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Help planning commute


krisvm's picture

By krisvm - Posted on 15 November 2011

Hi forum,

I'm thinking about driving the car less and cycling more often (Hardtail) in Sydney's North.

I would appreciate some advice and ideas to the best way to cycle from 3 different "A to B".
I would like a reasonably fast ride that is safe and also a bit fun. I would rather avoid busy main roads.
Directions, google map or a link to a useful trip planning resource would be much appreciated.

Which way to ride from Sydney East Substation in Belrose to:
1. Manly Ferry in Manly.
2. Warriewood surf club off narrabeen park parade.
3. Hornsby Train Station.

Thankyou,
kris

cRAZY Canuck's picture

A good start - http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/AboutSydney/P...

1) http://g.co/maps/qjrd6 - theres an over pass at the end of Fitzpatrick street it doesn't see that takes you into the swimming pool parking lot

2) http://g.co/maps/pdxe5 , http://g.co/maps/bb39k

3) I never ride that way best if someone else told you

krisvm's picture

i didn't know about that over pass - quite handy
looks like i can't avoid all these busy roads - peak hour cycling down forestway just seems like a night mare.

Lach's picture

For option 2, you could head across Forest Way into Morgan Rd, then onto the fire trail through Oxford Falls (Slippery Dip?), climbing up to the top of Gutterball for a bit of a clamber down to Deep Ck, then out onto the cycle way to Narrabeen lake and up to Warriewood.

cRAZY Canuck's picture

Not many people do, I've been known to take the roady over it if I'm running late, feeling lazy, or Warringah road is packed.

I work up at the super centre, Forest Way can be a little "interesting" at times if you can get through there before it gets chockers it's not too bad and they'll be other cyclists around.

krisvm's picture

This looks like a nice way through to warriewood- not sure where those other tracks are you mentioned, will have to check the maps? i guess riding along wakehurst parkway and then somehow across pittwater to ocean / sydney rd might work out well??

Whats it like riding along alambie rd then down pittwater rd to manly? pretty bendy, busy, parked cars, buses... should be ok right?
Better than going down wakehurst to seaforth and then somehow across to manly? (looks like there are more roads with less cars on them going that way, let alone some more unmade tracks....)

Getting over to hornsby appears to be the most difficult, something like riding up forestway to monavale > burns rd > junction rd with maybe some backstreets along the way?

cheers

krisvm's picture

ridethecity.com was helpful ! some good ideas.
i might try posting again on a forum that is a bit more directed towards roadbikes, any suggestions?
thanks for all the help guys.

hawkeye's picture

Allambie Road is not a problem so long as you are riding outside of school drop-off and pick-up times.

Mothers in their SUVs with their kids yelling "Muuuuuum!!" from the back seat aren't best placed to be keeping a proper lookout for anything not bigger than them, plus driving an SUV for "safety" reasons like my neighbour confessed one day tells you something about their mindset.

The descent is kinda fun, and the climb back up is a good test at the end of my ride.

Condamine Street leading into Pittwater Road ...hmmm. So long as you can use the bus lane or are riding against the peak flow direction it should be OK, but I'd be plotting back streets routes if possible. The extra distance is good training Smiling

For a more road and utility cycling-oriented forum, try bicycles.net.au

philberesford's picture

And ride around The Dam instead Smiling

hawkeye's picture

... but it's a bit hard with 23mm slicks - pinchflat city Sticking out tongue

philberesford's picture

The OP said he was on a hardtail. Taking the Dam on slicks will make for better line choices. It's a win-win.

krisvm's picture

Thanks everyone,
I've also come across the council cycle maps which i found very helpful.
Just go to waitara/ hornsby/ kuringgai/mosman/manly/warringah etc council websites and there is some helpful information there to help plan rides.
cheers

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