Local climb data - Sydney and Central Coast

Not sure of the absolute veracity of some of this data - or where it came from, actually - but you can take these figures as a starting point anyway. (Take the records with a grain of salt.) Then buy yourself an i-Bike (or similar) and check it out for yourself ;-)

I have added some description based on my actual knowledge of the climbs.

Hill climbs

Akuna Bay (east)
Start: 1.2km from boat ramp, end of railing r/hand side
Finish: West head turnoff
Dist: 2.7 km
av grad: 4.5%
Record: 6min 10sec (26.3kmh/354W)

Description: Not a hard climb, but consistent. Worth doing as part of a loop from Bayview to West Head and back via Terry Hills. Or vice versa. Little traffic and very scenic, if that helps at all.

Akuna Bay (west)
Start: Illawong Bay Ranger's box, 2km west of Akuna Bay boat ramp
Finish: Ranger's toll booth
Dist: 5.2 km
av grad: 3.4%
Record: 14min 38sec (27.8kmh/387W)

Description: Gradient looks low to me - or maybe I was always tired at this point? I rate it harder than the eastern climb, particularly steep at the 2/3rds mark. If you come back down, watch your speed around the hairpin. Worth doing as part of a loop from Bayview to West Head and back via Terry Hills. Or vice versa. Or add in Cottage Point. Little traffic and very scenic, if that helps at all.

Bobbin Head (west), Bobbin Head Road
Start: end of bridge
Finish: Ranger's toll booth
Dist: 4 km
av grad: 4%
Record: 8min 38sec (27.8kmh/387W)

Description: Not a hard climb, is almost too easy. Worth doing as part of a loop including Galston Gorge.

Bobbin Head (east), Bobbin Head Road
Start: 60kmh/3km winding road signs next to kiosk
Finish: Kalkari visitor's centre sign
Dist: 2.94 km
av grad: 5.5%
Record: 7min 26sec (23.7kmh/385W)

Description: Not a legsnapper, but consistent and definitely tougher than the other side. Worth doing as part of a loop including Galston Gorge.

Galston Gorge
Start: 5m from end of bridge
Finish: 50m into Crossland Rd, KOM on edge
Dist: 3.4 km
av grad: 5.7%
Record: 9min 39sec (21.1kmh/378W)


Description: Moderate to painful. Worth doing as part of a loop including Bobbin Head.

Brooklyn to Pie in the Sky, on the old Pacific Hwy
Start:Intersection of Brooklyn Road, rolling start
Finish:Pie in the Sky
Dist:3.95km
av grad: 5%
Record: 8min 21 sec (32.3kmh/583W)

Description: Not a hard climb, but consistent.

OR

Brooklyn Hill, , on the old Pacific Hwy
Start:Brooklyn Bridge (Brooklyn side)
Finish:55kmh sign, top of hill
Dist:5.00km
av grad: 4.3%
Record: 12min 57 sec (32.3kmh/583W)


Mt White, on the old Pacific Hwy
Start:Metal guard rail on the right side of road 3km from Brooklyn
Finish:65kph advisory speed sign
Dist: 3.1 km
av grad: 6.4%
Record: 7min 50secs (23.7kmh/451W)


Description: Not an easy climb, but consistent and manageable. Moderate to hard.

Mooney Hill, on the old Pacific Hwy
Start: 80kmh sign, Old Mooney Bridge (Gosford side)
Finish:KOM line, top of hill
Dist:3.7km
av grad: 5.95%
Record: 9min 05 sec (24.4kmh/443W)


Description: Despite the gradient it's not too bad. Has its moments but not an absolute leg-snapper.

Kariong Hill, West Gosford - Old Pacific Highway, or Central Coast Highway if you prefer.

Start: 2nd (or last) set of lights after the Mann's Rd intersection, just before the armco starts
Finish: Lights at top, b4 Shell servo
Dist: 3.8 km
av grad: 4%
Record: 8min 38sec (27.8kmh/387W)

Description: Very consistent climb, no hairpins, but watch the traffic in the corners. Moderate.


Bumble Hill, Yarramalong Valley
Start: 90 degree left turn from main road from Wyong (at bottom of hill - it's obvious)
Finish: KOM line, just after the first intersection (don't go left, keep climbing!)
Dist: 3.58 km
av grad: ?%
Record: 14min 23sec (14.9kmh/???W)

Description: Hard. Really hard towards the 2/3rds mark. Don't do it in the wet as rear wheel traction is poor, especially when you are struggling, out of the saddle, barely getting the pedals around.