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Makin' world class tracks

Stromlo Forest Park

Over an extended period of time (from 2005 to present), we have assisted in transforming the new Stromlo Forest Park into a world class cycling-running venue and destination.

Testament to its growing reputation as a world-class venue was the site's hosting of the 2008 Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup and the running of the 2009 World Mountain Bike and Trials Championships. These events provided a showcase of the overall site and the fast, challenging, world-class tracks (including cross-country; downhill; and 4-cross); just some of the many cutting-edge tracks and trails that Makin Trax has developed in our short history.

Last year's World Championships event attracted to the site more than 750 of the world's top mountain bike riders, as well as 40,000+ visitors from up to 40 countries, in early-September 2009; broadcast to a television audience of 25 million people across the world.

The feedback from organisers and the riders involved in this event has been overwhelming. This feedback we believe is a validation of the all the hard work, technical prowess and the knowledge of the Makin Trax team. This experience has helped us to provide an even higher standard for the construction of mountain bike event venues and a benchmark for the industry in this region.

The Stromlo Forest Park site has continued to attract the best events in addition to the bespoke events; from a variety of cycling, walking, running and equestrian disciplines, further demonstrating the adaptability of the site and the Makin Trax approach.

And the site also hosted the 2009 Stromlo Running Festival; featuring a variety of social and corporate events in aid of the 2009 Bushfire Appeal. An appropriate venue considering what Mt Stromlo and the surrounding area endured in the Canberra bushfires in 2003; now transformed into one of the world’s best outdoor recreation/leisure facilities in the region and the world.

 

Casuarina Walking Track, Mt Majura

In May 2009 we were commissioned by ACT Parks Conservation and Lands (PCL) to re-engineer and refurbish a 250 metre section of the severely eroded and hazardous Casuarina Walking Track on Mt Majura.  This track is a treasured route of the local residents, built in 1995 to enable users to walk to the top of Mt Majura through the environmentally sensitive bushland.

This formally pristine track was labelled an environmental nightmare.  The section in question had been the subject of many repair and remediation attempts over the years, all of which proved to be unsuccessful and in some instances adding to its hazardous state. The expected outcome was to have a sustainable track that was as close to a bush track as possible and sympathetic to the natural surrounds.  This required some radical action and manmade materials to achieve the final refurbished result.

On completion of the project, the Casuarina Walking Track was opened by the ACT Chief Minister Joselected as a finalist in the 2010 Master Builders & Boral Excellence in Building Awards.

 

before & after:

 

before & after:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Complexities and obstacles	Gaining access was a critical issue requiring one week preparation time just to get materials and equipment to the start point to commence refurbishment, in order to ensure there would be no impact on the surrounding environment and to maintain the integrity of the existing stone steps Winter weather was against us at many turns.  The cold was not conducive to cement products setting in a timely manner, and the frost, rain, fog and dew proved a real obstacle when trying to negotiate the power barrows up the access ramps.  The sealer (CRS) was not intended to be used in cold temperatures so consultation was required with the manufacturer to resolve these issues Regardless of efforts to contain the site, people still often walked over our work after we had left site, damaging the work we had done for the day.  We also had to rectify damage caused by vandalism numerous times The access and planning complexities resulted in only about 3.5 metres of finished track being completed per day
Outstanding construction features	The track is a feature on its own. Using materials and techniques more common to a building site, achieved a natural feel, rhythm and look
Excellence and innovation	Tying all the component parts of this job into one smooth, rhythmic, and very sustainable walking track.  Knowing where, how and when to place water shedding mechanisms while maintaining a natural look and feel is an art form on its own
Workmanship	Even though it is a rustic and natural bush track there are fine tolerances, deliberate angles and precise quantities built into this track from top to bottom  The highest quality workmanship in this job is highlighted by the fact that the track looks like it’s been there untouched for many years.

 

Mt Franklin Shelter

 

Knowing Makin Trax's commitment to sensitive environments and our experience as licenced builders, Parks Conservation and Lands asked us to branch out from designing and building tracks to complete the Franklin shelter at Mt Franklin. This was built to replace the Franklin Chalet that was destroyed in the 2003 bushfires. Some of the work undertaken was installing rainwater tanks, new valley strainers, sealing of the floor and building brick piers to mark out the original building. The Franklin Shelter is right on the ACT/NSW border. It is that close to the border that the shelter is in ACT and the toilet building is in NSW! Mt Franklin is Canberra's 1st ski field and has been a popular destination for the Canberra Ski Club over the years.

 

 

 

Contact us if you are looking for expert assistance in designing and/or building world class tracks.