Enno Middelberg wrote in message ...

I'm planning to ride through Lane Cove National Park to avoid
Epping road and the steep slopes in Marsfield.

Doesn't sound too insane. Get to Fullers Rd at Chatswood (highway or
back streets), go down this and through the NP. There's a cycleway
under De Burgh's bridge which lets you avoid the lunatics on Ryde Rd
while you get to the M2. Note that you've still got a hill getting out
of the NP, but it's not that bad. That's about the middle third of my
commute home.

From the M2 it should be plain sailing. Coming home is the reverse,
but if you go straight ahead from Lady Game drive at the corner with
Fullers Rd, you can trade a steeper, shorter hill for avoiding
traffic. I've also heard that it's not too bad if you stay on the M2
the whole way, then bail off at Mowbray Rd. I doubt it's as pleasant
going to Epping, since Mowbray Rd is at the bottom of a hill.


Any useful hints for cycling in Sydney? Any local particularities I
should know about? I know I have to wear a helmet and that motorists can
be sort of ... difficult.

Sit in the middle of the lane. You get the odd bit of abuse hurled at
you, but that beats being run down by someone who "didn't see you,
sorry mate".

--
Dave Hughes |
"Two of my imaginary friends reproduced once ...
with negative results." -- Ben (float), ASR