Goulburn to Katoomba route advice

[Vintagetourer]

Hi

I am planning a short, fully loaded tour on my Bike Friday i.e. 20" wheeled folder, from Goulburn to Katoomba.
I'll be catching the train to Goulburn from Canberra, and getting back to Canberra from Katoomba by train. Hence the Bike Friday which is easy with trains inc. CountryLink.

From maps the cycling plan is:

Goulburn Taralga Abercrombie N.P. Paling Yards Porters Retreat Oberon Jenolan Caves Hampton Lowther Hartley Blackheath Katoomba

There also looks to a backtrack alternative way from Lowther to Blackheath via a locale called Shipley. This would avoid a section of the Great Western Highway, but the backtrack section may not be rideable on my 20" wheels. The BF is a good touring bike, but it is not a mountain bike.
The question is, does anybody have any experience with this route, or any route between Goulburn and Katoomba?
Any advice on route tricks and traps would be appreciated.

Regards
Graham Smith
Canberra

[alchemist]

I've ridden from Lithgow to Goulburn, via Oberon. It's a nice ride.

The bit between Oberon & Jenolan Caves I've not ridden but the descent down to the Caves on that side is very steep. The climb out on the Northern side of the caves is no where near as steep but does get a lot of traffic, you'd want to be doing that early in the morning.

Not too sure about the roads between Lowther and the Megalong Road, I think they'll be private dirt roads. The 6 Foot track is open to public but it's mountain bike territory

[Vintagetourer]

Thanks for this advice. It has me thinking that riding to Lithgow is an alternative to consider.

I am not fond of riding in traffic, so your suggestion of an early start out of Jenolan is a good one if I choose this route.

[alchemist]

It's not a lot of traffic, just a very narrow windy road. Going to Lithgow also avoids going up Victoria Pass

[Vintagetourer]

It's not a lot of traffic, just a very narrow windy road. Going to Lithgow also avoids going up Victoria Pass

I am not familiar with Victoria Pass. Is is particularly steep, very busy or both?
I don't mind a climb, but will go to some lengths to avoid playing in heavy traffic if there is no good shoulder.

How would Victoria Pass compare to passes like Jamberoo Pass or the Macquarie Pass (for traffic and and ascent) if you happen to know them?

[mikesbytes]

I've ridden Cox's river road in 82, it was traffic free. There was some gravel. Whether the gravel is still there, I don't know.

This map shows someone riding from Cox''s river road to Megalong valley. http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/22273304 Most likely done on a mountain bike.

The road from Blackheath to Medlow Bath isn't the best. It can be ridden on a back road (Station st), which is on the other side of the railway track from the Highway. When I rode it in 1990 it was largely gravel.

[marshmallow]

there is a backroad up Victoria Pass via Hartley Vale - I've ridden it quite a lot. Perhaps 1km of dirt, the rest is good bitumen. It's a climb, but quiet. Then onto Darling Causeway and highway to Katoomba, but you could catch train from Mt Victoria if you prefer.

[Vintagetourer]

there is a backroad up Victoria Pass via Hartley Vale - I've ridden it quite a lot. Perhaps 1km of dirt, the rest is good bitumen. It's a climb, but quiet. Then onto Darling Causeway and highway to Katoomba, but you could catch train from Mt Victoria if you prefer.

Thanks ... I'll have a look at this option too on a good map. 'Quiet' is the attractive word.

[WarrenH]

Scooting down Victoria Pass ... but going west, when I was heading to the Wolgan.




Down the hill is the Abercrombie. A lot further down.




Graham, you're a demon for punishment. Absolutely.

Warren.

PS, I'm slowly moseying up that way in mid March, heading for Aberdeen, on the BNT. One day we will cross paths.

[Vintagetourer]

I did think of the following the BNT Warren but I don't think the Bike Friday would handle the track sections.