Published on March 6, 2023
Ride Profile
The scenic road route to Cargo… This route has become a bit of a Sunday regular. It’s perfect for a solid endurance ride – it’s lumpy at the start, lightly rolling in the middle and a solid effort on the way home. Plus you get glorious scenery, slightly warmer temps in Winter (once you descend from the Orange plateau) and a great coffee stop in the middle.
Bowan Park Road (BPR) climb is when the hard work starts, roughly half an hour that steps up in sections and gets steeper as you go. The views at the top back down the valley are stunning.
Cargo Road greets you at the top and again single file is safest. This section is very up and down with the brute that is Lidster Hill (1.3km at 9%) waiting for you on the way.
Traffic can be aggressive on Cargo Road so ride with caution. There isn’t much shoulder except around Nashdale. You can turn off to Lake Canobolas and head back via the Pinnacle to take the quieter option.
Food & Water
Cargo (at 45kms): Timber Tales café is a great place to take a break with an excellent verandah. The Cargo Inn is an option for those looking for a cleansing ale. A water refill station is available outside the public toilets.
Cudal (at 70kms): Platypus Café is a great place to sit and soak up the sunshine. A water refill station is available outside the public toilets.
Vineyards (and Breweries) en Route
Borenore: Small Acres Cyder.
Bowan Park: you’ll need to turn right on to South Bowan Park Road (off Bowan Park Road) to visit Pioneer Brewing which is often open on weekends for tastings.
Boree Lane: left off Cargo Road not long after BPR, includes Strawhouse, Stockman’s Ridge, Boree Lane and Canobolas Smith.
Lidster: Break up the climb with a stop at Cargo Road Wines.
Nashdale: A lot of Orange wineries are located around Nashdale on Cargo Road, including Rikard, Dindima, Nashdale Lane, Rowlee, Printhie and De Salis. Montoro is on Cargo Road closer to town.
Watch out for
Road Condition: Quite good, but as per all our roads, rough and patched in sections. Always watch for potholes, especially after rain.
Traffic: Be careful on Cargo Road, especially between Nashdale and Orange – best ridden single file only. There is minimal shoulder, traffic can be heavy and is fast moving. Otherwise the roads are quiet.
Variations / Extensions
Add on Mt Canobolas. If you’ve still got the legs after you’ve climbed Bowan Park Road and Lidster Hill, take the next right on the descent after Lidster and head up Old Canobolas Road to the top of Mt Canobolas. See Old Canobolas Road route for more information. Extends the route to about 125km / 5.25hrs / 2,250m of elevation.
See also Molong / BPR (113kms) and Euchareena / BPR (150kms) for similar rides.
