Unscheduled Holiday

[heatherp]

Hi all

Things are pretty crook at work with the global crisis (par for the course with a mining company) So we are all being forced to take our annual leave while the plant shuts down.

I have decided that this would be a good time for my first visit to the Blue Mountains.

My first priority is bush walking and rock climbing (novice but have been given some references from rock climbing nuts who are friends).

Have a good accommodation tip for Blackheath.

So what I want to know is - is it too cold, wet, icy to ride my bike up there at this time of year?  Will take the car if I have to but it would be good if I could ride the bike.

And if I do ride the bike.  What are some of the must do rides in the area.

And if any of you have any (sensible) walking/climbing ideas, please feel free to pass them on.

Thanks

[pigmy]

blue mountains temp is generally 4-5 degrees cooler than sydneys temp(especially over night).so if your from country victoria then i guess
your on par.as for riding the sourthern highlands is a must doing the maquarie pass/robertson pie shop area.mmick or ducmonrob are the
usual guides for this tour.im sure if you set a time a few more of us will join in.

[Jukie]

Hi Heather,
may want to speak to Big T about the rock climbing stuff, not sure if he has climb the Blue Mountain, but send him a PM he will be glad to help. It will be very cold riding in the Mountains and they also do get a bit of snow, not much more i can tell you.

[Six95]

If you can hire a mountain bike or borrow one - I'm more than happy to take you on Sydneys most popular firetail - The Oaks. Not much fitness required. Plus there is good food at the end of the trail.
I'm sure some other ozmonsters may want to join in.
I was there yesterday and it good weather for cycling

[ducsport]

Pigmy is right - Blue mountains is a few degrees cooler than Sydney. If there is any ice around, it us usually in the mornings, and mostly warms up (relatively) during the day. Must do rides are the Southern Highlands, Macquarie Pass, Mount Keira on the way there - show my local bias there  . Bells Line of Road is also a must do in the Mountains themselves  Have a look at the posts by Goldfish for the last few rides us Sydney crowd have done for maps of the best areas.

[Dannog]

Bell line of road is a fantastic ride. The Katoomba Rd meets the Bells line at Bell with a turn off at Mt Victoria. Head West to Lithgow and then back up to Bilpin, turn around and then go back. It's great and in the middle of the day it will be dry and likely more pleasant.

[goldFiSh]

Heather, do it! We can get the wsbk tour band back together; good food, inappropriate comments from Dock, the whole shebang!

On a slightly more serious note, I'd be happy to help with more info. Broni's a native of the blue mountains, and as a long member of the rural fire service, has a decent amount of knowledge of them there parts... I'll ask her tonight...


Oh, and bummer about the forced leave and all....

[Ita]

Damn the GFC...  DAMN it I say...

Ita

[mostro900]

Hi Heather,
I used to climb in the Blue Mountains almost every weekend for many a year. There are probably some new areas I don't know  about, but staying in Blackheath is nice. The Ivanhoe pub is OK, but just down the road(further west) from Blackheath is Mt Victoria. The Mt Vic pub is nice(used to be better, but pretty good anyway).
Mt York climbing area is good and very close(just near Mt Vic). It has quite a number of novice climbs that should suit you. A little bit closer though is Mt Piddington. Some great climbs and you might get some decent winter sun there, so it ain't so cold. Over near the Lithgow zigzag railway is another really good spot(can't recall name....), but it also gets some winter sun.
Tarana is good if you've never climbed granite and really sorts your calves out, as well as the finger tips....

PM me if you need ay more details

[techno]

No riding, bushwalking or rockclimbing tips but just wanted to chime in and say that I hope your job works out OK when you get back. Even if it doesn't, it may be the trigger for that overseas trip you've been thinking about. 

[heatherp]

Thanks for all the info.  Will now have to do some research but looks like I will be doing the trip.  Dates I could be in the area are 15-23 July
so if anyone wants to show off their favourite roads, start checking your diaries. 

If you can hire a mountain bike or borrow one

Not sure of my ability to ride a mountain bike - I've put my winter fat layer on  but I may be able to be talked into it.  Would have to hire a bke as I only have a road pushbike and I haven't worked out a way of taking it on the Monster yet.

mostro900 - Thanks for the info.  glad to see you got your xxxx's back.

techno - Thanks - as you know I have been working on another career anyway.  Not quite ready for overseas yet - besides it's still too cold down there in Tassie!