I awoke to a flat tyre. Having bought two spare tubes only yesterday and remarkably going through BOTH of them on the verandah before the ride even began! ?too pointy tyre levers?

The locked gate entrance to Dubbo Gully. If you don’t pick up the key from Gosford Council, your rides starts with a 2km downhill run on a very chilly morning and ends with a tough 2km climb at days end!

Unloading the bikes in Dubbo Gully. It was sunny when we left home for the half hour drive but it takes another hour or so for the low lying clouds to lift from the Gully

Some of the Pioneers of the Gully are long term residents!

Bottom end of Simpson Track – 4 km gradual ascent ahead

Coming back down the Simpson Track is a blast. Its a fast curving downhill stewn with debris. Have to look out for the bigger sticks when travelling at 30k + per hour. My derailer adopted a solid stick here once and it had to be replaced (the derailer, that is)

Ten Mile Hollow camping ground at the top of Simpson Track

The track around Clare’s Bridge.

Great North Road – convict built in 1830 for 29er riders of the future

Sweet single track

Sullivan Arm fire trail linking the Great North Road to valley floor near the Hawkesbury River

All horns and show (at least on this day)

Less menacing – these guys looked at us like they don’t see too many bikes on this short stretch of private property back road

A tough steep climb out from the river flat, but Paul and his “steel spring” legs are up to the challenge

My steel springs were a bit rusty so I had to walk some of these steep climbs. Half way up the “Big Mumma” I glanced at my speedo and saw this milestone. See, if I’d ridden all the way and not taken a stop to “smell the roses” I would have missed it!!

VaRooom …

Some colour around the Gully with spring approaching – native Australian wattle trees

After a 75 k loop, we are still smiling and still standing and still able to ride – but glad we don’t have to face the 2k climb out of The Gully