Home  News Hobbies Manly Dam Mountain Bike ride
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Saturday, 26 April 2008 |
Yesterday went for my first official ride on my new MTB technology, 3hrs lapping the Dam. Thanks to Paul for the accompanyment and advice. Manly Dam is one of Sydney's best rides -from beginner to intermediate and even advanced, all enjoy this ride. You'll experience a tight and testy track that winds it's way up and down steep rocky tracks. This ride has some magnificent views of the dam and the ocean. You will be transported within minutes into the wilds of Seaforth, and begin to imagine that Sydney has left you behind. Then gasp in awe at the beauty of the coastline. Huff and puff your way up the steep 4WD track to Allambie.
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1. From the CBD, head past North Sydney towards Manly. After the Spit Bridge and passing Sydney Road on your right, head towards the Northern Beaches along Burnt Bridge Deviation and Condamine Street.
2. Turn left into King Street and at the end where it veers left, follow it to park in the on-street parking bays in front of the NSW Uni Water Research Lab Building
3. Head up Arana Street and turn right at Gibbs. If you’re; riding in, turn left off King onto Gibbs and head uphill
4. In front of you is a small parking bay (some riders choose to park here as well). Ride through it and you hit singletrack and dirt trail.
5. While it’s well known as a bike trail, it’s also a walking trail so look out for people, dogs, occasional prams and other sensitive obstacles…
6. Follow the trail downhill and through a stand of trees and veer around to your left. There are paths off the main trail but the majority are walking only. There is a Manly Dam ranger and the trail is a patrolled area
7. Head up a small steep section and onto more single track. The trail twists between backs of houses and bush and later a golf course. It’s got more variety of terrain than perhaps any other trail in Sydney
8. The trail opens up to a grass strip. Follow the line and when you come to a road going uphill, stick to the right on the grass or on the road
9. At the top of the hill turn right into Bangaroo Street and then look right for the first of some great views over Manly and the ocean.
10. Head past the end of the street and follow the trail around to the left and along another grassy trail to another street - Manning Street
11. Keep on the grassed trail up the right hand shoulder and turn right into the bush halfway up the road.
12. It gets a little steep and can be hard going for newbies but not long and you come out to another road leading into the Manly golf course.
13. Head straight across the road and into Bantry Reserve, rising the concrete trail (did I say this was varied?) all the way around the trees and past a bowling green on your left and turn right into the bush for an all-too-brief twisty section though the trees and up the rise.
14. You’re now about a third of the way through the trail and if you head right and veer left you can see the second great view before getting into the single track
15. Head up the tricky trail and just after it flattens out veer left into single track which goes for over a kilometre and has plenty to keep you concentrating until you come to...
16. a steep drop that newcomers may want to walk down. There are another couple of steep drops until you get to the third great view over the golf course, from atop an expansive flat rock. This is nearly halfway
17. Follow the trail up the ridge and at the top of the narrow track turn right where the Sign says Walking Tracks.
18. From here its flat for a while then the descent is steep and rocky and heaps of fun
19. At the bottom is a shallow creek crossing and then a slight uphill unto you get to Heartbreak Hill. Some ride it. Many do not. You choose.
20. After resting at the top head along past Eva’s Track (walkers only) and fun downhill. No wonder people love this trail!
21. A trail off to the right is too narrow and for walkers only so pas that and go the next one which is signposted. Tight and easy going it ends in a 6-goot plus drop just past a telephone pole so slow down unless you have good insurance.; Easier way is veer right.
22. This next downhill is nice and ends up over a creek and if you look right you can see the dam itself from here.
23. This takes you to a pleasant ride align a grassy track. Head along the road and bear right down into the last section of trail which goes between houses and there bush,
24. Some technical sections along the way but a lot of fun.
25. There are lots of places to take the wrong trail but most end quickly and you can find your way back in a few minutes. Last section is a bridge over the Manly Creek
26. You end up back at King Street where if you’re fit you can do it all again |
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