CENTRAL WEST CYCLING TRAIL TOUR 26 AUG – 3 SEP The woodlands and wheatlands of Central West NSW The Central West This newly established 400km cycle loop that meanders through the backroads of Central West NSW is bound to be a popular addition to the cycle tourist’s bucket list. It takes in well-known historic towns like Mudgee, Gulgong, Wellington and Dubbo, as well as many smaller hamlets along the way. This diverse region is known for wheat, wool and wine and was also part of the 19th century gold rush. The route has been designed to be a peaceful journey through the varied countryside on sealed and unsealed backroads. The locals, who have enthusiastically embraced the trail, are proudly welcoming cyclists to the region with old-fashioned hospitality. They have diversified their culinary offerings to cater to the new visitor group and menus now include healthy ‘cyclist food’ alongside traditional country pub-grub, wines and craft beers. We’ll make sure we don’t miss any of the off-bike attractions that the region is known for including visits to Western Plains Zoo, Old Dubbo Gaol, Royal Flying Doctor Visitor Experience and Wellington Caves. The Tour at a Glance Dates: 26 Aug – 3 Sep 2021 (8 nights) Difficulty Rating: 5/10 Start: Mudgee Finish: Mudgee Distance: 406km approx Average Daily: 51km Bike Type: Hybrid, Touring or Gravel bike E-bike: Welcome. A great ride for an e-bike Group Size: Small group tour, approx 15-20 Accom: Quality Motels Meals: 8 breakfasts, 6 dinners Weather: September monthly avg approx 20 deg C Surface: Flat to undulating terrain. Sealed & unsealed roads, trails & bike paths. Roads (when applic): Quiet, local, bike-friendly backroads with very little traffic. One 16km Hwy section (optional). Don’t have a bike? No problem – we can source a hire bike for you (including pickup and return). Who is this tour for? Cyclists looking for a relaxing experience with low-traffic riding, great country scenery and time to enjoy other non-cycling highlights of the regions visited. Let us take care of everything so you can relax, ride and soak up the beauty of the surroundings. Highlights • A cycling experience with full comfort & support • Dubbo’s Western Plains Zoo • Serene landscapes and quiet roads • Royal Flying Doctor Visitor Experience & Old Gaol • Comfortable country accommodation • Wellington Caves Visit • Hearty country food, drink & hospitality • Homemade morning teas at Mayfield Homestead & • Optional Rest Day in Dubbo Wongarbon Post Office • Multiple night stays (minimal packing) • Small group camaraderie Join AllTrails in 2021 on NSW’s newest cycling route For those who prefer the quiet life, this 9-day tour will provide plenty of opportunity to immerse yourself in the countryside and enjoy the wildflowers and birdsong. You will cycle through pasture lands, treed nature-trails and the open plains. The ride criss-crosses waterways including the Macquarie River, Cudgegong River, Slap Dash Creek and other small tributaries over all manner of bridges. Take a step back in time as you roll through the small villages contrasted by 4 nights in the big smoke of Dubbo with all its attractions. A day’s cycling through the grounds of the Western Plains Zoo is sure to be a tour highlight! The tour loop will start and finish in Mudgee and to ensure suitable and best accommodation on some daily sections, the AllTrails crew will transfer cyclists to and from our start/finish points when required. We make the experience as smooth as possible, allowing cyclists to enjoy the scenery and charming townships by day, with quality food and accommodation by night. Pricing AUD Until 31 Jan 2020 Until 30 Jun 2021 After 30 Jun 2021 Twin share $3350 pp $3450 pp $3550 pp Single room $3990 $4090 $4190 Included • All accommodation (8 nights) • Rider Pack: jersey, bottle, day-bag • Meals: 8 breakfasts, 6 dinners • Entry to Dubbo Western Plains Zoo - 2 day ticket • Snacks, water and fruit on the trails • Entry to Royal Flying Doctor Service Experience • Bike mechanical assistance • Entry to Dundullimal Homestead • Transfers to/from each days ride • Entry to Old Dubbo Gaol • Support & safety vehicles • Entry to Wellington Caves • Daily maps & directions • Morning Teas Mayfield Homestead & Wongarbon PO Payment Schedule • Deposit on booking ($400) • Progress Payment 30 days after deposit but not before Feb 2021 (40% of package cost, less deposit paid) • Balance 4 July 2021 (2 months before tour) Travelling on your own We often have cyclists come on our rides who are travelling alone. If so, you may pay the Single Supplement price to have your own room, or you can put your name on our ‘Twin Share Request List’ and we will pair you with another solo traveller of the same gender in twin share accommodation (if we have another similar request). There is a good chance that we will be able to partner you up with somebody else. If not, the single supp price will apply which will give you your own room for the entire tour. Contact us anytime to have a chat and check twin share availability – we may already have a match for you. Travelling with friends $50 pp discount for groups of 3 or more cyclists. Optional Extras Bike hire: We can arrange bike hire including collection and return (refer our separate Bike Hire FAQ). Pricing: Hybrid $390; E-Hybrid $390 Bike packaging carriage: Most cyclists travelling on a plane generally bring their bike in a cardboard bike carton. If you have a soft bike bag or hard case, we can carry them in our vehicles for the duration of the tour for the following fees: • Collapsible cardboard carton $0 • Soft foldable bike bag ($3/day) $24 • Hard case or unfoldable bag/carton ($5/day) $40 Transport from Sydney to Mudgee: In the AllTrails minibus, Thu 26 Aug & Fri 3 Sep. $50 each way. Long Term Parking – Mudgee: Free public car park behind the Mid Western Regional Council building (Short St) at owners risk. Getting to and from the tour Getting there If utilising the AllTrails minibus from Sydney, our meeting place is Sydney Central Station on Thu 26 Aug, departing early at 7:00am. We suggest arriving in Sydney on Wed 25 Aug if you can. For those wishing to drive to Mudgee and spend some extra time in the region either before or after the tour, our Mudgee meeting place is the free car park behind the Mid Western Regional Council building on Short St at 11:00am. Going Home The tour will officially disband on Fri 3 Sep after breakfast. The AllTrails minibus will depart Mudgee at 9:00am, arriving back at Sydney Central Station at approx. 1:00pm. If flying out of Sydney that day we suggest flights after 4:00pm (and we recommend travel insurance to cover unforeseen circumstances). Training for the tour This is a moderate tour that is suitable for semi-regular cyclists with a reasonable level of fitness. You will not necessarily need to be a fast rider, but consistent. A Hybrid, Touring or Gravel bike is considered the most suitable style of bike for this tour and you will need to be comfortable riding on gravel surfaces. We do suggest that road-centric cyclists try to get some off-road cycling exposure. For training, cycling local roads (sealed and unsealed) and bike trails are good, or try to get out to a rail trail if you have one nearby (or make a day trip of it). Aim to build your kilometres in training to be on the bike for two days straight, covering approximately 50-60km each day. We have a training schedule specific to this tour which we will send to you after you place your deposit, however we are more than happy to send this to you earlier when you are considering the tour – just ask us for a copy and we will get it out to you straight away. Photo: Amber Hooper Photo: Destination NSW Photo: Destination NSW Photo: Destination NSW Photo: Amber Hooper Photo: Destination NSW Itinerary Daily distances are set out below. Shorter distances and support vehicle also available. Meals and Accommodation inclusions. Breakfast = B, Lunch = L, Dinner = D, Accommodation = A Cycling Location Distance Date Overnight B L D A Mudgee to Gulgong 30km Thu 26 Aug 2021 Gulgong - - D A Gulgong to Dunedoo 58km Fri 27 Aug 2021 Gulgong B - D A Dunedoo to Mendooran (opt short route 34km) 52km (or less) Sat 28 Aug 2021 Dubbo B - D A Mendooran to Ballimore 53km Sun 29 Aug 2021 Dubbo B - - A Ballimore to Dubbo 51km Mon 30 Aug 2021 Dubbo B - D A Dubbo Loop (optional rest day) 20km (opt) Tue 31 Aug 2021 Dubbo B - - A Dubbo to Wellington 64km Wed 1 Sep 2021 Wellington B - D A Wellington to Gulgong 78km Thu 2 Sep 2021 Mudgee B - D A Transfer to Sydney (optional extra) NA Fri 3 Sep 2021 Total Distance Cycled 406km 7 0 6 8 Average Daily Distance 51km Itinerary Details Pre-tour – Wed 25 Aug 2021 Day 0. If taking the AllTrails minibus transport from Sydney, we suggest arriving in Sydney the day before the tour departs to be ready for an early transfer the following morning. Mudgee to Gulgong - 30km – Thu 26 Aug 2021 - overnight Gulgong Day 1. This morning we will meet riders at Sydney Central Station and transfer by vehicle to Mudgee to rendezvous with those who have driven direct. After welcome, bike setup and lunch, we will ease our way into the tour with a leisurely ride to Gulgong (whose name is derived from the Wiradjuri word for deep waterhole).