North to West Head
Saturday November 26, 2022, 06:30:00
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.
Summary : Difficult hilly ride via Brown's Waterhole, St Ives, Terrey Hills, West Head, Akuna Bay, Terrey Hills and return.
This ride starts at 06:30:00 Eastwood Station, East side
NOTES: 2 water bottles required. Bring a snack as coffee stop will be towards end of ride. Pace will be at higher end of brisk.
| Ride Leader | |
|---|---|
| Mark Hooper | |
| Ph | 0417400670 |
| markthooper@hotmail.com | |
| Ride Grade Information | |
|---|---|
| Distance (km) | 88 |
| Average moving pace | brisk approx. 22-25 kms/hr |
| Metres climbed |  1225.7 |
| RDI | 107.8616 |
| Grade | Hard |
| REE | Calculate your REE |
| Explanations of grades, pace, RDI, REE | |
| Further Information | |
|---|---|
| Suitability | Fit and experienced riders able to maintain high average speeds and deal with traffic. |
| Features | Hills, great bush and coast scenery in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Stunning Lookout at West Head. |
| Coffee stop | Usually at Akuna Bay, Terrey Hills or elsewhere |
| Expected duration | 5 hour(s) (estimate only - ride may be longer due to on the day factors) |
| Future dates for this route | |
| Ride With GPS Map/Cue/Profile/TCX/GPX | |
This is a long hilly ride usually ridden at a brisk or fast pace and is one of the hardest rides on our program. You should only attempt this ride if you have easily completed lesser graded Bike North rides.
To complete this ride you must be fit, be riding regularly, be comfortable in traffic, be skilled on fast bumpy descents, be comfortable riding in a tight group and be competent to fix minor breakdowns. This ride uses roads which are narrow and not marked with cycle lanes and traffic will pass close by.
From our start point we head to St Ives for a quick regroup, via Brown's Waterhole and Turramurra. Then the pace quickens along Mona Vale Rd to Terrey Hills and then descend McCarrs Ck Rd until the West Head Rd takes us to the left. The first 2km steep climb brings us out onto the undulating ridge which we follow for 11km. We climb ''the Wall'' (you will know when you reach it) and then regroup at the picnic area and toilet. There is no water out on the West Head Road.
When descending the final section great caution is required on the sharp tightening right hander at the bottom. The highlight is the view from the West Head lookout where we stop for a few minutes giving you time to consume some snacks from your pocket for an energy burst before the hills to come.
Return along the ridge sheltering from the wind behind the stronger riders, you will find as much climbing on the way back. We take the bumpy descent carefully to Akuna Bay before tackling the steep climb back to Terrey Hills. On the climb up from the marina the grades are from 7% to 11% for about 1.5km before becoming slightly less steep. The hill is used as a climbing time trial course by local cycle clubs and you will often see racers here on Sundays.
From our regroup point at Terrey Hills we make the run along Mona Vale Rd back to St Ives often into a headwind. We ride 2x2 to safely "take the lane" through the St Ives shops in a tight group. The roads of Turramurra can be busy with traffic by the time we take the run back down through Brown's Waterhole and the final section back to the start.
Shorter versions of this ride can start at Turramurra or at St Ives, taking 16km or 24km off the total route distance. Watch the rides calendar for details of the starting point.
The ride is suitable for strong riders on road bikes or light flat bar bikes setup for fast road travelling. Two water bottles, snacks and tyre repair tools are compulsory.
Keeping us COVID-safe:
- Pre-registration is compulsory. There are no walk-ins.
- Physical distancing of 1.5 metres should be observed where possible.
- All riders are encouraged to bring hand sanitizer.
- Riders must not attend if sick, have Covid-19, influenza or symptoms of any communicable disease.
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Bike North Events System, © 2010 Bike North and Keith Griffin