The wheel appeal of local bike trails

Exercise, adventure, socialising, racing, relaxation, fun, family time and getting close to nature … there is so much to love about riding City of Logan’s recreational bike trails for Daisy Hill cyclist and father Ryan Veenstra.

Appearing on the cover of the Our Logan magazine riding through Daisy Hill Conservation Park, Ryan enjoys mountain biking there several days a week.He often rides for time out with his partner Katie Adkins – who also enjoys racing competitively – and they regularly bring along their boys aged 7, 4 and 3.

He is among thousands of mountain bike enthusiasts who ride on the 23 mountain bike trails throughout Logan stretching more than 40 km, from local beginners to Australia’s greatest cycling champions including Robbie McEwen, who grew up in Daisy Hill.

‘It’s just a great way for me to get out and clear my head and be in nature, get fit and have some fun at the same time – whether it’s with my family, or that social aspect with our friends in the local RATS Cycling Club,’ Ryan says.

‘For anyone visiting Logan or moving here, I’d say give mountain biking a try. We actually got into it when our eldest son figured out he could ride his bike on dirt and now he loves it so much he also races.

‘There are some fairly smooth fire roads as well to have a pedal on and you don’t need suspension – so long as you have a bike with wide tyres and gears, and a helmet – and all the trails have signs explaining everything.’

He says there are also coaching organisations and cycling clubs for advice and lessons, including providing an environment for women to feel comfortable to learn how to mountain bike.

A new online page dedicated to mountain bike riding has just launched on Explore Logan. It features links and details to all the mountain bike trails accessible in 3 key areas – Daisy Hill Conservation Park, Cornubia Park Forest and Spring Mountain.

There is also the highly anticipated Bethania to Logan Village Rail Trail project expected to begin this year, that will use the historic rail corridor to add 11.5 km to the existing 3.5 km Yarrabilba to Logan Village Rail Trail – resulting in a 15 km path for riding and walking.