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Hoping for some suggestions of where to ride in/around Sydney....
Hi all,
Just recently discovered this site and happily it has also conincided with an ever increasing addiction to riding!!
My better half and I moved to Sydney about a year ago, however haven't had the chance to get in much riding due to some rather busy times! Happy to say though that we now have a relatively clear calendar and we're looking to get out and about as much as possible, enjoy some riding and hopefully meet some new faces along the way. I've been riding for about two years now, and my partner has just started - although she is proving to be a bit of natural! 
We're looking at getting out this weekend (hopefully Sat and Sunday) and we're looking for some suggestions/advice on where to go around Sydney - happy to go anywhere - ie - Blue Mountains....so long as the trails are fun!
Would be very appreciative for some friendly advice on where to go for some nice rides - between 15-25km would be ideal with a bit of everything thrown in. While the wife is a 'beginner' she has taken on logs, rock gardens and some small drop offs with a lot of gusto - so nothing to tame, but nothing to crazy either.
On a side note, we're also aiming to enter the Irate Intern in September this year and it would be awesome to meet a few people who are also looking going along to get in a few rides before then.
Cheers,
Andrew
Again - awesome site guys!
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Near the top you'll find a button marked Rides, lots to look at there.
You don't mention where you live, but my favourites, in no particular order, all XC type riding:
Manly Dam - good fun, some techy bits, some I've yet to conquer! ~10km loop, very accessible to Northern beaches, my closest track
Cascades - good hill work out especially if you do the 4 gates, nothing too tech although Quarry track can be tricky cause of the loose rocks and steepness
Terrey Hills Perimeter and Long - Nice view at the end, out and back ~22km from Terrey Hills shops
Awaba - nice flowing single track, north of Sydney, nothing too techy
Ourimbah - Awesome loop, some techy bits, again further north of Sydney
Can make a day of it and go to Awaba and Ourimbah.
I can't comment on the Blue Mountains as I haven't been.
Appin is becoming popular and sounds good, again haven't been.
Anyway, something to get you started, enjoy.
That's a nice summary.
I would add that Appin is where you'd go for a more technical XC loop. Hardly any fire trail and lots of rough stuff.
Great Northern Road (start at Wisemans Ferry - so it's under 'Central Coast') is also very good, but more remote and not suitable for beginners.
In the Blue Mountains most people start by riding the Oaks (which can be done one way if you take the train from Glenbrook to Woodford). One way 26km, up and back 52. Knapsack reserve just over the road from Glenbrook shops is also worth a look if you are up there.
All these are on the rides page. Enjoy
Also, if you rock up to any of the places ae93gti mentioned on a weekend, there will be enough other riders there to follow and find the way around. Or post up a ride meeting. If you build it, they will come.
Thanks for the replies guys...going to sit down tonight and plan out the ride.
I've spent a while trawling through the rides on this site and trailfix, but I was having trouble deciding which one to try...hence the post and looking for some first hand suggestions.
Oh - and I live in Willoughby.
Cheers again!
From Willoughby Terrey Hills is only around 20 minutes drive North in a morning.
You do say that your partner is pretty new to this so reckon that is where you should start.
Perimeter & Long is a 22km out and back and a good introduction. If you want something a little rougher, part way along the Long Trail is Cowan (to the left as you ride out). This is a little rougher and has a couple of technical sections that are trickier to clear if you'd like to have a look.