Australia\u2019s mountain bike capital<\/b><\/p>\n
More tourists can realise the Canberra region\u2019s offerings for mountain bikers with the launch of Ride Canberra, an exciting new tourism venture dedicated to attracting interstate and international mountain bike visitors to Canberra.<\/p>\n
With the international standard Stromlo Forest Park as its centrepiece, Canberra is fast becoming Australia\u2019s number one mountain biking destination. The recent World Cup event, National Championships and this weekend\u2019s World Championship, are firmly placing Canberra in the mountain bike spotlight.<\/p>\n
\u201cTourism mountain biking is a rapidly growing tourism sector in Australia. Canberra\u2019s vicinity to Sydney and Melbourne position the city in a prime location for weekend mountain bike and adventure tourists, as well as families looking for an active weekend away,\u201d said Ride Canberra founder and mountain bike enthusiast, Clint Wright, of Threesides Marketing.<\/p>\n
The first phase of Ride Canberra includes the launch of a dedicated website, the first of its kind in Australia, devoted to mountain bike based tourism.<\/p>\n
\u201cRide Canberra is a one-stop-shop for interstate and international mountain bikers visiting Canberra. The website includes ride friendly accommodation and booking facilities, trail information, directions, trail reviews and maps, restaurants and bars, bike gear and tours,\u201d said Mr Wright.<\/p>\n
Ride Canberra will initially be delivered via the dedicated website, with plans to expand to a booking centre onsite at Stromlo Forest Park and a printed guide to mountain biking in Canberra. The business model is based on similar international models in Canada, Wales and New Zealand that Mr Wright, being a passionate mountain bike rider himself, experienced first-hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cMountain bikers are tourists just like everyone else. Ride Canberra lets them know about all the great trails around the region, but can also assist with useful and practical information like bike friendly hotels. They can quickly access information such as distances of trails from accommodation, security for their bikes, bike wash facilities as well as other things to do and see in Canberra,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Ride Canberra is an initiative of two small businesses, Threesides and Early Bird Marketing and Events. The two Canberra based businesses have worked with the ACT Government through Territory Venues and Events and Australian Capital Tourism, to ensure the concept is able to leverage off the Stromlo Forrest Park Development, Mountain Bike World Championships in Canberra, and tourism industry development activity.<\/p>\n