Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club

Sutherland to south in the direction of Wollongong via Lady Carrington Drive.

Starting at Sutherland station this ride takes in the lovely dirt track between Audley and Waterfall known as Lady Carrington Drive then south along Sir Bertram Stevens Drive to Stanwell Tops. We'll progress along the coast towards Wollongong with a lunch stop until we've had enough then catch a train back.

If we can meet at Marrickville Rd Cafe 7am Saturday 26th then train from Sydenham to Sutherland station.

Sorry no Bikley as it doesn't think one can ride Lady Carrington Drive?? We'll show 'em. Last time I rode that track (about 10 years ago) it was quite road bike friendly however one might be best advised to leave the silks for another day.

Lindsay

pls confirm date/day anywhoo, i'll b there

me - calender - fail

Isnt the 26th of May on a Saturday?

Here's the Bikely link for Lady Carrington Drive.

I'm guessing the remainder of the ride follows the Johnny Warren Classic route, from the 23 km mark, via Lady Wakehurst Drive (not Bertram Stevens Drive which takes you back to Audley).

So the summary is: easy from Sutherland Station to the turn-off. Then a good test of handling and brakes on the way down to Audley. Then 10kms of dirt. Then a 200m climb to Otford (from memory this is looong, but not incredibly steep). A big descent to Stanwell Park. Then undulating along the coast.

Looks like I'll be using 27" tyres, plenty of brakes, and the smallest chainwheel I can find.

I presume we're aiming for the 7.30am train from Sydenham, which gets to Sutherland at 7.58?

Found an interesting article in the 1888 edition of the now defunct "Illustrated Sydney News" from the 26th of July (1888). In a rather lengthy article it describes the popular cycling tour routes out of Sydney.
One of these routes went all the way to W'gong, and there is even one where the cyclists take the train to Waterfall and ride to W'gong - something very similar to what we independently propose to do!

(QUOTE)
"One of the best trips of this kind, partaking more of a tour, is to Wollongong.
The journey can be accomplished by two distinct routes, both of which have special at-
The old and the best, tractions. The old way, and perhaps the best, is by the Parramatta and Liverpool roads to Liverpool, and about 20 miles thence to Campbelltown. The road between the last
two places is the only drawback, but as the distance is only 16 miles it can easily be overcome. The next township is Appin, about seven miles ; thence the road is via Bulli Pass, upon which is the glorious " Lookout," one of the grandest natural sights of the colony. To look over it without holding
desperately on to something would test the nerves of the strongest. By a very steep descent the town or Bulli is reached, and from there Wollongong is distant 12 miles, the connecting road being very good and level."

The second and newer route is by taking the train to Waterfall, and. thence along a
rather uneven road to Clifton, Bulli, and Wollongong, where there is a good road
leading to all the towns along the South coast, from all of which steamers run regularly to Sydney." (END QUOTE)

".... there is a good road leading to all the towns along the South coast, from all of which steamers run regularly to Sydney."

Maybe we can still catch a steamer back!

i was out but now i'm in
will bring money for steamer

At this juncture, while the BOM isnt saying it is going to rain on Saturday, it does tend to look rather bleak at the moment.
Will all this wettish weather make the sandy (?) road surface along Lady Carrington Drive difficult to deal with?

I'll see you at Sutho' station, I'll ride from home and meet you there. Sth Westerly winds are most unwelcome today.

Pete carbo loading. Aren't you supposed to do that the night before, Pete?



Mmmm.... nice warm carriage.....



We have pave in Australia!



The Usual Suspects




There we were in the middle of nowhere, when 200 MTB tryhards roared up the pave and started rummaging in the gulley....


Marc surveying his realm


Is that thing on?

We had a lovely day, apart from the heavy headwinds, but that seemed to weaken the closer we got to the Gong.

A great day out, and despite the 10kms of rough dirt we got all the way to Wollongong without a puncture! The highlight for me was overtaking a wannabe MTB racer on a rough uphill despite my 23mm tyres and unsuitable gearing (he was walking ). My triumph was shortlived as I clipped a pedal on a rock and ended up walking shortly afterwards .

First breakfast (sorry, no photos of second breakfast, elevenses or lunch).


Magical morning in the Royal National Park.


A scenic stop for roadside repairs.

You will pleased to know I rode the steel Colnago Master in the Dinnerville yesterday, and was still competitive. Steel remains real.

You will pleased to know I rode the steel Colnago Master in the Dinnerville yesterday, and was still competitive. Steel remains real.

Timbo
We are running 2 teams in the NSW Time Trial near Nowra in late July. Like you we are all riding steel bikes. Not sure if we'd manage to be competitive. We're going to give it a go.

Can we leave Lady Carrington Drive out of the itinerary? Didn't like what it did to my 700c road wheels the last time.
And why does the wind get ridiculous after the Otford pie shop? I've done this twice over the last 10 years and it has always been the same.

marc, this is an old thread
i just put the link so people could check out the photos
i am doing this ride again easter friday- with the dirt bit
you can either refer to rule V or stay home

I did it again