Recent mountain biking adventure to Castle Hill, Blackstone Reserve. A couple of blacks, a few blues. Sat 3rd December 2022.

About an hour or so train ride from home to East Ipswich, followed by a 10 minute ride to the recreational park. With a range of greens, purples, blues and black. Perfect the day after rain, as most the moisture is absorbed into the soil, creating less dust. A few puddles at ground level.

I enjoyed Rowies, Take Two, got a bit lost… then onto Lucy’s and finished off at the last bit of World Cup. Previously done Inca on another trip out there. There’s also a bit of skills park at the bottom, not ideal after rain. Would take a few days to a week to dry out. With all of the run-off pooling at the bottom.

All of the trail information, I use trailforks.com (you can look at the maps without a subscription, but require a paid subscription to track, download onto your phone locally (without a webernet connection). Good for planning trips.

I use a Garmin InReach Mini PLB for safety. Requires an active monthly subscription for access to the GLONASS Satellite network (about $40AUD/ month), emergency services beacon. I haven’t the opportunity to send an SOS for a helicopter. Yet… It also has the option for a loved one to track your path while you’re out and about. SMS function for msging emergency services and/or a loved one.