by Rhia Daniel

There’s no better place for an active teen to be over summer than the Adelaide City Dirt trails in Blue Gum Park / Kurangga (Park 20).

There’s a punkish, do-it-yourself energy to the open space that appeals to teenagers. But primary school-aged children are also welcome and can ride on the beginner or intermediate trails.

The track was created, and is still maintained, by volunteers — in particular, volunteers Callum and Nigel, who have been central to City Dirt’s survival and improvement since they got involved in 2010.

Although the City Dirt tracks are used to ride dirt bikes, it seems that maintaining the track is a secondary sport for many of the riders.

The City Dirt website lists its own 10 commandments on how riders can maintain the track, under a ‘Trail Etiquette’ tab.

While appealing to a young crowd, many of the rules enforce environmental awareness, informed by the climate conditions of SA and the landscape here in Blue Gum Park / Kurangga (Park 20).

The rules include:

1.     No dry riding. Always water the trails before and during a ride.

2.     Ride in the late afternoon. It’s cooler, there’s often no wind, and the trails are in shade, which means less watering is needed.

3.     Always put the tarps back on after riding.

4.     If you get to the trails and someone is watering, help them out, then start riding.

5.     If you see one of the crew digging, ask to help. Even one barrow makes a difference.

6.     Put your rubbish in the bin.

7.     Scope your run-out and don’t skid. Locked brakes chew up the trails.

8.     Talk to us about becoming a volunteer and actually dig. You’ll never be short of mates to ride with again.

9.     If a feature is being worked on, and there’s a sign saying ‘don’t ride’, don’t ride it.

10.  Don’t ride in the wet. If your tyres are sinking into the trails, it’s too wet to ride.

Although some of the terms used will not make sense to someone new to the sport, three of the rules encourage approaching and helping other riders in the park.

These connections may work to foster a mentor-mentee relationship between experienced and new riders.

While dirt bike and BMX riding are often perceived as ‘low-brow’ or juvenile hobbies, the Adelaide Park Lands values of ‘Open, Green, Public’ are met and amplified by the sense of community at City Dirt.

At the BMX facility, there is an open toolbox under the bench seats, with hose attachments for riders to use to water the trails before use.

The City Council also installed a permanent tyre pump in 2013, to help riders fix up and maintain their own bikes for free.

As well, there are two gas barbecues for public use. For some teenagers, these tools to maintain your own bike, the track, and cook your own lunch would provide a precious slice of autonomy.

The expectation of responsibility among riders is one way to introduce those coming-of-age to a sense of social obligation.

Dirt bike riding at City Dirt was one of the few sports that saw participation increase during the COVID pandemic.

Volunteer Nigel was stood down from his job for seven months during 2020. But this gave him an opportunity to focus on the track like never before.

In particular, the beginners (“Milkbones”) trail underwent several improvements during this time, owing to increased volunteer numbers.

At the time, the trails were regularly full of volunteers and riders alike, due to the outdoor setting and the distancing between bike riders.

Callum speculates that more than 100 people would be spread around the different trails each day.

Find out more about the City Dirt Crew on their website: https://www.citydirtcrew.com.au/ or make contact through their Instagram feed: @citydirtcrew.

Details of ‘dig days’ are often posted on this account for volunteers, old and new, to come out and help improve the track.

Alternatively, you can reach out directly to the City Dirt crew via email: citydirtcrew@gmail.com. 

Rhia Daniel has moved to Adelaide from Kapunda, and deeply values community and green spaces.