Latest Reviews and Articles
Will your next bike be Intelligent? ABS and Smart Bike Tech
Vitus Vitesse EVO Disc Review – Speed Machine indeed!
New Lynton Belair Urban Trail
- Cycotic
- Posts: 154
- Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2008 12:43 pm
- Location: Adelaide, SA (Blackwood)
- Contact:
New Lynton Belair Urban Trail
Postby Cycotic » Fri Jul 30, 2010 8:53 am
Pros:
Good smooth surface
Wide (3m)
Nice views
No cars or buses
Cons:
Steep! Up to 20% gradient in a couple of places (Belair Rd past Windy Point is about 8% max)
Comes out at Caroline Ave Belair which has a short 22% section
Could get some serious speed coming down - look out walkers!
Overall I think it's a great idea, but it's unfortunate that the council decided to not spend the extra money and make it less steep. I think most commuters will continue to use the easier climb on Belair Road.
- MichaelB
- Posts: 8643
- Joined: Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:29 am
- Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Re: New Lynton Belair Urban Trail
Postby MichaelB » Fri Jul 30, 2010 9:39 am
Would like to give it a go sometime, as I use Belair Rd quite a bit.
- Cycotic
- Posts: 154
- Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2008 12:43 pm
- Location: Adelaide, SA (Blackwood)
- Contact:
Re: New Lynton Belair Urban Trail
Postby Cycotic » Fri Jul 30, 2010 10:12 am
Heading up the hill on Belair Road turn right at Springbank Rd, then first left at Gowrie St. Follow Gowrie St, which becomes Beagle Tce. At the end of Beagle Tce is the Lynton dump. The entrance to the shared path is to the right of the dump.
At the top of the path, turn left and follow Caroline Ave until it meets Gloucester Ave, then turn left.
-
- Posts: 1000
- Joined: Fri Nov 28, 2008 10:12 am
Re: New Lynton Belair Urban Trail
Postby alex » Fri Jul 30, 2010 11:32 am
- MichaelB
- Posts: 8643
- Joined: Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:29 am
- Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Re: New Lynton Belair Urban Trail
Postby MichaelB » Fri Jul 30, 2010 11:47 am
Cycotic wrote:It is difficult to find first time, in fact I missed it altogether coming down the hill which is why I only rode up it.
Heading up the hill on Belair Road turn right at Springbank Rd, then first left at Gowrie St. Follow Gowrie St, which becomes Beagle Tce. At the end of Beagle Tce is the Lynton dump. The entrance to the shared path is to the right of the dump.
At the top of the path, turn left and follow Caroline Ave until it meets Gloucester Ave, then turn left.
friggin hell, I got confused just reading it, let alone trying to bloody follow it whilst riding a bike

- Cycotic
- Posts: 154
- Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2008 12:43 pm
- Location: Adelaide, SA (Blackwood)
- Contact:
Re: New Lynton Belair Urban Trail
Postby Cycotic » Fri Jul 30, 2010 12:08 pm
alex wrote:i have a feeling that the path had to follow mostly existing fire trails so there was not much choice re the steepness ...
According to the Hills & Valley Messenger:
http://hills-and-valley-messenger.where ... ists-only/
A staff report, tabled at a council meeting last month, reveals a section of the path will incline by 17 per cent, with riders expected to reach downhill speeds of more than 60km/h before negotiating a sharp turn.
The design along existing fire tracks between Caroline Ave and Beagle Tce is too steep to comply with Austroads guidelines for commuter links. Councillors voted at the February 23 meeting to reclassify the path as an “urban trail†to avoid doubling the $700,000 cost to make it comply through extensive cutting and filling of the Hills Face Zone.
I guess an extra $0.7m is a lot for a few cyclists, but certainly would have made it a more attractive commuting option for those wanting to leave the car at home.
- MichaelB
- Posts: 8643
- Joined: Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:29 am
- Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Re: New Lynton Belair Urban Trail
Postby MichaelB » Fri Jul 30, 2010 1:28 pm
Any appropriate signage ?
- Cycotic
- Posts: 154
- Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2008 12:43 pm
- Location: Adelaide, SA (Blackwood)
- Contact:
Re: New Lynton Belair Urban Trail
Postby Cycotic » Fri Jul 30, 2010 3:06 pm
MichaelB wrote:Any appropriate signage ?
No signage that I saw, but I'm not sure that it's officially opened yet.
-
- Posts: 606
- Joined: Tue Jan 20, 2009 9:36 pm
- Location: Adelaide
Re: New Lynton Belair Urban Trail
Postby gdt » Sat Jul 31, 2010 9:13 pm
- Clydesdale Scot
- Posts: 1937
- Joined: Tue Mar 03, 2009 12:55 pm
- Location: Adelaide, SA
Re: New Lynton Belair Urban Trail
Postby Clydesdale Scot » Sun Aug 01, 2010 7:12 am
-
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Sat Jul 24, 2010 7:22 am
Re: New Lynton Belair Urban Trail
Postby Gimp » Sun Aug 01, 2010 7:57 am
the climb on Carolyn Ave will put many off using it short but STEEP (but not me)
- cellboy
- Posts: 21
- Joined: Tue Jun 08, 2010 2:33 pm
- Location: Adelaide
- Contact:
Re: New Lynton Belair Urban Trail
Postby cellboy » Wed Aug 18, 2010 10:00 am


I had a go yesterday
Gimp is right, the path seemed to follow more of this line.
I can only confirm to the point where the path takes the sharp left (going up) highlighted in red, (which is blind by the way) as this was the point at which i was standing on the pedals, pulling like buggery in easiest gear as still lost all forward momentum, could not clip out in time and proceeded to have my first clipstack.
After a coughing and throwing up fit, i turned and coasted back down and easily hit 68kmh before i had to hit the anchors due to stones all over the road going around the bends.
I probably should mention that i am fairly recently back on the bike and not fit, but i did ponder if altering my 39-52t crank and 12-23t cassette may assist. For anyone who knows the area, i don't have any trouble with the likes of springbank or blythewood roads but any steeper and i don't seem to have the weight (96kg) to keep the pedals turning.
Thre is no signage or line markings as yet, and i hope the council is also planning to install some of those dome mirrors like they have on old belair road to enable you to see what's coming around the corner because as it is now, it's freaking deadly.
Having said all that, the surface is nice and smooth, and i for one would rather try to get fitter than dance with the cars on the alternative routes.
-
- Posts: 3491
- Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2008 1:39 pm
Re: New Lynton Belair Urban Trail
Postby rustychisel » Wed Aug 18, 2010 10:29 am
I or one will; not be there anytime soon. Anyone know if this is a case of 'if we build it they will come' or did the council actually ask anyone and seek expert help?
- MichaelB
- Posts: 8643
- Joined: Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:29 am
- Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Re: New Lynton Belair Urban Trail
Postby MichaelB » Wed Aug 18, 2010 10:45 am
Sounds interesting to say the least.
- cellboy
- Posts: 21
- Joined: Tue Jun 08, 2010 2:33 pm
- Location: Adelaide
- Contact:
Re: New Lynton Belair Urban Trail
Postby cellboy » Wed Aug 18, 2010 11:15 am
"Peak gradient on the track was 27% on my Garmin, then on Caroline Ave 34% (if you go left from Hill St)."
Seems a fair bit removed from the original revelation of 17% as stated by the council.
-
- Posts: 1000
- Joined: Fri Nov 28, 2008 10:12 am
Re: New Lynton Belair Urban Trail
Postby alex » Wed Aug 18, 2010 12:36 pm
cellboy wrote:This is from a fellow by the name of Tim Wilson on the adelaidecyclist forum:
"Peak gradient on the track was 27% on my Garmin, then on Caroline Ave 34% (if you go left from Hill St)."
Seems a fair bit removed from the original revelation of 17% as stated by the council.
27 and 34 percent might be stretching the truth a bit imo
the steepest street in the world is listed at 35%
this is what it looks like
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Duned ... ed_Car.jpg
-
- Posts: 75
- Joined: Wed Oct 14, 2009 11:50 am
- Location: Stuck in the middle.
Re: New Lynton Belair Urban Trail
Postby Sumichino » Wed Aug 18, 2010 12:42 pm
I probably should mention that i am fairly recently back on the bike and not fit, but i did ponder if altering my 39-52t crank and 12-23t cassette may assist.
Don't worry even some pros might struggle with 20% in a 39-23 gear. This hill looks interesting to me. According to MapMyRide it's a 209m climb over 3.57km if you take it all the way up Gloucester to Belair Rd, that's about 5.8%. Or 148m over 1.78kms just to Caroline Ave, 8.3%. Perhaps sounds a bit like a long Corkscrew Rd and traffic free most of the way. I think I'll have a go at it on Friday assuming the weather holds out .
lost all forward momentum, could not clip out in time and proceeded to have my first clipstack.
At least you had a good reason for a clipstack. My first one was becasue I wanted to stop at a bench and slowed down too fast.
-
- Posts: 75
- Joined: Wed Oct 14, 2009 11:50 am
- Location: Stuck in the middle.
Re: New Lynton Belair Urban Trail
Postby Sumichino » Sun Aug 22, 2010 6:31 pm
Btw I did get attacked heading north along Seaview Rd just south of Henley Beach Rd by one magpie, he gave up after 4 collisions with the helmet.
- cellboy
- Posts: 21
- Joined: Tue Jun 08, 2010 2:33 pm
- Location: Adelaide
- Contact:
Re: New Lynton Belair Urban Trail
Postby cellboy » Mon Aug 23, 2010 11:10 pm
I'll give it another go this week, and walk the bastard if need be. (Theme from rocky playing in background)
- MichaelB
- Posts: 8643
- Joined: Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:29 am
- Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Re: New Lynton Belair Urban Trail
Postby MichaelB » Tue Aug 24, 2010 9:01 am
Sumichino wrote: ..... Also I noticed a large number of magpies, no attacks there today but they looked like they're planning something.
....
Hmmm, something to consider

- MichaelB
- Posts: 8643
- Joined: Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:29 am
- Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Re: New Lynton Belair Urban Trail
Postby MichaelB » Wed Aug 25, 2010 8:41 am

That steep section halfway was a bugger (peaking at 20% on the Garmin), and then the last bit up Caroline Ave prior to the left turn into Gloucester was also 20%

Interesting alternative to Belair Rd. Made the trip 4.5km instead of 2.7km, and a bit more elevation gain. Good practice for Checkers Hill for sure.
Agree with the rocks and dirt from the rain. Will be a great track once cleaned up and downhill in daylight !!!
Will use it more often for sure now.
-
- Posts: 1000
- Joined: Fri Nov 28, 2008 10:12 am
Re: New Lynton Belair Urban Trail
Postby alex » Wed Aug 25, 2010 11:40 am
- MichaelB
- Posts: 8643
- Joined: Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:29 am
- Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Re: New Lynton Belair Urban Trail
Postby MichaelB » Wed Aug 25, 2010 3:18 pm
alex wrote:you got through it ok though? what sort of gearing are you on now?
34/50 and 12-27.
Needed a stop or two as just getting over a flu, and rode up Mt Lofty the night before

In better health, should be able to do it without stopping, but it was the 1st go, and at night, but now I know what lies ahead and can pace myself better.
Compared to going up Belair Rd, it's another 45m ascent (205 vs 249), but 800m longer (3.72km vs 4.45km). Belair Rd is constant, but this is all over the place, but a great traffic free surface !!!
-
- Posts: 1000
- Joined: Fri Nov 28, 2008 10:12 am
Re: New Lynton Belair Urban Trail
Postby alex » Wed Aug 25, 2010 5:21 pm
i have a mate who is a very fast racer, significantly better than me in all aspects of his life and he said he was hurting going up there on his mtb in the middle ring (32) so the outlook for me is not great

- MichaelB
- Posts: 8643
- Joined: Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:29 am
- Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Re: New Lynton Belair Urban Trail
Postby MichaelB » Wed Aug 25, 2010 7:44 pm
alex wrote:i am going to put on a 27 and attempt it on the weekend, got a 39 up front so not looking forward to it
i have a mate who is a very fast racer, significantly better than me in all aspects of his life and he said he was hurting going up there on his mtb in the middle ring (32) so the outlook for me is not great
Only one way to find out !!!
Might see you there

- General Australian Cycling Topics
- Info / announcements
- Buying a bike / parts
- General Cycling Discussion
- The Bike Shed
- Cycling Health
- Cycling Safety and Advocacy
- Women's Cycling
- Bike & Gear Reviews
- Cycling Trade
- Stolen Bikes
- Bicycle FAQs
- Serious Biking
- Audax / Randonneuring
- Retro biking
- Commuting
- MTB
- Recumbents
- Fixed Gear/ Single Speed
- Track
- Electric Bicycles
- Cyclocross
- Dragsters / Lowriders / Cruisers
- Children's Bikes
- Road Racing
- Road Biking
- Training
- Time Trial
- Triathlon
- International and National Tours and Events
- Cycle Touring
- Touring Australia
- Touring Overseas
- Touring Bikes and Equipment
- Australia
- Western Australia
- New South Wales
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Victoria
- ACT
- Tasmania
- Northern Territory
- Country & Regional
- The Market Place
- Member to Member Bike and Gear Sales
- Want to Buy, Group Buy, Swap
- My Bikes or Gear Elsewhere
- Cycling Brands
- Azzurri
- Bianchi
- BMC
- Campagnolo
- Cannondale
- Cervélo
- Colnago
- Focus
- Fuji
- Garmin
- Giant
- Malvern Star
- Merida
- Scott
- Shimano
- Specialized
- SRAM
- Surly
- Trek
- Custom Builders
- Generic Carbon
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users
- All times are UTC+10:00
- Top
- Delete all board cookies
About the Australian Cycling Forums
The largest cycling discussion forum in Australia for all things bike; from new riders to seasoned bike nuts, the Australian Cycling Forums are a welcoming community where you can ask questions and talk about the type of bikes and cycling topics you like.