Saturday Easy Cycle: Stockton Loop, 13km

This is a free 13km leisurely guided bike ride around Stockton. Map of route is in photos below. Optional cafe stop after the ride at Whispers on the Wharf.

Great for most skill and fitness levels, it is an easy flat loop on 10km of shared paths, & 3km of low-traffic streets. We go at a slow relaxed easy pace (15km/hr on the flat), pausing a couple times along the way at scenic spots.

Enjoy a leisurely cycle along the Harbourside shared path, down Stockton’s high street, and out along the Breakwall.

This a great easy ride for those who have recently learnt to ride, for rusty riders, through to seasoned riders.

Come along to meet others, build cycling confidence and explore beautiful Stockton by bike at a slow, relaxed pace.

Max 15 spots. No children. New members very welcome!🙂Any questions, let me know :)

Start/finish point: Stockton Wharf

Start time: 9:45am
Finish time: 11:45am approx, with optional cafe stop afterwards

Getting there:

• By ferry: You can join me in catching the ferry over from the city. It departs Queens Wharf at 9:40am and arrives at Stockton Wharf at 9:45am. You'll need to be at Queens Wharf by 9:30am to line up, as it can get busy sometimes. Bikes travel free. There is usually plenty of room for lots of bikes (I've seen 15 bikes fit on the ferry). As for the return trip, ferries depart every 20 mins: 11:30am, 11:50, 12:10 etc
• For the most up-to-date ferry times, use the Trip Planner: https://transportnsw.info/trip#/trip
• By train then ferry: Bikes travel free on trains. Catch the train to the Newcastle Interchange, then it's an easy 2km/6minute cycle along the foreshore path to Queens Wharf to catch the ferry.
• By car: there is plenty of parking at Stockton Wharf.

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Detailed route description:
After a short safety briefing, we set off from Stockton Wharf and cycle 15 minutes along the shared path to Stockton Bridge. We don't ride over the bridge; we have a pause underneath the bridge at a Wetlands viewpoint. Then we cycle partway back along the shared path, then through some quiet streets of Stockton, including a couple blocks of the newly traffic-calmed Mitchell St where the shops and murals are. Then we go out along the breakwater, before returning to Stockton Wharf. Those who would like to can join me for a coffee at the wharf cafe.

You’ll need:

• helmet
• bike with good working brakes and tyres pumped to the recommended PSI
• bike lock/s
• phone and opal card in case of puncture (bring a repair kit if you like)
• water bottle

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How we ride: We are a group of people with varying experience, confidence levels and cycling styles. I lead the ride and provide instruction at certain junctions. We stick together & ride in an alert, slow manner. We position ourselves to be very visible, keeping clear of drivers' blind spots, & keeping a predictable trajectory/speed. We ride in single file, clear of the doorzone & of the mouths of side-streets. We frequently take primary position (claiming the lane) to prevent unsafe passes, & to turn right. We pass pedestrians slowly. Please read the How We Ride Policy & the RSVP Policy located on the group's homepage. You are responsible for your own safety at all times. If you have never heard of primary position, or the doorzone, it doesn't matter! I explain things at the start. Just follow along and you'll pick up it up as we go :)

Indemnity and release of liability
By participating in this activity you unconditionally indemnify the organiser/host against any and all claims, demands, losses, injuries, damages, liabilities or other costs, whether present or future, relating to your participation and/or dealings with Bike About Town - Newcastle, including but not limited to, any accident, loss or damage to property or death or injury to any person.

If the weather is looking unfavourable, check the comments below for updates; heavy rain will result in cancellation.

Find the group on facebook https://facebook.com/BikeAboutTownNewcastleNSW
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The aim of Bike About Town is to give people the skills and confidence to use their bike for everyday short trips. I showcase routes that avoid main roads and I talk about safe road positioning, hand signals, and the doorzone. Build confidence for a smoother ride!