PTR: Knapsack Reserve

Knapsack Reserve is a spot that rewards the effort you put into knowing it, with many options throughout to put together a ride that is as easy or challenging as you want. With several kilometres of singletrack including a black-diamond downhill trail, Knapsack is soaked in history of the European development of the eastern escarpment that forms the gateway of the Blue Mountains. Trails have existed there for a long time, formalising in the last decade with the efforts of local riding groups and council, bringing Synergy Trails in to build and manage sustainable trail development that hopefully provides a working example of how trail development can benefit the area.

GETTING THERE

Knapsack Reserve is nestled in to the northern side of the Great Western Highway at Glenbrook. Carpark access is limited, there is a small carpark right next to the park which is often full of walkers’ and riders’ cars or a little further down outside Knapsack Oval. However a much larger car park exists at the sporting fields / skate park complex on Hare St which is only a 5-10 minute ride away from the reserve.

Riders could also use the train to Glenbrook station and ride up through Glenbrook Shops and across the Great Western Highway to access it.

TECHNICAL NATURE

Most of the singletrack is smooth and the elevation doesn’t change too much, there are only a limited number of decent climbs. However there are a few difficult rock traverses, technical pinch climbs and tight corners around that might catch some out. There are no big climbs in the area though, save for pushing back up after the downhill so beginners would have a good amount of area to focus on skills in the more technical sections.

Things are markedly different on the Knapsack Downhill trail, one of the only legalised downhill tracks in the Blue Mountains (the other would be the Oaks singletrack bottom section), which is definitely a black diamond level trail. Tight switchbacks, jumps and an abundance of rock slabs and rock-armoured corners test intermediate to advanced riders.

To round things out there is also a jump line in the northern section of the reserve near Olivet St and contains rollers, doubles and a tabletop. There is one jump containing a gap, but with a B-line bridge next to it. The jumps are forgivingly shaped and good to build skills on.

YOU’LL NEED

There are no taps around to easily fill up water bottles so bringing water is essential. If tackling the Downhill track make sure to bring a full-face helmet and body armour as mistakes in that track could be risky without them. Outside of the downhill, being rocky and with mixed surfaces, gloves and knee pads are a good idea.

DISTANCES

Around 15km of rideable trails including fire trails, with around 7km of singletrack. The Downhill track is around 1.1km long and an advanced rider would have around a 3-4 minute run.

In terms of shuttling one simple option is to pick up at the end of the Great Western Highway at Emu Plains, dropping off at the firetrail gate (Lovers Walk), ride in to the downhill then after you exit the downhill track, turn left and ride down the tarmac walking path (Give way and be courteous to walkers) to the shuttle pick up spot which is at the end of this walking path. Some riders opt for the train shuttles, riding down to Emu Plains station and shuttling up via train to Glenbrook but it’s a long ride on downhill tyres!

TRAIL ESSENTIALS

Toilets N : in the park, however there are some nearby at Glenbrook Park

Drinking Water N : No taps, best to bring own drinking water or fill up at Glenbrook Park

Parking: Limited

Trails Signposted – Limited

Mobile Reception – Optus Y– Telstra Y

Shelter: Y  at the lookouts

BBQ Facilities: N

Accommodation: Not immediately in vicinity options in nearby Penrith and there’s lots of accommodation options in the Blue Mountains. Camping in the reserve isn’t allowed.

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

If you can find someone who has ridden the trails before then definitely go for a ride with them to get the best out of what routes to take through the reserve as it can be a bit daunting working out how the trails link up.

As an introductory ride one short loop that works well is to start from the main entrance gate onto the fire trail (“Lovers Walk”) then turn left as you enter the park and through the concrete blocks, following this trail (“Karma”) around as it traverses switchbacks and rocky sections until it joins back up with the main fire trail again and loop back around.

There are some historic places of significance within and close to the reserve, with the Knapsack Viaduct sandstone bridge which used to provide one of the road routes up the mountains, Mitchell’s Pass historic bridge and the old Zig Zag cuttings previously used for transport lines up the escarpment.

BEST TIME OF YEAR

Anytime of year generally, although some might find it too hot in the middle of summer in the middle of the day. Being close to Penrith which had a 47 degree Celsius day recently it can definitely get hot. As with most places in Australia the best riding is generally in Autumn or Spring. The track surfaces generally drain well after rain.

WHILE IN THE AREA

Check out the cafes and shops of Glenbrook or get a craft beer to go from the well-stocked bottle shop in Glenbrook.

LOCAL BIKE SHOPS

None in the immediate vicinity of Glenbrook, Lapstone or Emu Plains however nearby Penrith is well-serviced for bike shops, with 99 Bikes, Panther Cycles, Blackmans Bicycles and Bike Passion. Also further up the mountains, Blaxland Cycles at Blaxland and Nicks Cycles at Springwood.

REGULAR EVENTS

Part of the deal with the council to formalise the trails was also to prohibit racing. This unfortunately rules out there being events at the reserve.

Words and Photos: Ben Sykes