Sydney-Lismore-Sydney

[r2160]

Hi all

I have some friends that live in Lismore and was thinking of riding up and back as a bit of a holiday/training ride just to get away.

Any suggestions from anybody done this route what would be the best suggested? Any roads to avoid?

Would like to aim for 25km/hr average if possible. I have maintained this average pretty comfortably on 100km ride.

I guess this would equate to, say, 200km per day. would mean 4 days up, 4 days back with a break in between. Intended to use my Giant OCR1. I am used to her and she is in good condition. I run 23 on the front and a 25 on the rear. It already has pannier bags that I use every day to work.

Any help appreciated. Thinking of doing this in the next month or so.

cheers
Glenn

[elantra]

My suggestion would be to catch a train to Coffs and then ride the Orara road to Grafton and then north to Lawrence and across the ferry to Maclean

Then ride to Yamba, ferry to Iluka and get your friends in Lismore to come and get you from Iluka.

and if you are in Grafton this saturday morning don't forget to see the start od Australia's most vertically challenging one-day classic race
(the Grafton to Inverell)

[r2160]

I appreciate what you are saying, but the whole purpose is actually to ride to Lismore, which will equate to about 1500km round trip.

cheers
Glenn

[backroads]

It would appear your are a better man or at least cyclist than me. 25km/hr loaded up and 200km per day is very ambitious.

I am heading off on my first adventure on Friday (Lightning Ridge to Port Macquarie) and I am only aiming for 80km/day at 20km/hr. I’ve done quite a few training rides with my full kit and I always seem to average 20 – 21km/hr. I am out to smell the roses though.

You might be a little worse for wear by the end of it if you keep that pace but good luck to you.

If you end up passing through the Taree Kempsey way I would be happy to give you plenty of info on which roads to ride and which ones to avoid

Safe travels

[r2160]

I think you are correct. Our friendly long distancer JustinS007 has been super helpful and has suggested that 25 might be too high. In comparison to them, 20 is a far more realistic number to work with and still be able to complete the journey.

I might add that JustinS007 has been amazingly helpful. The info he has sent is stunning and extremely useful.

It hasn't put the trip off, but has highlighted that I need more planning and some extra big rides are required for me to ensure success.

At this stage, Bass Hill to Hornsby (pacific highway) up to the New england Highway, through Tamworth and Armidale, then along the Bruxnor highway through Casino and into Lismore, a couple of days rest then return. about 950km each way.

Clearly, however, there is much more planning required.

cheers
Glenn

[elantra]

At this stage, Bass Hill to Hornsby (pacific highway) up to the New england Highway, through Tamworth and Armidale, then along the Bruxnor highway through !!! possible spammer !!! and into Lismore, a couple of days rest then return. about 950km each way.

cheers
Glenn

Um that is a very ambitious route.
How do you get from hornsby to Maitland ?
I presume that you would not be travelling on the motorway.
Then between Tamworth and Glen Innes there are some long long long climbs.
The Bruxner highway might be a highway in name only.
It might be a fairly primitive road, it is one of the few roads in northern NSW/southern QLD i have never driven.
The Gwydir highway from Glen Innes to Grafton is quite likely to be a better road surface
Good luck.

[r2160]

OK,

Further to the plan,

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=d&sour ... 11494&z=14

I went through google maps today, and look at photographs of the roads. These dont look too bad.

I dont mind hills, and I dont plan on being in a big hurry to do it.

cheers
Glenn

[backroads]

Glenn,

you will be on some very busy roads with may trucks, especially from Singleton to Muswellbrook (for all the coal mines). Consider taking Thunderbolts Way. Scenic, light traffic and it should satisfy your desigh for mountain climbing.

I will be coming back along it next week in the opposite direction. Garreth from the blog "Animals" in the touring Australia forums travelled it a few weeks back and said it was very good.

safe travelling

[r2160]

thanks for the tip. I look forward to your report on the roads etc that way.

None of this path is set in stone, just planning at this stage.

cheers
Glenn

[elantra]

Glenn,

you will be on some very busy roads with may trucks, especially from Singleton to Muswellbrook (for all the coal mines). Consider taking Thunderbolts Way. Scenic, light traffic and it should satisfy your desigh for mountain climbing.

I will be coming back along it next week in the opposite direction. Garreth from the blog "Animals" in the touring Australia forums travelled it a few weeks back and said it was very good.

safe travelling

There is some discussion about Thunderbolt's Way in a recent BNA forum thread
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=11394&p=242756&hil ... ts#p242756
Certainly a good descent if you have good brakes.