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Mt York Riding


J the B's picture

By J the B - Posted on 24 May 2010

Just did Berghoffers yesterday. The state of the track is about average. It got hammered a few months ago with the heavy rains, and there was a fair bit of erosion. This has settled down somewhat, but you still need to be reasonably careful over the loose stuff.

And I thought we'd be better of with a dedicated thread for Mt York, rather than wherever we were talking about it before, so I've just copied my earlier post below.

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Just a thought:
if you were planning on doing a group ride out at Mt York, it might take a bit of planning to make a decent half day out of it. One lap of Locker's/Lawson's takes about an hour, so it might be worth doing a couple of descents. Problem is, not everyone would have a couple of ascents in them.
However, if you include the nice single track that runs along beside Mt York Rd, you add about half an hour (that includes both directions).

I usually ride from Blackheath to Mt Vic on the railway access track (legal), along the bitumen to the top of Lawson's, then varied single track beside the road to the end of Mt York Rd. Have a look at the view, ride back on the single track to the top of Lockyer's. Down Lockyer's and up Lawson's. Then back to Blackheath the way I came. That takes 2 - 3 hours (depending on breaks and getting sidetracked) and I'm usually pretty knackered by the end of it.

The other option, of course, is to include Berghoffer's, but I've heard it's not as nice as it used to be.

Just thought I'd put my 2 cents in...

Flynny's picture

Our usual loop is to start at the bottom of berghoffers, up, down Lockyers, up lawsons and down berghoffers.

With the usual guffing about it's takes about 2 hrs

Another option to add mor ein without too many extra ups is to leave the car at the bottom of Lockyers/coxes. Ride around to the highway and up berhoffers

Along the single track at the top and down Coxes. Up Lawsons and down Lockyers.

J the B's picture

Rode Lockyer's again today and it re-affirmed by belief that it's one of the best rides in the mountains.

Bit the dust trying out something I'd never done before, at speed, on a corner (who posted that Coastal Crew clip anyway?). Amazed that we came out of it with only our fantasies destroyed, my bike and I pushed back up to try it again....

... and remembered why we didn't make it the first time when we landed on the same damned tree root...

J the B's picture

Seems like Mt York is getting a bit of interest lately, so I though I'd throw this other combination out there:
What do you think of a Mt York day where you do 2 descents and only 1 ascent?

It's really just a car shuffle and would work like this:

1. We all drive to the bottom of Lockyer's.
2. We leave half the cars there, then all pile in with the bikes in the other cars, and drive to the top of Lockyer's or Cox's.
3. We zoom down with grace and style.
4. We all pile into the cars at the bottom (with the bikes) and drive to the top again.
5. We zoom down with even more grace and style.
6. We ride back up Lockyer's or Lawson's to the cars.
7. We limp to the pub for a beer (optional extra, for the advanced)

Can't remember, but I'm guessing that the drive from Hartley Vale to Mt York via Victoria Pass would take around 20 mins, and not much more via the Darling Causeway?

Andy Bloot's picture

i know I've done it
But i don't remember which one it is
Very techy - fast
Is it the one with the steps

Flynny's picture

Lockyers is the longer one. Awesome sustained ST along the ridge and then down the stairs near the end.

Starts about halfway out along MTYork road but worth starting at the top of berhoffers and taking the ST out along the shared trail

Coxes alternate (To the right at the Y. you're not suppose to ride Coxes original) goes off the end. Starts down a heap of stairs and rock steps, has a techy rock ledge in the middle and then opens up towards the bottom/

Andy Bloot's picture

Let's think of a weekend to do it
Can only fit 2 bikes in my car though

moggio's picture

It sounds like a good idea, I'm also only two bikes in the car as well. We would need a ute person to get a larger number of bikes and less cars I guess... still could be done.

J the B's picture

I can fit 4 people (including driver) and 3 bikes, if you take the front wheels and seats off.
Or I can easily fit 2 people and 4 bikes.

I might even be able to do 4 people, 4 bikes if I fit my dodgy home-made bike rack onto my roof rack (don't worry, it's not THAT dodgy). I'll play with it and see what I can come up with.

Flynny's picture

Depending on the weekend we have a 14 bike trailer. Mini bus hire, from memory is about $220. divide that by 14 and you can take turns driving and do as many runs as you like throughout the day.

Combine it with some runs at Hassans Walls and you've got a good day out Smiling

moggio's picture

Thanks for the generous offer Flynny!

It might be something worth working out sometime.

I have no idea how tiring it would be just going down, as that return up Lawson's tends to suck ones life out.

Andy Bloot's picture

Now THAT sounds like a plan

Isildur's picture

That sounds like one hell of a plan. I've only ridden out that way once, and thought it would be cool to do shuttles all day. Could probably bring the big bike if it was a shuttle only day!

I can do 5 bikes & 5 people in my car, but the mini bus sounds like a far better idea! At $16 per person + a little for fuel, definitely sounds like an exciting prospect.

joey's picture

Here's a little Vid of the start,for those who haven't had the pleasure.


http://vimeo.com/12869370

Try it in HD,so you can see it properly.And i've got other sections of the track as well.

Brian's picture

Where is Mt York?

Rob's picture

http://nobmob.com/rides/mountyork

Near Mt Victoria (that's the name of a place, not a mountain), just down the road from Blackheath.

Andrei74's picture

Oohh this sounds sweet, let me know I'd be in for sure with this shuttle bus idea. so for those of you who have ridden here, are you saying that this is a DH bike friendly trail?

Cheers
Andrei

Andy Bloot's picture

Let's do it sooner rather than later
Like in July sometime
I'm good for next couple of Sunday's
Weekend after next is the State DH at Lithgow though

Who's keen for then or other date suggestions

Should we hire the trailer
or just drive back up the top

Ian_A's picture

If I can make it ill bring the box trailer which would fit at least 5-6 bikes safely + myself and 4 others in the car with the boot for gear.
Dont know about having a bunch of smelly blokes in my car though, I'm a bit OCD about my car - I bought it new in 06' and the interior still smells new haha.
Ian

Flynny's picture

Wont be able to use our trailer if you do it the weekend of the champs as it will be in use

BM Epic's picture

Lets wait a few weeks and get it up and running, let me get in touch with joey and Flynny to let these two gods guide us, just wait to see Joey dissapear as you watch and shake your head in disbelief!
Will put it up as an official ride!
Todd

Andy Bloot's picture

Sounds good
This will be one not to miss

Mr Lights's picture

Just let me know what weekend it is all going to happen and ill be there.

The only weekend thats not good for me is the 10th and 11th of july as this is the Downhill Champs in Lithgow.

Not going to miss this one.

Flynny's picture
The only weekend thats not good for me is the 10th and 11th of july as this is the Downhill Champs in Lithgow`
Not going to miss this one

On that note we still need more volunteers if anyone is keen to come up and see how stupi.... I mean, skillful the DH crew are.

As Dan can attest it's not a bad day out on the hill and you get the best spots to see the action

checkout
http://ctmbc.net/node/15213

moggio's picture

This one sounds like a goer and a really cool idea from Flynny.

Someone needs to put their hand up as an organiser of the vehicle and find where we can get one from most easily.

We need some dates thrown around... later July would probably be best I guess ... maybe 17/18th or 24/25th?

Mr Lights's picture

The DH Champs is deffinately an awesome weekend.

250 DH riders coming down the Gun Club makes it interesting too.

Setting up the shuttle is a good idea and im happy to help pitch in for costs and so on.

So are they runs up and down Mt York or runs up and down Hassans walls?

J the B's picture

17th / 18th sounds good to me. Maybe if we keep drumming up the interest for a few days, see how many people are keen, then make a decision on the trailer / rental van thing, or whether we have enough cars & utes to do it that way.

@Andre, for Lockyer's I reckon you'll be OK on a DH bike, but it depends on how many laps you do. There are two short steep hills (<30m), and a couple of flattist / undulating bits, and the rest is downhill. I'd recommend a trail / all mountain bike, though, if you're gonna do multiple laps.

Flynny's picture

Lockyers would be an PITA on a full DH bike but you could always drop the XC boys of at Lockyers and the Dg crew at Coxes. Both come out at the same place and by the time the DHer ride across to the the pick up point the XCers wouldn't be far behind

Andrei74's picture

Now I'm totally confused so I'll think I'll take both the Yakuza pictured --->
and the Trance... This way I can't lose Smiling I'll just keep one of the bikes in my car while using the other.

J the B's picture

Yeah, if you've got two bikes and there's room for 'em, might be a good idea Andre. I've ridden that trail heaps of times but my memory's so bad that every time I do it, it's just like the first. I have seen guys on DH bikes on it, but I've never spoken to them afterwards to see how they fared. The trail is certainly better suited to lighter bikes, though - there's nothing on it that you need a DH bike for.

Ian_A's picture

Just got a message from my mate Hacky who was at the Lidsdale ride (blue falcon ute with bullbar, lent Andy the gloves) about a different thing and remembered that he actually has a massive dirt bike trailer that will fit at least 10 bikes easily.
He was trying to sell it a few months ago, but ill call him and see if its still on the road and still in his possession (its in perfect nick, just too big for normal use).
3 cars and this trailer should do all of us for shuttle I'd say. Might even rope Hacky into coming if he's free and he can tow the behemoth.
Ian.

Isildur's picture

Sounds good! If he's not willing to tow it, my 4wd should be fine to do the towing duties. Looking forward to whenever this happens!

J the B's picture

Alright fellas, who can do the the weekend of the 17th/18th? I can't do the one after, so wanna see how many people are in for the above-mentioned date.

@BLKFOZ: You mentioned you might be able to tee up your mate's trailer. Any update on that one?

If we get the use of that trailer, and get 10 people interested, we don't need to hire a van as we could all fit in two or three cars. If we get a couple more than ten, then I'm sure we could carry the overflow in the cars anyway (e.g. I can fit a bike on my roof).

So who's in?

Flynny's picture

I did say we have a purpose built 14 bike trailer you could loan....

J the B's picture

Thanks for reminding me of that, and thanks for offering it. Is it available on the weekend of the 17th/18th?
I assume the trailer's in Lithgow. If so, any info on where to hire a minivan in Lithgow? I'll look into it in case there's a lot of people wanting to come...

J the B's picture

Just so everyone knows, I rang Hertz in Lithgow. They have one mini-bus with a tow bar:

Seats 12 including driver
$194 / day
200km free
Extra kms 28c

In-demand, so book early they say.

Andrei74's picture

Count me in Baptist I'm there for sure.

Isildur's picture

I'm in for the 17th!

Can't do the 18th though, I have a relo's combined 40th B'day/20th Anniversary party going on.

Mini bus sounds like a great idea!

Ian_A's picture

I'm actually out on a dirt bike ride with my mate with the big trailer on the 17th (and we're using the trailer that day).
He was sweet with us using the trailer and will come if he can (has a new born so his free time is almost non-existant at the moment).
I could do the 18th providing I don't get injured riding on the 17th (tends to happen a bit with me on the dirt bike though!).
So, just pick the date when most people are free and ill come if I can and miss out if I cant.
Cheers,
Ian.

J the B's picture

Haven't got a lot of response yet: 3 for Saturday, 3 for Sunday. I'm going to put it in the calendar for Saturday anyway. If no-one else wants to come, we can just do car shuffles, but I'll be doing two laps one way or another.

If anyone else wants to come, speak up now, and I'll try to organise the bus and trailer. Don't leave it to the last minute.

sponge's picture

I'm shooting for saturday. Taking day off work tomorrow to go to Lithgow and can not really afford to also have next sunday as well off.

The bride has got to get a couple of teeth pulled in Nepean during the week and suggested that come saturday i'll be sick of playing nurse nancy and will probably wanna get out and about.

Could be able to get hold of a trailer with a bar up front to hang bikes over and can take 2 on roof of car or happy to pull the 14 bike behemoth behind my subie, all depends on the numbers attending, guess that will be clearer as week progresses, happy to shuttle up and down a couple of times and depending on the condition and requirements of the bride might bring the barbie to feed us all.

Cheers.

Isildur's picture

So, Who's is on this one? So far we've got 5 on the ride page, which makes shuttling easier I suppose. But more people make better riding I reckon, especially when it's shuttle runs! Eye-wink

BM Epic's picture

Problem is Gub, it's a saturday, most people have got the family duties, more people if it was a sunday, we will try for a day next month!

J the B's picture

Todd, just a point on this: we were kinda lucky with the numbers on this one, coz now we all fit into one car. If there were to be more punters (say 10), you'd probably want to hire a mini bus. However, you need to get this booked early. When I rang a week ago, both Lithgow and Penrith had no buses left (the only option was Windsor). So you gotta drum up the interest and get those commitments early.

BM Epic's picture

Yeah i was thinking the same thing myself, 5 will be a good number too, as you said, after 5 runs that will probably be enough, wish i was coming, expect to read a ride blog too Jim!!!!!..should we wait til the end of August for a next yorky ride?..there has been some talk of maybe oaks at night, i know it is a great ride through the single track at night, especially when there is more than 10 people!
Jim..photo's and ride report by sunday night!!!!!..i will be waiting!

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