Blue Derby MTB Experience - link ups and suggested ride guide
/The Derby MTB trail network is home to over 91km of dedicated cycling trails with something for everyone. You have arrived at your accommodation here at River Cabins Derby and the night before you pull out the trail map…
For first time guests it can be a bit daunting to put together a plan for where to ride so we have done some of the work for you by putting together some of our suggested trail link ups.
What type of trails does Blue Derby have?
Most of the trails are designated intermediate/advanced, but there are also many trails which are suitable for beginners and novice riders. Here we are going to cover some options tending on the harder side, but remember many technical features are short and can be walked if you aren’t feeling up to it.
To find out more about easier trails visit one of the below blog posts.
Where are the Blue Derby MTB trails in relation to our MTB accommodation?
Situated across the side of a mountain range the trailhead is a short ride from our cabins. From here you can ride directly onto the trail network or jump on a shuttle to take you up to the Black Stump drop off point/turning circle.
Suggested Blue Derby trail link-ups.
All these suggested routes start from Black Stump. You can either ride up the road to get here, or take the better option… a shuttle.
Down Flickty Sticks into Long Shadows (climb) and down Lower Air ya Garn
Flickty Sticks makes its way through a beautiful section of ferns and berms
There are few better ways to get an introduction to the trails of Derby than this very popular combination. With a refresh over the spring of 2021 Flickity Sticks is a downhill flowing trail which takes you through some of the classic Derby berms and ferns sections before popping out at the meeting point for several trails on this side of the hill.
At this point you need to take a hard left and onto the Long Shadow climb. Although only 2km long it can feel longer depending on your fitness before you get back up to the top.
From here it’s all down-hill on the fast and flying Lower Air Ya Garn. First time down here it’s best to check your speed on the bigger features as many can pop you down the trail further than you think. All the landings are right where you need them and max airtime is the name of the game. A great way to end this classic combo.
Rating - solid intermediate (cruisyin fun)
Down Detonate up Long Shadows and down Lower Air Ya Garn
Few images captured the attention of the global MTB media than the sight of the worlds best MTB riders squeezing through the iconic Detonate crank at the most recent EWS Derby Round. Just wider than the average handle bar (assuing you have cut them down from 800mm) this feature gives the trail its name as you blow through your travel on exit.
Paul van der Ploeg cool as a cucumber with his elbows out exiting the Detonate crack
Commitment is the key here, and hold on tight because the real challenges come after the crack as you navigate drops/step downs and some off-camber goodness on this cracking track.
Reaching the bottom you take another hard left and onto the Long Shadows climb again… you know what comes next? (see previous) Gootimes and air!
Rating – advanced (no way around that Detonate crack)
Up Snig Track, down Kummagutza, onto Return to Sender link, down Lower Kingswall
There is no getting around it, this link combo starts with a climb… and probably the longest one in Derby at that, but we can assure you it’s worth it! This is a great trail to finish a day on the Blue Derby trails before you head back to our accommodation, or before lunch.
After rolling up switchbacks and through a dark (hopefully) not damp bit of rainforest you reach the top of Kummagutza. This trail is a fun and challenging descent through rock slabs, gaps and berms, with a few technical sections which will get you thinking! The rock here looks like it has been laid specifically for MTB riding by nature and it’s a testament to the skill of the trail builders that they linked each section together so perfectly.
Be careful not to miss the connection with Return to Sender (take a left) before you link up with Lower Kingswall.
lower Kingswall has some awesome fast berms to test your cornering skills
After the first few tricky (rocky) tight corners this trail opens up wide and allows you to carry max speed as you roll through dry forest and finally up and onto the ‘Kingswall’ itself. A stone water race for the long gone tin mine this piece of history provides a marker that you are almost at the bottom and there will be a cold beer waiting for you.
Rating – advanced. Don’t take your grandma down Kummagutza
Up Snig Track – down Roxanne and down Black Stump into 23 Stitches
(Roxanne. You don't have to put on the red light. Those days are over. You don't have to sell your body to the night)
Take the Snig Track climb to the very top and towards the sign with the members of Sting to get to one of the hidden gems of Derby. Not as technical as Kummagutza but every bit as fun, Roxanne is one to tick off if you are looking to experience an ‘easier’ black run in Derby.
After your heart rate has dropped from the climb up, the descent provides a great combination of short slabs, and a few technical sections before opening up into a few short high speed traversing sections followed by high speed berms and a couple of whoops…This will spit you out at Black Stump the trailhead where you roll straight onto Black Stump (trail).
Letting it rip on the lower section before the trailhead
Hang on tight as things are about to get lumpy and bump, and then a bit off-camber as you get into 23 Stitches. Not recommended when wet, although the slabs are grippier than you think (until they are not). One of the earliest tech trails in Derby, this is a great one for testing your rebound and compression settings. Keep momentum into the bottom section which gets a bit tight in places and takes you back to the ‘five ways’ intersection.
Options from here to ride out include Relics (green) into Sawtooth (easy) or head back up Long Shadows climb for another lap?
Rating – upper intermediate to lower advance (higher if wet)
Upper Flickty into Shearpin into 23 stitches up Krushkas down Trouty…
Michael Ronning having fun on Trouty
Got strong legs and forearm grip? This is the most challenging little combo we like to do and it is going to test your skill and commitment from start to finish. We think there is no better way to end a day in Derby than rolling down Trouty, and after this link up you will have earned a coldie (or three).
It starts with a bang on the hectic little Shearpin, a rough and fun section of track off (right) of the start of Flickty Sticks. There are no easy lines on Shearpin and we hope you set your suspension up correctly because this bit of trail is – rough. Best to pick a line and commit to it as those who come unstuck tend to be those who hesitate.
Ping, pong, pang goes your rims as you blast over the top section (hopefully not pop) and into some rock and roll before you link into 23 stitches (see above). Hold on tight because all the speed you can carry will be rewarded as you hit some decent little pops and rolls towards the end. From here its up, and up as you take the winding Krushkas climb to get some elevation under your saddle. Just when you think it will never end, you reach a couple of fast downhill berms and wide open sections before you head up again (yes)… and now you are finally at the top (phew).
Wyn Masters making light work of the Shearpin rockgarden
Take a moment, adjust your chin strap tight, inhale some fresh air and shake out your forearms because this trail is (hopefully not overusing the term) classic Derby downhill MTB fun.
The crew from World Trail have somehow been able to link together sections of rock slab, steeps and dirt in a way that makes you smile like a Cheshire Cat. Keep those fingers covering the brakes for the last section before you hit the stairs (or gap them???) and roll out onto the main highway just beyond the bridge near the trailhead.
Rating – the full advanced ride rating. Extra points if you ride Shearpin on a hardtail (send photos please)