Cycling Route 2 - The Stock Route

Length: 100km with 834m of ascent

You will head out of Grenfell and get onto your first gravel road pedalling along Abbotts Lane. Soon after you will be on the paved road which heads out to Holy Camp National Park but you will turn right well before reaching the Park.

After ~8.5km turn right on Stock Rte Rd where you will be back on gravel, enjoy this ~6km section and just imagine what it would be like following a herd of cattle as they meander through Weddin Shire along the Stock Route Rd.

Cross the Mid Western Highway and onto Henry Lawson Way, which is paved. There is a decent shoulder to ride along during this ~5km section, use caution, before you turn left and onto the quiet country Pinnacle Rd.

This ~28km ‘box’ section is predominately paved. Enjoy the scenery and appreciate the view off in the distance of the Weddin Mountains National Park. At ~48km you will turn left and then quickly right over the Henry Lawson Way and onto Bald Hills and Barkers Roads. These are some of the best roads you will ever pedal along and over some glorious gravel.

Enjoy more beautiful countryside as you go through this farming land and climb up to one of the highest points on the ride at ~60km where you are 430m above sea-level.

There are some short sections of paved roads as you tic-tac over New Forbes and Gooloogong Rds. By ~75km you have finished the gravel sections and now heading back towards Grenfell along Adelargo Rd which is another quiet country road.

To keep you off the Mid Western Highway, cross over and onto Derribong Lane and meander back into Grenfell on more low trafficked roads as you head back to the starting point of 88 Main Street.

SPECIFICS

Start and finish : Grenfell Visitor Information Centre, 88 Main Street Grenfell – https://goo.gl/maps/uwVUUU1UsKtSptGC6

Bathrooms : Grenfell Visitor Information Centre, 88 Main Street Grenfell

Phone : Very limited access when you away from town

Bikes : MTB / Gravel / Flat Bar / e-versions of these bikes with suitable gravel tyres

Paved v’s un-paved : 70% v’s 30%

Highest Elevation on ride : 450m above sea-level at 96km

Lowest Elevation on ride : 263m above sea-level at 39km

Rating : 4 / 5 due to accumulative distance and remoteness being key factors

Estimated Ride Times : @ 15kph : ~6:40 hours // @ 25kph : ~4:00 hours

Cuesheet : turn by turn instructions can be found on the Ride with GPS Link

Notes : The busiest road you will be riding on is the Henry Lawson Way. Use caution and keep left. Make sure you go through the Cycling Check List below.

Cycling Check List

• Your own cycling safety is your responsibility so stay aware and take stock of your surroundings
• Follow the road rules at all times
• Check your bike and equipment before you depart, i.e. tyre condition, well lubed chain, helmet condition etc. Make sure it is all in good working order and if in doubt take it to your local bike shop before you venture out
• Always tell someone where you are going and your estimated time of return
• Check the weather forecast for the area where you will be riding
• Carry maps &/or a well charged GPS device for the area you are riding in
• Phone coverage is not always available, but a well charged phone should be carried in case of emergency
• Carry spare tubes, tyre levers, pump and multi-tool at a minimum
• Always carry enough water, food and suncream as you will be in remote areas
• It is highly recommended that you do not ride alone in remote areas
• Always be aware that roads and conditions regularly change, especially on country gravel roads