Chaingang (aka The Missing Links) Cycling Group

Stop Press!! The Chaingang now has a seperate Web Page - See http://groups.msn.com/ChainGang

The Chaingang (aka The Missing Links) is a soical cycling group based around the Mt Druitt/Rooty Hill/Doonside area of Western Sydney. There are also other cyclists from outside this immediate area who join us on some of our rides. We ride most weekends, and try to cater for everyone who wants to be included from novices through to experienced riders. Most of us ride on Mountain Bikes or Hybrids, and average speeds are around 17 or 18 kmph, although some members of the group ride faster when slower members aren't present. The distances we cover on any ride vary from around 15 to 115 km - depending on who likes doing what. The age profile of the riders is from approx 13 to early 60's.

Favourite rides, with approximate distances from Rooty Hill:

• Windsor Ride - 23km each way, 70% of which is along reasonably quiet roads. A number of Cafe's to choose from in Windsor.
• Baulkham Hills ride - 20km each way, along cycleways and quiet roads. Probably the most picturesque of the local rides. A few reasonable hills on the way there, but a good downhill run coming home. One cafe with really yummy cakes in Baulkham Hills, which makes it all worthwhile!
• Penrith ride- Approx 20 km each way. Mainly on quiet roads.
• Breakfast Creek circuit - 17 km return. Quiet roads & cycleways, no major hills. Good 'after work' or beginner route.
• Brighton Le Sands challenge - Approx 58 km each way - Reasonably flat. Some of the route is along cycleways, the rest on reasonably quiet roads. The route goes past a number of railway stations (including Blacktown, Parramatta & Tempe), so there is scope for leaving or joining the ride as people wish to. Cafes located at Parramatta, Homebush and Brighton Le Sands.
• City ride - 47 km each way. I ride into the city to work on some occasions. Approximately 3 hours each way, usually done on seperate days (Ride in one morning, then home the afternoon of the following day). Most of the roads are reasonably quiet residential streets, with some cycleways thrown in.

Some other more challenging rides, again with distances from Rooty Hill:

• Lawson - 57km each way. Slow ride up, but it's great coming back down! Some busier roads.
• Rooty Hill to Springwood and home via Windsor - 95 km total. Options to join/leave ride in Springwood & Windsor (if the trains are running). Some busier roads and good hills.
• East Kurrajong/Sackville - Approx 95 km return, depending on route taken. Stops at Windsor and Tizzana Winery. Some pretty reasonable hills.
• Ebenezer - Approx 45 km each way. Similar to above route, but goes to Ebenezer church, which is the oldest church still open in Australia. Devonshire tea available at the church, cafe's in Windsor. Some of the roads can be busy at times.

If you would like to join us for any of the rides, or would like any other info about good cycling routes in the Blacktown area or further afield, please email one of the people below and we'll try to assist:

Rob Kemp: robkemp@tpg.com.au
Bern Leslie: bernie60@optusnet.com.au
Graham Heap : gheap@bigpond.net.au

For more on the Chaingang's Antics, See Graham's Website.

Some of the Chaingang riders at the 2002 RTA Big Ride. From left: Rob, Bernie (and Tiffany), Graham, Di & Pat.

In July '02, some of the Chaingang riders joined the LBUG group for a weekend ride from Mittagong to Berry. From left: John, Cathy, Di, Roy, Lindsay, Bob (LBUG), Rob, and Heather, Phillipa & Bev from LBUG.

Last Updated: 27/04/03