Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club

With the Alpine Classic just around the corner, a few of us have been considering a final adventure ride before the big day.

This one's a beauty.

We’ll start early and take the normal DHBC route down to Waterfall. We’ll then continue along the Old Princes Highway to Helensburgh, and drop down into Stanwell Park. From there, we’ll ride over the beautiful Sea Cliff Bridge, past gorgeous coastline and charming seaside villages, to Wollongong. We’ll then continue to Nan Tien Temple - the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere - for a splash of culture and a photo, before swinging inland. We’ll then tackle the infamous Macquarie Pass - a gruelling Cat 1 climb laced with switchbacks and rainforest-framed views over Lake Illawarra - to Robertson. From there, we’ll skirt along the Southern Highlands plateau to Moss Vale, where there’ll be an option to finish your ride (at the ~150km mark) and catch the train back to Sydney.

For those that wish to continue, we’ll then drop down into the Kangaroo Valley, via Fitzroy Falls, to enjoy its bucolic charms and world-class pies. From there, we’ll climb out of the Valley up Berry Mountain - a challenging Cat 2 climb - before finishing our ride (at the ~210km mark) in the picturesque town of Berry, where we’ll catch the train back to Sydney.

Further details as follows:

Start: Marrickville post office square at 5am

Finish: Moss Vale station (150km option) or Berry station (210km option)

Suitable for: Strong 28s and above. This will be a "no-drop" ride; no-one will be left behind. We’ll ride as a bunch on the flatlands and undulations, and people can ride at their own pace up the climbs (where we’ll regroup at the top)

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3889148

Distance: ~150km (Moss Vale finish) / ~210km (Berry finish)

Elevation gain: +2,300m (Moss Vale finish) / + 3,100m (Berry finish)

Notes: We'll stop for food, beverages etc as required. Please bring spare tube(s), pump, water, snacks + money for food, beverages & train. Please check / search for train details here: http://www.sydneytrains.info/timetables/#landingPoint

List:

Paul M
Cameron A
Dave R
Ben S
Sammy A
Rob M (probably)
Adam F (probably)
Adam W (maybe)
Neil M (maybe)

I will see if I can get the day off work, certainly looks like a good ride.

Maquarie pass climb and the hair pin turns down Fiztroy falls plateau are definitely not ones too miss Damo.

your leading me with a carrot Dave

Paul M
Cameron A
Dave R
Ben S
Sammy A
Rob M (probably)
Adam F
Adam W (maybe)
Neil M (maybe)

Mac Pass has been on my bucket list for a long time

Paul M
Cameron A
Dave R
Ben S
Sammy A
Rob M (probably)
Adam F
Adam W (maybe)
Neil M (maybe)
Anthony K

maybe pack some chamois cream this time anthony

Looks like a rippa ride, I'll come along

Paul M
Cameron A
Dave R
Ben S
Sammy A
Rob M (probably)
Adam F
Adam W (maybe)
Neil M (maybe)
Anthony K
David M

Sounds awesome Paul. Thanks for organising. I'd love to come.....i just have a good friends birthday on the night before, so I'm definitely-maybe.

Paul M
Cameron A
Dave R
Ben S
Sammy A
Rob M (probably)
Adam F
Adam W (maybe)
Neil M (maybe)
Anthony K
David M
Katie U (50/50)

Yep I'm keen.

JT :

Just updating the list (in light of latest responses):

Paul M
Cameron A
Dave R
Ben S
Sammy A
Rob M (probably)
Adam F
Adam W (maybe)
Neil M (maybe)
Anthony K
Rider T
David M
Katie U (50/50)
John T

Thanks Paul

RiderT = Trieu

Thanks Trieu

List:

Paul M
Cameron A
Dave R
Ben S
Sammy A
Rob M (probably)
Adam F
Adam W (maybe)
Neil M (maybe)
Anthony K
Trieu
David M
Katie U (50/50)
John T

List:

Paul M
Cameron A
Dave R
Ben S
Sammy A
Rob M (probably)
Adam F
Adam W (maybe)
Neil M (maybe)
Anthony K
Trieu
David M
Katie U (50/50)
John T
Tarryn M
Andrew S (maybe)

List:

Paul M
Cameron A
Dave R
Ben S
Sammy A
Rob M (probably)
Adam F
Adam W (maybe)
Neil M (maybe)
Anthony K
Trieu
David M
Katie U (50/50)
John T
Tarryn M
Andrew S (maybe)
Dave E

I'm super excited =)

One question, does anyone have an idea of approx finishing times. Paul I can see that it took you about 8 hours on Strava but that is moving time and does not include stops etc...

Cheers,
Dave

Hi Dave,

Not sure if you're considering the 150km option (Moss Vale finish) or the 210km option (Berry finish)

If the 150km option, there seem to be trains leaving Moss Vale at 13:56 (arriving Central at 16:29) and 14:13 (arriving Central at 15:56). I reckon the guys doing this option should be able to make one of those

If the 210km option, there seems to be a train leaving Berry at 16:39 (arriving Central at 19:15). I reckon the guys doing this option should be able to make that one

Obviously, the larger the group, the higher the risk of delays. However, with a 5am start, we should have enough time to ride at a comfortable pace and enjoy the highlights along the route

Cheers
Paul


List:

Paul M
Cameron A
Dave R
Ben S
Sammy A
Rob M (part of the way)
Adam F
Adam W (maybe)
Neil M (maybe)
Anthony K
Trieu
David M
Katie U (50/50)
John T
Tarryn M
Andrew S (maybe)
Dave E

Hey guys sorry to say I'm out have a safe ride

Paul M
Cameron A
Dave R
Ben S
Sammy A
Rob M (part of the way)
Adam F
Adam W (maybe)
Anthony K
Trieu
David M
Katie U (50/50)
John T
Tarryn M
Andrew S (maybe)
Dave E
Ben F

Paul M
Cameron A
Dave R
Ben S
Sammy A
Rob M (part of the way)
Adam F
Adam W (maybe)
Anthony K
Trieu
David M
Katie U (50/50)
John T
Tarryn M
Andrew S (maybe)
Dave E
Ben F
Maia

Paul M
Cameron A
Dave R
Ben S
Sammy A
Rob M (part of the way)
Adam F
Adam W (maybe)
Anthony K
Trieu
David M
Katie U (50/50)
John T
Tarryn M
Andrew S (maybe)
Dave E
Ben F
Maia
Damo. I will pick up the bunch some where between San Souci and Taren Point.

Hi Paul, sorry I'm no longer able to make this ride.

My riding window has been reduced dramatically down "You have to be home by 9.40am at the latest to get ready......"

Sorry! I'm gonna miss out.

Paul M
Cameron A
Dave R
Ben S
Sammy A
Rob M (part of the way)
Adam F
Adam W (maybe)
Anthony K
Trieu
David M
Katie U (50/50)
John T
Tarryn M
Andrew S (maybe)
Dave E
Ben F
Maia
Damo. I will pick up the bunch some where between San Souci and Taren Point.
John M. - part of the way - pick up the bunch around Tempe - couldn't miss the chance of a tow to Waterfall.

Paul M
Cameron A
Dave R
Ben S
Sammy A
Rob M (part of the way)
Adam F
Adam W (maybe)
Anthony K
Trieu
David M
Katie U (50/50)
John T
Tarryn M
Andrew S (maybe)
Dave E
Ben F
Maia
Damo. I will pick up the bunch some where between San Souci and Taren Point.
John M. - part of the way - pick up the bunch around Tempe - couldn't miss the chance of a tow to Waterfall.
Jonathan C