Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club

Makes sense to get going early. Hopefully all are looped in on the 6am start time as I would have shown up at the usual 6.30am start time. Is it worth PM each of those who have agreed to join?

I am good for 6am start. Water bottles etc. all organised. May I suggest one bottle with some sort of electrolyte drink eg gatorade.

This is my first adventure right so I am "Excited" as they say . I will have no trouble being awake before the alarm tomorrow morning!!!.

See you all at 6am.

Start time is actually in the subject line, which is probably how I missed it. I'll pm those I haven't spoken to.

As advised this morning, I'm out for this ride. Enjoy.

I'm just hoping that my legs are up to the challenge. It's been at least 4 weeks since my last Sunday ride due to poor weather and other commitments. I'll be lugging a few extra kg's up the hill too

All good for a 6:00am start. See you tomorrow.

Spiros

Enjoy the ride

13 of us started from Marrickville, more than double the number I expected! But good to have a strong contingent. We found a Randwick-Botany chap hoping to do some speed work and come on a ride to Waterfall. He decided his goals would not be met with us Adventure Riders and chose to wait half an hour, hoping the cafe would open in the meantime.

It was a gorgeous day in the Park, complete with misty bits, sunny bits and lots of flora (but no fauna). I liked seeing our State flower, the waratah, out and blooming and different sorts of grevilleas. The Gymea lilies are starting to come out - they remind me of triffids. Being a DHBC ride, I mostly chose to notice the red flowers, so all the other blue, yellow, pink and white things that were blooming are irrelevant.

Well, there were some hills and a couple of people found their machines were not properly working in the gear department. Spiros decided to do a solo ride to Waterfall and left us at Sutherland. No-one died on the descent into Audley - it seems remarkably short on the way down, but somehow quite long on the way out. Artillery Hill wasn't as bad as I thought - it seemed shorter than the descent, but maybe I had it confused with some other hill. We regrouped at the top and while we were waiting Paul and Miguel turned up. We mostly stayed together, with the exception of Pete T who was also having mechanicals and having to push a big gear. Good training for the fixie century! Other Pete went back to see if he was OK when we got to the turnoff to Waterfall. He rode back up the hill to the Gowrie turnoff which I figured was extra training for him for the Grafton in a couple of weeks.

We had a mostly uneventful trip back to Sutherland with a bit of a ragged paceline that showed who still had legs and who didn't. And then some idiots from nowhere in particular got in the middle of our paceline and stuffed it up - about 3 times. A headwind along the Grand Parade beat a few of us up and everyone was getting a bit tired by the time we joined the Princes Highway and a wheel touch saw Pete sprawled on the road but quickly up and back on the bike. Hope you are OK Pete and all you have is bruises. Shortly after, Adam flatted and I stayed behind with him and we headed straight home after that so missed the debrief at the cafe.

I saw 2 DHBC riders going the other way on the descent to the Waterfall turnoff but was focused on the road and didn't see who it was.

Avg speed 25.6kph. I'd say that is 28ish.

Sounds like you had a great ride, shame about the mechanicals

Sent from my HTC Wildfire using Tapatalk

What a great ride this morning - legs a bit sore now though. Not as sore as Pete I bet with his road rash from hitting the bitumen at Arncliffe. Hope you are OK Pete let us all know.

The mist in the valley of the national park was an awesome sight for October. This was my first adventure ride so being a virgin I was pleased to make it home in one piece. My thanks go to Eleri for being ride leader today - stellar job. Just over 100km for me my longest ride ever and first attempt at some serious hills. Thankfully I made it up them all and realised it can be a mind game. I just kept telling myself not to stop pedaling and just keep the legs rolling over. I achieved my goal - not to be dropped on the hills - big tick.

I am now inspired to attempt more of these rides in the future. Not bad for a 44 year old bloke who only purchased a road bike 4 months ago and had never ridden on the road before in his life. I feel good and glad that I have done it!!!!.

Eleri

Thanks for leading us.

As my first ever ride through the park, I thoroughly enjoyed it. That second descent was the most magical ten minutes I have ever spent on two wheels.

I hope we can do it all again soon and looking forward to the next adventure ride.

Hope you’re OK Pete. The view of the crash from behind was not pretty.

Just over 100km for me my longest ride ever and first attempt at some serious hills.

Top work Todd! You did really well. Congratulations on your first 100!

Well, Spring had sprung, and so had my legs by the top of Artillery Hill. A great day in the Park, even temperatured, low traffic and very well run by Eleri.

She mentioned the wildflowers, and I certainly got to look at a lot of them at the pace I was riding! Was a bit embarassed coming across all you kind souls waiting patiently for me at the bottom of the Waterfall out climb.
By that stage I was frothing quite freely and hearing voices telling me to get a cab!

Thanks to Pete who came back to see how I was doing. Very surprised to hear he had a bingle later on in the day. Hope your not too sore Pete.

After a restorative Flat White or three, went out to Dunc Grey for the Sprint GP. Tightly run meet with lots of action and possibly the best Kieran I have ever seen. Good to see the Malaysians coming up through the ranks.

On a day when too much cycling was not enough, caught up with a stage of the UCI Beijing race on SBS at 8.30 Sunday night.

Thanks for a great day out DHBC. Well done to all on the Adventure Ride and to Eleri for doing such a good job.

A colleague of mine has told me that the Sri Venkateswara Temple at Helensburgh (http://www.svtsydney.org/) does the best and most authentic Indian food in all of Sydney and that its canteen is open on weekends.

Anyone else feel like a curry adventure ride?

In at Waterfall, out at Lawrence Hargreaves Drive, curry, (jet-propelled) freeway home?

And only the mild stuff - vindaloo and bikes don't mix as I found out the hard way once.

S.

Sounds good to me - I'm in. I will go anywhere for a good curry (even if it means riding up some hills to get there).

I will just make sure I am at the front and not the rear of the bunch on the way home

What day are you suggesting Simon?

Sounds good Simon, do you want me to lock in for November?

BTW, I'm going to look at the route along the Hawkesbury, which I rode a long time ago. Perhaps a route for the 2012 non fixie century

No response from Simon, so I'll nab November

Date: 6am Sunday 13th November 2011
Captain: Mike C
Ride: Hawkesbury Explorer
Route: Marrickville direct to Wisemans Ferry, food stop, follow the wisemans on the quiet side, Sackville ferry, on to Windsor, grab some food and catch the train back.
Ride distance: 124k
Provisional Map: Marrickville to Windsor via Wisemans I'll make some refinements between Marrickville and Dual.

Notes;
1. The first leg to Wisemans is 70k, almost as far as the entire Waterfall ride, but is hillier, consider that leg to be like doing the Waterfall ride without a break.
2. To qualify for this ride, you need to have done Waterfall at least 3 times and feel comfortable that you could ride back to Waterfall. There are no bail out points.
3. Road and Fixie bikes can be used, however its recommended that Fixies only be used if you are a Middie or quicker rider.

I've also added 2 future rides, see first post on page 1

November ride looks great Mike! I'm in.

I'm available too! I'm in...

1. Mike C (ride leader)
2. Camilla
3. Jo the Builder
4. John

1. Mike C (ride leader)
2. Camilla
3. Jo the Builder
4. John
5. Eleri

1. Mike C (ride leader)
2. Camilla
3. Jo the Builder
4. John
5. Eleri
6. Todd V

any chance you can move the date .. .Jo & can't make this date and I'd love to do this ride. just asking.

1. Mike C (ride leader)
2. Camilla
3. Jo the Builder
4. John
5. Eleri
6. Todd V
7. Karzie

1. Mike C (ride leader)
2. Camilla
3. Jo the Builder
4. John
5. Eleri
6. Todd V
7. Karzie
8. Andrew B

any chance you can move the date .. .Jo & can't make this date and I'd love to do this ride. just asking.

Problem with moving dates is that it solves the problem for someone while stuffing it for someone else.

If the ride is a big success, you could captain a similar route next year

Mike, on a scale of say 1-17 with 1 being a ride to the shops, 4 being the three gorges adventure ride and 17 being the Hautecam. Where does this sit on the scale of "most fun to be had in lycra" scale?

What time do you think we would get back to Marrickville?

Ta

Dougie

Time wise, we'll have to wait for Andrewb to insert the mathematical algorithms, but I'll provide the input variables;
1. # riders trying to win the flat tyre comp
2. # the quantity of mid lifers on expensive motorbikes who bet us to the lunch order queue
3. % probability that I forget the route, cos I forgot to print out the map and PeterT didn't turn up
4. Available Gb for photo opportunities
5. The quality of the coffee at Windsor
6. City rail, damned if I know how Andrew is going to put that in the calc

Distance is similar to RNP - Audley in, Stanwell tops out. So that's your time + extra feed + train return. Or we could say 2 hours less than the non fixie century.

Effort is interesting, the ride starts hard as we go north, but it gets easier the further we go. I'm not 100% sure but I would put it at a 3 on your scale.

Time wise, we'll have to wait for Andrewb to insert the mathematical algorithms, but I'll provide the input variables;
...
Distance is similar to RNP - Audley in, Stanwell tops out. So that's your time + extra feed + train return. Or we could say 2 hours less than the non fixie century.

Yes, after feeding the numbers into to the ol' Makeitupometer (tm), it comes out at about 1425 or 1440, depending on where we de-train.

Only a small thing, but step 36 - turn right onto Loftus off of Pennant Hills Rd. Aint gonna work unless youre prepared to go across a median strip and 6 lanes of traffic... Suggest turn right onto Pennant Hills Rd off Beecroft Rd, then left onto Boundary.

Thanks jermxx, need to work on the route out to Dural

That straight stretch of road by the railway line from West Ryde, Eastwood towards Epping is pretty hilly by my recollection. Blaxland Rd is busier but has a regular grade. Traffic shouldn't be too bad at that time of the morning.

Perhaps we should consider riding up the Pacific Highway

That Shaftsbury Rd has been said to hit 20% grade at the back of Denistone and would match my memory of that road. Straight but lots of nasty up and downs.
http://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/viewt ... 13&t=45218

I'd say Blaxland Rd is fine for going up to Epping. Wide, good visibility with a rideable gradient. And if you are comfortable riding the Pacific Hwy, then Blaxland is definitely no problem, and onto Beecroft Rd, all the way to Pennant Hills Rd.

Thanks Weiyun, I'm of half a mind to stick to roads I know, ride up the Pacific Hwy to Hornsby and down Galstone rd to upper Dural.

The Pacific Hwy is good at that time of the morning, the distance is similar and there are no viscous uphills, however there is one viscous downhill.

Map

I think you can save your legs from that Galston climb. Going up through Ryde/Epping (via Blaxland/Beecroft Rds) is pretty straight forward and the road surface is good. I was just up that way late last week. I'd ride that than Pacific Hwy.

Now I've fixed my cleat/hip/back problem, I'll see whether I have the time to join this day long ride. If so, I'd be happy to assist.

I'm happy to go the Ryde/Epping way if you can guide it

1. Mike C (ride leader)
2. Camilla
3. Jo the Builder
4. John
5. Eleri
6. Todd V
7. Karzie
8. Andrew B
9. Weiyun (Guide)

concur on the ryde/epping blaxland rd route. i have done it a couple of times and it is good.

1. Mike C (ride leader)
2. Camilla
3. Jo the Builder
4. John
5. Eleri
6. Todd V
7. Karzie
8. Andrew B
9. Weiyun (Guide)
10. Jeremy

Also - assuming it was the 13th and not the 3rd, can someone update the thread title? My poor little brain was getting very confused...

Fixed

1. Mike C (ride leader)
2. Camilla
3. Jo the Builder
4. John
5. Eleri
6. Todd V
7. Karzie
8. Weiyun (Guide)
9. Jeremy

I've little chance of making it - friend's 50th the night before, and they do go on a bit.

We have friends 50th that day, for lunch. Must be that time of life.

1. Mike C (ride leader)
2. Camilla
3. Jo the Builder
4. John
5. Eleri
6. Todd V
7. Karzie
8. Weiyun (Guide)
9. Jeremy
10. Anthony K

Food at Wisemans, we seem to have 2 options;
- Bush Bites Takeaway Cafe. Google maps shows that it does have some seats out the front, but not a lot.
- Wisemans Hotel.

After that, I don't see any evidence of anywhere to eat/drink on the Hawkesbury until we hit a small servo at Ebenezer, the Ski-inn takeaway, so we need to leave Wisemans with full water bottles and something to snack on. Wilberforce will have something, but by then we are so close to Windsor, that unless someones struggling, then we might as well carry on to Windsor and find a coffee shop there or jump the train straight off

Looking forward to the ride on Sunday - the weather is predicted to be about 25-27 degrees so a lot cooler than recent days.

Bush Bites is probably the best option but lets leave it fluid and see how we feel on the day.

Hi guys I'm new to the club, just a question about this Sunday's adventure ride:
Are we going to be split up into groups like the usual waterfall rides??? since it's my first time I think it's best that I ride with the C25s to see how it is.

Hi Tony, there will only be one group. This is the second longest adventure ride on the calendar and there are no bail out options. I'll PM you so we can discuss.

Bits of my road bike are still going to be with the people at SRAM this weekend, so I've got the option of going fixed or on my communter/tourer. Any thoughts? Just how hilly is the route going to be Mike? And do we have a rough distance?

I'm wondering if tougher/easier than the fixie century!

1. Mike C (ride leader)
2. Camilla
3. Jo the Builder
4. John
5. Eleri
6. Todd V
7. Karzie
8. Jeremy
9. Anthony K
10. Chidgey
11. Choppo

Camilla, I'll be riding my fixie, I'm sure you'll be fine. The ride from Wisemans to Windsor is relatively flat, The hills are on the way out to Wisemans. I'm reposting the info below, as its been lost several pages back.

Weiyun is out, but is going to provide a refinement to the route going out.

No response from Simon, so I'll nab November

Date: 6am Sunday 13th November 2011
Captain: Mike C
Ride: Hawkesbury Explorer
Route: Marrickville direct to Wisemans Ferry, food stop, follow the wisemans on the quiet side, Sackville ferry, on to Windsor, grab some food and catch the train back.
Ride distance: 124k
Provisional Map: Marrickville to Windsor via Wisemans I'll make some refinements between Marrickville and Dual.

Notes;
1. The first leg to Wisemans is 70k, almost as far as the entire Waterfall ride, but is hillier, consider that leg to be like doing the Waterfall ride without a break.
2. To qualify for this ride, you need to have done Waterfall at least 3 times and feel comfortable that you could ride back to Waterfall. There are no bail out points.
3. Road and Fixie bikes can be used, however its recommended that Fixies only be used if you are a Middie or quicker rider.

Fixed it is!

For a fleeting happy moment I read it as Weiyun providing "refreshments" on the way out.

1. Mike C (ride leader)
2. Camilla
3. Jo the Builder
4. John
5. Eleri
6. Todd V
7. Karzie
8. Jeremy
9. Anthony K
10. Chidgey
11. Choppo
12. Adam

For a fleeting happy moment I read it as Weiyun providing "refreshments" on the way out.

Sorry that I won't be able to provide the refreshment and will disappoint some as family duties drags me away again.

Have a good ride!

Have discussed with Mike on the best route and he has my download.

After careful consideration its been determined that the most appropriate route to Wisemans is to ride up the Pacific Highway. Early on Sunday mornings there are quite a few cyclists on the Highway and its not too busy.

An option, shown in the linked map is to use the Artarmon Cycleway, to which I can add a longcut up a hidden cycleway that I bet that few of you even knew existed. Using the cycleway adds about 10 minutes to the trip, we can decide on the fly which way we go. We still ride a section of the Pacific HWY

Map Marrickville to Wisemans Via Harbour Bridge, Artarmon Cycleway (not quite perfect, but you get the drift)

Wisemans to Windsor hugging the Hawkesbury

No doubt I'm out of the loop here - but who's Choppo when (s)he's at home?

No doubt I'm out of the loop here - but who's Choppo when (s)he's at home?

David Lamb

Fantastic ride today... Thanks Mike for organising! Some highlights:
1) Taking the 'adventurous' bike path up through Northern Sydney.
2) Riding past my construction project in Chatswood so I could justify my 'Builder' status.
3) First time riding Galston Gorge (highlight?!).
4) A fabulous bacon and egg roll at Wiseman's Ferry.
5) Riding along the Hawkesbury River amongst some beautiful scenery.
6) Watching the Bridge to Bridge Waterskiing event whilst waiting for the ferry.
7) A great group to ride with.
My furthest ever ride with the club (the number 8 does not appear but the cool dude is quite apt)...

Some photos:
At the top of Galston Gorge:


The bikes having a rest at Wiseman's Ferry:


Mr. Wiseman:


Ian looking relaxed:


The Bridge to Bridge Waterskiing event:


Waiting for the ferry at Sackville:


Camilla looking pensive:


On the ferry:


Eleri and I:


On the train (note the neatly stacked bikes):


On the train (bike chaos!):

Looks like a lot of fun!!!

It was a good ride and we got to watch speedboat racing, with waterskiers and everything. Mind you we had absolutely no idea what was happening as there was allegedly a mass start but they mostly turned up a minute or two apart. The ferry guy told us the fastest ones (without skiers) average 260kph. Which seems quite fast.

Thanks Mike for sorting a great route, the bit from Wisemans Ferry to the ferry was very, very good.

Was a great ride, a long day but the weather was perfect.
Totaled just over 180k with the ride out and home again. Thanks Mike you did a great job and worked hard all day.

According to the weather report yesterday it only reached 27 degrees in Sydney's West. Certainly didn't feel like that!

And I rode to work this morning and the shoe was still on the Pacific Hwy!

Thanks for the feedback, I'm gathering that we should do this one another time. Perhaps we could take the lower portland ferry for something a little different.

So to sum up a few things;
- The secret bike path was enjoyed, perhaps we should incorporate this on into February's non-fixie century
- The digger in Jo's hole has a funky paint job (photo please)
- The Pacific Hwy wasn't so bad on the way out
- Many of the riders lost their "Galston Gorge" virginity
- Miscalculated the distance to Wisemans by 15k... opps sorry
- River road between Wisemans and Lower Portland is simply magic. The 2 small gravel sections didn't seem to be a problem at all
- Forget motor pacing, duck pacing is more fun
- The hill up to Sackville Ferry Rd was an unexpected Adventure
- The ferry being closed for the water ski race was a bit of bummer, but we got to relax in the shade and watch the race
- One expired leave pass... thanks to the ferry closure
- The servo at Ebenezer had a nice place to stop for a refreshment
- Anyone get in trouble for catching the train without a ticket?

Thanks Mike

A great day on the road - and not a single puncture or fall despite some very ordinary road surfaces in places.

I saw some gorgeous parts of Sydney I'd never seen before - that's what Adventure Rides are all about for me.

Respect to the fixies - you know who you are. Being a big lazy git I sit back, drafting and freewheeling about 25 per cent of the ride but you guys are working every single wheel turn. There were some pretty decent hills along the way - don't know how you managed it.

What was the exact route at the end? Anyone have a GPS log? Did you guys ride on the north bank of Hawkesbury river, or south? I am confused by the need for ferry?

Thanks for a great ride Mike. The road along the Hawkesbury was fantastic. The duck sprint was a highlight.

No significant consequences from the expired leave pass. The better half made it to her show with seconds to spare.

The ferry avoided more hills (and kms). Route was King St, George St, Harbour Bridge, <mystery>, Artarmon bike path, chatswood, pacific highway, galston gorge, old northern rd, Wisemans ferry, south bank of river via river rd, sackville <the ~5km into sackville is not flat>, ferry to north bank, wilberforce, Windsor.

What was the exact route at the end? Anyone have a GPS log? Did you guys ride on the north bank of Hawkesbury river, or south? I am confused by the need for ferry?

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/128282628 I forgot to start it til Newtown.

We rode on the south east side of the Hawkesbury actually

- Anyone get in trouble for catching the train without a ticket?

No - we got off at Redfern with Andrew, John and Adam who all had tickets and snuck through the gate behind them.

Ok. Got it. Thanks Eleri.

Just adding my thanks and general feeling of well-being to the thread. A great day out! And I learnt a heap of things, not the least being that in times of dire need you can quite comfortably fit an entire long neck in the back pocket of a dhbc jersey. Might have to try 3 next time.

Love the the pics Jo!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/128282628 I forgot to start it til Newtown.

We rode on the south east side of the Hawkesbury actually

The hill before Sackville felt the hardest, but looking at the data Galston gorge was bigger

And for anyone who thought about riding home, David discovered that the M2 was closed and was sent on a long diversion, getting home at 6.15pm

Our friendly Giraffe excavator...

Cool Jo

As mentioned prior, David rode home. Here's his Garmin data

Wisemans ferry via windsor 180 ks on fixie

Thanks for a great ride, Mike.
I don't think I've ever ridden that far or over so many hills before!

I'm having a think about what roads could give us similar fun to River road.

Springwood to Richmond to Bowen Mountain to Ebenzer to Windsor 84k
- Train to Springwood
- Breakfast Richmond
- Ice-cream and drink at Ebenezer as per last Sunday
- Train home

Campbelltown to Burragorang, Nattai to Warragamba to Penrith 114k
- Train to Campbelltown
- Natti as per 2010 non fixie century
- Breakfast Warragamba
- Train home

Traffic wise I think its good on the Springwood ride, but I'd need to do some investigation on the road Natti to Penrith

The 2012 thread is up, we are working out the rides. Please place your expressions of interest in that thread

Adventure Rides 2012