passing: being friendly out on the track goes a long way. Let the rider you are about to pass know when and on which side. E.g. “rider coming up, passing on your right when you are ready”. Then say thanks and keep on smashing it. If you are riding in a train let the rider in front know how many people will pass him/her. If you are being passed, find the next best place to move to the side and let them pass.
PAIRS: Only one rider in a pair is allowed on the track at any one time. Pairs riders must complete equal or close to equal number of laps
If you leave the track you must return to the same point before continuing your race
Outside assistance is only allowed within the transition/pit area. Outside assistance can be provided by other riders whilst out on track.
No shortcutting or “local lines” outside the bunted track
All bikes and rider safety equipment must comply with the Australian Standards
eBikes must be unmodified and comply with current Australian standards. Read more about our eBike policy here…
All riders must agree to a Race Waiver when they sign up online or at the race on-site
All Shimano GP events are part of Rocky Trail’s cross-country racing line-up of events and in 2023 we are implementing our “Pace Points System”.
Competitors will be able to accumulate points across all our cross-country events, including our marathon and ultra-endurance events. A pace-based algorithm developed by Rocky Trail will produce an innovative ranking output and you may just score big with Pace Points!
You’ll be able not only to reach your goals but to earn Rocky Trail Rewards too!
All Rocky Trail events have the Ecotourism Australia Nature Certification status. This ECO Certification program is a world first and it has been developed to address the need to identify genuine nature and ecotourism operators. This means that with Rocky Trail you are guaranteed to be part of a genuine and authentic trail-based nature experience that looks after the environment.
Our Sustainability Pledge – We encourage our racers to follow some simple tips to ‘tread softly’ when visiting the bush and minimise damage to the natural environment. These guidelines are laid out in our Sustainability Policy and will be communicated and encouraged via Rider Briefings and at the events.
You must be logged in to post a comment.