Post your M7 experiences

[gauchoracer]

+1 Rockford,
was on the M7 path this morning and had a couple coming the other way, him on his roadie, her on a flat bar, her on the left of the lane, while he was on my side of the line, almost the middle of my lane (As a matter of fact, yes, i do own the lane...), TWICE. once each way...
I suppose it was after i stopped at E/Ck this morning to watch some of the racing. Its almost sureal watching bicycle racing there when i am used to watching motorcycle racing there... It was almost peaceful....

[roadkisser]

Hi,
I had a major experience on the Bike track at Dean Park North of Richmond Road just before Xmas. I was doing a morning ride and my front wheel fell into the gap of the man whole. I came off at 38kmh and dameged two new wheels, Velocity fusion rims with Suntour Cyclone hubs just built. Tore my new Continental cycling jersey and bibknicks. I scrapped my chin, elbows, wrists and knees only. I thought I would do this ride before work.

When I approached Westlink M7 for the replacement of clothing and wheels and a few minor things. I was told that Westlink had performed their safety checks and found no problem and believe the man hole was accessed by unauthorised people and Westlink cannot be held liable.

I have all the photos and the letter from Westlink.

I think I will stick to the roads around Windsor, Richmond and Penrith at least I know I will be safer on the roads because I expect to be injured by drivers so I can plan for it. I do on average 200kms a week around the Hawkesbury.

On the M7 bike track you wouldn't expect it so you don't plan for it.
ie wire across path, teenagers on motor bikes stealing peoples ipods,etc, stones being thrown at cyclists, and accessing manholes or setting up man holes as booby traps.

[wombatK]

Hi,
I had a major experience on the Bike track at Dean Park North of Richmond Road just before Xmas. I was doing a morning ride and my front wheel fell into the gap of the man whole. I came off at 38kmh and dameged two new wheels, Velocity fusion rims with Suntour Cyclone hubs just built. Tore my new Continental cycling jersey and bibknicks. I scrapped my chin, elbows, wrists and knees only. I thought I would do this ride before work.

When I approached Westlink M7 for the replacement of clothing and wheels and a few minor things. I was told that Westlink had performed their safety checks and found no problem and believe the man hole was accessed by unauthorised people and Westlink cannot be held liable.

I have all the photos and the letter from Westlink.

I think I will stick to the roads around Windsor, Richmond and Penrith at least I know I will be safer on the roads because I expect to be injured by drivers so I can plan for it. I do on average 200kms a week around the Hawkesbury.

On the M7 bike track you wouldn't expect it so you don't plan for it.
ie wire across path, teenagers on motor bikes stealing peoples ipods,etc, stones being thrown at cyclists, and accessing manholes or setting up man holes as booby traps.

Shocking experience Roadkisser - probably very lucky to get out of it so lightly.

It seemed things had settled down a bit in that area - thanks to some renewed police patrols. A forum member here is involved in doing these - I understand the police are patrolling at least once a month, more regularly in school holidays. You'll see posts related to this in the M7 Safety Alert Thread

It would be good if you could add a post to the M7 Safety Alert Thread with more specific details of the date and time of the incident. I've also made up google map where you could add a flag marking the location of the manhole - would be very helpful for others to know where the local jerks are making trouble. It's editable by anyone. M7 Safety Alert Google Map. I've put a marker on it with my best guess of where it happened from what you've reported so far.

Almost lastly, and probably the most important, make sure you report it to the police - they are taking a very active interest and have been very supportive.

Have you lodged a claim on Westlink's insurer ? I don't think they can wipe their hands of this so easily, particularly with the history in that area. If the manhole covers can and have been removed, they need to address it and be given the necessary legal prompt.

Thank you for posting this, and welcome to the forums. Hope your future experiences here are about something less worrying !

[ruscook]

wow roadkisser, that sounds really bad glad you weren't seriously injured. I ride the roads between Rooty Hill - Penrith - Richmond a bit and the M7 cycleway. Overall I think the roads more dangerous overall. You are right though, we need to be vigiliant and expect the unexpected everywhere to survive. Enjoy your riding and here's hoping it's less eventfull in the future.

[PHL]

Overall I think the roads more dangerous overall. You are right though, we need to be vigiliant and expect the unexpected everywhere to survive. Enjoy your riding and here's hoping it's less eventfull in the future.

Found the roadway on the M7 to have fewer puncture problems than the bikepath; at least on the road you are on the lookout for glass etc, whereas on the bikepath having to concentrate on oncoming and corners, I tend not to look down as much.

[leximack]

sorry to hear about your experience but the man hole covers have been there for ages, some have gaps, some dont.
Just avoid all of them, either go around it if you can or over it in the middle, never on the edges.
No different to manhole covers on roads on the grate thingies in the gutters, just avoid them.
I prefer to dodge manhole covers then cars doing 100km/h on the shoulder.
But dont want to start a debate, ride where YOU think is best for yourself.

Don

[wombatK]

No different to manhole covers on roads on the grate thingies in the gutters, just avoid them.

There are different types of manhole covers - on almost all roads you would find a gas-tight fit manhole cover. Not one that a vandal could shift to make a 1 inch gap.

While you and I might be careful to avoid edges of covers, newbies and youngsters might not (particularly if riding in a group or passing someone). Given the history of man-traps in this area, it would be reasonable for Westlink to upgrade the type of manhole covers here.

It's dissappointing that their security patrols hadn't noticed the issue with the covers and reported it to get it fixed - particularly if there's more than one affected as spiza suggests. That might be an improvement opportunity for the patrols.

Overall the cycleway is safer than roads, just needs some tweaking when things like this happen.

[Rockford]

To the guy in the Australian Cycling jersey on the Tri bike on the M7 today that paid me a compliment while I was on my MTB, I was saying I was on the grog last night not as in 'I can go a lot faster' more that's why I was pushing myself as punishment. So I hope I didn't come across as a bit of a tosspot

Carry on, nothing more to see here...

[ruscook]

To the guy in the Australian Cycling jersey on the Tri bike on the M7 today that paid me a compliment while I was on my MTB, I was saying I was on the grog last night not as in 'I can go a lot faster' more that's why I was pushing myself as punishment. So I hope I didn't come across as a bit of a tosspot

Carry on, nothing more to see here...

Wasn't me, but I was out on the TCR (Black/Red with blue shirt) between 730 & 10 this morning.. There were a few hardy mountain bikers though (quite big builds a couple of them too) so I wouldn't which you were.

[TheIncredibleBulk]

One of those "hardy" blokes could have been me. First time I've been on a bike in 10 years, I've lived just off the track in Kings Parks for a year and since day one I've thought "I really should give it a try"

The short ride I did confirmed that I am ridiculously out of shape (cardio wise, most of my training is weight based)

[wombatK]

One of those "hardy" blokes could have been me. First time I've been on a bike in 10 years, I've lived just off the track in Kings Parks for a year and since day one I've thought "I really should give it a try"

The short ride I did confirmed that I am ridiculously out of shape (cardio wise, most of my training is weight based)

Welcome to BNA IncredibleBulk. As for the cardio fitness, would expect your anaerobic fitness would be good from weight based training, although aerobic fitness or endurance mightn't be quite so well honed. The only cure for that is lots more practice on the bike or running track. Hope you enjoyed your ride, and get out on the cycleway more often. It really is a hidden gem.

Cheers

[TheIncredibleBulk]

Yeah I'm a bigger bloke (slimmed down 25kg in the past year though) but that was through diet and mostly weight based training. I was walking regularly but got quickly bored with it haha

I enjoyed the ride (even though it was a short one). I figure that by using the track, I can set myself goal distances for each week (or quicker depending on how often I go out). My ride today was just a round trip between my house in Kings Park, up onto the track and then to the Quakers Parkway and back.

[wombatK]

Yeah I'm a bigger bloke (slimmed down 25kg in the past year though) but that was through diet and mostly weight based training. I was walking regularly but got quickly bored with it haha

I enjoyed the ride (even though it was a short one). I figure that by using the track, I can set myself goal distances for each week (or quicker depending on how often I go out). My ride today was just a round trip between my house in Kings Park, up onto the track and then to the Quakers Parkway and back.

Well done on the weight loss. You've used a great strategy, starting with walking and progressing to more vigorous pursuits. And you've combined exercise with diet changes. Very well proven strategies.

Walking doesn't have to be boring - options like bush-walking, or coastal walks can make it more interesting; incidental walks to shops can be much more interesting than the equivalent drive. And quite a few walkers and joggers use the M7 cycleway. But I have to admit, I find cycling the least boring way of exercising as well as it being kindest to older joints.

Cheers

[TheIncredibleBulk]

I find cycling the least boring way of exercising as well as it being kindest to older joints

Key reason I stopped was due to excessive blistering on my feet and pain in my ankles from the impact of walking / running. At least with riding, it's only muscular pain from having to haul myself along the path haha

[TheIncredibleBulk]

Went out for the second time on the M7 track tonight. Did the same distance (about 5km) but this time, no passing out after getting home haha

It's going to be a hard slog to build up my stamina

[wombatK]

Went out for the second time on the M7 track tonight. Did the same distance (about 5km) but this time, no passing out after getting home haha

It's going to be a hard slog to build up my stamina

Keep at it, and you'll be surprised how quickly it builds up. Just add 1 km each time to your trip, and maybe when you get to 15 or 20, you can try adding 5 km every few days.

Cheers

[Boognoss]

Went out for the second time on the M7 track tonight. Did the same distance (about 5km) but this time, no passing out after getting home haha

It's going to be a hard slog to build up my stamina

To mangle a quote from a good animated movie "just keep riding, just keep riding".

In my first couple of months with my bike back at the end of 2007 I was lucky to do rides of 15-20km. Then I picked it up with some full M7 cycleway rides at about 102km all up and hit 1000km for the month of December. Have since covered over 23000km. With the passion (or obsession in my case) you'll get fitter and cover longer distances. The M7 cycleway is a very rare jewel of infrastructure in a pretty average city IMO.

[wombatK]

One of the great shames of the M7 cycleway is the lack of water taps or bubblers, with the only one on the cycleway being at the M7 Westlink Office just south of the M4.

At the Prestons end, there's the Maccas and adjacent servo where you can get refreshments. But until today, the northern end seemed sadly lacking. I've now been shown how to find the bubbler at the back of the tennis courts in Pearce Reserve, Kings Langley and thought it could be of interest to others.

It's about 1 km from the Old Windsor Rd exit/end of the cycleway. Just turn right (south-east) along Old Windsor Rd beside the transitway, and pick up the cycleway on the southern side of Toongabbie Creek just beyond the M7 overcrossing - the start of it's not shown on the current Googlemap, but it's not hard to find.

There is also an alternate way to it. If you look at the Googlemap, you can to get to it by riding south from the Kings Langley exit from the cycleway (although that's got nasty speed bumps all along it).

Cheers

[Munster]

Hi,

i completed my first 100km on the cycleway on Sunday and was absolutely stoked, been riding now for 4 months and have dropped 12kg to 84kg, cant believe how much cycling has done to improve my fitness and bodyshape, my next goal is to complete 160km.

[tele22]

One of the great shames of the M7 cycleway is the lack of water taps or bubblers, with the only one on the cycleway being at the M7 Westlink Office just south of the M4.

At the Prestons end, there's the Maccas and adjacent servo where you can get refreshments. But until today, the northern end seemed sadly lacking. I've now been shown how to find the bubbler at the back of the tennis courts in Pearce Reserve, Kings Langley and thought it could be of interest to others.

It's about 1 km from the Old Windsor Rd exit/end of the cycleway. Just turn right (south-east) along Old Windsor Rd beside the transitway, and pick up the cycleway on the southern side of Toongabbie Creek just beyond the M7 overcrossing - the start of it's not shown on the current Googlemap, but it's not hard to find.

There is also an alternate way to it. If you look at the Googlemap, you can to get to it by riding south from the Kings Langley exit from the cycleway (although that's got nasty speed bumps all along it).

Cheers

Is there a way we can petition for more taps? Running out of water and cranking out the lactic acid is painful

[Boognoss]

Is there a way e can petition for more taps? Running out of water and cranking out the lactic acid is painful

I doubt it. I read somewhere that the M7 wouldn't install more along the path for security reasons (of the taps no doubt). Seeing the bubbler and tap have been heavily vandalised within 50m of the M7 office front doors makes me think there's no hope at all.

I have noticed one additional sign recently along the cycleway in Glendenning indicating food and toilets 1.6km from the cycle path, so hopefully more of those will be added to indicate where facilities are.

[wombatK]

Is there a way e can petition for more taps? Running out of water and cranking out the lactic acid is painful

I doubt it. I read somewhere that the M7 wouldn't install more along the path for security reasons (of the taps no doubt). Seeing the bubbler and tap have been heavily vandalised within 50m of the M7 office front doors makes me think there's no hope at all.

I have noticed one additional sign recently along the cycleway in Glendenning indicating food and toilets 1.6km from the cycle path, so hopefully more of those will be added to indicate where facilities are.

You're probably right Simon, but there are more vandal proof bubblers than the type installed at the M7 office. Leichardt Council recently installed one at the city end of the bridge across Hawthorn Canal (end of Lilyfield Rd) that looks like it'd take more than a sledge hammer to move it.

Cheers

[Alycat]

Went for a short recovery ride down the cycleway this morning. About 9:00, right at the Eastern end, hear the familiar buzz of one of those petrol scooters, seen a few lately on the cycleway... but this young kid has a small surfboard strapped across his back, continued to just drive fast down the cycleway, not giving enough room as he passed and almost collecting riders and pedestrians as he goes.

[nickj_d]

Is it just me, or are the cracks in the pavement gotten much worse recently. Flying down from Elizabeth Drive heading south on Thursday night, I was very put off by the longitudinal cracks. They have been sealed, but seem to be opening more. I had thoughts rushing through my head of getting a front wheel caught in a rut at high speed.

Maybe they've always been there and I've never noticed. But now that they're in my head, I'm gonna be paranoid about them.

[Alycat]

Is it just me, or are the cracks in the pavement gotten much worse recently. Flying down from Elizabeth Drive heading south on Thursday night, I was very put off by the longitudinal cracks. They have been sealed, but seem to be opening more. I had thoughts rushing through my head of getting a front wheel caught in a rut at high speed.

Maybe they've always been there and I've never noticed. But now that they're in my head, I'm gonna be paranoid about them.

I did the cycleway end-to-end and back on Thursday (puff, puff, 90k), my first thoughts were that the cyclepath has a lot less cracks heading south past about Elizabeth Drive (but a lot more hills ), didn't notice cracks were wide, mind you I was starting to feel it bit heading back up the climbs to Elizabeth Drive