CHANGE of date & time: MBT from Heathcote to near Loftus & return

Meet at Heathcote station @ 8am for an 8.15am departure.
This Mountain bike ride is approx 13 kms (+ 140m elevation) through or beside National Park. It is a lovely ride through bush with some shady and sunny areas. Lots of fresh air, tree views, native animals & bird calls. We will be going at a slow pace & stopping often to take in the surrounding bush & for re-groupings. This will not be a fast paced ride.

After 8kms we will stop near the Environment Centre. Here there are toilets & drinking water. Please bring a snack. For people not wanting to return to Heathcote there is a train bail option at Loftus and Engadine. Otherwise, we will head back along the track to Heathcote, finishing at Sippio Cafe for coffee/food. Please bring a bike lock if you are coming to the cafe. If you need to head off before coffee then Heathcote Station is only 900m from the cafe, which will be the end point. Trains run every 30mins from Heathcote to the city.

We will meet at Heathcote Station, on the east side exit (there is a ramp plus lifts), at 8am for a 8.15am departure. Either drive or train it. Train departs 7.10am Central, Redfern 7.12am and arrives Heathcote @ 7.58am. Please check closer to the day in case of timetable changes.
There are toilets at Heathcote Station which are open from 6am. There are also toilets at the Environmental Centre after 8kms. Please be prepared for "hugging" a tree if you need to :)

As this is a mountain bike ride it is off-road on unpaved, dirt tracks. These tracks will be a mixture of fire trails, narrower single track amounst trees, some very steep bits, some curvy bits, some puddles & a stream to cross and some rough, rocky bits. Komoot describes this as a MODERATELY difficult ride. As such, come dirt track fit and prepared for a great ride with:

A mountain bike, gravel bike or E-bike (with thick tyres) in good working order. These tracks, although not very technical, do require some prior experience on off-road, gravel or mountain bike tracks & confidence on such tracks. It is NOT a suitable route for dirt track beginners.

Please bring lots of water (mountain biking can be thirsty work), sunscreen, helmet, spare tubes & repair kit etc.
If you are feeling unwell or have symptoms please do not attend on the day.

Contact Amanda via 0416108861 if you have any queries.