Spit - Mosman - Chowder Bay - Taronga Zoo
- Group:
- C
- Distance:
- 38km
- Route Description:
- Leave Lane Cove and head towards Epping Rd via Rosenthal Ave, Birdwood Ave and Longueville Rd. Turn right onto Epping Rd, and then for once, turn right onto the Pacific Highway. Head South along the Pacific Highway through St Leonards.
At the Falcon St intersection, turn left and head east along it as it becomes Military Rd. At Spit Rd, take the left and head north. Follow Spit Rd over The Spit Bridge, and on the north side, ascend the hill via Battle Bvd and Palmerston Pl. At the top of the climb, turn right onto Edgecliffe Esp, follow that as it becomes Panorama Pde, then turn right back onto Ponsonby Pde, across the roundabout onto Sydney Rd. Follow Sydney Rd until the intersection with Manly Rd and turn right towards the Spit Bridge.
Descend back down to the Spit Bridge and once on the south side, take the left onto Parriwi Rd. At the top of the hill, take the left back onto Spit Rd, and then take the left onto Stanton Rd, take the first right onto Moruben Rd, follow until Mandalong Rd, turn right and follow to Military Rd.
Turn left at Military Rd and follw down to the roundabnout where it becomes Middle Head Rd. Continue to follow Middle Head Rd down to Chowder Bay Rd. Turn right and follow Chowder Bay Rd to the turn-around point and ride back out.
At the end of Chowder Bay Rd, take the left and head back up Middle Head Rd. Follow Middle Head Rd to King Max St, and turn left. Turn left again onto Bradleys Head Rd, follow this and turn into Athol Wharf Rd, at the Taronga Zoo Wharf, again do a full U-Turn and climb back up Athol Wharf Rd and onto Bradleys Head Rd. Follow Bradleys Head Rd to the intersection with Belmont Rd, and turn left.
Follow Belmont Rd until it meets Military Rd and turn left. Follow Military Rd back through Neutral Bay and continue along as it becomes Falcon St. Turn right back onto the Pacific Highway.
Follow the Pacific Hwy to Epping Rd, turn left, and then left again into Longueville Rd to return to Renegade and the Cafe.
- Ride Description:
- This is a short ride but that isn't to say that it can't be a lot of fun, but don't be deceived by the short distance, there is still some climbing in this ride. Most of the climbs are relatively short, so strong climbing isn't a necessity but you need to be confident of your ability.
The ride takes a right hand turn onto the Pacific Hwy, at this time of the morning, the traffic is pretty light and so the group can usually move freely between the left and middle lanes to avoid the parked cars. Taking the left onto Falcon St gives an important lesson that not all roads are equal, watch out for the potholes along this section. When it becomes Military Rd the surface does improve.
The Spit Bridge is a good descent but take note that there is a set of lights near the bottom, and while it is rare, they have been known to be red. Cross the Spit Bridge and then descend up the north side, this is the first of the short climbs. make your way around to Manly Rd where you will descent back down to The Spit and over the Bridge.
After the Parriwi Rd we traverse the ridge until reaching Military Rd in Mosman, here we drop down to Chowder Bay (Naval Base) before riding back out.
and then drop down to Taronga Zoo. Both of these climbs are down and out, so it is possible to either cut them short or to cut them out all together.
After the Taronga Zoo climb, the group will return to Renegade Cycles and a much deserved Coffee at the Cafe.
