Sunday Very Easy Cycle: Wickham to Merewether Beach Cafe for coffee
Details
This is a free very easy guided bike ride at a relaxed leisurely pace (max 15km/hr), showcasing the easiest, quietest, quickest way to cycle from the CBD to Merewether Beach. Suitable for most skill levels & fitness levels 😊
What we'll do:
We will cycle 5km (25 minutes) from Wickham to Merewether Beach, then stop for morning tea at a beachside cafe (either Blue Door or the Surfhouse, depending on the weather/seating), before cycling back. Feel free to peel off the ride at any point.
Come along to build cycling confidence, see Newcastle from a fresh perspective, & discover quiet cycle routes so that you can use your bike for some of your everyday short trips to work/shops/the beach 😁.
Max 15 participants. No children. New members welcome. Any questions, don't hesitate :)
Start and finish point: Tree of Knowledge Park, Hannell St Wickham - meet at the waterside shared path. The meeting point is in the park just north of the outdoor carpark at the corner of Honeysuckle Dr & Hannell St.
Start time: meet at 8:45am for a 9am start
Finish time: approx 11am
This is a quick, enjoyable & flat route, via shared paths and low-traffic, low-speed streets. 70% shared paths, 30% low-speed, low-pressure, low-traffic streets! 😊
Route details
We'll cycle along the foreshore path, then use Wheeler Pl & Civic Park to cross the CBD to Cooks Hill. Then we go along quiet Bruce St & Corlette St to The Junction where we join the 1km Watkins St shared path, which takes us the rest of the way to Merewether Beach.
Find a map of the route on Komoot: https://www.komoot.com/tour/1669103399?ref=itd
Cycling fitness level: VERY EASY/easy/medium/hard/very hard
Topography: flat
You’ll need:
- helmet
- bike with good working brakes & tyres pumped to the recommended PSI
- bike lock/s, phone & opal card in case of puncture (a repair kit if you have one)
- water bottle
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This ride showcases:
- how to zigzag through a suburb to create your own pleasant routes
- a safe passage from the foreshore to Cooks Hill, wherefrom one can head west via Jenner Pde to Hamilton, Adamstown & beyond
- the 1km Watkins St shared path linking The Junction shops to Merewether Beach
- key skills such as signaling; how to be visible and predictable; how to use eye contact & road positioning to communicate to drivers when it is safe for them to overtake
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Suitable for: those who are new to riding a bike through to those who are experienced. No prior experience cycling on roads necessary.
You must be able to effectively: stop & start, pedal, steer, signal left & right, look over your shoulder to check for what's behind you, be always alert to upcoming hazards, & anticipate the behaviour of pedestrians/vehicles.
How we ride: I lead the ride. We stick together & ride in an alert, slow manner. We position ourselves to be very visible & keep 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 give way to pedestrians. Please read the How We Ride Policy & the RSVP Policy located on the group's homepage. And check out the below YouTube videos for tips! 👍
You are responsible for your own safety at all times.
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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.
Getting there
- By bike: [Cycleway maps - City of Newcastle (nsw.gov.au)](https://newcastle.nsw.gov.au/living/transport-and-parking/cycling/cycleway-maps).
- Coming by train? Bikes travel free, alight at Newcastle Interchange.
- Parking: Honeysuckle Dr outdoor carpark, corner of Hannell St & Honeysuckle Dr is free after 5pm & weekends). Or park in Carrington & ride 3 mins.
If the weather is looking unfavourable, check the comments below for updates; heavy rain may result in cancellation.
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Videos on essential safe cycling principles
Learn skills to transform your cycle journey! The videos also show us how to anticipate the needs of a cyclist whilst we are driving.
- Start with this one: [How to cycle safely at road junctions | Cycling UK (youtube.com)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CG0VTwevoU)
- [How to negotiate simple junctions when cycling | Commute Smart (youtube.com)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YOrAiXKagc)
- How to negotiate roundabouts when cycling | Commute Smart - YouTube
Sunday Very Easy Cycle: Wickham to Merewether Beach Cafe for coffee