CRITERIUM CIRCUIT
In 2001, a representative steering committee of Canberra cycling and wheeled sports groups is formed to work towards a dedicated cycling circuit in Canberra.
Later that year, the ACT Government was approached by the steering committee to consider providing a cycling circuit. After the destruction of the 2003 fires, the ACT Government, Sport & Recreation department approves a feasibility study for a cycling facility in Canberra, a process that used the experience of Stephen Hodge to provide professional advice.
In 2004, Stephen Hodge was invited by the ACT Government to assist with advice for the Stromlo Master Plan, specifically planning for a road cycling circuit at Mount Stromlo. Stromlo Forest Park now boasts a one-of-a-kind recreational facility with a world-class criterium cycling circuit. In late 2005, construction on the criterium cycling circuit began.
The concept for the Stephen Hodge Criterium Cycling Circuit was to design and build a Criterium Cycling Circuit (short road cycling circuit) of a minimum width of 8 metres up to 11 metres in the start finishing straight, and length of 1200 metres, making it suitable for a wide range of competitive and non-competitive road cycling and related wheeled sports activities.
The circuit is designed to provide a safe and versatile cycling and sports venue suitable for the widest possible range of activities, from adults and children’s skills training and fun riding, to local, national and international cycling events, as well as a venue for elite sports training by our national and state institutes of sport.
The circuit, in addition to providing an elite cycling circuit, has been planned to provide a key community resource that caters for the rapidly increasing cycling population by meeting demand for safe venues for cycling and one that can be used to develop cycling through training and skills programs in a safe off-road environment.
The full circuit is 1200m metres long, and is constructed with a central flat paved area joining front and rear portions of the track that adds enormous versatility and potential use for the venue. It can be used to divide the circuit into two 650m tracks, used as a skills training area, as a base for set up of event infrastructure or marshalling area for competitors.
The top quality AC (‘hot mix’) surface is laid on a road base, and built to super highway tolerances of +/- 5–8mm. Few circuits are as smooth as this one. The AC surface has been chosen for its superior adhesion and rolling properties for road cycling and should please even the most demanding elite competitors.
The circuit has been designed to provide a mixture of fast flat cycling combined with some more technically challenging corners and easy grades at either end. The park entrance has been designed to accommodate road racing finishes coming in from the public road system, with a spur road onto the cycling circuit off the main park entrance road. The exceptionally wide finishing straight is around 300m long and 11 metres wide providing a spectacular venue for road cycling sprint finishes in front of the pavilion.
Spectators and media are also well looked after with all of the circuit visible from the spectator pavilion and easy access to parking and amenities.
For information email info@stromloforestpark.com.au or call 02 6256 6700
Stromlo Forest Park is a shared public facility with designated trails for bike riders, walkers and equestrians. Trails are clearly marked and colour coded and there are specific rules for their use.
