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Manly Dam Ride
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
G'day
Ive just got back into MTB after about 5yrs (dunno why so long!!!) and im keen to check out manly dam.
Ive never been there before and dont know much about it, so any info or a tag along would be awesome.
Thanks
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Hi mate,
I guess it can't be easier than this:
http://nobmob.com/rides/manlydam/circuit
That's the main circuit. There's an option to start it at Bantry Bay Rd (Frenchs Forest) and that would add about 4-5 km to the ride.
Enjoy!
J
Im a big fan of starting at the hydraulic lab adjacent to the dam. I like leaving that fantastic down hill run until last.
...where does it exactly start? I've noticed a trail entrance that leads to a fire trail (runs parallel with a fenced off area, i believe its an Aboriginal site?) at the Wakehurst pkwy entrance. Does this link up anywhere with the main dam trail?
it does link up josh but if i told you i would have to kill you...ha ha ha
maybe see u out on the trail one day, glad to show you mate.
Thanks for the link... looks awesome!!
very keen to get out there.
Cheers
See this:
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Bantry+Bay+Rd,+Fre...
There's a passage above the 2 white cars in the centre of the map. You ride (east) along the trail there, cross the highway on the bridge and turn right immediately after the bridge. It's a nice 200-300 meters trail that ends in front of a huge pipe. Turn left and ride along the pipe till you reach a fence. Turn right on the pedestrian road and bear right till you reach another fence. You need to climb a small rock on the fence's right side in order to enter the trail. Then you just need to keep with the trail. You will get to a point where you have a field on your left and a road on your right, cross the road and you will find a gate to another trail. Enter that trail and ride till you hook with the main Manly Dam circuit.
Ride the circuit. 300m (more or less) after the big climb there's an option to turn left toward Allambie. Take that turn and climb. At some point there's a turn right - take it. Climb a bit more and the trail curves to the left (90 degrees turn). Ride with the trail till you reach the entrance point with the fence and the rock on it's side. Then ride back to the pipe and along that pipe and simply proceed back to where you started from.
I hope it makes sense and that I didn't miss anything...
Have fun!
J
thanx mate, i'll check it out today!
One quick heads up - after the bridge you turn right and in those 200-300m there's a jump (a freeride thing), so make sure you see it on time! You can skip it on it's left.
Have fun!
Haha, i found your jump alright. You see i thought you were talking about this little tinker of a jump near the start of the trail. As i came further down i found the one you were talking about by going OTB. A lack of concentration and an empty stomach led me to believe that this jump was one of them jump/drops, not a gap. Had that feeling of slow-motion when you realise "ahh, this is the jump he was talking about" whilst in mid air. Would've been an epic stack on camera
Haha! But seems like you're still in one piece!
Btw, how were the instructions? Maybe it's a good idea to fill in the gaps I missed for future readers to get a complete view of that trail?
Glad you enjoyed it - it's a fun extension for Manly Dam.
J
To get a Professional Plastic Gap Sign Installed just before it, like they have at OXY, Zippie Ties are the go to secure them.
Wouldn't call it freeride, DH at most
Does anybody live within walking distance that could get this sorted?
Or does anybody know the guys from oxy that might have a spare?
PM me if you have one or can get one and i'll put it up myself if need be.
On that note could other trail fairies from this section please pm me
Freeride, DH... All I know is that I ride to it's left every time...
Thanks for the correction
Pedal up to it a few times, and stop just before it, when you feel you would have had the correct speed go back up and give it a go with someone experienced leading you into it.
Try to hit the top part well, Pedal hard in the leadup to it, stop pedalling a few meters before, keep centered and off your seat, its all about speed. forget the gap, if you hit it with the right speed you will land 1metre+ past it
Or Buzz, you could just pop out your wings
Maybe mate. Thanks for the tips, I will try to absorb and crank it up.
To infinity and Beyond!!
Almost 2 years ago, 3 months into getting into mtb riding, enough time in the saddle to be dangerous, I hit that all wrong, came off and broke my wrist (not scaphoid thankfully). Now I've probably gone off scarier and more difficult drops since and living in Allambie ride the dam a lot but but I still can't bring myself to take that one again!
Well, I'm riding for about a year and a half and I still don't have the courage for such jumps. I do all the drops in Manly and I do take off on those bumps when going downhill, but still - it that's gap!
And remember this, it applies to all those who fly on their bikes:
http://youtu.be/DwN6efmhp7E
I live a stones' throw away from the short single track (ok, a fairly long throw but hey) and i would be happy to install a sign; even build more jumps if this is popular with the vast majority?
me
for that track to be more freeridy (ie more jumps, berms etc..) but i dont know whether its legal??
However its sustainable and a super sweet vital MTB link to the Dam.
When and if the need arises we can make it official.
PM me if you want to talk "fairy"
Are you calling me a FAIRY?!
maintain trails for the benifit of all, then yes