Bike Leichhardt

Meeting at "Kals on Cahill" cafe and parkland (just down from Wolli Creek Station, at 2 Princess Highway, Wolli Creek) at 8.45am for 9.00am start, for a moderate ride via many shared paths and a few quiet streets, past delightful water bay view scenery, as well as a 'spin' (6.5km) along Captain Cook Drive bicycle lane out to Kurnell peninsular (riders must be comfortable with some passing traffic on this stretch). There may be a little 'hop, skip and a jump' through a park around some reparation work near Lady Robinson Beach. Mostly flat, although there's a little climb up to Cape Solander at Kurnell for beautiful views and maybe even some passing whales! We'll pause and re-group at times for photo stops (as it would be a crime not to!), to smell the roses, for a coffee and for some historic spots at Kurnell. The ride will return via Cronulla Station for access to trains back towards the city etc, approx. 40kms.
Ride Leader: Your ride leader is Marlene Shepherd - on-ride mobile is 0419 013120.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED FOR THIS RIDE: Your Opal card, a bike in good mechanical order, helmet, water bottle, sunscreen, spare inner tube(s) in case of puncture + snack for the journey.
WEATHER: Ride will be cancelled if there is significant rain on the morning of the ride. Check meetup notifications. Call ride leader if unsure. Please do not attend if you are sick or have any flu-like symptoms.
Riders must be 2026 financial members ($10 annual fee) unless first time ride. Check meet-up for any changes.

(If you last all the way to Leichhardt:) Easy-Medium 35km [+260M] (-> GCP 0.74) scenic ride, mainly on shared-paths and backstreets.

We start on backstreets to Carlingford, then cruise down the wide shared-path aside the Light Rail to Parramatta River. Thence riverside to Olympic Park, brunch break, then conventional route through Concord to Leichhardt,

Optional spiral climb for view @ 18km: Bay Marker

Coffee/brunch @ 23km: Waterview Cafe

Various transport bail-out points on/near route:
@ 4km to 8km: several light-rail stops (to near Parramatta Stn);
@ 11km ferry at Rydalmere Wharf
@ 16km ferry at Olympic Park Wharf
@ 21km train at Olympic Park Stn
@ 24km train at Concord West Stn (back to Epping if car there?)
@ 34km light-rail at Leichhardt North (to Central)

The ride will start outside "Good as New", 28 High St Epping, some 200M UP FROM STATION (left from barriers, down to Beecroft Rd)
Free parking in High St, south of start.
[If by car, return by train @ 24km (Concord West) or @ 37km (Petersham)]

The ride will finish in Leichhardt, with option to Petersham Stn (2km).

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/56524219

You'll need a bicycle in good working order, helmet, water, sun screen, spare tube(s) for puncture(s), clothing layers?

Please do NOT come if unwell, or unsuited for the ride as specified.

Contact Leader if doubts/queries/ relevant-medical-conditions: Richard 0428 640 975.

This is a very scenic tour and for 2026 it's going to be easier, as we're starting further up the mountains. Come for one or both days, or even part of one day. This is a great time of year to be in the Blue Mountains, with many of the cold climate gardens in full bloom. We'll take in lots of scenery, and some tea rooms.

Day 1 (Saturday) - approx 30 km
Meet at Wentworth Falls Station at 9.45am (train from Central departs 7.56 am arrives 9.39 am). We'll head down to Wentworth Falls Lookout, then have coffee at the Conservation Hut. After that we'll meander over to Leura, via Sublime Point, Gordon Falls and the Cascades, to a photo op (and maybe a drink) at the Three Sisters, checking out some of the area's gardens on the way. We'll then explore Katoomba's other lookouts, ride around the old Catalina Circuit, and, if time and interest, maybe head up to Medlow Bath via the Explorers Tree. Lunch will be in Leura or Katoomba (plenty of cafes or BYO).
Day 2 (Sunday) - 60km
An 8.30am start from outside the YHA will see us head all the way down to Penrith, via Lawson, Springwood, and Glenbrook. We drop 1000m in altitude so it's mostly (but not all!) downhill. Some of the roads are narrow. We'll pick up lunch at Lawson or Springwood and have a picnic at the scenic Lennox Bridge. Then it's a quick dash down to Penrith, from where there are regular trains.
Please note that about 10km of this ride is along the Great Western Highway with very fast flowing and sometimes erratic traffic. There is a good shoulder for most (but not all) of the way. There are a couple of tricky sections and great care is required (but it's fun).

Accommodation in Katoomba - this is "do it yourself". In the past people have stayed at the YHA however there are plenty of other options in Katoomba.

Dinner Saturday night - to be confirmed but probably at Family Hotel Katoomba. Menu : https://www.katoombahotel.com.au/eatdrink.

Please note there are no flat roads in the Upper Blue Mountains and you will need good gears and legs, or have an e-bike.

Saturday will be a relaxed pace to enjoy the area. The entire route is OFF the highway.

Sunday is only suitable for fit riders very confident in traffic.

You will need to carry water, repair kit, your personal possessions, and be prepared for any weather. There are bail out points along the route on Sunday.

Ride will be cancelled if very hot or wet, or there is unexpected track work, so please make sure you have a flexible accommodation booking.

This ride is for Bike Leichhardt financial members only.