Saturday Cycle: Adamstown to Awabakal Reserve Lookout Dudley, Fernleigh Track

This is a free guided 15km bike ride & 2km walk, from Adamstown Station to the Awabakal Nature Reserve lookout in Dudley, which has beautiful coastal views.

Please note: this is a hard ride, requiring a high level of cycling fitness, relative to my usual rides.

Please read everything below to check if this ride is right for you :)

Over half the total distance is uphill, including several very steep hills, that some will likely need to walk.

If you I haven't cycled with you before, I will message you to check if this ride is suitable for you.

Any questions, don't hesitate :)

We cycle 5km on the lovely bush-lined Fernleigh Track to Whitebridge, then 2.5km of very hilly quiet streets through Dudley to Awabakal Reserve. We lock up our bikes & walk 1km on a flat fire trail to a beautiful headland lookout.

12 spots only. New members welcome :)

Start/finish: Adamstown Station carpark on Park Avenue

Start time: meet at 8:45am for a 9am departure
Finish time: around 11:30am - 12pm

Total Distance: 15km of cycling; 2km of walking

Topography: gentle 5km uphill on Fernleigh Track on way there (downhill on way back); 5 back-to-back very steep 100metre hills, in both directions; a 500m medium incline on way there; a 700m medium incline on way back.

Cycling Pace: leisurely, max 15km/hr on the flat, breathers & drink breaks will be taken between hills as needed

Approx. pedaling time: 50 minutes each way
Approx. walking time: 15 minutes each way

Types of streets: Total of 10km of shared paths, 3km of quiet low-pressure streets, & 2km of a medium-pressure street

Cycling fitness level: very easy - easy - medium - HIGH - very high

A note about the steep hills: We are taking these steeper backstreets to avoid a very dangerous section of Dudley Rd. It's very likely that most of us will need to walk some of the steep hills, which is totally fine; just keep in mind that you will be pushing a bike up the hill too. Keep in mind that stopping & starting at a junction while on a very steep surface may be required, so you must have good balance & control. Please comment below or message me if you are unsure about the hills or have a question :)

You’ll need:

• snacks, if you like

• water, minimum 1 litre is recommended (there is no bottle-refilling tap en-route, only bubblers & small sinks at the toilets; a standard 600ml bottle should fit under the sink tap & bubbler)

• bike locks (to tie up the bike outside the reserve, or to use if you have a mechanical issue)

• helmet

• bike with good working brakes & tyres pumped to the recommended PSI

• phone & opal card in case of puncture (a repair kit if you have one)

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Detailed Ride Description:

• Cycle 5km on Fernleigh Track to Whitebridge. I'll ride at the back of the group; go at your own pace. Regroup & drink break at Whitebridge. Toilets & bubbler here.
• I lead us through the hilly backstreets of Dudley to Awabakal Reserve entrance. We lock up our bikes. Toilets here.
• We walk 1km on a flat firetrail to the lookout.
• We head back the way we came to Adamstown Station.

Getting there by bike: https://www.newcastlecycleways.org.au/way-finding , or message me for route advice
Coming by train? Bikes travel free on opal card train trips.
Parking: Adamstown Station free unlimited carpark on Park Ave.

How we ride: I lead the ride. We stick together & ride in an alert, slow manner. We position ourselves to be very visible & keep a predictable trajectory/speed. We ride in single file, clear of the doorzone & of the mouths of side-streets. We frequently take primary position (claiming the lane) to prevent unsafe passes, & to turn right. We pass pedestrians slowly. Please read the How We Ride Policy & the RSVP Policy located on the group's homepage. Unfamiliar with these priniciples? Check out this video, or come along & learn as you go :)

• [How to cycle safely at road junctions | Cycling UK (youtube.com)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CG0VTwevoU)

You are responsible for your own safety at all times.

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Indemnity and release of liability
By participating in this activity you unconditionally indemnify the organiser/host against any and all claims, demands, losses, injuries, damages, liabilities or other costs, whether present or future, relating to your participation and/or dealings with Bike About Town - Newcastle, including but not limited to, any accident, loss or damage to property or death or injury to any person.
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If the weather is looking unfavourable, check the comments below for updates; heavy rain may result in cancellation.

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