Parramatta Park

Fred Caterson isnt too terrible... just a short loop with varying trails you can split off onto, not bad for skills work but can get boring..

There's also a trail from Eric Mobbs and you actually ride down into the reserve and you can end up in Parramatta Park from there.

Its abit hike a bike in sections though and if its been raining heavily it gets boggy as it pretty much follows a stream the whole way.

Parramatta park is quite a decent loop from what ive heard, albeit ive never done it properly. Definitely not paved though

there's also a trail that runs through winston hills into toongabbie, but again abit hike a bike.

FredCat is a good little ride, especially once you actually figure out which side trails suit you best. Some are fairly rocky/technical if you like that. My favourite part of the ride heads around past the water treatment around to the other side of Knightsbridge in the valley. Hard to remember you're in the 'burbs!

You need to get the time of day right out there as, depending on the way you go there can be a lot of walkers/joggers.

There's a GPX on here: http://www.trailflix.com.au/tfx_new/trails.php?i...

Lake para's days are numbered ...

http://www.rotorburn.com/forums/showthread.php?2...

Councillors chose to limit MTB to Illawong drive only ... there was not engagement with riders even though we offered one on one meetings with both staff and ward councillors ... No signage has gone up yet and unsure what they will be doing to enforce the decision and when it will be implemented.

Council elections are coming around soon ... paramatta riders and residents I suggest you send them a message.

Some disappointing interpretations and comments below. Some of which are completely incorrect. Riders hit a brick wall. Hopefully the elections can create some positive change.

"I refer to previous correspondence in relation to your submission during the recent public exhibition of the draft Lake Parramatta Reserve Plan of Management (POM).
 
Council endorsed the amended draft POM at their ordinary meeting on 12 December 2011 to guide the future management and development of the reserve. In recognising the demand for mountain biking opportunities, the amended POM allows for non-motorised bike access on the existing eastern fire trail to provide links into larger adjoining bushland reserves whilst minimising disturbance to endangered species and ecological communities within the reserve.
 
A significant number of submissions were received during the public exhibition period advocating for dedicated mountain bike trails in the reserve. These were reviewed and considered in conjunction with the overall assessment of all submissions. However Council considers that cycling and mountain bike use of trails within this bushland reserve should be restricted as outlined above in view of:
·         the small size, nature, location and topography of the reserve (it was declared a Fauna Sanctuary in 1960 and a recent fauna survey identified 200 native flora species and 75 native fauna species);
·         Consistency with the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) Sustainable Mountain Biking Strategy which states that ‘mountain-biking single-track will continue to be prohibited in nature reserve and wilderness areas as it is inconsistent with the management principles of these areas’;
·         it is acknowledged that such facilities are available to cyclists within a reasonable distance to other Sydney suburbs such as Hornsby and Ku-ring-gai Councils. These sites have been established in former quarries or land fill areas, are not within high quality remnant bushland areas with threatened native species or contain Aboriginal heritage sites, as is the case for Lake Parramatta Reserve.
 
To minimise cost and environmental impacts, the provision of additional formalised carparking has been reconfigured to the existing grassed overflow parking area at the corner of Bourke and Lackey Streets whilst allowing for additional bus parking close to amenities within the reserve. The draft POM also incorporates a number of minor amendments recommended from submissions received during the exhibition period.
Council also resolved that an additional ‘Environmental Protection’ purpose be assigned under the Crown Lands Act 1989 to reflect the natural and cultural heritage significance of the reserve. The draft POM will now be submitted to the Minister for Primary Industries recommending it be adopted under the Crown Lands Act 1989.
 
Once the POM has been adopted, copies will be available at Council libraries and on the Parramatta City Council website at http://www.parracity.nsw.gov.au/your_council/new.... On behalf of Council I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for your interest and valuable input during the development of the POM."

Always good to see a bit of a trophy at the end of a ride! Glad you enjoyed! Post if you're going back out there again someday and I'll try to join you, maybe ride out and link it up with a short trail at Rouse Hill.