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Parra Lake XC Loop


Noel's picture

By Noel - Posted on 25 February 2008

When: 
Sunday, 9 March, 2008 - 08:30
Duration: 
3 hours
Come Rain or Shine: 
If it's raining, I won't be there.
Meeting Point: 

Car Park in Lake Parramatta

-33.790864,151.007767
Details:

This is a XC loop ride. We are not riding the technical single track around the lake (which is too busy with walkers). What we are doing is much easier and will suit new riders and those who do not feel as fit as they wish they did. On the other hand, I can point out the technical areas (Kurt n’ Co’s Jump Park) if that floats your boat.

We start at the Car Park in Lake Parramatta and make our way along combinations of fire trail and flowing (easy to ride) single track to Plymouth Avenue.

The return trip is via the purpose built level XC track full of winding turns (under the powerlines). This spills into a single eroded downhill section and ends at a large rock platform at a creek crossing.

From here we meander our way back towards the fire trail that leads to the car park.

Be very surprised, there is more to this relatively small bushland area than one might expect. The route does it's best to include interesting parts while avoiding steep loose hills (yuk).

At Lake Parramatta Reserve there is drinking water, amenities, swings, ducks, pram friendly walks, restaurant/kiosk and facilities to keep non-riding members of families occupied while the riders head off for a couple hours of fun. We also believe you can catch Bass in the lake.

The Tollgate Hotel on Church Street is probably the closest pub.

I can take 1 more person (from Thornleigh) if you want a lift.

Who's in?
Noel, mattyt, Gonz
Noel mattyt Gonz
What Happened?

Were you there and have a story to tell?

Ride Gallery
kurt's picture

and dont forget
sunday at the Tollgate is 3 buck schooner day
hahahha

Kurt
(sponsorship deal pending)

Noel's picture

hey i might bring an Esky with a couple beers in it

cyas there in the car park

mattyt's picture

noel, thanks for showing parra lakes
enjoyed it , despite snapping my chain, it was a good ride
nice to meet everyone as well
hope to see you all again soon

TonyW's picture

Hi and thx...it was great to ride further into the lake area with other riders after all these months after just going to the edge on my own. I will now go into the areas you took me alot more and practice my skills!

It was great to see you guys ride and the style of riding you enjoy so much..how inspiring!. I will watch out for any future rides you guys put together..it was great fun!..just could not talk much as I was continually trying to get my breath.

thx....tony

Noel's picture

Hey don't be put off by that longish stepped single track we rode down. I still think it's challenging after doing nearly 10 times. We were all on hard-tails except "Experienced Joe". That bit is really more your full suspension downhill kind of section. Also, at the start Joe lead us through a little faster than we normally start off. He had already ridden for hours and is a bit more advanced, even if he was twice our average age, he was a very fit dude.

You must be fit too to have maintained that pace with us.

We will let you know next time we are going there. There are some other nice trails that can be captured in a decent loop-ish ride.

In planning the trails to take, we were trying to avoid going up crazy hills and, once we had achieved altitude, we tried to save it up, or spend it wisely. After coming down the DH single and crossing the rock platform you can take a sharp left in a single track and follow that (over a massive fallen tree) and continue on after crossing roads all the way pretty much to Jenkins Road. Check it out if you are in that jungle. On the Saturday we decided not to do that and instead go round that loop again, however, next time I think we do it, and then stop at the shop on Bettering Road (makes for a nice stop) coming back.

Matt broke his chain and right near the end I had a huge front puncture. Was a really good day tho, started cool and got warm. I had heaps of fun.

Good to meet Gonz and Curly Haired Matt too.

mattyt's picture

you're inspiring
it was great to have you with us,
if you wanna do it just do it (bad quote but its the truth)
You did really well & you will tackle those more "technical" bits in good time just a bit of practice.
I know when i started (6 months) that would have been impossible but now i love that sort of stuff.
By the way i noticed on your blog you got 6500, mine's a 6300 2007/08 model.
I dont see many others on the trails with treks but i think they're under rated.
Are you happy with it etc etc. Let me know, i love little bike stories/problems.
I've posted a forum subject re: chain stuff after snapping my chain on Sun.
I learnt something new after riding on Sun. & thats the way it works. You pick up bits & pieces each time you ride.

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