Routes

Overview: Enjoyable gravel and road ride along picturesque trails and fire roads in the Parr State Conservation Area. The starts and finishes at Wisemans Ferry. Gravel or MTB bikes only. Features: Views, challenging uphill and thrilling downhills, beautiful quiet road hugging the Hawkesbury River Suitability: Suitable for novice riders with reliable and well maintained gravel or mountain bikes. Rides must be able to navigate their own way around the route and should be familiar with first aid. Route Description: The ride begins at Wisemans Ferry and heads west crossing the Hawkesbury River on the Webbs Creek Ferry. After leaving the Ferry you head up the gravel Bicentenary Road which climbs up to meet Wheelbarrow Ridge Trail high up overlooking the valley below. A decent down Wheelbarrow Ridge Road takes you to Lower Portland where there is a toilet stop. We turn back around and head along the north side Hawkesbury River following the Bicentenary Road back to Wisemans Ferry. No bailout options available. Coffee stop: A Choice of Cafés in Wisemans Ferry at the end of the ride. Important Considerations: • Carry ample water, as there are no refilling options. • Bring snacks and a first aid kit. • Ride with a safe stopping distance, especially on downhills. • Do not rely on riders ahead to choose the correct line or speed. • Hazard calls for obstacles such as rocks and sticks may be too frequent, so stay alert and scan the trail ahead. • Trail surface may have changed due to wet weather, erosion and maintenance. Other factors: • Trail type: Wide fire-trail and Local Roads • Trail surface: Mostly smooth, well-graded, bare rock in parts, large potholes in parts, loose and steep in some places. Narrow quiet Roads are Tarmac. • Emergency access: Public Road and Trails, 4WD Access • Phone reception: Limited • River crossings, if any: New bridge over the Colo River, Webbs Creek Fery. • Bail-out options: None. Regroup Points: • Intersection of Bicentennial Road and Wheelbarrow Ridge Trail 8.5km • Intersection of Wheelbarrow Ridge Trail and Wheelbarrow Ridge Road 17.5km • Lower Portland Ferry • Intersection of Bicentennial Road and Wheelbarrow Ridge Trail 32.2km • Webbs Creek Ferry Check the National Parks and Wildlife website to ensure the track is open and accessible: https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/parr-state-conservation-area

This ride is Banana Pie minus the lung-busting climb out of Bobbin Head on the steep Mt Colah side. Starting at Turramurra station we will ride up through leafy Wahroonga to Hornsby and then take on the undulations of the Pacific Highway to Pie in the Sky for a pie and a coffee with a view. The return leg takes in Bobbin Head and the climb out the less steep N. Turramurra side. This is a good ride for people who want to step up a bit and challenge themselves with a ride that still includes some significant climbs.

A gentle amble through the back streets of Hunters Hill. (In November the Jacaranda trees are in flower.) There are some short hills, but we'll take them slowly. Child Friendly ride, children 12 to 18 accompanied by an adult carer welcome. Please make sure your bike is in good order, and carry a spare tube and pump, in case of a puncture. Please phone to confirm if it looks like rain.

A ride through Artarmon and Mosman for magnificent coastal views at Balmoral, Chowder Bay Bradleys Head and Taronga Zoo. The ride route takes you through the backstreets and up and down all the hills in the area so you can test your climbing skills. Toilet stop at Balmoral. Coffee at Georges Heights or near return to Artarmon. We use designated cycle routes missing some of the bigger hills but keeping enough in the mix to allow you to continue your climbing practice. Return to Artarmon via Mosman and Cowles Rd using the designated cycle route.

A ride through Artarmon and Mosman for magnificent coastal views at Balmoral and Middle Head. The ride route takes you through the backstreets and up and down all the hills in the area so you can test your climbing skills. After coffee at the half way point head back through the back of Mosman on the designated cycle routes missing some of the bigger hills but keeping enough in the mix to allow you to continue your climbing practice. Return to Artarmon using the designated cycle route.

"A scenic but hilly 40 km ride using back roads from Artarmon to Balmoral then visiting Middle Head, Chowder Bay, Georges Heights, Bradleys Head Lookouts before catching the Ferry from Taronga Zoo to Circular Quay then riding across the Harbour Bridge before returning, via back roads, through N Sydney to Artarmon Station.

This is an out-and-back, any-day, all-weather, light-traffic fitness ride. The first and last 6km have easy grades and slower pace. Extra effort is required to climb the hills in the middle section particularly in Lane Cove Park where three optional hills are included for extra training fun. In order to average the required pace over the whole distance, riders need to ride more quickly where appropriate to make up for the slower climbing pace and delays on on the shared cycle paths. The entire ride takes less than two hours to return back to the start point at Eastwood Station which allows riders to fit other activities into their day. If you have time, then an optional coffee stop is at the end of the ride around Eastwood

This ride, although not long and with minimal height gain, has few bail out points and is therefore suited to self-sufficient riders with mechanically sound bikes who are comfortable in traffic. This ride is similar to Wyong Loop in length and difficulty From Adamstown Station, we are immediately on the Fernleigh Track which we follow to the end of the track at Belmont. Then by road for 5 km to join the Green Point Foreshore Reserve path (water and toilets) that takes us through pristine bush and a regenerated mine site. From the end of the Track we follow the Lake Path through Croudace Bay, Eleebana, Warners Bay, Speers Point, and Teralba, never losing sight of the Lake, before a short ride on the Shoulder of Toronto Rd. We finish the ride by following the now defunct Fassifern to Toronto Spur Rail Line on a Shared Path, with the now rusting rail lines still in view. There are few bail out points on this ride, and mostly towards the end of the ride. There are options however, a bus from Belmont to Charlestown Station for instance and cabs that can take you to the nearest transport hub. Water and toilets are frequent and conveniently spaced along the route. Riders are also encouraged to bring snacks Hazards will be fast moving traffic at times and the usual hazards associated with shared paths, pedestrians, children, loose dogs etc Although to route has not a substantial height gain for its length, there are some short steep pinches including one at 14% (mercifully short) that will need a bike with low gearing

From Adamstown Station, we are almost immediately on the Fernleigh Track, a dedicated shared track for cyclists, runners and walkers, which meanders south for 15 km before we join the Pacific Hwy riding the hard shoulder for 4 km before joining a shared path to Swansea Bridge. A cycle track, under the bridge, takes us to the Lake Macquarie Foreshore Track which we follow to the quiet Old Pacific Hwy. Following a sign, at a roundabout to Murrays Beach, we climb up and over a steep ridge to the Lakehouse Café with good food and views over Lake Macquarie. We further descend to yet another foreshore shared path which does include a 100 metre section where we dismount and walk our bikes eventually riding quiet back streets through the sleepy suburbs of Cams Wharf and Nords Wharf after which we rejoin the Pacific Hwy riding the gently undulating hard shoulder for 7 km to Lake Munmorah turning into Elizabeth Bay Drive, a rural back road heading south to Budgewoi again on a hard shoulder. From Budgewoi to Th

A ride for invited decision makers designed to show points of interest in the area of concern of the decision maker to improve cycling experiences.

This ride is a good introduction to hills generally at a slower pace and also has long sections of group riding practice. This ride has a similar level of difficulty to "Meadowbank to Bobbo" or "The Gorge and Berowra" so a good place to step up without committing to hard grade rides. After our briefing at Turramurra, the ride heads down the Pacific Highway where we ride as a tight group, then via the easier grade of Telegraph Road to gain Mona Vale Road and to our first regroup at St Ives. Continuing north along the wide Mona Vale Rd shoulder we turn left at Terrey Hills for our second regroup. After we enter the Ku-ring-gai National Park, we veer left to pass the toll booth in the clockwise direction, then descend steeply but carefully down to the water's edge for our third regroup, where there is a toilet block. We continue around the beautiful bushland edge to Coal and Candle Creek past the Akuna Bay Marina where the road heads upwards, as we regain lost elevation. Climbing at your own pace at a steady gradient for 3km brings us up to the next regroup point at the West Head Rd turn. Once regrouped we have a splendid descent for 2 km back to McCarrs Creek Road where we turn right and take on the second hill. This one brings us right to the top of Terrey Hills with the last kilometre leveling out nicely with two nasty pinches to finish before our regroup point at the Thai Restaurant. We take the underpass for Mona Vale Road and then travel back to St Ives in a group. Special care needs to be taken running through the shopping centre in the late morning with the left lane taken by car parking. This section is best taken as a tight group 2 abreast group holding the lane and then merging to the right when safe to do so. We turn right at the traffic lights at Pentecost Road descending in the middle of the lanes before climbing back up in the cycle lane. This climb can be challenging if you have worked hard previously. After a final regroup in Boomerang St we make our way back to Turramurra via Eastern Road. There is car parking along the railway line and the railway is a very handy way to travel to and from the start/finish location.

This ride is one of our harder rides. The regroups are far apart. You should be fit, skilled on hills and competent to fix any minor breakdowns that occur. This ride uses roads which are narrow and not marked with cycle lanes and you should be competent with traffic passing nearby. At the times we run the rides the traffic levels are generally low. We start at the east side of Eastwood Station. Ride via Vimiera Road and De Burghs bridge to Pymble, under the Pacific Highway and climb up to St Ives for a possible pick up point in the car park near Stanley Street about 45 minutes after the start time. (Be there because we won't wait for you.) We continue along Mona Vale Rd to Terrey Hills and then descend clockwise through Akuna Bay followed by a 3km climb up to the West Head Road. From the top we descend to Church Point and then on to coffee and cake at Bayview. After coffee we start to head back the way we came. We regroup at the Thai Restaurant at Terrey Hills after the testing 8km ascent! We have easier running along Mona Vale Rd to St Ives (unless we cop the regular head wind) and then cross to Turramurra and down to Eastwood via Browns Waterhole. We aim to average at least 25km/hr for the entire distance. This ride is suitable for strong riders on road bikes or lighter flat bar bikes setup for fast road travelling. Two water bottles and snacks are strongly recommended. Total elapsed time is about 4.5 hours including regrouping and coffee stop.

This is a shorter version of the Akuna Bay and Church Pt ride. The regroups are far apart. You should be fit, skilled on hills and competent to fix any minor breakdowns that occur. This ride uses roads which are narrow and not marked with cycle lanes and you should be competent with traffic passing nearby. At the times we run the rides the traffic levels are generally low. We start on the eastern side of Mona Vale at the carpark opposite Stanley St, St Ives. We ride via Mona Vale Rd to Terrey Hills and then descend clockwise through Akuna Bay just to climb steeply out again for fun. From the top we descend to Church Point where we have plenty ofrntime for coffee and cake to refuel either there or at Bayview. We regroup at the Thai Restaurant at Terrey Hills after the testing 8km ascent and return via Mona Vale Rd to St Ives. This ride is suitable for strong riders on road bikes or lighter flat bar bikes setup for fast road travelling. Riders should be familiar with riding n a peleton. Two water bottles and snacks are strongly recommended. Total elapsed time is about 3.5 hours including regrouping and coffee stop.

From Turramurra we take a quieter back route through St Ives to Mona Vale Rd and on to Terrey Hills. Descend to Akuna Bay clockwise climbing out on the eastern side prior to our well-earned descent to Church Point. Take in the Akuna Bay and Pittwater views and some of Sydneys classic coastal bush in Ku-Ring-Gai National Park. After our climb back to Terry Hills we venture out into Duffy’s Forest along an undulating route returning the same way. On the return to Turramurra we rejoin Mona Vale Rd. If traffic is busy in the St Ives area, turning left into Shinfield Ave and doing a U-turn to exit again at the lights should make it easier to negotiate the right turn into Pentecost Ave. It is expected that regrouping will be minimal for this ride but it will depend on the pace to which it is run and the group. The descents into Akuna and Church Point allow us to build good speeds and involve some sharp bends at times. Akuna Bay clockwise has some particularly sharp steeper turns that riders need to take very cautiously. Be ready for debris/obstacles, fog and damp road sections particularly early morning.

This is one of the harder rides on our Calendar. Please contact the Ride Leader if you want to check your suitability. We descend and climb most things around Akuna. Depending on the day and the group we may choose to do these in a different order. Church Point, Cottage Point, Akuna East, West Head, Akuna West. Special care is required on Cottage Point as there is an abrupt end to the road after a very steep downhill section. Following a short regroup, we need to climb back up the same 24% gradient. Two water bottles and some snacks are mandatory as the water stops are few and far between. Participants will also find that they are exposed to the elements in many parts of this ride and need appropriate attire for a given day.

Ride along designated cycle lanes and back roads in this tranquil inner city park. Enjoy the native bushland and experience the sound of native birds as you move silently through the park all the wile soaking up the relaxing atmosphere.

Between Gladesville and the City, there is a direct route (down Victoria Road), and a longer one (via Lane Cove). The direct route is good for when you are short of time. Via Lane Cove is great when, unexpectedly, you finish breakfast a quarter of an hour early, or when you decide to quit early. Today we'll ride both. Of course, you could just do the circuit as a Sunday ride, with several stops for coffee or beer on the way.

Andy's Cafe start/end provides pre- and post-ride sustenance and loo, plus a good meeting place with anyone riding to/from the start via Berowra Waters. Do not clog the cafe's small carpark. Smooth tyres are recommended for some of the rural roads. We are mainly on Cattai Ridge Rd out and Pitt Town Rd back. Late in the route, diversions minimize cycling on busy Old Northern Rd, and add extra scenery. Beware the limited food-buying possibilities: Pitt Town @ 22km, Maraylya @ 31km, Dural @ 48km (continue ahead for 0.5km, rather than L into Pellitt Ln). Loo/water at those places, and also in park at Pellitt Ln. Bring plenty to drink, especially in summer.

This ride is not suitable for new riders. Riders need to be confident in City riding. This ride is best scheduled during school holidays, public holidays or Sundays when vehicle and foot traffic is light, and with a small group. Although low kms, the ride could take 2.5 hrs. This ride will point out history, architecture and art works in the City. Close to Circular Quay is the Quay Quarter tower - 'the world's first vertical village that redefines the future of work'; we get close and personal. In the lanes off Pitt St cycle path and Australia Square, there are many interesting works of art. Listen to bird songs lost in time at Angel Place. See giant blue beings in Art Gallery Rd, Art deco design in the Archibald Fountain and the War Memorial. See tiled doorways in Market Row and so it goes on over in Pyrmont. The loop ride continues back across Pyrmont bridge winding along Barangaroo and back to Circular Quay.

Scenic loop ride to Lane Cove River National Park via the Gore Hill cycle path to Delhi Road. Due to the building works on Delhi road, we ride on the foot path to Plassey Rd into the park. We then ride down to Riverside Drive to the bottom for a toilet and water stop. For those who wish to add 2kms to the ride can ride across the weir to Max Allen drive to the end and return to Riverside drive and up the hill to the toll gate to regroup before we leave the park via De Burgh's Bridge to ride around Macquarie Park. From Waterloo Road we take the pathway onto Giffnock Road onto Epping Road cycle path to Longueville Road. As the ride features a few climbs we can enjoy guilt free coffee and cake on the return trip. Riders who would like to add a few hills without adding distances. Degree of difficulty This is a relatively short ride, at 32km. There are a number of climbs to add a degree of interest and provide a challenge to riders. Max grade is 7%.

Attending the AGM but not riding a Bike North ride before the meeting.

Attending the social function, but not riding? To help with catering, please register here if you are attending but ONLY if you are not taking part in one of the rides on this day. If you are registered on a ride, we have you recorded there for catering purposes, so you don't need to register here as well.

Starting at Meadowbank we make our way via Clyde Railway Station onto the Ducks River cycling path to Auburn Gardens. As an option we can visit the Auburn Gardens, there is an entry fee but we have not been charged on previous rides. We then cycle towards Berala, where we will stop for coffee. We walk our bikes through the tunnel at the station and go on to Rookwood. We cycle through Rookwood - please be aware of other visitors to this special place. We return via Strathfield and Olympic Park.

Starting at Meadowbank we make our way via Clyde Railway Station onto the Ducks River cycling path to Auburn Gardens. We then visit the Auburn Gardens, there is an entry fee of $4.00 but we have not been charged on previous rides. We usually have a snack here and wander around the gardens for about 10 or 15 minutes. We then cycle towards Berala, we walk our bikes through the tunnel at the station and go on to Rookwood. We cycle through Rookwood - please be aware of other visitors to this special place. We then follow the Cooks River cycling way. At the tennis courts we have another toilet stop before we go on to coffee at Marrickville, where we can try out one of the cafes along Illawarra Rd. After coffee we find our way to Hawthorne Canal and past Canada Bay on to Concord and return to Meadowbank.

A challenging ride with a number of steep descents and equally steep but short climbs as we make our way from Round Corner, Dural to Windsor and back, avoiding some of the major roads whenever possible. It includes elements of Arcadia to Pitt Town and Round the Corner to Windsor rides. There are two small sections of gravel, the longest being around 1km but the surface is still suitable for road bikes. Country road surfaces are generally bumpy but scenery Some sections, such as Cattai Ridge Road and Pitt Town Road, allow for sustained pace so riders must be able to maintain pace over longer sections. Coffee and toilets at Windsor. This is the only bale out option on the ride. Prior to the start, toilets are available in the Round Corner Shopping Centre, near the fruit shop. There is plenty of unrestricted parking in Jaffa Road. Total ride duration approximately 4 hours.

The start of the ride via the Harbour, Pyrmont and Anzac bridges is an access route often with its own revelations. The main part of this ride is a ramble via narrow suburban streets and waterfront areas through historic Balmain and Birchgrove. Balmain began with a rich maritime history and the creation of the famous Mort's Dock. Transformed from a quiet harbour front village into a bustling workers suburb, the Balmain of cars, cafes and boutiques we see today is vastly different from the shipyards, soap factories and Workingmen's Institutes of the past. Join us on the bike and lets see what we can rediscover while enjoying some unique harbour views from Peacock, Ballast and Yurulbin Points. Built heritage sightings include Hampton Villa, Balmain Watch House, Mort's Dock, Colgate and Caltex industrial sites. Enjoy a coffee at Haberfield before looping back through the back streets of Leichhardt.

The start of the ride via the Fig Tree and Gladesville Bridges Birkenhead and the less used east side of the Iron Cove Bridge provides us with an access route through the middle of Balmain to join the traditional Balmain Bummel route. The ride continues as a ramble via narrow suburban streets and waterfront areas through historic Balmain and Birchgrove. Balmain began with a rich maritime history and the creation of the famous Mort's Dock. Transformed from a quiet harbour front village into a bustling workers suburb, the Balmain of cars, cafes and boutiques we see today is vastly different from the shipyards, soap factories and Workingmen's Institutes of the past. Join us on the bike and lets see what we can rediscover while enjoying some unique harbour views from Peacock, Ballast and Yurulbin Points. Built heritage sightings include Hampton Villa, Balmain Watch House, Mort's Dock, Colgate and Caltex industrial sites. Enjoy a coffee usually at Birchgrove or Balmain before looping back through Callan Park to the Anzac Bridge, Jackson’s Landing, Barangaroo and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Ride to Harbour Bridge then Anzac Bridge. Tour Balmain, with lookouts, historic sites, quaint streetscapes. Catch ferry from Birchgrove to tour Greenwich Point, more lookouts, then back streets and paths to Wollstonecraft, Waverton and Balls Head, including Coal Loader. Complete loop via Crows Nest back streets. Great harbour and historic scenery, but very hilly. Coffee before or after ferry ride: Balmain or Greenwich. To allow time for the many stoppages en route and the fiddly, hilly nature of the route, two hours is recommended for the 20km to the ferry, + coffee-time if coffee taken in Balmain.

Starting at Turramurra, descend Bobbo and climb the steep side to the Old Pacific Highway then roll along to Pie in the Sky for a refuel with a view. Return the same route, enjoying the climb up the less steep side of Bobbo. This ride will regroup at the top and bottom of Bobbo, so riders can descend and climb at their own pace. This is a great ride for anyone wanting to step up to harder rides.If you like Meadowbank to Bobbo, Cowan to Calga, or Extended Pie (medium group) then this is the ride for you!

Ride back streets and cycleways from Balcombe Heights Estate to a high point on Windsor Rd. Return via cyclepaths through Crestwood. Ride starts with gentle downhill to Jasper Oval. Cycle through Torry Burn reserve gradually riding towards Windsor Rd. Cycle along Windsor rd shared path, rising somewhat steeper to the high point of the ride opposite Victoria Ave. Enjoy 4km of downhill cycle paths back to Seven Hills Rd. Climb back to start via cycle paths, back roads, Hilda Rd and Jasper Rd. Children suitable for those above 12 years old with a carer. If riding with Children 16 years and under, we will use footpaths on Jasper Rd outbound and Hilda Rd and Jasper Rd on the way back.