24km Sunday Cycle: Wallsend to Lake Mac Art Gallery, Booragul - All shared paths

This is a free leisurely guided bike ride at a relaxed pace.

Starting at Wallsend, we cycle to the Museum of Art and Culture in Booragul to have brunch and enjoy the art gallery. We then cycle back the way we came, to Wallsend.

MAC is situated on the edge of beautiful Lake Macquarie. Enjoy free entry to the art gallery, grab something from the cafe, or bring your own food. Check out the gift shop, and take a wander around the grounds with views of the lake.

Gallery website: https://mac.lakemac.com.au/Home

This ride is 95% on shared paths. We use the beautiful Tramway Track from Wallsend to Glendale, then the Lake Rd shared path to Speers Point, and then cycle around the edge of the lake to the art gallery.

This is a group to meet others, cycle at a leisurely pace, enjoy the outdoors, build cycling confidence, and learn bicycle-friendly routes. The primary aim of this group is to give people the option to use their bike for everyday transport! :D

15 spots. New people very welcome. Any questions, message me or comment below :)

Start/finish location: Wallsend Rotunda, 120 Tyrrell St

Start time: arrive at 9:45am for a 10am departure.
Finish time: 2pm-2:30pm approx

Distance: 24km return

Estimated amount of active pedaling time: just over an hour, each way

Relative cycling fitness level: very easy - easy- MEDIUM to HARD - very hard

Pace: Our overall pace is slow and easy (15km/hr on the flat). On this ride, some of it will be at your own pace, with regrouping points along the way. At other points, I lead the ride at a leisurely easy pace.

Infrastructure: 11.5km shared paths, 500m of quiet streets, each way

Topography - This ride is quite up and down most of the way, with some good uphills & some nice downhills. Please note that there are a few steep hills in both directions, from 200-600 metres long. Some of the hills have good run-ups, which help. The longest hill, a continuous 1km medium incline, is on the return leg. Inbetween the hills the ride is flat with gentle slopes. It is flat whilst riding the 2.5km beside the lake.

What we'll do:
10am Depart Wallsend. Cycle 1km on Cowper St shared path, then 4km on the Tramway Track shared path to Glendale TAFE.
10:40am Cycle 4km on the Lake Rd shared path, from Glendale TAFE to Speers Point.
11am Cycle 2.5km around the lake on shared paths to the art gallery.
11:20am Hang out at the art gallery. Grab something from the cafe. Eat food you've brought. Wander the grounds by the lake.
1pm roughly Cycle back to Wallsend
2-2:30pm approx Finish at Wallsend

How we'll ride:

• Ride at your own pace on the Tramway Track, from Wallsend to Glendale. I'll ride at the back, to keep track of everyone. Regroup at the top of the Tramway Track's hills, and again at the end of the Tramway Track.
• Then I'll lead us the rest of the way to the gallery, using the Lake Rd shared path, & lakeside shared paths.
• On the way back, I'll lead us back to Speers Point. From there people can follow the shared path back to Wallsend at their own pace, as it's mostly uphill. I will ride last, at the back, to ensure everyone gets back ok.

You'll need:

• opal card, phone and bike lock/s in case you get a puncture or have mechanical issues (I recommend bringing a spare tube, tyre levers and a pump if you have them)
• bike with brakes in good working order & tyres pumped to the recommended PSI
• helmet
• plenty of water, I recommend 1 litre
• Lunch/snacks: you might like to bring your own lunch; you can picnic in the art gallery grounds; the art gallery cafe doesn't have a huge menu; I recommend bringing some snacks as extra energy for the return cycle

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Getting to the start point

• By Bike: https://www.newcastlecycleways.org.au/way-finding, or message me for a route.
• By train: alight at Broadmeadow (take Denney St, join R5 cycleway to Wallsend), or alight at Warabrook (join R6 cycleway to Jesmond, R5 to Wallsend). Find R6 & R5 maps on Council's website, link above.
• Parking: on Low St, Tyrrell St, Harris St, or Kemp St Carpark (access via Nelson St).

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Safety
Riding safely and graciously are priorities. We are a group of varying experience and confidence levels. I give instruction as needed so that as a group we ride cooperatively & predictably around motorists and pedestrians. You are responsible for your own safety at all times.

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 back here for updates; heavy rain will result in cancellation.

Find the group on facebook: https://facebook.com/BikeAboutTownNewcastleNSW