Chasing the Moonrise

RIDE CANCELLED

This ride encompasses elements of three existing rides: Alternate Big Loop, M7 and Prospect Canal. The ride travels through streets of Eastwood and Carlingford to Pennant Hills Rd and then follows an undulating route through West Pennant Hills with some short challenging climbs (up to 18% gradient) before undulating through the back streets of Baulkham Hills, through to Winston Hills and meeting up with the start of the M7 cycleway near Glenwood.

An undulating ride along the M7 before we stop near the M4 @ Spaghetti Junction for a water stop. We continue along the M7 with a reasonable amount of climbing before we turn left at Abbotsbury and climb up to Moonrise Lookout, which is in Western Sydney Parklands and stop for a snack and take in the view.

We then drop down from the lookout. We need to exercise caution due to a steep descent and then we follow the path westwards to Abbotsbury for our Coffee Stop. After coffee we retrace our route and then follow along the old Sydney water canal which leads to Prospect reservoir and the cycleway route along the old water canal and passing Merrylands to Parramatta and thence under the M4 (cycleway) and Parramatta Valley Cycleway to Meadowbank, then take the gentle climb up the hill to return to Eastwood.

The ride is suitable for strong self-sufficient riders on road bikes. Riders will need to be competent and cautious in suburban traffic environments. This hard grade ride has a surprising amount of climbing with some quite short but steep pinches at 10-18%.

Riders must come prepared with two water bottles, tyre repair tools and food snacks for a long ride. The coffee stop is toward the second half of the ride at about the 60km mark. In warmer months managing food and water intake will be important as the there are some quite exposed sections to sun.

Notes: Shortened - removing some of the steep pinches. Coffee @ Granatas Pemulway. approx 80Km. Pace at the high end of brisk and fast along M7 cycleway

Pre-registration is required through the Bike North website link

RIDE CANCELLED

Ride Leader	Greg Boyd
Distance (km)	97
Pace	brisk approx. 22-25 kms/hr
Metres Climbed	773.876
RDI	75.065972
Grade	Hard
REE	Calculate your REE
Explanations of Bike North grades, pace, RDI, REE
Suitability	Fit and experienced riders able to climb short steep climbs and maintain high average speeds and deal with suburban traffic.
Features	M7, West Pennant Hills, Cumberland Forest, Backroad path/link to Castle Hill, Prospect cycleway,Paramatta River valley
Coffee stop	Parx Cafe, Abbotsbury
Expected duration	5.5 hour(s) (estimate only - ride may be longer due to on the day factors)
For more information including ride map and profile, and any pre-registration options please check the Calendar Entry on the Bike North Website

As a participant in this dangerous recreational activity, you may be exposing yourself to a significant risk of harm. Bike North, the ride organisers and leaders wish to warn you of the risks and hazards that are an inherent part of cycling, and to take care to prevent putting yourself, your fellow participants and/or others into danger. By signing onto this ride, you accept the warning as to risk, and you agree to ride in a safe and responsible manner and to obey all Australian Road Rules.