There is a cue sheet for this route on Ride with GPS, including cues and distances that align with the descriptions below.

The ride starts at Cook Park. Plenty of off-street parking and space for riders to meet, set up and then farewell their delivery drivers.

Riders leave Cook Park on Sampson Street, which is a lovely wide street with homes displaying period architecture on either side of the road. Just one and a half blocks later riders turn left into Woodward Street, ride south past Pilcher Park, then up and out of Orange on Shiralee Road. This is a little warm up climb before riders get to Pinnacle Road, so leave plenty in the tank. The real climb is coming up.

Turn left at the Pinnacle Road T-intersection (approximately 4.4 km from Cook Park). The Pinnacle route takes riders a further 7km through orchards and vineyards up towards The Pinnacle. Riders need to settle into a comfortable rhythm here as this is a reasonable climb of 210 metres which includes one section of road at 9% gradient.

This climb is worth it on every metre in elevation gained. There are terrific views on this part of the ride, and riders can pause to catch their breath, have a drink and capture that perfect landscape image. At the Pinnacle, there is a car park and then a walking track to the top. Not much good for bikes, especially when loaded with gear for a multi-day ride.

Riders then descend through the Towac Valley past Lake Canobolas (18.1 km). There are toilets and a café beside the lake. Riders continue to the Cargo Road intersection, then turn left (19.5 km) and continue pedalling a further 2 kms before turning right at Borenore Road (21.9 km). There is a good shoulder on the Cargo Road but be aware that it is used by heavy vehicles. The turn to the right is also a little bit tricky, with not much protection for vehicles and riders, so best take care here too.

The Borenore Road is a lovely part of the ride, mostly downhill and past the Australian National Field Days site at Borenore. The old Borenore railway station is no longer in use, but it is worth taking a quick stop here for a photo. At the Escort Way T-intersection (28.7 km) turn left, ride 150 metres then right onto Amaroo Road.

At Pratten Road (35.8 km), riders turn left, and the gravel section commences almost immediately. Riders climb gently away from the bitumen and into farm country. You’ll rise to the crest and be rewarded with a view to the southwest over Cheeseman’s Creek, before turning left again on Rutherford Road (39.4 km).  Riders will continue along Rutherford Road to the T-intersection with Yuranigh Road (45.0 km), where riders turn right.

This is a lovely quiet stretch of road. There’s a gentle climb on recently sealed road, which meanders like a river through remnant eucalypts. At the crest (approx. 45.6 km), pause and take in the near 360-degree views of the area. There’s another glimpse in the distance of Mt Canobolas.

Yuranigh’s Grave is worth stopping at (51.0 km), and for riders to consider the importance of this site to us all. There is a good article about Yuranigh’s grave here.

It’s then a short ride before turning left onto the Mitchell Highway (51.8 kms) and a 3 km downhill ride into Molong to finish the day. This last section of road is also used by heavy vehicles but there is a good shoulder beside the road on this downhill ride into town.

Toilets at Rotary Park on right before you ride over the railway (53.6 km), also in town near the Freemason’s pub. The railway station is closed to passengers and the public.

Total distance is 54.4 kilometres.

Disclaimer:

This trail has been developed with the support of local cycling enthusiasts, The Treadlies to showcase some of our region’s most picturesque rides. Orange360 recommends that visiting cyclists review road, weather and seasonal farming conditions before they embark on their ride. Riders embark on their adventure at their own risk.