Fitzroy Falls to Kangaroo Valley

If NoBMoB hasn't been there then go we must!

Throw up three dates.

I'm good for Aug 19.

Greg

though 2 things worry me ...

"Degree of Difficulty: Hard"

it is all relative I guess ...

"Only trouble is it's 17Ks (uphill) on the road back to the start"

If that is the uphill climb back to the visitors centre that I am thinking of then I'm really worried. I saw a lot of roadies on that climb the last time I was in Kangaroo Valley.

Climbing up hills on road bike ... good

Climbing up hills on mountain bike ... not so good

Then again I could be wrong and thinking of another climb in Kangaroo Valley.

You don't need to climb up the road there is an alternate route up McPhails Fire trail - steeper than the road but it is dirt

Steeper than a 600m rise in 7Ks? On dirt? Erm... who's bringing the ropes?!

So fitness isn't an issue? Sweet!

I spent 6 months down at the Scots College Glengarry campus 2 years ago and so know a bit about riding the area. Been to Behive point and all through some of the tracks near there. From what I have heard, this is an excellent ride with great scenery. Although I havent done the full ride, I have walked some of the areas.

I wont be able to come on this ride though, cause of exams but you will have to tell me all about it. sounds definately worthwile.

Tim

Not if your determination is high enough

This is a classic MTB ride and instead of doing F.Falls to K.Valley, a round trip epic is possible from the Falls car park,it has been covered in one of the aussie mountain bike mags.Basically its Redhill then Gunrock fire trail from the car park,bit of singletrack fun then takes the old road down into the valley called Meryla Fire Trail - very fast,plenty of water bars,quite long.Then its a couple of decent climbs (similar to the Bedford Creek ascent)to get halfway back up the valley,the reward is some more singletrack (end of Griffins FT)before a few kms of flattish dirtroad (Jacks Corner Rd)until the McPhails Trail turnoff,this is a very steep,switchback dirt trail,I think on one bike site this was likened to a mini dirt Alpe D'Huez! If you make it to the top with no break you've done really well.From their its more fire road back to the Falls carpark. A good mix of riding some singletrack,some fast descents,some long slow climbs...I think its something like 60kms+... a great full day,hard ride.

Soooo... let's do this ride a couple weeks after the Doctor, while we're still in good shape and before it gets too warm. I would propose Sat, August September! 20, 9:30 meeting time as this will be an all day affair it's pointless killing yourself to get there early.

I have it on good authority that the way to do this is meet at Kangaroo Valley (North end, by the bridge - there's a cafe here for after ride refreshments) and ride up to Fitzroy Falls via Bendeela Rd and McPhails Fire Trail - which is rather steep

Once up by the falls we take the standard route round through Meryla Pass and along Jacks Corner Rd back past bottom of McPhails and to the start.

Two sources of reference, first is bikely which shows the loop from Fitzroy Falls but not the leg into Kangaroo Valley:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/148999

Second is a one way from FF to KV on MB:

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/4867295

By the look of it, this will be around 50Km with aroung 1400m climbing... hmmmmm... come on, you know you want to.

Say 'aye' and I'll post in the calendar!

Ooops... you know what I mean!

I could be up for this one

If your not out there doing it,
Someone else is

Hmmmm.... OK, how about Sat 27 Sep?

Clashes with Capertee though. Weekend after is Yellowmundee GP, one after that is 24Hr!

For me the 27th is best at this stage but I could only commit closer to the date.

I'm interested BUT I can only ride on sundays during the spring/summer due to the sailing season starting!
might have to start a poll to pick a date for this

Tom

Should have done it on the 20th...