Sunday Leisurely Cycle: 16km loop - Hunter Wetlands, Fletcher

Name: Sunday Leisurely Cycle: 16km loop - Hunter Wetlands, Fletcher
Start: 2025-07-13T10:00:00+10:00
End: 2025-07-13T12:15:00+10:00
Location: Coles Fletcher

Hosted By

Philippa

Sunday Leisurely Cycle: 16km loop - Hunter Wetlands, Fletcher

Details

This is a 16km free guided bike ride at a leisurely pace (15km/hr on the flat).

We cycle a scenic loop around the suburb of Fletcher: 13km of shared paths & 3km of quiet streets.

Link to map of route: https://www.komoot.com/tour/1649670453?share_token=a7o0oEdqX45gp3c5UnMTFeZaYNOEKrERnWTCKZ24wz88pKEBmd&ref=wtd

✨As we pedal we will have beautiful elevated views of the expansive wetlands (see photos below).

✨For most of the ride we are on shared paths that run along very quiet residential streets that border the wetlands.

✨At about halfway, we have a short break at Kau Ma Park (Eagle Park), which has expansive 270 degree views of the wetlands.

✨If lucky, we might spot some eagles or wallabies.

Consider bringing a snack, thermos, and a warm layer or two - Kau Ma Park is exposed and can be quite chilly.

☕️ Optional coffee after the ride at Village Coffee Hub, Fletcher Village shops.

😎 Come along to enjoy the outdoors, meet others, and learn low-pressure cycling routes around town.

16 spots max. No children (unless they are a passenger on an adult's bike). New members very welcome! Any questions, message me or comment below. :)

This ride requires a medium cycling fitness level. The route has constant gentle-to-medium undulations, and some steep hills.

Start and finish location: at the entrance to Fletcher Village Shops, Minmi Road, where Coles is.

Start time: arrive at 9:45am for a 10am departure
Finish time: approx 12pm

Distance: 16km (13km of shared paths; 3km of quiet streets)
Estimated total pedaling time: 2hours

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

Topography: Early there are a couple of steep short hills; then a lot of time on shared paths, which constantly undulate with fairly gentle inclines & declines; we end the ride with a few short medium inclines & one 300m steep hill (with a run-up).
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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 or comment below for a low-pressure route :)
Parking: Coles carpark is limited to 3 hours. Or you can park on the adjacent Churnwood Dr.

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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, use gears effectively, 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: We are a group of people with varying experience, confidence levels and cycling styles. A quick safety briefing at the start of the ride will establish how we will ride together. 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. 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 :)

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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.

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You'll need: