Cycling in the Southern Highlands (around Bowral)

[thomas1987]

Anyone cycled around the Southern Highlands like to share their experience? Is this a good place to cycle? Any routes you would recommend?

I am thinking of checking it this weekend. Probably do parts of the route that will be on the Bowral Classic. Anything I should be aware of? Will there be lots of traffic? Hills?

[grantw]

Yes its a great place to ride, pretty cold this time of year though

[thomas1987]

Did it today and enjoyed it. Lots of rolling hills and good climbs on quiet country road. Will definitely come back.

Thanks for mentioning it was cold down there. Wore my thermals and it was able to keep warm.

[celeste boy]

It's a bit sad that the heavy trucks knock the roads around. I like to think that I can ride comfortably for hours but when you are bounced around on a road bike it takes away the joy.
There are a few significant potholes that I hope the Council will fix before the Bowral Classic.

CB
PS Broke a spoke last night on Old South Rd (part of Bowral Classic).

[thomas1987]

This was probably the steepest hill I've ever rode up.

https://www.google.com.au/maps/(AT)-34.521 ... 312!8i6656

Was so not expecting it...

[celeste boy]

This was probably the steepest hill I've ever rode up.

https://www.google.com.au/maps/(AT)-34.521 ... 312!8i6656

Was so not expecting it...

But you get a good run at it with a downhill first.

CB

[grantw]

This was probably the steepest hill I've ever rode up.

https://www.google.com.au/maps/(AT)-34.521 ... 312!8i6656

Was so not expecting it...

It's a beaut

[caneye]

it seems like most of the big climbs are on the 2nd half of the course (Bowral 160km route).... ha.

also .. the condition of Range Road (southern end) surface is pretty poor. Not the pot holes but the ad-hoc council patches on the road. the whole road is full of them.

[Jawa]

Have signed up for this one in a few weeks, its only my first year of cycling so i’ll only be doing the 90km ride.

It was either going to be this or MS gong ride as my first year stretch goal/ride. After I drove the course back in April it was a done deal for me.

[caneye]

Bowral Classic .. what a great event.

Fantastic organisation. Everything ran like clockwork.
Great turn-out for all classes.
Lots of food & drinks at rest stops. Toilet queues were not too long
Local communities actively supporting the event.
All riders working and helping each other in a bunch, sheltering from the incessant winds.

After 20kms of gradual climb on Old South road, the final 11% pinch was totally unexpected!

Kudos to everyone involved.

[ADF_Sutto]

Bowral Classic .. what a great event.

Fantastic organisation. Everything ran like clockwork.
Great turn-out for all classes.
Lots of food & drinks at rest stops. Toilet queues were not too long
Local communities actively supporting the event.
All riders working and helping each other in a bunch, sheltering from the incessant winds.

After 20kms of gradual climb on Old South road, the final 11% pinch was totally unexpected!

Kudos to everyone involved.

Nice write up Caneye, was looking at doing it this year but a work trip got in the way. Will be riding it next year for sure, even though it will probably now be a lot more popular

[GAV!N]

It was a great event. Well run and locals were supporting it nicely. One lady had her three dogs out on her driveway in custom made yellow, green, and polka dot jackets!

Was a pretty brutal ride for me. The entire bunch I was in turned in to rest stop 2. I kept going and was virtually solo from then to the end. Up hill, head wind, solo. That last 50 odd km's around Kangaloon was killer! That wind was cold! and the hills just kept coming. I've ridden up there a few times but really didn't expect it to be as hill as it was towards the end.

[celeste boy]

Best story of the day for the Bowral Classic:

The road marshals and helpers at the end of Wombeyan Caves Road had packed up when they noticed an 'old guy' riding down the road. he apologized that he had missed the start in Bowral but added that he had already ridden to Bowral from Campbelltown. And would be riding home after the Classic!

The lady with the three dogs... priceless.

CB

[caneye]

fyi .. organisers have posted a video of the event.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ea_Q-_u-pzM


photos here:

http://www.bowralclassic.com.au/2016-bo ... ic-photos/