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Blue Mountains Six Foot Trail Bucket List Ride


Richard Sheppard's picture

By Richard Sheppard - Posted on 08 January 2013

When: 
Thursday, 10 January, 2013 - 08:00
Duration: 
5 hours
Come Rain or Shine: 
SMS/PM me before to confirm.
Ride Database Entry: 
Six Foot Track
Meeting Point: 

201 Sydney Rd Fairlight

201 Sydney Rd Fairlight
Details:

Hi Folks,

This is my first post and first time planning to ride the Six Foot Track at the Blue Mountains. I am dead keen to go, though may need at least 1 more rider and maybe one more car so we can do the course one way with a car at each end and return by late afternoon or evening of my planning is ok?

I have a large SUV, all my own gear and a 4 bike rack. This is a certainty and I am so keen. I have one other person with a 4 wheel drive who seems "close" to a certainty and probably one other, though never can be sure, so a few other would be great indeed.

I know it is short notice, though if there is at least one person or more keen and free? Be great to have someone who has done it before or people just keen to give it a go. It seems like an incredible ride, particularly if riding largely downhill from Jenolan Caves end.

If there is anyone else who can give me some advice, even if not free to join us, I would really appreciate it. I have done a fair bit of research, though be good to chat to someone who has done it, particularly confirming if it is reasonably possible to get there and back from Fairlight in a long day trip?

My mobile is 0400 792 216.

Regards
Richard

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Fatboy's picture

Richard, your post says the ride is Tuesday 1st October! Mistake?

Ren7566's picture

I'm keen, is the ride date accurate? I've walked/run it a dozen times. There's a few section that your not permitted to ride(if you have done your homework you would know that). I'll txt you later today so we can chat.

Ren

Flynny's picture

If you don't want to car shuttle you can leave your car at black range. Do all the cool stuff and then ride out via the lowther fire trail and back to the car.

J the B's picture

Be aware that it takes at least another hour to drive from Katoomba to the 6-foot start at the Jenolan end. If you add a car shuffle into the mix, you've got a lot of driving to do.

Flynny's picture

With the fire dangers about I wouldn't be doing it tomorrow.

DigDig's picture

I second that.

Richard Sheppard's picture

Hi,

Sorry for late reply. I didn't know there were replies here in the website. Newby mistake sorry.

Yes date was a mistake. The website date format seemed US style?

Plan was for tomorrow. I can still do though would probably need to leave at around 10 am.

If your not free tomorrow, I am keen to do it anytime in the future. Just about any Saturday but own my own business, so can do midweek also, even at fairly short notice, so we could pick the weather better so not too hot or fires!

Feel free to call me on 0400 792 216 if free tomorrow. I could do Friday or Saturday though whether forecast 34 degrees max each day and would want to check fire situation each morning.

Regards

Richard

Richard Sheppard's picture

Thanks for tip,

Yes, I spent quite a while on online maps to work out all travel times. It seems with ride and driving it will be around at least a 12 hour day, though it seems like such a good and unique ride, plus great adventure, almost a bucket list adventure, I and very keen to do it at least once.

Can you suggest any rides of similar fun with much less driving? Oaks sounds good and easier with train ride.

Regards
Richard

Richard Sheppard's picture

Yes thanks for tip.

Was planning on checking before driving and before riding with RFS and National Parks.

Forecast is for low temp of 23 degrees max and winds light, so as long as no fires known in area before start of ride, should generally be as safe as any other summer day I think?

I was the fire officer at Holsworthy Army base during a fire storm through area, so will always be very careful with fire. Have seen first hand how serious they can be.

Richard Sheppard's picture

Thanks Flynny,

Have you done that yourself? Do you know how long it takes approx?

Can you advice where to find those locations? Just had a quick look for Black Range in google maps though could not find.

Thanks

Richard Sheppard's picture

Hi Craig,

Yes date was wrong, though now fixed. I entered 10/01/2013 in the event set up area, though it seems to be in US format, with month first.

I know unlikely now, though I could still do it if your free though see other comments about doing it another time if tomorrow doesn't happen.

Cheers

Richard Sheppard's picture

Hi Craig,

Yes date was wrong, though now fixed. I entered 10/01/2013 in the event set up area, though it seems to be in US format, with month first.

I know unlikely now, though I could still do it if your free though see other comments about doing it another time if tomorrow doesn't happen.

Cheers

Flynny's picture

Black Range is at the top of the hill before it descents into Jenolan.

http://www.lpma.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_fil...

This is where most people start the ride. You can start right in Jenolan but it involves lugging up 1001 stairs

The section between Megalong and katoomba is also questionable. In the original trail period it was off limits to riders. We managed to get word of mouth agreement that people could ride it so long as you carried your bike on the stairs but then there was a back flip and nothing official came of it.

The Lowther trail head out via Jenolan state forest. It's a long loop

Re the fire danger the trail is officially closed at the moment

http://www.lpma.nsw.gov.au/about_recreation/walk...

Username2's picture

The stairs between Megalong and Katoomba are killer i would seriously consider being picked up in Megalong.

Ren7566's picture

The last I heard there was still no MTB allowed on the section from Katoomba to Megalong or from the huts to Jenolan Caves. Happy to be corrected if someone knows for sure.

Richard Sheppard's picture

Hi Folks,

I knew last plan was unlikely with short notice and weather/fire conditions so who is in for Satureday in 2 weeks? I know it will be a long day, but seems like a great mission.

I will schedule again for then and see how we go. Will obviously be weather and fire condition dependant.

Thanks for all your input.

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