shane74 said:
I am planning a trip to North and was considering riding along the F3 from Hornsby towards Newcastle. There appears to be pretty generous emergency lanes that look suitable for cycling. Has anyone cycled along this Freeway, are bikes allowed, do you recommend riding on the F3.
If you are going to head up the F3 make sure you get off the F3 prior to the Mooney Mooney bridge. Don't even attempt it. I'm under the impression that cyclist are not allowed on the freeway in that area anyway.
You can exit the freeway at the Calga Interchange and head towards gosford along the old Pacific Hwy. you can then re join the F3 later on, after mooney mooney.
Check some maps of the area (take them with you if not familiar with the area)
Also another one to be careful off on the F3 is the Hawksbury river bridge. That also has no shoulder.
An alternative is to take the Old Pacific Highway, from Hornsby through Berowra, Brooklyn, Mt White, Calga, then down towards Gosford via the old mooney bridge (old pacific highway) this will also take you up to rejoin the F3 near Kariong where you can (should be able) to ride along all the way up.
or can stay on the Old Pacific Highway all the way.
The F3 is long and stops for any water & foods is very limited. There is only 2 (for memory) between Sydney and Newcastle. (over 120km of freeway riding) So you will need to take quite a fair bit Especially if it's a hot day. The Pacific Hwy will have plenty of places to stop at servo's or shops along the way. Particularly after Gosford.