Heard of the Newcastle Overnight (website)? Neither had a lot of people until one the SNR girls mentioned it a few months back. 

I hear you whining "but isn't it busy on the motorway to Newcastle"? Yes it is, but the route is along the old Pacific highway in the quiet smooth roads through some stunning National Parks with some epic climbs and decents.

Why do you do it overnight? Cause we all know that's the best time to ride without fear of being run over. Plus no risk of sunburns.

The adventure begins as 9 pm on observatory hill. Actually it begins early when everyone starts carbing and caffeine loading pre ride. Sign in and get safety checked by volunteers. Over the harbour bridge the biggest bottleneck of the ride. 

Pacific Highway in Sydney isn't the best, but we were still able to take up a lane most of the way without being mulled over. But in a bunch and with one of the girls decked out in Cylotron lights we rocked the highway.

1am, 55kms in and we hit the first tea stop after epic hill. The volunteer group have laid out the fruit, biscuits, tim tams, shapes, tea, coffee (even with soy milk). The sugar high you need to get you through the 

85 km mark up a hill we hear Marc screaming, "Woah oh, we're half way there" and everyone starts singing along. Yes half way there and it's 2 am. 

100 kms, cramping up. the Entrance has some nice port-o-loos, orange break.

4 am, 112 kms, second tea stop. Legs are cramping hard. Again the volunteer group have set up an epic biscuit and cake station. I couldn't stop anymore sugar so stuck with my apple.

5 am, start to hear the birds waking up and singing. Hating the wind.

6.30 am, hitting Fernleigh rail trail, loving the trees and birds, still hating the wind .Now hating the ever so subtle incline.

7:30 am, Newcastle Ocean bath swim! Hot chips (regrettable) for breakfast.

Massive thanks to the organisers and volunteers, Omafiets, Yvonne, the tea stop volunteers.
See you all next year. 

Start: Observatory Hill, Sydney Australia
End: Newcastle Ocean Baths, NSW Australia

Distance: 170 kms
Difficulty: F**ING HARD but worth it
Roads: Smooth on road 
​Riding time average: 9 hours

​Strava: link
Route: Garmin link, Pacific Highway, Old pacific highway, Central Coast Cycleway
Flyby: link
Instagram: #newcastleovernight

Highlights:

• Marc singing Bon Jovi's half way there at halfway mark.
• Tea stops. Endless amounts of fruit and biscuits.
• The epic hill into Gosford oh yeah.

This week we choose the inner west to light up the night. Through Sydney University down to Lilyfield and into the bay. That bay doesn't look like it's big but it's big. 
On the ride we had Lee who managed to fall asleep in his baby seat as mum rode along, no complaints there. Random brompton couple hitched onto the ride and came out for a drink. Made friends at the pub with a cargo messenger guy and delved a bit into the life of a Sydney Messie.
 

Start: Pride of Redfern
End: Royal Hotel, Darlington. Bit of a uni vibe. Loads of space.
​
Length: 22km
Difficulty: Easy with hills
Time: 2 hours

Facebook: link
Strava: link
Route: link

For our second portrait, we welcome one amazing lady, Yvonne. You might have already seen her happily riding in the streets of Sydney, with her dot socks, killer sunglasses and stereo. If you haven't had the chance to meet her yet, we seriously think it's time for you to come to one of our Sydney Night Rides and talk bicycles or cats or life with Yvonne (@chickenlv on Instagram).

50 people  rocked up for the SNR ride last night. Not sure if it was the weather, the opportunity to rap squat , the street art tour or the post ride schenanegans but we managed to get them all there.
From Redfern up to Sydney Park and around the alleyways of Marrickville for some street art stalking. 

We don't care what you ride or what your post ride fix is. Just roll!~
​
Facebook event: link
Strava details: link
Strava flyby: link

Finally a tuesday night without a cloud in the sky! The night's heating up and so are the SNR crew. Another leisurely stroll to the beach. Pretty flat and cruisey!
So many new faces. So many smiles. So many moments where we thought we lost people but we didn't. We all made it to the beach for a drink and back for more + ice cream. 

Distance: 25 km
Strava: map details
Facebook: event details

Photos courtesy of Nay and Marie.

Joel's been there since the beginning. Not sure how he found us but we love him. We love him because he never complains about the hills and always makes us eat his dirt. Then sits behind us for the rest of the ride using us a wind breaker. ​

7 bridges, 7 hills and some of the most stunning views of Sydney from the North side. 
We'll call this ride the fist pump ride. The strava image says it all. You have to give yourself a bit of a fist pump after some of those nasty hills. SNR and hills have a love-hate relationship. Mostly we love them. 

Distance: 51 kms
Time: 3 hours
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation: 1100 m
Highlights: Epic views from the North Side, Dance Party under the "No Unauthorised Amplified Music sign"
Water stops: At the ferry stops and parks

Road: Mostly on road, back streets and 2 epic roads, Burns bay and the 
Strava: ride details
Facebook: event details

Through Barrangaroo and over the bridge to see Luna. All those pretty lights. 
All those smiling faces. Then back again for post-ride refreshments at the Rose.

Check point #1 - Before the bridge 
Check point #2 - Luna Park
Check point #3 - Rose hotel in Chippendale for a post ride drink - open to other suggestiongs

Length: 15km return
Difficulty: Easy

Route: details here
Strava: ride details here