Lane Cove to North Sydney Ride

Comment by Neil Alexander on May 29, 2009 at 9:24pm

Depends what time of day/week and how comfortable you are with traffic.

Could:
(1) use freeway shoulder (wtih its attendant "difficulties" near Falcon St), North Sydney exit ramp to Alfred St, right onto High St and cross highway at ped lights then use footpath up to Blue St; or,

(2) cross Brook St on-ramp and take exit to West St, riding car-door-bike-lane along into Church St, left onto McLaren, right at Miller, through Victoria Cross (int Miller & Pac.Hwy) and left at Blue St; or,

(3) somewhat more convoluted but probably lowest traffic, from Church St, right into McLaren, left at hwy, right to Bay Rd (or use ped crossing), left Edward St, left Mount St and cross Miller as a pedestrian on south side of Victoria Cross then south on Miller to Blue.

Note that the cycle route from the end of the LCT/GHF cycleway is in a state of flux due to the RTA's failure to provide a cycleway in conjunction with the bus layover works near Falcon St. Cyclist detours may be instituted in the near future which could significantly downgrade cyclists' access through the area. All users of the area should be getting militant about this. RussW can provide details.

Comment by Melody Braithwaite on May 29, 2009 at 9:40pm

Thanks Neil, this is really good information. I will do each run to see which route suits me the best - then trial them during early AM peak hour.

Comment by Paul on May 29, 2009 at 11:43pm

Hi Melody,
You also have the option of the scenic route through Flat Rock Gully. From the Gore Hill Cycleway, instead of going up the hill to Naremburn shops, take a left and go under Willoughby Road. This takes you on a nice flat shared path, which goes under Flat Rock Drive.
I did a map of this on Bikely, http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Naremburn-to-SHB-Cycleway-via-...

If you want to get to Nth Sydney Station, when you get to Blue St, just turn left instead of going straight ahead.
I'd suggest trying a few different routes through the back streets of Nth Sydney and find one that works for you. Some people are not comfortable going down Miller St in the mornings, but I find it is fine because it is all a 40km/h zone.

Comment by JR on May 31, 2009 at 10:16pm

Hi Melody,

I tried all of the above (I ride from lane cove to city) and my preferred is brook st. west st and then left at ridge, right on to miller and then straight down miller. I like this one cause of a good traffic light run and light traffic mix is good after the turn at ridge in the mornings. Do this on the way home too. Just the right mix of route for me I guess. What ever route you feel most comfortable with is the one for you

Comment by Melody Braithwaite on May 31, 2009 at 10:43pm

THANKS! From memory - the route sounds ideal for the morning when I expect to go quite early - its straightforward, and mostly downhill. However in the afternoon, when I am probably going to be tired, still building fitness, coping with the uphill (its really embarrassing clunking through the gears and you're only going as fast as pedestrians on the footpath next to you) and more traffic means I will try to avoid main roads.

Comment by Neil Alexander on June 1, 2009 at 8:59am

What hasn't been canvassed is your route home.

The hills and traffic make it tricky.

There is a shared path on the eastern side of Pacific Hwy between Berry and West Sts (I think it goes that far -- if only to McLaren, you can use the narrow lane between the Hwy and Church St to get up to West.

Or you could go back, from the post office, up Mount, then Edward St and Bay Rd to cross the Hwy with lights.

Comment by Russ W on June 1, 2009 at 10:36am

Northbound (and southbound), another option is to use the generally lightly-trafficked, scenic route west of the Pacific Highway ...... see

http://www.northsydney.nsw.gov.au/resources/documents/bikemap_2.pdf

.... uses Edward St, lane immediately west of N Syd Demonstration School, McHatton, Morton, Shirley, Russell, Smoothey Park to Greenwich / Lane Cove ...... past scout hall to Greendale, River Rd shared path to Sarner, Kingslangley, Ronald and finally Phoenix ...... all signposted.

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