Special note
Ride starts 8:30am Katoomba.
Ends at Penrith, not Emu Plains.
Timed to meet the following train (please check on the day as train times do change):
- Central: 6:24am
- Strathfield: 6:37am
- Parramatta: 6:49am
- Blacktown: 6:59am
- Katoomba: 8:26am
Route modification: In addition to ending at Penrith (not Emu Plains), route will vary at a number of locations due to changed road conditions, including between Katoomba and Leura. Selected stops may include or exclude those suggested in the main ride writeup below.
Ride is listed as 19-22 (moderate range) as a capability guideline and includes some climbing particularly in the early part of the ride. Because of the largely downhill nature of the ride, average speeds by the end of the ride may well be above the moderate range.
Coffee planned to be offered will be optionally Leura, and Springwood. With group overall agreement that may change on the day.
Please bring many snacks for the train ride and the ride.
The weather conditions in the mountains can be considerably colder to those in Sydney, however, remember the ride will finish in Penrith and that will be warmer. Suggest dressing in layers.
Main ride
This ride starts in the upper reaches of the Blue Mtns and has a fair bit of descending where you don't pedal as hard, so it is harder to stay warm. The weather conditions in the mountains can be considerably different to those experienced in the Sydney basin, especially in the early morning. Riders must be prepared for cold weather and are advised to wear layers and be prepared for damp conditions to ensure they are able to stay sufficiently warm and dry to complete the ride.
From our start point, we ride to the Three Sisters Lookout. Then using back roads and a short stretch on the Great Western Highway, and stopping at further lookouts, we make our way to Wentworth Falls Lake after 14 km where there are toilet and water facilities.
Continuing on sometimes narrow and gently undulating back roads we arrive at Hazelbrook after 25 km for coffee.
At Woodford we ride downhill on the shoulder of the Great Western Hwy to Faulconbridge where we visit the Corridor of Oaks to view the trees planted by successive Prime Ministers since Federation.
The ride continues mostly on back roads to the historic Mitchells Pass Rd that was surveyed & built by Major Thomas Mitchell in 1823. We stop at Lennox's Bridge, the oldest stone arch bridge in mainland Australia. The bridge was completed in 1833 and is named after its Scottish design engineer and built by hand-picked convicts.
After a rest stop here, we descend the last few kms to Emu Plains Station for one of the frequent trains back to Sydney.
Water and toilets are available at most of the many reserves and Rail Stations along the route. The route is never far from the Main Line Railway and Stations are frequent should anyone need to leave the ride
We ride mostly on back roads as well as along the Great Western Hwy on a substantial shoulder for approx. 13.7 km so experience with fast moving traffic is required. There is significant descending on this ride, so all riders must be competent at cornering and descending.
An additional challenge for this ride is the logistics of getting to the start and returning from the end. Riders will need to consider train times, congestion and capacity to take bikes at the desired time. Some considered planning will be required.
Distance: 53.00
Elevation Change: 211
Ride with GPS
Check public transport alerts: www.transportnsw.info/alerts#/metro-train
Risk warning
As a participant in this dangerous recreational activity, you may be exposing yourself to a significant risk of
harm. Bike North, the ride organisers and leaders wish to warn you of the risks and hazards that are an
inherent part of cycling, and to take care to prevent putting yourself, your fellow participants and/or others
into danger. By registering for this ride, you accept the warning as to risk, and you agree to ride in a safe
and responsible manner and to obey all Australian Road Rules.
Health Warning
Riders must not attend if sick, have Covid-19, influenza or symptoms of any communicable disease.
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