We travel through streets of Epping and Carlingford to Pennant Hills Rd and then follow an undulating route through West Pennant Hills with some short challenging climbs (up to 18% gradient) before undulating through Baulkham Hills, thence Winston Hills and meeting up with the start of the M7 cycleway near Glenwood.
A fast-undulating ride along the M7 before a possible water stop near the M4 @ Spaghetti Junction (it has been closed so come with full bottles). We continue along the M7 with a reasonable amount of climbing before we turn left at Abbotsbury and climb up to Moonrise Lookout and take in the view.
We exercise caution on the steep Moonrise descent and then we follow the path westwards along the Sydney Water Canal, passing Prospect dam to Pemulwuy for a Coffee Stop. After coffee we retrace our route and then follow along the old Sydney water canal passing Merrylands to Parramatta and thence under the M4 (cycleway) heading to the BIG rides day gathering at Waterview CAFE in Sydney Olympic Park. For those interested after this gathering we head back to Epping via Meadowbank and climb up to Eastwood and finish at Epping.
The ride is suitable for strong self-sufficient riders on road bikes. Riders need to be competent riding in a peloton and suburban traffic environments. This hard ride has a surprising amount of climbing with some quite short but steep pinches at 10-18%.
Riders must come prepared with two water bottles, tyre repair tools and food for a long ride. The coffee stop is toward the second half of the ride at about the 60km mark. In warmer months managing food and water intake will be important as the there are some quite exposed sections to sun.
Distance: 99.00
Elevation Change: 1260
Effort Index: 92
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 road rules and other legal requirements.
All riders 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.
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