Hawkesbury Heaven

BIG (101km [+1,300M]), FAST (av 20+), sealed-surface day-ride from Mangrove Mtn to Wisemans then Windsor, including 50+km mainly in sight of the Hawkesbury.

By driving to start at Mangrove Mtn, we skip the tough climbing to reach there (from Narara, Ourimbah, or Wyong) as per BL's traditional 2-dayer that overnights at Wisemans. On a Tuesday, we'll enjoy very light traffic until nearing Windsor. But you need high fitness or electrification, and stamina.

After parking, loo, coffee etc. at "The Hub of Mangrove Mountain", we start with a delightful downhill drift. In just under 12km, we climb a mere 40M but drop 300 and 40, rarely pedalling or breaking. Some of that is aside Bedlam Creek. Then we ride a flat-ish 13km aside widening Mangrove Creek to where it meets the Hawkesbury at sleepy Spencer.

We then ride a gently undulating 24km, mainly riverside, to Wisemans Ferry ferry, and another 1km to brunch at The Friendly Grocer (@ 50km), also buying nibbles for later.

Then it's almost 28km undulating along River Rd (now in good nick), mainly with river view, before THE climb of the day (100M over 2km), to reach Sackville Ferry Rd thence down to cross the Hawkesbury.

Awaiting/on/after that ferry crossing, we'll consume afore-mentioned nibbles, before pushing on thru Ebenezer & Wilberforce, bridge-crossing the Hawkesbury to Windsor Station, aiming for the 15:01 train. That train reaches Central at 16:14, but it might suit some to alight at the 4th stop, Schofields (@ 15:19) and ride 4 flat-ish path km to Tallawong for the Metro.

Car retrieval??? People retrieving a car from Mangrove Mtn that day will alight from the Metro at Epping Stn (16:00-ish?) and catch a train to Ourimbah (arr. 17:22) for the 24km [+490M] ride, including the tough 10km climb up Dog Trap Rd. You'll either be very fit or an e-biker on your second battery.

Alternatives to retrieving a car the same day include:
- retrieve it the next day (locked-gate carpark overnight);
- go with a non-cycling driver content to follow us along the ride route.

Richard will take 3 passengers, using a roof-rack AND tow-bar-rack. He will also have panniers to hold limited clothing and nibbles for other riders. He'll collect HIS passengers near Epping Station at 6:30. (Sunrise 5:37).

We'll be "on a mission", with few view/photo/rest stops.

Route (approx): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/57640751

You'll need to be appropriately fit or "electrified", with extensive long-haul country road-riding experience, a bicycle in good working order, luggage capacity, helmet, water, sun screen, spare tube(s) for puncture(s), clothing layer?

If you're keen to join, do NOT Waitlist. Rather, message Richard (0428 640 975). If agreement reached re fitness/electrification and way you'll reach Mangrove Mtn, Richard will increment the quota and add you as attending. E-bikers will surely need huge battery capacity, given the distance, climbing, average-speed, and allowing for possible headwinds.

Keep 15/12 free if possible as a backup date if 08/12 weather unsuitable.

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