Crackers

Crackers (officially part of the Warrimoo Downhill Mountain Bike Park in St Ives Chase) is one of Sydney’s most legendary mountain bike trails. Its journey from a hidden, hand-built track to a legally sanctioned facility is a landmark story for the NSW riding community.

History: From "The Moo" to "Crackers"

• Origins: The trail was originally hand-built in 2007 by local rider Marty Coss and a small group of volunteers. For over a decade, it existed as an unsanctioned "pirate" trail known as "The Moo" (short for Warrimoo).
• The Name: The name "Crackers" is a tribute to Marty's partner, Claire, who passed away suddenly in 2013. "Crackers" was her favorite quirky catchphrase, and the community chose to rename the trail in her honor during a memorial ride.
• Closure & Conflict: In 2017, the Ku-ring-gai Council closed the trail due to concerns regarding the Coastal Upland Swamp, an ecologically sensitive area. This led to a period of tension but ultimately sparked a unique collaboration between riders and the local government.

Importance as a Sanctioned Trail

In September 2019, Crackers was officially reopened as the first legally sanctioned freeride/downhill trail in the Sydney Metropolitan Area. This was a pivotal moment for several reasons:

• A New Model for Councils: Instead of simply bulldozing the track, the council worked with professional trail builders (Dirt Art) and the local "Moo Crew" volunteers to reroute the trail away from sensitive swamps while keeping the "hardcore" soul of the original line.
• Legitimacy for Gravity Riders: Historically, downhill and freeride tracks were often the first to be shut down. Crackers proved that high-risk, technical trails could be managed safely and sustainably.
• Community Ownership: Today, the trail is maintained through a formal Trailcare partnership between the Ku-ring-gai Council and the Moo Crew. This volunteer-led model has become a blueprint for other local councils in Sydney.

‍

Detailed Trail Description

• Rating: Double Black Diamond (Extreme).
• The Ride: The trail is a 930m technical descent with a 26.8% gradient at its steepest point.
• Key Features:
  
  • The Top Section: A high-speed "freeride" zone with massive berms, gap jumps, and tabletops designed for airtime.
  • The Middle Section: Features the famous "sandbag jump" and large sandstone rock rolls that require precise braking and body position.
  • The Bottom Section: Becomes significantly more "old school" and technical, ending with steep rock chutes and drops that lead toward the creek and weir.
• The Climb: As part of the sanctioning process, a dedicated climbing trail (Warrimoo Climb) was built so riders no longer have to push up the downhill line or use the road.