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Red Hill for a noob - help wanted


Tobi Wan's picture

By Tobi Wan - Posted on 16 January 2013

Hi guys, i'm new to the forums recently returned to the MTB world and just wanted some advice.

I live in Narrabeen and work in Frenchs Forest so have started riding to and from work - I don't feel comfortable riding on the wakehurst so i'm going via willandra road (gee thats a fun hill).

I'm keen to add some offroad to my home trip and Red Hill seemed like the perfect place for it. Having read the info on NOBMOB it sounds like its actually quite technical and difficult - so i'm a little hesitant to go it, particularly as i'll be hitting it solo.

Is it as hectic as its made out to be, or can i follow the fire trail for most of the way and pop out at the back of Cromer around Maybrook/Northcott/Cromer road without hitting anything overly technical?

I've had a look at the elevation and it seems quite docile, am I kidding myself?

Thanks in advance for any info, i'll probably end up hitting it regardless but figured that you guys might be able to offer some help.

Take it easy, Toby.

stevebaker's picture

Yes you can stick to mostly firetrail and come out at Maybrook Ave (where it meets Pinduro Pl) without hitting too much of the technical stuff. Something like this: .
It's a bit sketchy up near Maybrook Ave (well it was when I did this a while ago), but worst case you hike your bike up to the road.

Tobi Wan's picture

thanks very much steve, i'll have to give it a go - that route of yours actually goes pretty much right from where i work!

amarkie's picture

Red Hill, while not the most oustanding single track is a FANTASTIC place to learn and practice technical skills. Its not as crowded or as tight as other trails and the range of technical stuff is vast, so you can work your way up.

I'm a relative newbie and its where I cut my teeth (or arms as the case may be). When I travel to other trails and find a bit I really failed at I can usually find somewhere at Red Hill thats similar and go and practice.

There is no shame in walking a section!

Narralakes's picture

I live 10 minutes from Red Hill and I love the tracks there, although Ive probably only ridden 10 % of them, not easy and as you mention, but a great training ground. I'm a newbie too, and find myself walking quite a bit there, its a confidence thing. At times, I'm surprised when I do something out of my comfort zone, that the bike is more than capable, its just me having the courage to do it.

amarkie's picture

Ah yes - the bike knows. I feel exactly the same way .. sometimes I can do a section and feel like I totally owned it .. then other times Im just being taken for a ride by the bike. Red Hill is full of surprises.

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