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This is a free 12km guided bike ride at a slow relaxed pace (15km/hr). New people very welcome!

A front and rear light are needed for this evening ride.

😎 Starting at Tree of Knowledge Park in Wickham, we will cycle an easy loop of the city's quiet streets and shared paths, stopping at Newcastle Beach for icecream at the East End Ice Creamery on Zaara St.

Enjoy icecream by the beach at sunset.

This relaxing, scenic ride is a great introduction to how to get around the city by bike.

At an easy, leisurely pace, this ride is about enjoying the journey, and building the confidence to cycle around town for some of your everyday trips.

With just one 30 metre steep hill (which you can walk if you like), this ride is great for most skill and fitness levels.

Where will we ride
✨First, to Merewether Beach via the foreshore path, the quiet streets of Cooks Hill, & the Watkins St shared path. (22 minutes)

✨Then, along the coastal shared path to Bar Beach, before heading to Darby St, via low-speed Brooks St. (8 minutes)

✨ After a little zig-zag through the CBD (8 minutes), we arrive, just before 7pm, at the East End Ice Creamery opposite Newcastle Beach.

✨ After icecream by the beach, we simply follow the foreshore shared path for 15 minutes, past Nobbys Beach & Honeysuckle, to finish back where we started.

The map in the photos below shows our route (except this map starts the route at Nobbys).

Max. 15 spots. Children allowed only if they are a passenger on an adult's bike. Any questions, message me or comment below :)

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

Start time: meet at 5:45pm for a 6pm departure
Finish time: approx 7:45pm

Relative cycling fitness level: VERY EASY /easy/medium/hard/very hard

Infrastructure: 7.5km of shared paths, 5km of low-pressure, low-speed, low-traffic streets, two sets of on-road low-pressure traffic lights

Distance: 12km
Pace: slow, 15km/hr on the flat
Active pedaling time: approx 1 hour
Topography: flat, except for 1 steep 30 metre hill

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You’ll need:

  • front light & rear light
  • helmet
  • bike with good working brakes and tyres pumped to the recommended PSI
  • bike lock (for when we stop, or for if you get a mechanical issue)
  • phone & opal card in case of puncture
  • a repair kit, if you have one (spare tube, tyre levers, patches, pump etc)
  • water bottle

Getting there

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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.
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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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How we ride:
I give a safety briefing at the start, and lead the ride. We:

  • stick together & ride in an alert, slow manner.
  • ride in single file
  • don't hug the left but ride within drivers' fields of vision, well clear of the mouths of side-streets
  • do not ride in the doorzone of parked cars
  • keep a predictable trajectory & speed.
  • Given we are usually on low-speed, short streets, we mostly ride in the center of the lane (claiming the lane) in order to: encourage drivers to slow & consider what's ahead, prevent drivers overtaking too closely/quickly, to arrive in a visible position at junctions, & to turn right.
  • slow to a safe speed to pass others, giving early warning and a wide passing distance. If a safe passing distance is not possible, wait until it is.
  • the How We Ride Policy & the RSVP Policy located on the group's homepage.
  • You are responsible for your own safety at all times.

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If the weather is looking unfavourable, check the comments below for updates; heavy rain may result in cancellation.
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Transform your journey, ride & drive more safely, and change Newy's street culture. These videos explain international best practice cycling principles for everyday city trips:

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The Magic of Street Design

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Facebook https://facebook.com/BikeAboutTownNewcastleNSW
Komoot: https://www.komoot.com/tour/1831416099?ref=itd
Newcastle Cycleways Movement: https://www.newcastlecycleways.org.au/way-finding

The aim of Bike About Town is to give people the knowledge and skills to use their bike for everyday short trips, eg. to work, the shops, to hobbies, to the beach. Add a low-cost, low-carbon, mood-boosting, quick transport option to your repertoire! 🤗😎

Events in Wickham
Cycling
Outdoors
Social
Sustainable Transportation
Bike Lanes and Bike Routes

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