Fun Stuff

After a day spent exploring the South West, there's nothing quite like the first sip of a cold Kolsch.

In our How Do You Earn Your Kolsch? series, we meet locals who embrace everything this region has to offer and discover how they earn that well-deserved post-adventure pint.

For mountain biker and NOROCK co-founder Toby Heyring, it all starts on the trails of Meelup Regional Park.

Meet Toby Heyring

Co-founder & Co-inventor, NOROCK

Mountain biker. Coffee enthusiast. Outdoor adventurer.

If you've spent any time riding the Meelup Mountain Bike Trails, there's a good chance you've benefited from years of work by passionate volunteers like Toby.

While many know him today as the co-founder of NOROCK self-stabilising table bases, Toby has also played an important role in helping shape mountain biking in the Dunsborough region. His love for riding stretches back nearly two decades and continues to influence the local community today.

Discovering Mountain Biking

Although Toby grew up surfing along the South West coast, it wasn't actually surfing that captured his attention.

It was the drive getting there.

"I realised my excitement was all about driving Bear's Track, not actually surfing."

That love of adventure eventually found a new outlet.

Mountain biking.

Toby first started riding in 2008 while competing in rally driving.

"I noticed a lot of rally drivers were mountain biking between events. It's fantastic fitness and there's so many similarities. Picking lines, finding grip and making quick decisions. I got hooked."

Before the Official Trails

Long before the Meelup Mountain Bike Trails became one of the South West's most popular riding destinations, local riders were building trails themselves.

"There were hand-built trails throughout Meelup, Margaret River, Nannup and Wellington Mills," Toby recalls.

"They were all built by passionate locals who simply wanted somewhere to ride."

Building the Meelup Trails

Toby was one of the founding members of the Cape Mountain Bikers committee that helped turn years of community passion into an official trail network.

Working alongside volunteers including Miles Happ and Simon Mansfield, the group spent almost eight years working with local government and the Meelup Regional Park Management Committee to bring the project to life.

"It was a long process, but seeing the trails become official made it worthwhile."

A Community Asset

Today, the Meelup Mountain Bike Trails are one of the South West's most popular outdoor attractions.

Toby estimates a significant proportion of locals aged between 12 and 40 regularly ride the trails.

The network also supports local businesses including bike shops, mechanics and tourism operators while attracting hundreds of competitors for major events each year.

Some of the biggest events include:

• Cape to Cape MTB
• Eagle Bay Epic
• WA Gravity Enduro

Together they bring thousands of visitors to the region each year while showcasing everything the South West has to offer.

Toby's Favourite Trail

Firey's

Starting in Zone Six before descending towards Dunsborough Country Club, Firey's is Toby's go-to trail for an after-work ride.

"It's punchy, fast and just really fun."

His dream?

A legal mountain bike trail linking Dunsborough all the way to Eagle Bay Brewing Co.

We'd happily support that idea.

The Perfect Post-Ride Feed

After a few hours on the trails, Toby keeps things simple.

Favourite beer: Eagle Bay Kolsch

Favourite meal: A wood-fired pizza.

It's hard to argue with that combination.

Ride the Meelup Mountain Bike Trails

Located just minutes from Dunsborough, Meelup Regional Park offers around 20 kilometres of mountain bike trails catering to beginners through to experienced riders.

With flowing green trails, technical descents, jumps and granite features, it's one of the best riding destinations in Western Australia's South West.

After your ride, Eagle Bay Brewing Co. is only a short drive away, making it the perfect place to refuel with lunch and a well-earned Kölsch.

About NOROCK

If you've ever balanced a folded napkin under a wobbly café table, you'll appreciate the inspiration behind NOROCK.

Founded by the Heyring family, NOROCK created self-stabilising table bases that eliminate wobbly tables for hospitality venues around the world.

Like Toby's approach to mountain biking, it's all about solving problems through clever design and thoughtful engineering.

Plan Your Ride

If you're looking to explore more of the South West riding scene, check out:

• Meelup Regional Park Mountain Bike Trails
• Cape Mountain Bikers
• Humble Bicycle Co.
• The Bike Shed Dunsborough
• Middle Earth Mountain Bike Trails
• Cape to Cape MTB
• Eagle Bay Epic

Then finish the day the way Toby would.

With a wood-fired pizza and a cold Kolsch overlooking Eagle Bay.