Saturday 24km Leisurely Cycle - Wickham to Whitebridge cafe, via Fernleigh Track

This is a free relaxed guided bike ride at a leisurely pace. Suitable for most skill & fitness levels 😊 Learn quiet routes, key road positioning skills, & build cycling confidence! ✨

Starting at Tree of Knowledge Park, Wickham, we cycle along bicycle-friendly routes to Adamstown, before joining the beautiful bush-lined Fernleigh Track shared path to Whitebridge, where we will stop for morning tea, before heading back to Wickham. ☕️

There is also the option to start at Adamstown Station.

😎 This ride showcases two bicycle-friendly routes from the inner city to the start of the Fernleigh Track at Adamstown Station.

On the way there, we go via Islington, Hamilton North, Lambton, & Broadmeadow. And we return via Adamstown and Hamilton. ✨

Get to know the Throsby Creek shared path, Chinchen St separated cycleway, the R5 & R4 shared paths, as well as low-traffic streets of Adamstown & Hamilton.

🙂 15 spots. New people welcome. Any questions, let me know

Start/finish point: Tree of Knowledge Park, Hannell St, Wickham, the little park next to the outdoor carpark that's at the corner of Honeysuckle Dr & Hannell St

Start time: meet at 8:45am for a 9am departure
Finish time: 12:45pm approx

If you are starting at Adamstown: wait for us next to Adamstown Station carpark, Park Avenue. Get there at 10am and you won't miss us. When we depart Wickham, I will comment below; it'll take us about 45 minutes to get to Adamstown Station. We should arrive sometime between 10am and 10:15am.

Cycling fitness level: very easy/ EASY to MEDIUM /hard/very hard

Distance: 24km return
Pace: slow, leisurely, 15km/hr on the flat
Total active pedaling time: approx 1 hour 40 minutes

Topography: Wickham to Adamstown is flat, except for two small hills on the return route; Adamstown to Whitebridge is a continuous 5km gentle incline (downhill on the way back 😊).

Infrastructure: 18km of shared paths, 6km low-traffic, low-pressure streets, 500m of high-pressure streets (Clyde St/Chatham St), & 100m of separated cycleway (Chinchen St).

What we'll do:
8:45am meet for safety briefing
9am Depart Wickham. Cycle 7.5km to Adamstown via Islington, Hamilton North, Lambton & Broadmeadow.
10am approx Pickup anyone starting at Adamstown Station and cycle 5.5km along the Fernleigh Track to Whitebridge. 🌳
10:40am Arrive at Whitebridge for morning tea at local cafe. ☕️
11:40am approx Depart Whitebridge. Cycle 5km back to Adamstown Station along Fernleigh Track.
12pm approx Drop off at Adamstown Station, then cycle 4.5km back to Wickham, via Hamilton.
12:30 approx Finish at Wickham

You’ll need:

• helmet
• bike with good working brakes & tyres pumped to the recommended PSI
• bike lock/s
• water bottle
• phone & opal card in case of puncture; a repair kit (spare tube, patches, pump) if you have one

.
How we ride: 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. You are responsible for your own safety at all times. I explain things at the start. Just follow along and you'll pick up it up as we go :)

Suitable for those who have recently learnt to ride through to those who are experienced.

However, you must be able to effectively: stop and start, pedal, steer, signal left and right, look over your shoulder to check for what's behind you, be always alert to upcoming hazards, and anticipate the behaviour of pedestrians and vehicles.

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: https://www.newcastlecycleways.org.au/way-finding, or find routes on the group’s Komoot account https://www.komoot.com/tour/1831416099?ref=itd , or message me for a low-pressure route :)
• Coming by train? Bikes travel free. Alight at Newcastle Interchange.
• Parking: free unlimited weekend parking at the outdoor carpark, cnr Honeysuckle Dr & Hannell St, Wickham

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

*: [How to cycle safely at road junctions | Cycling UK (youtube.com)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CG0VTwevoU)

Facebook https://facebook.com/BikeAboutTownNewcastleNSW