Longest Day - The Three Towns Tour
Have you ever scrolled through those epic Longest Day tales and thought, "Hmm, maybe I could do that...?" Well, the Three Towns Tour was designed as the perfect route for the Longest Day curious.
Escape hatches galore! This route is paved with train stations. If you feel the burn, just hop on a train and head home like a boss. No shame, no judgement, just a scenic ride and a comfy commute back.
Stunning scenery. From Hornsby bushland to the historic charm of Wiseman's Ferry and Windsor, this ride was set to be a visual feast.
A flat and fabulous finish. The second half cruises along the Parramatta River Cycleway. Think smooth sailing, even if your legs are screaming for mercy.
No matter your Longest Day goal, the Three Towns Tour was set to be a winner.
Pre-Ride Buzz
Excitement was brewing like a strong pot of coffee. We had already postponed this ride once, and weather was on our side today. New MC Velo jerseys dropped, and the frothing was real. Jeff even hand-delivered Swerlo's jersey and inquired about pre-wear jersey washing - though, he wasn’t offering. ‘King of the Ecks’ RSVP'd and alerted the media that he'd be gracing MC Velo with his presence.
Then…late on Thursday, boom! A train strike. Would our Hornsby start be derailed? I love it when we get a bit of drama!
The Adventure Begins
An early start (including a quick return home to actually put my helmet on). We found King Eck in Kensington perched atop a Lime bike like a majestic... pigeon. We weren’t slowing for him and he eventually caught us up.
Some early banter about washing new clothes as Jeff confirmed he was freshly washed. Swerlo appreciates Jeff’s fabric softener, apparently.
Shane, our resident late bloomer, finally found us at Central Station and bravely RSVP'd on the spot. Welcome to the adventure Shane!
Swerlo, a veteran of these rides, wisely booked after-school care. You know, just in case things go sideways.
Hornsby - Wiseman’s Ferry - Windsor
Train strike averted! We arrived in Hornsby on schedule, ready to tackle Galston Gorge.
Enter the early morning commuter traffic and one particularly grumpy fellow (dressed in full suit) in a beaten-up faded- brown Range Rover who clearly wasn't thrilled about sharing the road. Maybe he should have joined us for the Longest Day instead of heading to the office and retaining all that frustration? 🤔
The Old North Road to Wiseman's Ferry (the Convict Way), eventually offered a welcome respite from the traffic. The overcast skies and light sleet created surprisingly perfect riding conditions.
We made a B-line for breakfast at the Heritage Valley Cafe in Wiseman's Ferry. It was a welcome destination once again. Those breakfast burgers? Pure magic of a rosti inside the burger.
After breakfast, was one of Sydney's (out of Sydney) most glorious stretches of cycling nirvana. We cruised through ski lands, past "members only" water skiing havens, and into lush farmlands. It was pure bliss and reminiscent of of first Longest Day here.
After many scenary -induced oohs and aahs, and the ferry to Sackville, we were on the way back into civilisation and onto Windsor. Jeff, the scone aficionado, led the charge to the Cornerstone Cafe in Windsor after a brief Google-rating consultation. He also offered some helpful driving tips to a few confused motorists along the way, as we wondered about the wisdom of that here in the west.
Lunchtime! Jeff opted for the "wellness bowl" and searched the bowl for any protein, while Shane fueled up with a cheeseburger and milkshake combo (his secret to cycling success, he claims).
Western Sydney and onto Parramatta
Western Sydney was a buzz of activity, and the M7 cycleway was pleasant enough but the wettest part of our day. (Thanks for the route, Phil!)
We pedalled through uncharted territories like Old Toongabbie and Quaker's Hill, much to Shane's surprise. King of the Ecks, ever the man of the people, seemed oddly concerned about his wheels surviving the journey and being stripped at a stop.
As we crossed Parramatta River, Shane mixed his directions for a 180 degree turn with a 360 degree one. After suggesting he should hand in his PhD, we had a discussion about what calculus might owe to geometry. What else would you want to chat on while cycling all day? 🙂
The final stretch
Swerlo, ever the responsible dad, made the tough call to catch the train at Parramatta. School pickup and a pre-planned weekend away trumped the final 40km. (Sorry, mate!)
Just as Swerlo departed, Jeff's spoke decided to call it a day. Train for two! He headed straight to MC, hoping to resurrect his bike for the next day's Bondi2Berry ride.
There were three of us left. We cruised through the hidden streets of the inner west, arriving at the MC Clubhouse at 16:00, right on schedule. Jeff was already there waiting for us. Salted chips and refreshing drinks never tasted so good.
The Verdict
"It's a must-do. One of the best rides of my life!" Jeff
"Just the best ride." Ecky
“A great day out. It was so great that I am too tired to think hard about this question.” Shane
The Numbers
- 3 out of 5 finishers (a respectable showing!)
- Total 838km, 890^m of elevation gain (not too shabby!)
- 1 exploded spoke, 1 technical puncture
- 5 bridge crossings, 1 ferry
- 1 MAGA cap sighting
P.S. The MC Team worked their magic on Jeff's wheel, and he was back in action for Bondi2Berry the next day. Swerlo made it to school pickup and the Blue Mountains, but we know he was secretly jealous of missing those last 40km. 😉
