Sometimes, you have to do what you have to do. That means spending quality time with the family, putting in the hard yards at work, and to keep it all together, you need to do things for yourself. For me, there is no better "me" time then time on the bike. So with Easter on the horizon, and surmounting pressure coming at me from all directions, my mind started longing for a nice quiet country ride to keep the demons at bay.
So with the loving support of my wife, and some gracious time off from work, I started to plan a weekend ride out to St Albans.
I had been thinking about this trip for a while and given the typical Easter holiday weather, the old Italian weather saying "Marzo e' Pazzo" is quite adequate (although it should be Aprile e' Pazzo, but you get the drift).
So with that in mind, I literally picked a date ad-hoc based on the radar for two days and off I was.
The first part of the trip to the Sackville Ferry I have previously blogged as part of my Tour of the Hawkesbury day ride. So please check out that post for additional photos. I took a small diversion to the historic St John's Church at Wilberforce. This was my first time here and definitely worth the small detour.
St John's Church - Wilberforce
Lovely!
For this trip, I decided to follow the Hawkesbury River along River Rd. I have done this part of the trip several times but the views are always worth it and it's such a lovely piece of road that keeps you wanting more and more. The road conditions are superb, there are a few sections of gravel, but they are well kept and very short, less that a 100 meters or so. To be honest, I didn't even notice the gravel sections on the Schwalbe Marathon Plus 40mm tires. Traffic is next to none, I think I was passed by less then 10 cars for the whole trip from River Rd to St Albans.
River Rd, just one of the many beautiful views along the way
Roads are nice and quiet
Rusty old truck
Telephone coverage for the trip is limited and patchy. Coming up to Wisemans Ferry you do get some coverage so it's worthwhile using this opportunity to call in and give a progress update to loved ones.
Telephone coverage is limited, one of the few spots that had coverage
I took the Webb Creek Ferry crossing at Wisemans Ferry to continue on to St Albans via St Albans Road. Do remember that scheduled maintenance occurs on the Ferries along the Hawkesbury (1st Wednesday of each month) so please check the official website for maintenance times to avoid disappointment.
Webb Creek Ferry Crossing
Webb Creek Ferry
By this stage of the trip, I was feeling very relaxed. My calorie intake was good, my fluids even better and my mental state was shrugging off the cares of the world and I really began soaking in the experience.
St Albans road is undulating and scenic, well maintained and quiet. So quiet that the only vehicle that overtook me on that section of road (early afternoon) was another fellow cyclist on a road bike who had driven to Webb Creek ferry crossing and was doing a 40km look to St Albans an back. What a great idea for a weekend morning ride on the carbon bikes.
St Albans Rd
I need to do this on my carbon road bike!
As I was approaching St Albans, my mind kept wondering to the Settlers Arms Inn and a nice big lunch. It always make me smile when this happens, it's normally a sign that my body has had enough of gels, energy bars, Gatorade, apple juice, orange juice, fruit, more gels and more of all of the above and just needs some good old fashioned food. For some reason, this also coincided with some major leg cramps, this is unusual for me, but I guess I was probably losing more salts than I was putting back in. It had nothing whatsoever to do with the fact that I was riding against a headwind most of the day, honestly. So when the St Albans sign comes up, I take a quick happy snap, do a little victory dance and ride over to the pub for lunch.
We're here!
The Settlers Arms Inn St Albans
1836
Exactly what I envisioned and tasty too!
After a well earned lunch, I decided to do a little sight seeing around town. St Albans is a hidden pearl in what is the oyster capital of NSW, what a terrible analogy, but I hope you get the meaning, this is truly a wonderful scenic little town. I could easily adapt to this kind of lifestyle. The Macdonald River runs through the town so I decided to take a little stroll.
On the banks of the Macdonald River
The St Albans Bridge
The Settlers Arms Inn, nice stop for lunch.
I was originally planning to camp out for the night, but 'Marzo e' Pazzo' kept playing on my head and I really didn't feel like getting caught out in the rain and sleeping on a wet ground. So I took the soft way out and stayed at the St Albans Court house. What a lovely old place this is, full of character, and the host Ken welcomes you like an old friend.
St Albans Courthouse - my home for the night
And I had it all to myself
The old courthouse acted as a gaol and courthouse and being heritage listed, the old iron doors have been retained giving great character to your stay.
Old iron doors
The home is well maintained, clean and really makes you feel like you have stepped back in a time where life was simpler and law enforcement no laughing matter. Everything you need for a memorable romantic weekend, friends get together for a social gathering or showing the kids why our galaxy is called the milky way (Thanks for the tip Ken, the star gazing was definitely a highlight) is in abundance.
Outdoor area, well equipped.
Informal Dining?
Two separate bathrooms in what were the cells.. cool!
Watch out for the trolls in the old well...
Fire places in just about every room, great for a Winter romantic getaway
Outdoor fire pit
So memorable
After a warm shower, I took a walk down to the pub for a quick beer and walk around the river. I noticed that the Great North Walk trail runs through here, it must be one of the few sections of the walk that I had not done in the past. I think camping may also be permissible here (across from the pub) as I spotted a few extinguished camp fires. If you know this to be the case, please comment below.
Macdonald River at dusk
G+ does this to photos sometimes (shrug)
Inspiration for a future painting?
Great North road Convict trail
Around St Albans
After my casual stroll, I came back to the old courthouse for some R&R. I must admit, being in the old courthouse and gaol, your mind does wonder back to those old days and thoughts of ghosts creep into your mind. A care free shrug of the soldiers ends that line of thinking and you settle in for a wonderful nights sleep. One funny thing I noticed was the presence of a little frog (a Stoney Creek frog??) in the kitchen. I didn't think much about it until I started reading my book in bed and was startled by this jumping object in my peripheral vision. I quickly put two and two together and figured it was my old friend the frog. I let him be and I heard him three of four times in the night taking mighty leaps in my bedroom.
Dusk at the courthouse
Bike resting for the night - note the iron doors to the bathrooms
My company for the night
I set my alarm for 6:00am but I slept so soundly that by the time the cock crowed (literally) at 4:40am I was ready to go. After a shower, yes 'Psycho' images had to be shrugged away quickly, I helped myself to some bacon and eggs, some cereal, yogurt and a cup of coffee and I was ready to hit the road home.
Lower Macdonald
St Josephs Guest house?
I took my time getting home and stopped several times soaking in the wonderful views along the way. The bacon and egg must have done their job too because cramps stayed away for the whole trip home.
Ah, serenity now.
Outlaw!
Lovely spot for morning tea
And another, you can never have too many fluids on a long day
All in all, I had a wonderful two days on the saddle and mission accomplished. I feel relaxed and will have some fond memories to see me through the challenges of everyday life.
Some statistics
The Route
Day One
Distance – 93.15km
Avg Heart Rate – 144
Max Heart Rate – 178
Elevation Gain – 1038m
Elevation Loss – 1078m
Time – 6:29:49
Moving time – 5:32:56
Avg Moving Speed – 16.8km/h
Day Two Distance – 92.22km Avg Heart Rate – 122 Max Heart Rate – 155 Elevation Gain – 1069m Elevation Loss – 1028m Time – 7:06:06 Moving time – 5:50:56 Avg Moving Speed – 15.8km/h
I recently took my touring bike for a ride along the Western Sydney Parklands track. If you're coming from the Windsor road entry to the M7, you'll find the entrance on your left, just after Quakers Hill and C-Hill segment (strava). The track is well marked so finding your way around should be straight forward.
Entrance to the Western Sydney Parklands Track
Well marked track
For those who ride the M7 cycleway often, the parklands track is a peaceful diversion, and really nice and quiet. Furthermore, if you come early and try to make minimal noise, you may just site the deer that live nearby and come for a drink in the creek. I have been lucky to see them on several occasions.
The parklands track
Nice and flat and peaceful
Riding through the peaceful parklands track you feel like you're miles away from civilisation. The peacefulness does come to a sudden end as we approach one of the major road crossings along the way. Pedestrian crossings and traffic lights make for a safe crossing.
Crossing Richmond Road
Soon after the crossing, we are back to serenity and peaceful surroundings.
What's the go with the platform to nowhere?
Crossing Eastern Creek
After crossing Power St, a short gravel section proceeds. It's approximately 800 metres or so, but do take care if you're on narrow tires. The Schwalbe Marathon Plus 35mm tires are so versatile, I love them in these conditions.
Short gravel section
The Parklands track winds its way through Nurragingy Reserve. Please take note that the park gates are closed when the park is closed. A sign inside the park shows the seasonal opening hours for the park. I have ridden through here and found the gate closed even though the sign suggested it should have been opened. You can get your bike around this entrance of the park, but you may not be so lucky on the other side.
Gates open today
Nurragingy Park is a great picnic spot for family outings. Next time I ride through here, I'll pack a picnic lunch and take the whole family along for the ride.
Nurragingy Reserve
Picnic Spots Galore
Just after you make your way out of the Nurragingy Reserve, follow the parklands signs down Eastern Road. Take care across the bridge and I recommend you do as the sign suggests and dismount across the narrow bridge.
Narrow Bridge on Eastern Road
Cross Eastern Rd at the Blacktown International Sports Park to continue your Tour of the Parklands Track.
So nice, so quiet.
Until you get to the Great Western Highway that is
Just after crossing the Great Western Highway, you are back on the familiar M7 Shared Cycleway. Continue for a few kilometres until you get to the Horseley Drive Overpass.
Familiar Territory
The Horseley Drive Intersection
Follow the signs and go up the hill to the Horseley Drive. Please note:- this section of the track is poorly maintained. The council responsible for this section of road should really hang there heads in shame. Take extreme care as some of the manholes on the road are cracked and you could do some major damage to you and your bike if your wheel was to hit one of them. Be warned! Fortunately, it's not a long segment of road and the rewards of climbing that hill and entering the parkland is extremely rewarding.
Careful along Horseley Drive, path is poorly maintained, shame on you council.
Once you're back in the parkland, it's just divine, peaceful, serene, clean and did I say peaceful? Stop and smell the wild flowers along the way and soak it all in.
Inside the Western Sydney Parklands
The track takes you down past Calmsley Hill City Farm, another great family day out for those with young children can be had here. By the way, Calmsley Hill is aptly named, there are some nice hills to get you to this destination.
Calmsley Hill City Farm
Once inside the park, be sure to take some side trips, they are all scenically wonderful and offer some rewarding challenges such as Moonrise Lookout.
I believe that to be Calmsley Hill
The road to Moonrise Lookout
Rewarding View from the top
I've ridden past this sign before and I was intrigued as to what a memorial to Ginger Meggs in the middle of nowhere was all about. A nice little detour takes you to the memorial, and what I believe to be the burial ground of this awesome dog.
Ginger Meggs Memorial
Memorial Track - Short and sweet
Ginger Meggs seems to have been a pretty cool dog.
Ginger Meggs Memorial
After the history lesson and few side trips, you're back on the M7 and ready for the trip home.
Back on the M7
I hope this encourages you to take a little venture into Western Sydney Parklands.
