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2008, and the burnt areas and severe wind falls of previous years are but memories. The track has also improved quite a lot, but stays in good condition. You do need to be careful through the singletrack - motos have been through in the wet, and have unfortunately carved some deep trenches
Again it's all changed - thanks to the recovery powers of the Aussie bush and a few years passing, you can barely pick where this spot was. More overgrowth would still be good, but the flow is back! |
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There's
lots of sidetracks off Lawson Ridge to explore, a few I still haven't
explored and a track running under the powerlines (just after you hit
the dirt) which takes you up and down lots of hills and over lots of waterbars
(jumps - some only if you're game), before bringing you out at the top
end of Lawson, almost into Bullaburra. If you don't get air along this track you're not trying - especially if you come from the Lawson end. I've nicknamed the powerlines track "The Dipper", because it's like a rollercoaster - you get to tear down some big hills, but just like Luna Park, the climbs to the top are a slow struggle. I always walk a few of the hills, even coming down from Lawson - one is a killer! You'll find nice views and the pleasant Frederica Falls along here. Frederica Falls also has a bbq plate if you are so inclined - watch out for fire bans though. Here's a short video clip of Hodgie, Helen and the hippy having some fun on the Dipper. No sound, 19 seconds 2720 KB. The Dipper has recently (May 2008) been graded and steam rolled, and is very smooth and well packed - the scary loose bits have gone (for now). I'm pretty sure some of the waterbars are bigger than they used to be as well - no complaints here! Better climbers than me could probably ride the whole Dipper now that traction isn't an issue. |
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A detour up to the top of Blue Mountain (the Blue Mountain - turn right after the last houses on the dirt) rewards the rider with views to the east and south, but trees have grown into the city views. |
| There are still panoramic views to the west. |
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To
get to this ride, catch the train to either Lawson, or Hazelbrook. If
you get off at Hazelbrook, head west up the highway. At the moment bikes are barred from the road due to roadworks using all the shoulders - you're supposed to detour round the back roads to Lawson on Hazo's south side. Most people would choose to illegally ride up the footpath instead. Queen's Road is off to the right at the top of the hill. From Lawson, head
back towards Sydney, either on the highway, or the back road that runs parallel
to the highway (Badgery's Crescent??). Just after the two roads join together
again, Queen's Road is off to the left - if you steam down the big hill into Hazelbrook, you've
gone too far... If you drive, you can park right out Queen's Road where
the dirt starts and go from there.
Follow Queen's Road till just past the mobile phone tower, and take the right
fork down through the gate into the Park. Take the next left fork (unless you
are going up to Blue Mountain) and then follow the main trail till the end.
Aboriginal
sites:
A few hundred metres down Queen's Road is Kangaroo Street. Turn left and
climb the short hill to see some interesting Aboriginal rock engravings of a
...kangaroo... Another Aboriginal site is at the start of the climb up from
Hazelbrook. Take the footpath (R/H side) and veer off towards a little
archway, just as the hill starts. You can see a rock shelf that has been
dug out hold water.
| Distance | ~20 km |
| Difficulty | Medium/Hard
- may need to walk some uphills. Surface may be loose. |
| Time | Varies - several hours recommended for the whole ride. |
| Trains | Lawson or Hazelbrook - timetable |
| See also... | The Oaks (Woodford to Glenbrook), Terrace Falls, sidetracks |
| Interest | Blue Mountain, Aboriginal rock engravings, great rock formations |
| Last reviewed | May 2008 |
Huzzah! Lawson' Ridge is back to a rating of 3.5 fat hippies
All rides are now rated in Fat Hippies - one means grab a slice of pizza and stay on the beanbag, two means not bad, three means well worth a ride, four is a great ride and five means stop looking at your computer, go ride it!
another fAt hIpPy production
Standard disclaimer:
Like all outdoor activities, mountain bike riding can result in serious or fatal injury. Your bike must be in good condition and suitable for off road riding. Track conditions may have changed since these reviews. There may be dangers on tracks that haven't been mentioned in these pages. Don't ride beyond your ability. If you fall off it's your own fault.Unless otherwise stated, all text, images, thoughts, comments, opinions etc expressed herein are mine, and should not be taken to represent anyone else. If you don't like anything I've said, sorry, just change the channel.
