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Trailflix: Heathcote Pipeline - Trail Review |
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The Pipeline is fairly straightforward XC (cross-country) trail with a steady uphill/downhill for most of the middle section. What I like is that there’s a destination that I would otherwise probably never have taken the time to visit: the Woronora Dam. Woronora doesn’t quite have the power-generation capability of great electricity-producing dams: there's far too little water in the Woronora River, the Honeysuckle Creek and the Warratah Rivulet to generate any significant flow – but the dam’s both an old and great structure, a monument to the engineering skills of our forefathers, and thus worthy of a squiz.
The pipeline carrying the water to the city seems commonplace now (we have them slung across the country all over the place) but must have been a mammoth undertaking in its time (October 1941, when many men were away at war). 75% of the trail has this 2-metre diameter concrete and steel pipe on one side and you can’t ignore the comparison between this man-made device and the natural Heathcote Creek on the other side. Each appears to do the same job: water transport, but of course the river contributes to the life of the environment as it passes while the pipe steals water for us thirsty city-based humans.
Both water carriers are worthy of closer inspection. The trail offers several side tracks where you can head down to the creek, and you can also find longer – mostly named - walking trails off the main drag that go further into the bush, or back to the highway. These trails are too tight for riding but good if you want to get off the bike and look further afield. A few lead deeper into the park.
The pipeline itself has several features: the most noticeable being bright red, blue and white graffiti which adorns a 50m section along with a couple of other ‘tags’ dotted along the length. They all look pretty garish in the bush surrounds but seem like good examples of their type.
About a quarter of the trail is old tarseal. I assume it’s an abandoned road, perhaps an earlier route of Heathcote Road, or maybe one created during the construction of the dam or pipeline. It’s fairly potholed in places perfect for practising bunny hopping, knowing you have a firm landing on the other side. The rest is firetrail, going from fine, rusty-red gravel to clay-coloured rocky substrate, some which gets rather chunky up the hill so you have to watch yourself at speed on the way down.
I’ve ridden Heathcote on both an overcast then on a fine day. Fine is of course better, except for the heat. Being in a valley for much of it's length, the heat on the trail can get stifling, so I suggest avoid the hottest days of summer. On the other hand, if you’re an all-weather type, it’s one trail you can ride in the rain – unlike most other trails around Sydney, where they (rightfully) request you keep off wet clay-based trails, because of the damage bikes can cause. Here that’s no problem.
There are a couple of places where the trail crosses the river which are great places to stop if you’re taking it easy. There’s also a picnic table sitting amidst the bush in one spot. With no noticeable scenic nearby it looks a bit out of place but we stopped there to do some basic maintenance on the way back, so it definitely has its uses.
It’s the dam that’s the destination and the last tarseal road section is a great chance to let ‘er rip as it's a gentle downhill where you can really build up speed for 2Km or so – watch for cars and Sydney Water trucks, though, as this is a public road… Once inside the Dam surrounds you are speed-restricted because there can be tourists and kids about.
When you finally arrive, riding the roadway across the dam wall is fun – though you’re not allowed to walk or ride the ledges on either side. Nothing much else to do up there but watch water evaporate, but the picnic area nearby has a gas BBQ so if you bring your snags you can stop for lunch. There are toilets and shade there too.
Apart from the haul up the roadway, the return is mostly down hill so it’s a lot of fun for serious riders. A few of the corners are deceptive though – some of the helmet cam shows the guys darn-near losing it on a couple of tight ones.
All-in-all, a great day for exercise, views, and a ride with a destination. |
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