When people think of Sydney, they think of the Harbour, the Opera House, Bondi Beach or Mardi Gras. The city is crowded, the roads are busy and the people are impatient. Those interested in sports might conjure memories of the 2000 Olympics, great cricket knocks at the SCG or the  City2Surf.

Not much room for cycling… or is there?

It may be a surprise for some, but Sydney has a vibrant and dedicated cycling scene, which has access to some brilliant inner and outer suburban routes. Let’s not beat around the bush, Sydney’s city map is massive, stretching about 50 kilometres north, south and west. Although it’s not all smooth sailing for cyclists, there are plenty of great rides to be had for those looking.

In fact, locals often quip that Sydney’s cycling conditions are the best in Australia. Neither too hot nor cold, plenty of hills, smooth roads and iconic scenery.

You just have to be willing to set a pre-dawn alarm… this city wakes up early!

Inner city rides

Let’s talk in the inner suburban ring. If you’re in Sydney for a weekend, passing through or just keen for a change of scenery for your bike, there are lots of great rides to get you started.

You can’t talk about cycling in Sydney without mentioning Centennial Park. It’s a 3.8-kilometre loop, with a bike lane as wide as the car lane. It’s safe, pretty and good for training sessions. There is always plenty of motivation with walkers, runners, sports teams and other riders making the Park part of their daily routine.

The go-to for locals in the eastern suburbs as a ride to La Perouse. Some 15 kilometres south of the CBD (depending of the route you take), the “Lapa run” is about as flat and traffic light free as it gets in this part of town. It’s gentle rolling hills and silky tarmac gives you that pro feeling of hardly pedalling and hitting solid speeds. It’s a great intro to cycling in Sydney and a good opportunity to check your equipment if you’re fresh off a plane.

If looking to cross the Sydney Harbour Bridge, expect to hit the hills. Within a few hundred metres of crossing Australia’s famous coat hanger, you’ll encounter the steep incline of the Pacific Highway through North Sydney’s CBD. If you’re short on time, the best bet is to head through some of the city’s most elite suburbs including Mosman, Balmoral and Neutral Bay. Those who love to train will enjoy the Taronga Zoo climb – a dead end, quiet road (in the morning) which takes five minutes for good riders to ascend and is a favourite for repeats.

Broadening your horizons

Sydney is literally surrounded by national parks. The Blue Mountains to the west, Ku-Ring Gai Chase National Park up north and Royal National Park down south. Ku-Ring Gai and Royal National Park are two absolute favourites for bike riders.

Ku-Ring Gai offers plenty of options. You can ride up to Palm Beach (or Summer Bay, for any Home and Away fans) through the national park and be impressed at every turn. A famous ride in this region is out to West Head, which is a 12-kilometres rolling road along bush and scrub out to an incredible lookout (across to Palm Beach, the Central Coast and as far as the eye can see). It also hosts regular road races which are safe and full of suffering.

Further inland, Ku-Ring Gai Chase National Park also includes Bobbin Head, the gateway to the gorges. If you tell a local you’re heading to do “the gorges” it’s a free pass to respect. There are three gorge roads as part of Ku-Ring Gai and Berowra Valley National Parks: Bobbin Head, Galston Gorge and Berowra Waters. Roughly speaking, they are each about 3-4 kilometres down and then up and average about 6 per cent grade. A loop of the three is around 60 kilometres and you’ll only see a handful of traffic lights. What you will get, is challenging climbs, twisty descents and low traffic. A novelty of the gorges is that the road runs out at Berowra Waters and you have to catch a ferry to get to the other side. The free service runs 24/7 and is a great chance to catch your breath and take in the sights and sounds of the bush.

Head south of Sydney and eventually you’ll hit the Royal National Park. Rammed with brilliant beaches and challenging walking tracks, this area is a favourite for locals, tourists and motorbikes, so go early. What you get is relatively short, challenging climbs and fast, fun descents. The road surface is well maintained as it’s such a significant tourist route, but in some places the shoulder disappears.

Despite this, bike riders love it and it is a gateway to an epic ride for weekend warriors: Wollongong and back! From Sydney CBD to Wollongong and back is about 200 kilometres return and worth the effort. Lawrence Hargrave Drive is the road you want to follow if you’re keen to get to the ‘Gong, as it includes the Sea Cliff Bridge – possibly the most photographed two-lane bridge in Australia and a regular fixture in car commercials.

Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it

Riding in Sydney requires a little more effort than other places in Australia. You must plan a route and set an early alarm. You need to be prepared to wait at a few red lights and you have to be ready to do a bit of climbing. Most of all, you must have an open mind. The weather is rarely poor, it’s never cold and the road surfaces are generally pristine. The climbs are tough but the views are worth it and there are plenty of optional add-ons to inject some variety in your routes.

So while Sydney might not strike you as the best cycling holiday, it is certainly better than you expect. If you’re coming to the city for a short or long stay, you will be impressed by the cycling on offer, so pack your bike!