Anticipation hums as riders emerge from the campsite, cross the carpark and unleash onto the five Louee tracks and endless enduro trails to test their limits.
The excitement is infectious as engines gun and white dust billows from bikes flying higher and higher with each anti-clockwise circuit. Ted, 32, watches it all with satisfaction, leaning against the water truck that is about to settle the dirt stirred up by as many as 500 riders a day.
“With so much space they all fan out, so it never seems crowded,” Ted says, “but the carpark can get packed.”
The graded network of tracks spiders over 2000ha of his family’s 5000ha sheep and cattle property, just half an hour from Mudgee, voted NSW Best Tourist Town for two years running.
“There’s been a track here since the 60s, pioneered by my grandfather, Ned,” Ted says. “Mudgee motorcycle club ran club days. In 1993, Mum and Dad started it as a recreational complex, also running motocross events and a enduros. They’d invite mates up, or wait for people to show up, and eventually it snowballed. It was to get riders off the streets, out of the state forests and the police’s hair.
“I’d always loved the track and was there all the time as a kid. It felt right to take the reins in 2016 after Granddad passed and Dad took over the farm. I had just come back from London where I’d studied music production and sound engineering.”
Ted is the man who takes charge of the mosh pit of riders that descend every weekend, having also studied at the International College of Management in Manly.
“Over time we’ve now diversified into five motocross tracks and 150km of enduros. Our enduro tracks are the largest privately owned trails in NSW at over 150km, and we groom our motocross tracks to ensure they are world class. With this much space, we’ve had everyone from two-year olds to 80-year old veterans do their thing on the Pee Wee Track to the gruelling Tom’s Hill”
But right now, Ted loses his grin. From the picnic area overhung with grape vines, he points up the road, past the road signs warning of koalas crossing, to much bigger banners proclaiming ‘Stop Bowden’s Mine.’
“Two kilometres up on the other side of the hill, they want to mine silver, but its mainly lead and zinc,” Ted explains. “I’m not against mining, but this one is way too close to us and the village of Lue and Lawson’s Creek which feeds all the wineries in Mudgee. Our action group’s big win was getting all approvals overturned. The main issues are noise from a 24/7 mining operation, and lead dust. I admit we’re noisy ourselves from none to five, Friday to Sunday, but the mine would be going 365 days a year. City bikers come out here for the serenity, as does the large community of people who reside in the area, and we still want to be able to offer them that.
“While we deal with this mining threat we are committed to stand strong as a family working and living here and continue that country tradition to welcome people onto the track and our home. Once they realise that, our customers behave more responsibly, rather than thinking that they can do anything they like on the tracks and in the campsites which are booze-free and locked up at dusk. That ethos goes for the mining company also, as they are impacting on people’s homes and livelihoods.”
It is rare for Ted, 32, to put his boots up from the hectic pace of the track, mechanic’s garage, wash bay and kiosk. He manages more than 10 staff staff including two medics who are also track marshals and deal with the occasional broken arm or collarbone. But as much as possible, he keeps the business in the family. His Mum organises the accommodation, his Dad does the book keeping, brother Pete helps on the desk once a month and his sister Libby, a lawyer in Jugiong, provides moral support.
“She doesn’t ride bikes anymore,” he chuckles, “after she ran into the shed as a young kid.”
While Ted is concerned about the mine’s toxic chemicals pumping into the air and water which surrounds Louee, he himself is building a better safety awareness program.
“Minimising risk minimises accident rates,” Ted says. He has added extra signage on the trails telling people not to take risks, carries out risk assessments and rides the tracks himself every week.
“We hope the mine will take our lead with their concern for locals’ wellbeing,” he says.
When asked about the future in the face of uncertainty, Ted is positive. “I love seeing young riders come every couple of weeks and improve,” he says. “Australian motocross and enduro champs here with their kids, and people I’ve grown up riding here with, now back with their own family. I see the friendships spark up between families on long weekends when they can get out there for the four days and settle in, instead of ripping it up in two.”
Ted is also excited about getting more women into the sport and onto the track. “Girls ride half price on a Sunday,” he says. “Predominately a men’s sport we continually aim to increase the number of women in the sport and encourage all to come and enjoy everything the complex has to offer, beginner to experienced.”
Ted points out a hive of native bees whose drone adds to those of the bikes that are the soundtrack to his working week at Louee. He certainly hopes that the future of this unique family business will be just as sweet.
KEY FACTS
- Louee Enduro and Motocross complex is just 30 minutes from Mudgee NSW
- There’s a grass track, motocross track, Pee Wee Area and more than 150km of enduro trails
- All riders on Louee must sign a legal disclaimer/waiver before they ride their bike on the property
- There are loads of accommodation options as well as a bike lock up and full workshop facilities.
- There are trackside facilities, free hot showers and a first aid officer on duty during ride times.
