Sydney Spokes Winter 2008

This Sunday’s ride is the world heritage nominated, convict built Great North Road out of Wiseman’s Ferry.

Our route crosses the Hawkesbury River at the ferry and uses a well conserved portion of the road climbing up into the Dharug National Park. From there it is a wild and woolly ridge trail through the national park to Clare’s Bridge via a Buddhist monastery and then home on the Western Commission track. The track culminates in an exhilarating down hill that takes us back to the Hawkesbury River and the Wisemans Ferry pub for lunch and a well deserved drink.

Along the way we can almost see and smell the gangs of hardened convicts, sweating away, chained together, day and night, semi-naked, flogged by pitiless overseers as they grope their way through unfamiliar bush. I am excited just thinking about this ride!

The ride is about 40ks, graded medium, suitable for mtb and hybrids only. There are no facilities after we leave Wisemans Ferry so bring plenty of water as well as the usual sunscreen, spare tube and snax.

Meet 10.00am at the café in the Wisemans Ferry village opposite the service station. (I have room in my car for anyone needing a lift. Can pick up from inner city. Reserve your space early.)

Let me know if you are coming. About 40 kms.

Tuesday 3 June WORKSHOP
Build your own night light for night time riding.

With the days getting shorter do you wish you could ride more? Well, there is still plenty of time in the evenings…
For less than $70.00 you can purchase all of the parts necessary to build your own 20W rechargeable bike light system.
Full details of the system are posted on this website:
http://sandcastle.swishspace.com/junk/bikelight.html
Spokes is holding a bike light building workshop to build the light described on the website.
7:00pm (early start as it’s a school night)
Tues 3rd June
This is also a social evening, so feel free to bring some drinks / nibbles.
For the light, either bring the materials detailed on the website, or contact Jon who will purchase the materials for you at a cost of $70.00.
I am looking forward to seeing you on the night.

Contact: Jon

Sunday 8 June GAYBUG RIDE Queen’s Birthday Weekend
Tempe to Kurnell All Bikes Medium

This Sundays ride is from Tempe to Kurnell via Cape Solander (for a little whale spotting).

Start at Tempe station carpark at 9:00am "sharp", then cycle along part of the cycle path until we get to St. George Yacht Club, then we will veer off into some back street riding and stop for morning tea at a little cafe near Dolls Point. We will then continue onto Kurnell and up to Cape Solander and with a little luck, may see some whales. After a little whale watch we can cycle back to Cronulla for lunch or train home. Otherwise, I will be cycling back to Tempe for anyone who would like to join me.

The ride distance is approx. 45-50km's from Tempe to Kurnell. If cycling back to Tempe, approx. 65-70km's. All styles of bicycles can do this ride...with willing rider, of course! This ride is also classified as easy (because its flat) to medium (because of the distance and small hill up to Cape Solander).

Please bring spare repair kit or tube, pump, water, change for munchies and maybe bring a snack in case cafe is closed, also friends, partner and family welcome..

It's the second Saturday of the month again (14 June) and this month's longer outing for road bike riders will head north out of Hornsby, up to the café at Mount White. The return trip is about 70 km and includes a long hill in each direction. We use the old Pacific Highway, which is really good for road riding.

As usual this is a ride for those of you with a road bike who want to do a longer and much faster ride than the usual Sunday outings (altho' Sue G's trip scheduled for Sunday could be quite a challenge too!) You need to be fit enough to ride the distance and also experienced on main roads.

As always we aim to be finished by lunchtime, and we will start at 8.30 at Hornsby Station (West side, opposite side to the car park). I suggest the 7.43 Intercity train from Central to Newcastle which gets into Hornsby at 8.21. Remember to bring a spare tube, a pump, money for coffee, and water. The weather forecast for the weekend is a bit uncertain so please leave me your mobile number if you plan to come, so that I can let you know if plans change, you can email me

Hoping to see some of you.

Start Pymble Station and ride to West Head through the Kuring-gai National Park – for experienced riders only.

We ride back streets up to St. Ives on Mona Vale Road. Then there is a ride of about 10 km along Mona Vale Road. (Good shoulder but be prepared for some traffic). Then left at Terry Hills into the fantastic Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park. Lots of scrub, sandstone, rolling hills. Our goal is West Head look-out. This overlooks Broken Bay with spectacular views to the Central Coast in the north, Palm Beach & Pittwater to the east, & up the Hawkesbury River to the West. We have also seen a small rock wallaby hopping around West Head Look-out in the scrub.

BYO picnic lunch at the look-out. Then return via the same route, except a cake & café stop at the Terry Hills Bakery.

If you are coming along, please RSVP & let me know your mobile number (in case the weather is really bad on Sunday).

As usual please bring along water, spare tube, puncture repair kit, food (& perhaps some cash to buy food).

Hi Spokespeople

Sunday’s ride is scheduled as a Mt Victoria ride. Sadly I can’t really remember the way up and down those big hills so instead we have Hanging Rock.

I was looking on the definitive “Fat Hippy” Blue Mountains mtb site the other day and noticed that only 4 rides score the ultimate “5 Fat Hippies” ratings: Narrow Neck, Six Foot Track, Secret Places, and Hanging Rock!

So here is your chance to do one of the great Blue Mountains rides on a day that is forecast as fine. In addition to being a great ride it is EASY! Not boring but easy. The trail runs along a ridge so there are no major hills to climb. There is however the best view of the Gross Valley and spectacular sandstone cliffs at the end together with the fearsome Hanging Rock.

The ride will appeal to all of the following:

Newbies wanting to do their first off road ride
Oldies wanting to see the best view in the Mountains
Mad people wanting to sit astride the dreaded Anvil at Hanging Rock (scary as!)
Greenies wanting to rejoice in the peace and tranquillity of the Gross Valley looking out at waterfalls and the Blue Gum forest

The ride is pretty and there are some nice descents along the way with water jumps for those riders still immature enough to want to go fast and get some air.

Ride info
The ride is easy, about 20ks on a well surfaced track and suitable for mtb and hybrids. Bring spare tube, pimp, water and sunscreen if its sunny. Also bring something to eat. We will take a minute to buy some picnic stuff at a nice deli in B’heath. (Keen riders can do the Shipley Plateau after we get back to B’heath if they want, or Megalong Valley.)

Transport and meeting place
Meet at Blackheath station car park at 10.35am

Train
Dep 8.18am Central – arr Black heath 10.35am (there is no trackwork scheduled)
Return trains run at 12 mins past the hour

Car
Meet at Blackheath station car park as above
I have room in my car for any one that wants a lift and can pick up in inner city

Let me know if you are coming.

Contact : Michael

Saturday 28 June
WORKSHOP – bike repair/maintenance; riding skills Centennial Park.

Hi Spokespeople

By popular demand Saturday is the day to learn how to maintain and
repair your bike. We are also going to run a beginners workshop on riding skills.

The idea is to carry out repeating, half hour workshops on each subject. Participants can then pick and choose what they want to learn and stay for as long as they want on any particular subject. If we have time there will be a ride somewhere quiet for coffee after the workshops.

If you have skills in any of the above areas please get back to me and we can discuss your involvement in helping with the workshops.

Time and meeting place - please have an early lunch as we have a lot to get through in one afternoon. Meeting place is 1pm @ Centennial Park just inside the Oxford Street gates at the water bubbler.

This is a great opportunity to bring your bike with a flat tyre or bad gear change out of the closet and onto the road!

If you have the skills to deliver one of the maintenance workshops please let us know as we are 2 instructors short Thanks.

Please let us know if you are coming.

This Sunday’s ride is from the CBD to Parramatta and back. We will head out from Martin Place at 10am, across Darling Harbour and the Anzac Bridge. Then onto Five Dock and Concord before arriving at Bicentennial Park where we can have a coffee. After that we will head out towards Parramatta along the river then looping back on the M4 cycleway and heading home. All up it’s about 50km and rated easy-medium as it’s pretty flat (excepting Lilyfield Hill!) but a bit longer than some Spokes rides. However for a shorter ride there is the option of catching a train back from Parramatta or Strathfield…or even the River Cat.

As usual please bring water, pump, spare tyre/repair kit and sunscreen - the weather forecast for Sunday is good! Suitable for all bikes.

Let’s meet at the Cenotaph in Martin Place at 10. Please let me know if you’re coming. About 40 kms.

Hello Spokesters

Please accept my apologies for not getting this email out sooner.

Not going to Canberra this weekend? Do you still want to go riding this weekend?

Well dust of those cobwebs and lets go riding. You will see cows, horses and maybe a few sheep, oh and there is some great scenery along the way.

The ride is medium to hard and this is based upon the distance, which is about 60kms and the fact there is also one or two significant hills. Most of the ride is flat, and the first stretch of road has been recently laid and it has a good shoulder. NB: There are other sections of road which are bumpy and not so smooth.

I must stress this Sunday’s ride is definitely not for beginners!!!

There is no track work on the Blue Mountains on Western train line.

A Blue Mountains train leaves Central at 8:18 and arrives at Penrith at 9:10.

Or you can catch the suburban train which leaves Central at 8:21 and arrives at Penrith 9:29. We will depart from Penrith soon after the 9:29 train arrives.
If you are interested in coming along please send an email no later than 9pm on Saturday nite.

And yes there is going to be a coffee stop, in Richmond.

As usual please bring water, pump, spare tyre/repair kit and sunscreen - the weather forecast for Sunday is sunny! Suitable for all bikes.

Hope to see you on Sunday.

On the 5^th and 6^th of July 2008 Spokes is doing Canberra.

The plan so far is Sat 10:30am Mt Stromlo. Meet in the carpark. Entrance is near the corner of Uriarra Rd and Coppins Crossing Rd. The 10:30am start should allow people to drive direct from Sydney if they don’t want to spend the Friday night in Canberra.

Sydney Canberra takes me about 3.5hours so leaving at 6:30 should get you there in time to put the wheels on the bike and start at 10:30. If people want to organize car sharing, please email me and I’ll send a group email to all those that are interested.

Sat night. Dinner in Kingston. Please RSVP if interested in this so I can book.

Sun Sparrow Hill. Meet 10:00am. Will discuss starting location more on Sat.

I would grade both rides as medium. The Mt Stromlo ride has a bit of a hill but it is all rideable and the downhill is just fantastic. Two options exist for Stromlo a 12km ride and a 18km ride. Two loops would be possible for those that are keen.

I have not done the sparrow hill ride but have been advised it is suitable. The sparrow hill is about 30km.

Bring the usual stuff (bike, water, lunch, sunscreen, spare tubes etc) and a camera. The views from the top are great and the ruins from the fires are quite eerie.

Accommodation:

I was planning on staying with friends, but here are some suggestions:

Pinnacle apartments
http://www.domahotels.com.au/pages/page66.asp

Wotif.com shows some good deals in other hotels.
http://www.wotif.com/search/Simple?viewType=all&page=2&mapRequested=false&region=12

Please email me if you plan to come along and also advise if you plan to go to the restaurant on Sat night. I will try to book something.

I will be away next week so please try to email me by Friday 20^th Jun, or between the 29^th Jun to 3^rd Jul.

Looking forward to seeing you in our capital city.

A monthly outing aimed at road bike riders who are looking for a longer, faster ride than the usual Sunday trips. Typically we will travel 60-80 km, with an early morning start so that you can be back by lunchtime. Each month's route will be advertised closer to the date.

This is a really fun track with lots of technical bits. Medium to Hard. Each lap takes between 30 min - 60 depending on fitness and we'll do 2 laps and then go to the pub for a hearty lunch which is about 5 mins drive away. We'll probably be back in town by about 3 or 4 at the latest.

Keep in mind the SHB will be closed all day due to WYD.

We aim to get to the track at 10am it takes about 2 hours from the city.

Please try to be on time.

Here are directions:
Ourimbah, Central Coast
Take the F3 Freeway North until you reach the Tuggerah exit. At the end of the slip rd off the freeway it stops at a T intersection, turn left onto Cobbs Rd and follow until it stops at a T junction (5-10mins drive). Turn left onto Yarramalong road and continue until you see a dirt road on your left with a State Forest sign. Turn left onto the dirt road and drive up approximately 300m. Park. The track begins here on the left hand side of the fire road..

Sunday 20 July
Hornsby to the Road Warrior Cafe (Mt White) - All Bikes - Med/Hard - 70km

This Sunday’s ride is a pilgrimage (of sorts) to the two-wheeled ‘special place’ at Mt White. (a.k.a The Road Warrior Café).

70 km; suitable for all bikes; medium grade; a lot of long & large hills

The ride starts & finishes at Hornsby train station. Ride north along the old Pacific Highway across the Mooney Mooney Bridge at Brooklyn. The Road Warrior café is set in the bush at Mt White. Most its patrons are motor cyclists but cyclists are welcome too. The food & coffee is mediocre but the café is always an enjoyable destination. Be prepared for hill climbs & fantastic down hill rides. We return on the same route with another re-group at the ‘Pie in the Sky Café’ after riding up the Brooklyn Hill to Cowan.

Besides the cafes, there is lots of scrub, sandstone, escarpments, water views, etc, etc. It is a wonderful ride.

MEET: Hornsby @ 9:20am (for a 9:30am start).

TRAIN: North Shore Line

Redfern = 8:28am

Central = 8:31am

Hornsby = 9:23am

BRING: spare tube, water, puncture repair kit, snacks, cash for coffee & food in cafes.

Warning: If you are checking train timetables for connecting routes on the CityRail web site, please go to the special “world youth day timetable for Sunday July 20th” to ensure that you get reliable info.

Please RSVP with your mobile phone number so I know who is coming along. See ya in the saddle.

This Sunday's ride is a return to an old favourite the Manly Dam mountain bike circuit.

It's an exciting roller-coaster of a ride with something for everyone, exhilarating downhills, heartbreaking up hills and in between some technical sections to give you that extra challenge.

The loop is predominantly single track and is approximately 12km. This has been graded medium to hard due largely to the technical sections which include some fairly technical rocky drop off's and downhill sections. Please note for this reason it is a mountain bike only ride.

The ride starts & finishes at Manly Dam. If coming by car from the city head across The Spit to Manly Vale and turn left onto King Street(from Condamine Street)and follow signs to Manly Dam Reserve. Alternatively if coming by ferry I would allow 40 minutes to ride from the ferry terminal up to Manly Dam.

Depending on how the group feels we can do an additional loop and then maybe head into Manly for some food/refreshments.

MEET: Car Park Area on King Street before the main entrance to Manly Dam Reserve (outside the Water Research Lab) @ 10:00am (for a 10:15am start).

BRING: spare tube, water, puncture repair kit, snacks, cash for refreshments in Manly after the ride

Currently the circuit is open however in poor weather to prevent damage to the track this may get closed. I will endeavour to let you know if the track gets closed between now and Sunday (obviously the ride will be cancelled if this is the case).

Please RSVP with your mobile phone number so I know who is coming along.

Hope to see you Sunday

Start Hornsby Station - Bobbin Head – Turramurra for coffee stop. Then down Kissing Point Road, a short section of the M2 and ride the new Epping Road cycleway back to North Sydney. About 45 kms.

Start and finish at Windsor station. We will do a loop alongside the Hawkesbury River through farmland and surrounding area. A few hills and glorious views, returning to to Windsor for lunch. About 40 kms.

Catch the train to Woodford Station and ride to Glenbrook Station on the best mountain bike ride in the Blue Mountains.
Scenic, challenging, with a much deserved lunch at the end of the ride in Glenbrook.