Where do I ride (Sydney)?

[mrfunk]

Hello all.

I'm looking for some decent roads to ride somewhere in the vicinity of the freeway between Sydney and Canberra. I ride the old pacific highway often and occasionally through the Royal National Park, but I don't know many other places other than those. Does anyone know of any good rides between Sydney and Canberra?

Thanks

[mike-s]

Macquaries pass, dangerous if you are stupid and dont watch out for the mofo big trucks going through there. But still a nice bit of road.

Upper & lower kangaroo valley, i usually do them after going through Macquaries Pass. Nice bit of road, picturesque surroundings too.
Coming down to the bottom of kangaroo valley to the left is a small road with one of those brown "(7) scenic path" signs, it's a nice bit of road, by no means a thrash road, but bloody hell it looks fantastic. you end up coming out of the bottom of that path towards Berry.

Jamberoo road, its the road going off to the left from robertson cafe down at upper macquaries pass. Nice bit of road, not really safe to fang too hard, given that there is a lot of single lane road, and i dont mean single lane road each way, i mean SINGLE LANE.

Im sure there are others, but none of them really spring to mind for me at the moment.

[Nanna10r]

King Highway from Batemans Bay acroos to Canberra isn't too bad for the first half.

Seriously Though Go past Canberra (why wouldn't ya anyway ) Turn Left at Gundagai & let the FUN begin.
Say G'day to Lofty at the Walwa Hotel for me too mate. thanks.

Cheers Brett

[gco0307]

Macquaries pass, dangerous if you are stupid and dont watch out for the mofo big trucks going through there. But still a nice bit of road.

Very true. A sensational surface and some very nice scenery (particularly from teh railway bridge at the top) but it is a highway and is used by trucks and buses which means that you will need to be careful.

Upper & lower kangaroo valley, i usually do them after going through Macquaries Pass. Nice bit of road, picturesque surroundings too.
Coming down to the bottom of kangaroo valley to the left is a small road with one of those brown "(7) scenic path" signs, it's a nice bit of road, by no means a thrash road, but bloody hell it looks fantastic. you end up coming out of the bottom of that path towards Berry.

This is the road over Cambewarra Mountain and is extremely rough, tight and litered with vegetation. It actually makes Jambero Road look like a highway but is amazing fun at low speed. It is fully sealed nowadays which is a bonus.

Alternately (and if heading south a better option) when leaving Kangaroo Valley is to not take the scenic option but continue straight ahead towards Nowra (I think there are signs). Currently there are roadworks at this stage but once beyond them the road is a series of tight twisty undulating well surfaced corners. You just need to remember that at the top of the hill to keep turning around the hairpin otherwise you end up in Berry. Keep following this road and you join the Princes Highway at the Bomaderry roundabout. Turn right and head south down the coast

Jamberoo road, its the road going off to the left from robertson cafe down at upper macquaries pass. Nice bit of road, not really safe to fang too hard, given that there is a lot of single lane road, and i dont mean single lane road each way, i mean SINGLE LANE.

Personally, I find Jamberoo Road to be one of the most dangerous in the area for all the reasons mentioned so if I were you I would avoid it.

Im sure there are others, but none of them really spring to mind for me at the moment.

Others I would recommend for various reasons depend on the day you will be heading south.

If after 11/12/2005 - when leaving the National Park do not head towards Helensburgh but enjoy the coast road through Lawrence Hargraves Drive as the new bridge will be open. Then either go up Bulli Pass and along the F6 south bound, take the Picton Road (signposted as Picton exit) to the left. After about 3 - 4 kms there is another road on the left, take it and then head down Mount Keira. This is another tight and twisty road but has far less traffic than most others. Follow it to the end and turn right at the traffic lights then next left onto the F6 freeway again (watch the speed camerabetween the right and left turns outside the school). From there continue south until you get to the 80kmh zone and you need to make the choice of Macquarie Pass, a different Jamberoo to that mentioned earlier (turn right at the airport roundabout for both) or Princes Highway continue ahead.

Jamberoo - turn right at the roundabout mentioned above but when you get to the next set of traffic lights continue straight ahead (turn right here for Macquarie Pass). The first 8 or so kays are ok, some very good corners, some blind but in general a nice surface (there are some oadworks on one corner). The fun starts once east of Jamberoo where you have about 6 - 7 kays of sensational surface, great twisties and awesome views. Just be careful of any cow dung on the early left handers, but it should be obvious. This road ends under the Princes Highway at Kiama which is a nice little stop point along the way. Then head back to the Princes Highway by following the main road through town just in time for the Kiama Bends.

Further south is the Kings Highway, one of my personal favourites which brings you out near Queanbeyan.

Hope some of this helps or feel free to PM for more.

[mrfunk]

Thanks for your help everyone. That should keep me occupied for a few days off.