Rides
We love riding
A number of rides are organised by CAMWEST. The major rides are listed below. Have a look at our Photo Album to see us in action!
Don’t forget to bring a spare tube!
Please bring a spare tube of the correct size for your bicycle, or you might be the red-faced person holding everyone else up :-)
8:30 AM, Sunday 28 April — Parramatta Heritage Ride
- Start:
- 8:30 AM; Parramatta Park, Tudor Gates entrance (George St).
- Distance:
- 20 km
- Pace:
- Slow
- Grade:
- Easy / Child Friendly / Some Traffic / Uses Off-road Cyclepaths
- Description:
- Sample the tremendous heritage in the Parramatta area on a ride that links up the historical people and places from the early colony. Parramatta boasts Australia’s three oldest buildings, a myriad of delightful sandstone structures, and a compelling story. You'll be amazed at what you see and learn. Regular stops and commentary are provided. The ride takes around three and a half hours with coffee at the finish at the Park Cafe. This ride includes a short tour of Elizabeth Farm and costs $10. Bookings are essential at www.trybooking.com/CFYN.
- Contact:
- Paul Bowyer Ph 0438 856 880
- More information:
- Please see details of the Parramatta Heritage Ride.
Sunday 5 May — Ride2Riverstone
A few of us from CAMWEST are helping the Rivertone Lions Club once again organise the Ride2Riverstone event which is scheduled for Sunday May 5th 2013. The ride takes place around the semi-rural areas of the Hawkesbury and Hills area of North-Western Sydney and raises funds for the The Australian Lions Childhood Cancer Research Foundation.
All rides are loop rides, starting and finishing at Riverstone, and the distance choices are approximately 30, 50, 80 and 100 km.
- The start/finish is near Riverstone Station. There is some planned trackwork on the Western Line; buses will be replacing trains between Strathfield and Parramatta. Trains will be running between Parramatta and Riverstone though.
- Entry fees for all routes include a sit-down meal after the ride. During the meal there will be entertainment, an auction, and raffle prizes drawn.
- The suggested starting times vary depending on the distance chosen. See the website for full details.
- Most of the ride is on bitumen road. There is one short section of good-quality unsealed road used for the 80 and 100km (used twice for 100km) routes. There are a few kms of shared path on most routes.
- On-line and on-the-day registration available. See website for pricing information.
- Over the last couple of years we've had between 300–450 riders taking part in the event. We're hoping for similar numbers this year.
- We're trying to get 15 people together (5 teams of 3 people) on Sat 4th May to help put out signs for the event. FREE RIDE ENTRY (INCLUDING LUNCH) for those who can help. If interested, register for the ride and nominate as a Sign Crew volunteer.
- If you or a non-riding partner would like to volunteer as a route marshal or start/finish site volunteer on the day, please get in touch or register on-line.
- For those who don't like early Sunday morning starts or are travelling longer distances, there are a number of accomodation options around the Hawkesbury area. One such option is Avina Van Park, which offers camping, on-site van and motel style accomodation options. It's about 6km from Riverstone.
- Please fire any other questions my way!
If you'd like to help promote the event, an A4 poster can be downloaded and printed from the A4 flyer (PDF). These could be displayed in local coffee shops, bike shops, uni campuses, work places.......where ever you think bike riders might see them. Please make sure you're allowed to display them first though!
For more details and on-line registration see ride2riverstone.com.au.
8:30 AM, Sunday 26 May — Parramatta Heritage Ride
- Start:
- 8:30 AM; Parramatta Park, Tudor Gates entrance (George St).
- Distance:
- 20 km
- Pace:
- Slow
- Grade:
- Easy / Child Friendly / Some Traffic / Uses Off-road Cyclepaths
- Description:
- Sample the tremendous heritage in the Parramatta area on a ride that links up the historical people and places from the early colony. Parramatta boasts Australia’s three oldest buildings, a myriad of delightful sandstone structures, and a compelling story. You'll be amazed at what you see and learn. Regular stops and commentary are provided. The ride takes around three and a half hours with coffee at the finish at the Park Cafe. This ride includes a short tour of Old Government House and costs $10. Bookings are essential at www.trybooking.com/CFYO.
- Contact:
- Paul Bowyer Ph 0438 856 880
- More information:
- Please see details of the Parramatta Heritage Ride.
Other Future Ride Ideas
Please let Rob Kemp know if you‘d be interested in any of the following rides and possible dates. You can phone Rob on 9864 8797 or 0415 902 708.
- Ride to Botany Bay (Several Starting locations, including Rooty Hill, Lidcombe and Canterbury Railway Stations. Lunch at Brighton Le Sands, and ride back to Tempe station afterwards.) Approx Distance 25–70 km depending on start location.
- Castle Hill Farmers and Fine Food Market Ride — 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month. Approx distance 50 km
- 2 Day tour — Rooty Hill to Cattai National Park — Camp overnight at Cattai. Approx distance of 40 km per day. Either self-supported or ask friends/family to carry luggage (and join us for camping overnight!)
- 3 Day Tour — Rooty Hill to Colo and Wisemans Ferry. More Challenging tour, with gravel roads and some good climbs. 45–75 km per day.
Western Summer Night Riders
- When:
- Wednesday evenings (may change to suit other riders)
- Start:
- 7:30 PM; Rooty Hill (call for details)
- Distance:
- 20–25 km
- Pace:
- Slow
- Grade:
- Uses Off-road Cyclepaths
- Description:
- 20–25 km ride along M7 shared path. Starting and finishing at Rooty Hill. Other weeknights/distances/start times considered. Lights essential. Flashing front LED adequate. Average speed up to 20 kmph, depending on riders.
- Contact:
- Rob Kemp on 9864 8797; Call to confirm
- On-ride contact number:
- 0415 902 708
Most Saturdays: Chaingang Capers
- Start:
- Rooty Hill Railway Station
- Distance:
- Various distances depending on riders. New riders welcome.
- Pace:
- Moderate
- Grade:
- Some Traffic / Uses Off-road Cyclepaths / Uses On-road Cycleways
- Call to Confirm:
- Rob Kemp on 9864 8797
- On-ride contact number:
- 0415 902 708
Our rides page on Push On
Our rides are posted to Push On.
Free Sydney CycleWay Maps
Call 1 800 060 607 to get your copy of these FREE cycleway maps. Otherwise, get an electronic version right now from the RTA. There are seven available for the metropolitan area:
- Sydney (lower north shore, CBD, inner west and eastern suburbs)
- Parramatta
- Liverpool
- Penrith — Windsor — Blue Mountains
- Pittwater
- Campbelltown
- Sutherland
