Bike Leichhardt

Meeting at Guildford Train Station at 8:50am (catch the 8.13am train from Central Station, Platform 19) for sign-on and briefing and then for a moderate ride amongst the Western Sydney Cycleways, taking in the nineteenth century aqueduct cycle path, Prospect Dam and Orphan School Creek bike paths. We may take a look at the Lizard Log Park along route before cruising into Abbotsbury for coffee at the *Parx Coffee House and then returning to Guildford Station via Canley Heights (rail bail available at Canley Heights station), some parklands, back streets and a rail trail. *(Note: the cafe can be very busy and so you may even consider bringing your own snack so you can grab a takeaway coffee there to enjoy at the park across the road!).

Approx 38 kms circuit, mostly flat with some hilly undulations, and some trafficked roads. Return to Guildford Station around 1.30pm.

RIDE LEADER: Your ride leader is Marlene Shepherd - on-ride mobile is 0419013120.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED FOR THIS RIDE: Your Opal card; a bike in good mechanical order; helmet; water bottle; sunscreen; and spare inner tube(s) in case of puncture.
REGROUP: We will regroup a number of times on the ride.
WEATHER: Ride will be cancelled if there is significant rain on the morning of the ride. Check meetup notifications. Call Ride Leader if unsure.
Please do not attend if you are sick or have any flu-like symptoms.

Riders must be 2026 financial members ($10 annual fee) unless first time ride. Check meet-up for any changes. Please do not attend if you are sick or have any flu-like symptoms.

This is a 7 day invitation to explore the diverse landscape and local landmarks of Port Macquarie.
The idea is to showcase places and rides of interest, so allowing the opportunity have your own time in the afternoons.
2 of the 7 rides will be all day. All 7 rides are on sealed roads so any bike type will be suitable. Wider tyres will be more comfortable on these country roads.
Those bikes that can handle good gravel, a special treat ride can be organised on the Googik Track. A lovely flat ride through bushland setting. I have a spare mountain bike if needed.
Drive up from Sydney on 19 March and settle into your accommodation.
Here is the plan of rides:-

20 March
3 Beaches - 20kms
Grade: 5
Start: 9am Town Square
Local Landmarks, Koala Hosp/Roto House, Tacking Point Lighthouse.
Shelley, Lighthouse and Town beaches.
Swim and coffee at Town Beach

21 March
Sancrox (Abundance Nursery) - 25kms
Grade: 3
Start: 9am Cnr Hastings River drive and Fernbank Creek Road
A short but lovely rural ride to the nursery at Sancrox. A nursery? The café behind will surprise you. Bring your bike lock.

22 March
Gladstone - 50kms
Grade: 4
Start: 10am Crescent Head CP carpark
Not to be missed. This rural scenic day ride will see us drive approx 50 mins to Crescent Head to start this ride. We take back roads that follow the Belmore River to Gladstone. A township adjacent to the Macleay River. A café or bakery stop before heading back the same way. A very flat ride so a calm day would be ideal.

23 March
Wauchope - 50kms
Grade: 7
Start: 9am Ricardoes Tomatoes
Another not to be missed. The 'queen ride'. Drive a short distance to the start at Ricardoes Tomatoes. A beautiful scenic rural ride to Wauchope via Pembroke. We come back via Sancrox which will require a short section on the Oxley highway. This is busy and the shoulder in parts is narrow. I have done this section many a times.

24 March
2 Ferries - 25kms
Grade: 1
Start: 9am Town Square
Ride over to the North Shore and onto quiet rural coastal scenery. Go over on one ferry and back over on another (Settlement Point and Hibbard ferries). A very pleasant and flat ride.

25 March
Rollands Plains - 40kms
Grade: 7/8
Start: 9am Telegraph Point boat ramp
A ride that showcases the rural area of the region. Undulating terrain. Afterwards, refreshments at the Riverview Pub. Possible extension to Upper Rollands Plains - 20kms extra.

26 March
Pilot Beach - 25 kms
Grade: 2
Start: 9am North Haven beach
Drive approx .5 hour to North Haven beach. A coastal flat ride following the Camden Haven River. We start at the river Inet and ride on bike paths through Laurieton, Dunbogan and Camden Haven. We turn around at the scenic Pilot and Washhouse beaches. On the way back admire the majestic North Brother Mountain. Cafe afterwards and a treat drive up to the stunning North Brother Lookout. My training ground in younger times for the Audax Alpine Classic.

Optional Gravel Ride:
XX March
Googik Track - 20kms
Grade: 2
Start: Lake Road Entrance
A local flat ride through the pristine Lake Innes Nature Reserve. A good gravel bush track that we follow to a neighbouring suburb of Crestwood. On the return journey, we deviate to a café at Lake Innes. A popular jogging, walking and cycling track.

These ride plan dates can be swapped around if necessary or desired.
Grade 1 = easy
Grade 10 = hard

I wanted to post this essential information first off. Later I'll add info on some places to stay. One of my friends runs a BnB. Also, I'll post some info on things to do/see while off the bike. A swim most afternoons wouldn't be too bad or browse local shops? Lots of choices for cafes and eateries.

Feel like a challenge? Something to tell your friends and family about? Here is your opportunity! Five rides on five different days completing a circumnavigation of Sydney.

The Greater Sydney Bike Trail (https://cyclesydney.wiki/gsbt/), put out there by one and crafted by many, loops around the outer edges of metropolitan Sydney, showcasing the city’s fantastic shared paths and trails. This 220km loop takes you through some of Sydney’s most iconic areas, with approximately 85% of the route off-road, utilising shared paths and cycleways. Created by keen cyclist Garry Robinson, the route connects numerous bike paths, cycleways, and trails that were previously disjointed. For the most part this route is not clearly marked, relying on navigation, common sense and careful planning. These days there are a few shortcuts due to new cycleways which we plan to take saving around 20kms.

The plan for Bike Leichhardt club members only and consists of five segments, as listed SEPARATELY on Meetup. Complete one segment, some segments or do them all.

Segment One - 12 April : Cronulla to Liverpool via Menai

Take the the 6.54 AM train from Redfern Station platform 12 to Cronulla arriving at 7.59 for a coffee, starting the ride from the station at 8.30 AM. This segment is hilly with many great views. Significant parts are through quiet urban street, industrial areas, parks and waterfront areas with as total distance of 76 kms and a ride time of at least 5 hours. The segment requires some fitness and stamina. Lunch will be at Miss Estelle on Chamberlain Road, Padstow Heights.

Segment Two - 10 May : Liverpool to Rooty Hill
Segment Three - 24 May : Rooty Hill to Meadow Bank
Segment Four - 7 June : Meadow Bank to the CBD via Airman’s Park to Clyne Reserve (Barangaroo)
Segment Five - 21 June : Barangaroo to Cronulla via Tempe and Sans Souci.

Register here for the First Segment ONLY on 12 April.

Rider leaders for one or more segments will be Natalie Cleary, Ben Triefus and Michael Gill