The way points of this bicycle route:
From the intersection of Riverside Dr and Arthur St Head through the "Road Closed" barriers to Arthur St, a bike with panniers can JUST squeeze through. Some trailers won't make it. Much of Arthur St is blue metal or pot-holed. Consistent wet weather can put some of it underwater. But at least now its closed to motor vehicles the surface shouldn't keep getting giant holes in it and its quiet.
Theres another "Road Closed" barrier here. July 2009 the concrete barrier has been nudged so its no longer necessary to dismount to get through.
Right into Rickard Rd.
Left onto Newbridge Rd. Head towards the right turn lane, we need to go right at the next set of lights. If you don't want to mix it with 4 lanes of main road traffic, theres paths and underpasses of the bridge.
Right into Henry Lawson Dr at the traffic lights. If you are at the front of the queue, you need to be right in the middle of the lane over the top of the sensor to trigger it.
Beware of vehicles from the slip lane to your left. May 2008, Henry Lawson Dr has just been resurfaced. Oct 2008, you might notice the new bike path to your right.
There is a narrow bridge ahead. There is no shoulder across it and traffic is typically fast and aggressive here, often crossing the double white lines to overtake a cyclist, even when theres trucks coming the other way. Either pick up speed to merge with the traffic and take the whole lane, or wait for a break.
Bridge, road narrows, no shoulder.
May 2008, Henry Lawson Dr has just been resurfaced. The previously unsealed debri strewn shoulder now has a narrow but smooth sealed shoulder.
Veer left off Henry Lawson Dr across the grass to Ingram Ave.
Cross Whittle Ave, watch out for traffic.
Where Ingram Ave turns left, veer right to use the footpath.
Get onto Bullecourt Ave.
Roundabout, cross Ashford Ave. Continue along Bullecourt Ave. Shops, takeways nearby. Bakery opens early.
Watch out you don't get squeezed here near the right turn lane to the uni.
Roundabout, turn left into Horsley Rd.
Turn right into Amour St.
Right into Marigold St.
Left into Carrington St.
Cross Queen St, continue along Gordon Parker St.
At intersection of Gordon Parker St and Victoria St, continue across road to path between houses and M5.
Cross The River Rd and turn right then left to the entrance ramp to M5 eastbound. Watch for traffic on your right coming around the corner from the M5 eastbound exit ramp.
Left onto the entry ramp to the M5 eastbound.
Toll booth. Yep, no charge for bikes. Be aware that if you pass the gate just after a vehicle has paid but before they go through, the gate can come down before they go through! This can make for a not so happy motorist who thinks you've bludged their toll money you cycling fiend. Endless amusing arguements can ensue. So I pace going through to so it doesn't cause any problems.
Use the breakdown lane. Unfortuantely it often has alot of debri, glass and wire from blown out tyres, so its tough on your tyres. Kevlar belted tyres or some form of puncture protection is a must.
M5 passes under Mackenzie St footbridge.
M5 passes under Gibson Ave.
Leave the M5, veer left up the exit ramp.
Near the top of the ramp you need to head over to one of the right turn lanes.
Right into Fairford Rd. These lights don't stay green for long. You need to move quick or you'll be caught in the middle of the intersection with traffic exiting the M5 westbound around you.
Left into Bryant St.
Bryant St ends, continue along the path to Salt Pan Creek. The gate here is typically shut. you normally have to go through a gap to the right.
Currently the satellite image shows the construction work for the primary loop pipeline. This closed the path for about a year (it was supposed to only take a month!). There is a path here.
Left at the path T-intersection.
Concrete path ends, boardwalk starts. Be aware riding bikes isn't permitted on the boardwalks (there is a fine). I still use it, just slow down and pull up for pedestrians to pass.
Boardwalk goes under the M5. there is a constantly changing graffiti gallery off to the right.
If its raining you'll notice the very thoughtfully provided shower of water dumping straight off the M5 onto the boardwalk.
Right to cross the bridge over Salt Pan Creek. There are tight turns, awkward for tandems, trailers and trikes.
Boardwalk ends, continue along path. Watch for oncoming cyclists and pedestrians at this corner, shrubs often obscure the view.
Turn right and cross the bridge over the creek. If you went straight ahead it takes you on an unsealed surface past the tennis courts, bowling club, to the intersection of Wiggs Rd and Moxon Rd.
Turn right onto the road after crossing the small bridge.
Continue along the road under the M5. From here to the park near Kentucky Rd the sealed surface has been damaged by the pipeline work, theres currently some unsealed bits.
Left at the T-intersection after passing under the M5.
Turn left at the path intersection. Much of the path from here to Belmore Road North was closed for about 3 years, its now reopened and improved. May 2008 the satellite images still show much of this under construction, it is now good quality concrete path.
Keep following the main wide concrete path. The path veering off to your left goes to a bridge over the M5.
Path forks, veer right. To your right is Riverwood Community Garden. There is a path here, May 2008 the satellite image still shows the area under construction.
Turn right at the path T-intersection to follow the path along the SW side of the lake. There is a skate park, seating, shelters, BBQs and toilets on the eastern side of the lake.
Riverwood Community Centre is on the other side of the creek. On saturdays there is a small market in the carpark just east. Theres a new footbridge over the creek that isn't shown on the satellite image.
You have reached Washington Ave, near its intersection with Belmore Rd North. A convenience store and chinese takeaway are in the shops just to the east in Hannans Rd.
Welcome to Bikely, take a step by step tour of this path:
Press Start Tour - then use the navigation buttons below to move along the path.
Commute from Chipping Norton to Riverwood via Arthur St, Milperra Bridge, Henry Lawson Dr, Bullecourt Ave, Carringston St, M5, Salt Pan Creek boardwalks, Riverwood lake.
Tagged with: Commute, Onroad, Offroad, Low traffic, High traffic, Urban
