MORE than $5m per annum is expected to be injected into the local economy, following the official opening of the Australia–first Indigo Epic Trail earlier this week.
The project, which will see 22kms of brand–new single mountain bike trails added to the region's existing track network, will connect Beechworth and Yackandandah as the nation's only all–season epic trail.
The $2m initiative was jointly funded by Indigo Shire Council and the Federal Government, and is expected to attract an additional 12,500 visitors to the region.
Mayor Sophie Price said the trail offered flowing descents and undulating climbs as part of a "helix loop design", and could be tackled in its full length from Beechworth to Yackandandah or cut into smaller loops ideal for families to choose their own adventure.
She said the criteria for an epic trail as described by the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) dictated the trail must be a demanding single–track adventure in a natural setting which is technically and physically challenging.
"From all accounts, we've ticked all the boxes and the feedback from those lucky enough to test ride the trail have described it as one of the best they've ever ridden," she said.
"The original concept to build a world–class mountain bike trail in our region was put forward by the Beechworth Chain and Yack Tracks mountain bike clubs, which have been the driving force behind making Indigo Epic Trail a reality.
"They are to be congratulated for their vision and tenacity and both clubs will have an ongoing close working relationship with council to ensure the trail is well maintained."
The addition of the Beechworth to Yackandandah leg of the trail completes the 56km–long network, which passes through the Stanley State Forest, Beechworth Historic National Park and Nine Mile Creek historic area.
Former Yack Tracks president James Lacey said ideation for the trail had started almost a decade ago, and said members had questioned whether it could ever become a reality.
Independent Indi MP, Helen Haines, said she was proud to be part of a community that "has ideas but takes them to fruition".
"I'm so proud to be your member of parliament, to be here with you thinkers, you idealists, you planners, you hardheads, you doers, to be here for the opening of this epic trail," she said.
"I think that 56 kms of single–track mountain biking doesn't happen by accident.
"This $2m projects comes with $1m of federal money – there's been a lot of talk these last few days about the federal money that's going to go into building submarines – I'm much more interested in building communities and building opportunities for our community and I think this is exactly what this trail is going to do."
Dr Haines said as the chairperson of the parliamentary friends of cycling group, she would be encouraging federal politicians to ride the trail in the coming months.
"You might see a few pollies with hardhats and maybe a few skun (sic) elbows and knees come and take on the epic trail in Beechworth," she said.