where are you riding?

[hdtvkss]

hay there,

bored shitless at work and started pondering where i was going to be riding this weekend, also have a new bike to break in which should be fuun. only problem is i cant think of anywhere that jump sout at me to go :(

so wheres everyone else riding this weekend?

[Shrekmeister]

Dude, where are you from

where do you normally go...???

[notb4dinner]

Are you looking for advice on where to ride or is this meant to be more of a 'share and care' thread? Since you don't say where you're from I'm going to assume it's the second option.:p

Sat: Weekly group ride up in the Wattagan state forest.
Sun,Mon,Tue: Touring somewhere. I still haven't decided where but probably up the Hunter Valley somewhere, possibly along the old convict trail.

[hdtvkss]

well, its a little from column a, a little from column b!

looks like ill be doing Cascades/davidson on saturday mroning, weahter permitting. convict trail huh? i havent ridden that but have heard iits ok? is it all fire trail? some big climbs there as well from what i have been told?

shrek, im from Sydney, Epping to be exact. always looking for new suggestions on places to ride :)

[Shrekmeister]

Hi hdtvkss

i'm from the Sutho shire....however looking to head up the mountains every now and then...

plus the inlaws live over the hills area, so wouldnt hurt to learn some rides over that way....if there are any....

[S.P.G.]

Loftus has some good kinda basic trail riding. a lil bit of DH as well. i have no idea where im riding this weekend. that gets planned for me ahaha.

[hdtvkss]

Hi hdtvkss

i'm from the Sutho shire....however looking to head up the mountains every now and then...

plus the inlaws live over the hills area, so wouldnt hurt to learn some rides over that way....if there are any....

Ok, well ill tell you the rides that i know in the area, im sure there are others that people cna help you out with. Theres lane cove national park, which can be OK, most of the single trail havs been closed to riders though. theres Cascades/Davidson in St Ives, not too bad, some fun fast fire trail downhill, a techy downhill track at the top of the hill if you can find it thats not for the feint hearted. as discussed in another thread round here theres Lake parramatta which i hate, and also Northmead/excelsior park. have a look on MTBR.com and see what you can find.

maybee we could create a sticky thread of places to ride/ reviews of trails if one doenst allready exist?

[johnny]

Wow! Why do you hate Parra Lake? I love that spot, such a nice techy little circuit with some fast bits and trails leading off the side to explore!

Each to their own of course, but I love the Parra and Baulko/north rocks/excelsior trails!

[hdtvkss]

Wow! Why do you hate Parra Lake? I love that spot, such a nice techy little circuit with some fast bits and trails leading off the side to explore!

Each to their own of course, but I love the Parra and Baulko/north rocks/excelsior trails!

the north rocks trails i thought were OK, but parra, hmmm no. ill go back and give it a ride again as ive only been there once, but i just felt like i couldnt get a flow happening. maybee i was just going the wrong way?? ( was going anti clockwise)

[johnny]

Yeah, I always go clockwise and find this to be much better. I used to live near Northmead High, it was great, I'd hit that trail about three times a week whether on wheels or foot! There are some ok side tracks there as well if you should ever feel like exploring.

[grumpy rooster]

Has anyone ridden around the Canoelands area in the National Park there or out at Cattai? Have been thinking about them for a while but not sure if it is worth the effort.

[johnny]

I haven't been out that way for like 15 years, but isn't Cattai a relatively flat or midly undulating area? Or have I confused it with somewhere else?

*thinking of Lake Cattai.

[grumpy rooster]

Thats what I'm asking. I have no idea. I've seen it on the map but wouldn't have a clue what its like.

So you know more than me. :)

[Dave@]

Has anyone ridden around the Canoelands area in the National Park there or out at Cattai? Have been thinking about them for a while but not sure if it is worth the effort.

There's not much at Cattai. WSMTB now run their DH at Pacific Park, which is the other side, and potentially there's something in the NP, but unless you lived there I wouldn't bother. I used to live one ridge over, and do about a 15km XC loop that ended up coming back up through Pacific Park. Lots of private property on that one, but I knew the owners.

[johnny]

I haven't riden it myself, but used to hang around Yarramundi a bit. I think that would be a better option if you haven't riden it yourself.

[grumpy rooster]

I've done Yarramundi. Its very close to where I live.

[Hornsby]

Grumpy rooster,

Out in Canoelands there are tracks in the Nat Park but they are just fire road there and back type rides, ride to end and then retrace your tracks so not particually exciting but you'll be all by yourself. I recently did a circut ride out along smugglers ridge which is out from Arcadia which was good untill you drop off the top of the ridge to get down. Lots of bike carring for this XC rider. And the ride back again was a 25% grade for 1km just went straight up not a lot off fun, but the countryside was beautifull lots of deep cayons and gorges.
Unfortunatly the sumgglers ridge ride is a walking track in a National Park so no "improvements" could really be made to make it more ridable.

[grumpy rooster]

Thanks Hornsby.

[ebuk]

Wow! Why do you hate Parra Lake? I love that spot, such a nice techy little circuit with some fast bits and trails leading off the side to explore!

Each to their own of course, but I love the Parra and Baulko/north rocks/excelsior trails!

Is Parramatta Lake still open to riders? I haven't been there in years. Last time I was there NPWS were cracking down on riders.

Maybe a jaunt to parra lake is called for.

[Drizz]

Is Parramatta Lake still open to riders? I haven't been there in years. Last time I was there NPWS were cracking down on riders.

Maybe a jaunt to parra lake is called for.

I dun know if NPWS looks after that, I thought it was council's land (at least thats what the derelit signs said.)

I am not sure if its legal to ride, but theres really little policing thats for sure. I been there a few months back, its ok. Very hard to make it all gel and flow, but I suspected thats got more to do with my skill than the track. Good place to learn. (Especially on the west side of the lake where you can practiace bunnyhopping over big fallen trees.

Me and my mates planning to do Ando/Oaks this sunday, we are worry that the cascade at the end of Oaks might be flooded. Anyone been down there the last few days? Will give NPWS to find out.

[demo man]

i know that you have probably already ridden and all that, but make the trip to Sparrow Hill.

no doubt one of the best spots in Australia to ride! just perfect trails, really good fun.

or come to Canberra for a weekend, ride Majura one day, hit the street in the night (or the cafe's) and then Sparrow the second. perfect!

[FrogBoy]

Grumpy rooster,

Out in Canoelands there are tracks in the Nat Park but they are just fire road there and back type rides, ride to end and then retrace your tracks so not particually exciting but you'll be all by yourself. I recently did a circut ride out along smugglers ridge which is out from Arcadia which was good untill you drop off the top of the ridge to get down. Lots of bike carring for this XC rider. And the ride back again was a 25% grade for 1km just went straight up not a lot off fun, but the countryside was beautifull lots of deep cayons and gorges.
Unfortunatly the sumgglers ridge ride is a walking track in a National Park so no "improvements" could really be made to make it more ridable.

I Have done that one the opposite way Hornsby, But the trail I like down in MurraMurra Nat Park is the Coba ridge trail, it is your classic out and back trail, starting out as a firetrail, than turning into a single track, it is about 9-10k's out, then you have to do it back the other way :)

There is also an excellent view from the end of the trail, right up to Bar island and the hawkesbury river. The trail follows the ridge so it is not too hilly, however it does have some rocky, and steep sections that may require some walking (does for me).

Just another one for you people who may want to check it out. I have taken a bunch of friends down there and they have all really enjoyed themselves.

[hdtvkss]

i know that you have probably already ridden and all that, but make the trip to Sparrow Hill.

no doubt one of the best spots in Australia to ride! just perfect trails, really good fun.

or come to Canberra for a weekend, ride Majura one day, hit the street in the night (or the cafe's) and then Sparrow the second. perfect!

me and my friend have been wanting to do this for like a year now. if all else fails ill definatley make the trip down for a state round or working week series if they are held down there this year. i dont htink these are at sparrow hill, but i can always fit in a ride there before/after if i go down for a few days

[ebuk]

Canberra has always been the place I have meant to go and ride but never got there. This year I'll get there for the WW series but I need to go there for a weekend of just fun riding to appreciate it.

Maybe this year I'll get there.

[PrOd]

Me and my mates planning to do Ando/Oaks this sunday, we are worry that the cascade at the end of Oaks might be flooded. Anyone been down there the last few days? Will give NPWS to find out.

I did the Oaks last weekend. Water crossing was closed for cars but still easy to ride through. Cross on very left hand side. It's higher so water depth is only 15cm.

[konaboy]

yeah i live in Wa and a good place to ride is up in canningmills rd it has a bit of both...dh and cross country

[scbullit]

Canberra is definitley worth the effort - had some friends from Northern Beaches (local ride Manly Dam) come down and they creamed themselves over Sparrow saying "the best flowy trials ever"

[Syphanx]

Canberra is definitley worth the effort - had some friends from Northern Beaches (local ride Manly Dam) come down and they creamed themselves over Sparrow saying "the best flowy trials ever"

Yeah I've heard that about Sparrow Hill as well... When the 4hr race was on down there I had a few friends race and they said it was the best race they had done in ages... well at least the best 4hr. Better go check it to see what all the hype is about ;)

[demo man]

yeah, sparoow is probably my favorite place to ride. all inclusive.

there is a map for Sparrow here: http://forums.farkin.net/showthread.php?t=38997 "bobsled" is my favorite section hands down, but i haven't ridden all the trails there yet...
oh yeah, plus Forestry have built us a toilet at the enterance to the trails, and there are trail markers at most of the junctions, and trail names everywhere. it's a really well organised and layed out place.

plus all the other legal XC areas in Canberra. you could very easily have a full week of riding downhere (all day everyday) and not hit the same bit of track twice. i love it.
there's also a page i setup there (tracks/trails in the CORC area) for the DH stuff, if that's what you like...

[Goocharlton]

Hi there,
You should come down to the southern highlands, from there come to Penrose and go to the stateforest thee is a track in there.

If you need more info goto www.southernhighlandscc.com.au and ring the prsident he will tell you where to go.

Cheers have fun riding:eek:

[robracer]

Hi Hd
Only new to this forum but just thought I would reply as I ride through windsor downs Nature Reserve almost daily + also hit some of the local jumps around the windsor area. I try to get to yarramindi once a month for some tricky stuff but mainly trying to get fit & have Fun:)

Mate if you want to look around the windsor area drop me a PM or email

Rob.... AC2

[Dumbellina]

I am in the South West meaning my local trails are:

Royal - Heathcote and Loftus. Cool singletrack that is open to MTB and can joined up to make a loop about 20 km long. Challenging sections (eg around Engadine Falls - supposed to be closed to riding, ie bikes are to be walked but since Cityrail fenced off the firetrails there is no option) and the climb from Temptation Creek is great training.

Royal - Waterfall to Helensburg. Firetrails and old roads connect up to give dirt route between Waterfall and Helensburg. The Flat Rock firetrail is popular with free-riders but the trail itself is challenging on a XC bike - lots of sand and babyhead rocks.

Helensburg - The Burgh trail descends from the Pony Club to Hacking River (great DH run), the singletrack (which is closed to MTB, hello NPWS!) starts on the right hand side and continues back up the ridgeline and then contours sum way up and ends at private property. The trail has many erosion issues so is a dry only ride - but sweet singletrack, challenging climb and some of the best flowing trails around.

Menai-Lucas Heights. Freeride heaven - hucks, roll-overs. Sandstone gullies that are very challenging for XC bikes - sand, babyhead rocks, ledges (all good when you've flow and style - painful when you don't). Theres an XC loop thats about 15.5 km long from the Barden Ridge. Watch out for motorbikes and laugh at dumb people in new LandCruisers trying to get out of the creek on the main firetrail.

Lansdowne. Future XC heart of Sydney. Clay shale soil creates smooth fast trails with good hills. The trails circle the Criterium track - a great partnership between the skinny tyre and fat tyre. Wanting to run races out there with WSMTB Club, when I get time.


Other favourite spots:
Canberra - Every six month I make a pilgramage to Canberra for some Majura, Ainslie action (I used to live in Braddon and MTB each morning before work and ride up Black Mtn at lunch (or sneak in some closed Black Mtn singletrack at lunch). My mate still lives there so its great to come back. Far out I miss Stromlo - my favourite singletrack was there - I am dying to do Sparrow Hill.

Manly Dam - great training location, including technical skills. Love the downhill run behind the houses, best not to do it on weekends because of walkers and kids pretending.

Oxford Falls - man this is one challenging ride, the sydney sandstone is one of the harshest riding environments and Oxford Falls (along with Menai) are the best places to show it. I have trashed a Larsen TT tyre here on a single ride (the first off-road ride on that tyre). I have smashed pedals, cranks, rims on this stuff. Oxford Falls is very popular with the DH and FR set, but its XC trails are also worth the drive (for me anyway).

Newcastle trails - oh, Glenrock. Glenrock is the hub of Newie MTB - sweet singletrack loops the State Conservation Area (or did last time I rode it).
Killingworth - the HMTB Club race course is also a great ride. [there used to be lots of rides around my old home in Cardiff, such as Munibung hill - where we used to DH (before it was a sport) down a bullshit firetrail called "the chicken track", and around Garden Suburb - where the Great North Walk was a great singletrack until they built the Charlestown by-pass.

[Shrekmeister]

yer i live in the loftus/engadine/heathcote tracks.....

havent had anyone show me the helensburgh area yet....