www.Muggaccinos.com   The Bullsheet

Sunday, 5 Oct, 7:45am - Tour de Royal National Park - 94km – ETR 1:50pm
 *    Ride Organiser:     Phil Johnston  9498.3684 hm
*    Hardcopy these directions and bring on Sunday

Nosh Stops:
 Bundeena Beach            from 8:50am          30 min
Otford Pie Shop               from 11am             30 min
Audley Kiosk cafe           from 1:10pm         20 min
 Sag Stops:
 Bundeena Drive turn-off   from 8:25am        5 min
Bundeena Drive turn-off   from 10am            5 min
Bundeena Drive turn-off   from 12:45pm      5 min

At sparrow fart on a Sunday morn' it is only 45 minutes drive from Chatswood [38km] to the Sutherland Leisure Centre at Waratah Park off Rawson Ave (approx 1km south of Sutherland shopping centre).  Assemble at the bottom RHS in largish carpark immediately outside the swimming complex at :7:35am to conquer the largest national park in Sydney, The Royal National Park  – rollout 7:45am. 

Directions from North Shore, either –

Ø                  Homebush Bay Drive / Centenary Drive / Roberts Rd / Wiley Ave / King George's Rd / Princess H’way; or

Ø                  Pacific Highway over Harbour Bridge onto Princess H’way at Broadway, remaining on Princess H’way crossing George’s River Bridge and passing thru Sylvania and Gymea. 
Then -

    (a)    continue straight into The Grand Pde (when most of the traffic turns L into Arcadia Rd.)

    (b)    250m later veer L into Old Princess H'way which 250m later, after passing President Ave on LHS, becomes Rawson Ave.

    (c)    150m later L into carpark at Waratah Park and park down the bottom RHS in front of the Swimming Centre. 

1st Leg: Sutherland to Bundeena Beach 25.2km

At 7:48am, after 600m of pedaling S along Rawson Ave we enter Princess Highway at lights and 1km later pass Loftus Oval on LHS (familiar to ‘Gong riders as the initial morning tea spot).  100m onwards L into Farnell Ave (some maps call it Sir Bertram Stevens Drive).  After passing the toll booths the road changes to Audley Weir Rd and we shortly descend on a dog leg R and hook L to cross Audley Weir [5km].  Whereupon we veer R (it becomes Sir Bertram Stevens Drive) and encounter our first, of several delightful treats, a wonderfully steep climb up Artillery Hill to Gibraltar Rock [7km] and along Flat Rock, passing Warumbul Rd on LHS [11km].

Around 8:25am we pause for our 1st Sag Stop (5 min) [15km] 50m after hooking L into Bundeena Drive.  Pedal 10.2km due E to our 1st Nosh Stop (30 min) at God’s Own Country, picturesque Bundeena Beach 8:50am approx [25.5km] with spectacular views NW twds Sydney Harbour and two good cafés overlooking the water. 

2nd Leg: Bundeena Beach to Otford Pie Shop - 31.3km (agg 56.5km)

Approaching 9:20am 2nd arduous climb, retracing up Bundeena Drive.  Around 9:55am 2nd Sag Stop (5 min) [36.2km] 50m short of the intersection with Sir Bertram Stevens Drive.

After re-grouping we hook a L into Sir Bertram Stevens Drive and high tail it along the ridge then after passing Garie Beach turn-off [41km] down.  Around 10:30am we pass a bridge on R to McKell Ave [47km].  Road becomes Lady Wakehurst Drive which takes us to our 2nd Nosh Stop (30 min) “Otford Apple Pie Shop” (another landmark for Gong riders) with fabulous views of the Blue Pacific - arriving around 11am approx [57.3km].

3rd Leg: Otford Pie Shop to Audley Weir  - 30.8km (agg 88.3km)

11:30am cycle N back up Lady Wakehurst Drive, initial 300m along the coast with spectacular views of the Blue Pacific, and then into the wooded forest where it is up-hill initially, then predominantly undulating.  Around 12:15pm [67.4km] we pass McKell Ave bridge (Waterfall exit) on the LHS.  Cycle a further 9.5km N along Sir Bertram Stevens Drive for a further fleeting 3rd Sag Stop (3 min) [78.4km] approaching 12:42pm at intersection of Bundeena Drive.

Continue NW another 9.8km for a 3rd Nosh Stop (20 min) [88km] at Audley Kiosk 50m before Audley Weir around 1.10pm - excellent coffee 'n maggot sacks.

4th Leg: Audley Weir to Sutherland - 6.7km (agg 94km)

1:30pm cycle over the weir and up precipitous Farnell Ave to Princess H'way and R onto the H'way, shortly passing Loftus Oval on RHS.  2km after traffic lights at Rawson Ave turn R into Sutherland Leisure Centre - 94km - ETR 1:50pm.

CARE: Keep well to LHS along the final legs from Bundeena to Audley Weir and up to Princess H'way.  If a cue of cars is behind you, pull over to side of road and allow 'em to pass. 

Engineer's rap-up of last w'ends Old Convict Mountain Bike Ride

Everybody emerged unscathed from the Old Convict Ride after having two days of awesome mountain biking.  I nearly managed to bunnyhop onto a 7 foot black snake only missing it by 6 inches though. Had five other Muggs present, Karen, Marcel, Roz, Adam and Ann-Marie with Kitchen Sink making a guest appearance.  Also found out that you don't go looking for Karen if she is late to a Sag Stop coz she's usually having a wee on the track.  The ride started from Wiseman's Ferry and travelled up the Old Convict Road to Bucketty - about 42 km all up each way.  The track was quite technical in places but otherwise a very fast track for the experienced mountain biker where we had great fun on some of the downhills with the many water bars present for getting some serious air.  Mogo Greek camp ground was very nice with decent shelter shed, barbecues and toilet facilities.  All-up a marvellous weekend enjoyed by all.  I shall contact everyone and get hold of some of their photos of the weekend.

Simon

Bank Teller's rap-up of Brunch at Bayview Marina

 

Twas a cool morn' and an early start out of St Ives where about 15 marshalled at West Hd after 35km.

We lost a few who'd cycled from Dural/Ryde/Eastwood way on the 2nd Leg from The Headland to Bayview Marina, but gained Annie Oakley.  Someone else (Flaxen) took the pic on LHS, which may account for why it turned-out OK.
L to R - Rummager, Oakley, Shimano, Tyro Ian, Teller 'n Pacific Pete

Ian's arm, Rocket, Scribe 'n Pacific below.

Too many to name in the final two lower pics.

The Flash, Elfi and Rocket at Akuna Bay after 68km

 

 

The Scribe      29 Sept '03