Special Notes:
- Castle Hill station special start
- Participants must be comfortable with many short hills.
Standard Notes:
Tour The Hills' Greenways by combining key greenways visited by the rides of Colonial Parks, Bella Vista Greenway, Kellyville Greenway and others.
Starting from Castle Hill station (special start), the ride progresses through the following Greenways of The Hills: Crestwood cycleway network, Bella Vista Greenway, Turkeys Nest Reserve cycleways, Caddies Creek Reserve cycleway, Smalls Creek cycleway, Bernie Mullane Sports Complex cycleway, Fred Caterson Reserve cycleways.
The ride also visits Bella Vista Farm while riding on the Bella Vista Greenway. The ride can start directly from the Showground or Kellyville Metro Stations. Or with modification, from the Castle Hill, Norwest or Bella Vista Metro stations.
Riders will need to be comfortable riding undulating terrain including some short sharp pinches. This ride contains some short sharp pinches at over 8% gradient for 200m and half a dozen or so at 4-5%. Riders must be able to climb these pinches, and have low gearing or an eBike to suit.
The ride could be shortened on entry to Fred Caterson Reserve by directly returning to the Showground Metro station as per the route of the ride Colonial Parks.
Allow for 3 and 4 hours including ride briefing, regroups, coffee, and viewing point at a Steady 17 and 19 kmh pace. The actual time depends very much on riders and how much time they spend riding versus enjoying scenery, coffee and tea, and having interesting discussions.
The ride uses a range of shared paths and cycleways, local roads, and slightly busier roads. Riders also need to be comfortable cycling on the road/road shoulder with traffic. A ride leader may alternately choose to ride on available shared paths and cycleways, or on the road nearby.
Riders are to have geared road bikes due to the hilly nature of some ride sections. Route hazards include on road or path items such as bollards, sticks etc. Riders to be particularly careful on shared paths with pedestrians and dogs that may unexpectedly move in front of the rider.
There are water fountains and toilets on route. The ride does pass near or through several metro railway stations which would provide options for riders to leave the ride. Check how trackwork might impact these options. Optionally riders could turn around at any point and retrace the route, but please let the ride leader know BEFORE you leave the ride.
Distance: 43.00
Elevation Change: 424
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.
All riders must wear an approved helmet and carry water, at least one spare tube plus a pump.
Health Warning
Riders must not attend if sick, have Covid-19, influenza or symptoms of any communicable disease.
Social media
While on Bike North rides and activities, you may be photographed or videoed. Photographs and videos
may be used by Bike North for social media or promotional purposes. If participants do not wish to be
included in social media, they should make it known at the beginning of the activity or as soon as possible
and other participants must respect their wishes.