If you are yet to explore Sydney’s Northern Beaches by bike there is one thing you need to know: The two halves of the Beaches are very different: The southern half (Manly to Mona Vale) is safe, scenic and low-gradient, while the northern half (Mona Vale to Palm Beach) is suitable mostly for brave road cyclists.

The plan for this particular ride was to loop several beaches with a few Pittwater bays. I parked my car near the Narrabeen Golf Range and followed the cliff-line past Turimetta and Mona Vale Headlands, then on to Mona Vale, Bungan and Newport Beaches. I crossed Newport to follow the Pittwater shoreline to Bayview, then back to my car at the Range.

This ride confirmed what I have said in earlier posts: riding on the beaches is excellent from Manly to Mona, but beyond that point it is hard work and risky: the paths are narrow or non-existent, the single-lane roads busy, hilly and without a safe shoulder. Warringah Council is committed to building shared paths from Manly to Palm Beach and new sections are built progressively. Although a long-term project, it will be a major attraction when complete.

This short GoPro clip gives captures some of the scenery of this ride:

https://strava.app.link/hfrpSF2HBkb