6 foot track still open?

[sclyde2]

I rode the 6 foot track about 3 years ago. It was a pretty hilly and long ride, when doing the up-back ride from the Old Ford Reserve to the Caves and back. Now that I'm trying to get a bit of endurance fitness back again, I thought I might go out there and have another go at it.

So, has anything changed in the last few years? ie. is it still open to bikes, legal to cross through all the sections, and still passable?

[Gekigengar]

what is this 6 foot track you speak of??

where abouts is it... i have been in the riding scene for about 4 years now and i have never heard about it..

[alchemist]

http://members.iinet.net.au/~fathers/sixfoot.htm

http://www.david-noble.net/cycling/SixFootTrackSep05/SixFootTrackSep05.html

[sclyde2]

http://members.iinet.net.au/~fathers/sixfoot.htm

http://www.david-noble.net/cycling/SixFootTrackSep05/SixFootTrackSep05.html

Yeah, I checked out the Fat Hippies site the other day. It looks the same as it was 3 years ago (the warnings were there then too), so I was wondering if it was out of date.

According to the other link, it looks like the first bit is still open, at least it was this time last year.

I think I'll try that alternative route to get around the suspension bridge, which was a PITA last time - has these crossbars/wires that you have to push your bike over (much harder than it sounds, given that you are standing behind your bike, and trying to balance etc...).

Thanks for your help.

[go to bed jessica]

From the last time i was there, about 4 months ago, i'm pretty sure that you are only ment to ride between megalong valley rd and black range camping ground.

If you look at the map/info board at the cox's river camp ground, i'm sure that's what it says, I hope someone can prove me wrong though!

[rockydog]

go to bed jessica, you are spot on.
And you have a long user name:p

[sclyde2]

From the last time i was there, about 4 months ago, i'm pretty sure that you are only ment to ride between megalong valley rd and black range camping ground.

If you look at the map/info board at the cox's river camp ground, i'm sure that's what it says, I hope someone can prove me wrong though!

Yep, you are right. It is illegal to ride the bit down to the caves. See the photos I took of the map at the Black range camp ground yesterday. It gave me an excuse to turn around and start heading back. I didn't really want to go down to the Jenolan caves, as the trail out of there is a big push, and I had enough water left to get back anyway. Is it safe to drink the water out of those green water tanks at the camp sites?

Last time I did the ride (3 yrs ago), I probably rode the trail down to the Caves illegally without knowing, as I never really had a close look at the map boards at the campsites.

For anyone thinking about riding the 6 foot track, I wouldn't really recommend the ride I did (old ford reserve on megalong road to black range campsite and back), unless you were doing it to get some fitness. Those climbs are pretty steep and never ending - think granny 1 to 3 for over 45 minutes, for 2 of the hills. I did nearly 2000m of climbing yesterday, which is a lot for me - bit wrecked today. Much better to do either of the 2 rides suggested in the above 2 links:
1. One-way from Jenolan Caves road near Black Rnage camp ground, to old ford reserve. This has never ending downhills, but watch out for the loose surface which has tiny rocks all over it (made it really hard to climb up too). For this ride, you'll need some one to pick you up at the end though.
2. The ride from old-ford reserve down the singletrack to cox's river and back. The singletrack is pretty good fun, better now that I'm a lot more confident on the steps.

[DaGonz]

For anyone thinking about riding the 6 foot track, I wouldn't really recommend the ride I did (old ford reserve on megalong road to black range campsite and back), unless you were doing it to get some fitness.

We recently went as far as mini mini saddle and return which is maybe a nice alternative for about 1000m's of climbing over 26 or so km's. I didn't think the climbs were all that bad but the baby heads made life a little tough. LiamO made it to mini mini on an SS only walking the last section up to the saddle but he's a bit of a freak :) and I thought the climb was quite pleasant but I'm perhaps a bit odd myself.

The single track sections were alot of fun but it was surprising how much stopping to hoick you and your bike over the gates/fences just slowed the pace down. There were quite a few hike a bike sections too including several sets of stairs. Remember Please don't ride around the steps!

It would suck in summer, I was craving the breeze as I came around the top towards mini mini and I think you would generally swelter in the warmer months.

It sounds like the station to station (Blackheath(?) -> Black Range -> Blackheath(?)) ride is a bit of a goer for the masochistic. Not sure what the climb back up on the ashpalt is actually like but looks like a nice little grind.

... and finally, the Curry Pie and beer at the pub in Katoomba wasn't too bad at all before shulffling back into sydney ;)

*shrug*

Cheers
Gonz

[sclyde2]

We recently went as far as mini mini saddle and return which is maybe a nice alternative for about 1000m's of climbing over 26 or so km's. I didn't think the climbs were all that bad but the baby heads made life a little tough. LiamO made it to mini mini on an SS only walking the last section up to the saddle but he's a bit of a freak :) and I thought the climb was quite pleasant but I'm perhaps a bit odd myself.

Gonz

That's very impressive on a SS. Either he had a low gear, or is super strong/fit, as I found I couldn't pedal standing in most of the steep bits without losing traction (those pesky tiny little rocks everywhere). So, did he do all the steep bits sitting down? yeah, that last part of that climb is the hardest part, where i had to resort to using the lowest gear. I was pretty stoked to get to the top of that hill without putting a foot down (nearly blew a gasket though). I probably found it a bit tough as I'm not that fit, and not used to pedalling consistently for so long uphill, and was carrying a sh#tload of supplies - over 10kg of water, food, tools, even a spare tyre, just in case (being a fair way from anywhere).

[go to bed jessica]

Blackheath to jenolan and return is a nice 100km jaunt, If you are into that kind of suffering. I've drunk from the water tanks many times and i'm fine [or am i?] but beware that they are sometimes empty!

6 foot is a great ride, but you really need to like your long, steep climbs or you probably won't enjoy it that much.

[craign]

6 foot is a great ride, but you really need to like your long, steep climbs or you probably won't enjoy it that much.

Better put it on my "to do" list then! Sounds like my sort of ride. From the sound of it however I'd be best to wait for the cool weather.