Since most people will be unfamiliar with the trails involved in this route, here are a few quick suggestions on what to expect, what to do and what not to do.
Firstly, take the monday off from work. It is called HuRT for a reason and you will be glad to have a recovery day.
The trail is very rugged and very hard. It will be an extreme physical test and for those riders who expect to smash out an easy 300k’s, you are in for a rude shock. I don’t expect there will be more than a handful of riders in the country capable of riding this trail in 24 hours and even less willing to give it a go – Yes, that is a challenge so Pony up!.
Single trail between Kurri and Paxton.
If you look at the terrain profile for this section of trail, it appears to be pretty flat and you would expect to be making quick progress i.e 20kph average. The reality is a whole lot different, so expect this 60-70km section to take at least 5 hours. Plan your riding, food stops etc accordingly.
The Watagans
The start of the GNW will be your last source of potable water for an extended period through until Cooranbong. This includes a big push up over Barraba Trig and fire-road/ single track sections through the Watagans to the pines and then Cooranbong. These are some really tough sections of trail so use some forethought to ensure you don’t run out.
There are water tanks at several of the campsites on route however they are frequently damaged leaving them empty of water and are unreliable at best. They are also labelled as non-potable water so ensure you have adequate options to purify/treat water. There is also generally some running water in a stream behind the Pines campground. People have successfully treated this water in the past. It may also be a backup option.
The trail through the watagans is hard. Probably the hardest sections of trail in the whole route. It is all motorbike single track (except for a section of hand build mountain bike trail). This means there are some sensational berms and crazy lines which really flow on the downhills however there are plenty of ruts, puddles and pinch climbs that will smash you to pieces. Its hard going but rewarding (and a bit sandy). For those trying to do the whole route in one hit, you’re going to arrive on this section in the dark and your going to be cold and lonely. Enjoy!
The wallabies in the Watagans are a special breed of stupid. As soon as it gets dark (although it has happened to me in broad daylight many times too) they start to get active and spook easily as you approach. Inevitably, they always decide they would be better off on the other side of the road and will shoot out of the bush directly in front of you as you descend hills at 50kph. Singing is the best form of defence in this situation. Any living creature will flee the area long before you arrive if you are belting out Khe Sanh at the top of your lungs.
Freemans Waterhole
It’s a long way up from Freemans Waterhole to Sugarloaf range road. Get food at the bottom at the 24 hours service station – Chico rolls are good! Carry a spare bottle of coke because you are going to need caffeine and sugar and enjoy the views on the way up. Your going to want to kill us but remember: What goes up must come down.
This also contains a section of Great North Walk. We are required to recommend that you walk this section (your pretty much going to have to anyway – it goes straight up).
Killingworth
The descent into Killi is magic. The GPS trail follows one of half a dozen options to get down the hill. Don’t worry about following the mapped route 100% through this section. Just let the brakes go, blow your hair back and grin like an idiot. It all ends up in the same spot anyway so choose your own adventure
Random Stuff
Look after your feet. If you are thinking of wearing your super stiff soled uber carbon race shoes, then your going to suffer. Carry enough Elastoplast tape to fix blisters because shoe rub is an inevitable consequence of hike-a-bikes. Wear shoes with a little bit of give that are well worn in, otherwise your feet will become hamburger mince.
Featherweight race tyres will die. Use something with a rugged side wall.
