Sunday 20km Xmas Dress-up Cycle - Start Wickham - Foreshore, city, beaches loop
Details
This is a free 20km leisurely bike ride at an easy slow relaxed pace (15km/hr on the flat). Starting at Tree of Knowledge Park, Wickham, it's a scenic loop of the foreshore, beaches, and city. See map below. Coffee afterwards at the yacht club. ✨☀️☕️
75% of the ride is on shared paths along the foreshore & coastline, as well as some quiet inner city streets.
🎅🏽 Optional: Dress up in your finest (or most hideous) Christmassy attire! 🎄
🎅🏽 Red & green, Santa hats over helmets, bells & sparkly things 🎄
✨ Make sure decorations are attached securely & don't pose a hazard. Ensure nothing can interfere with your spokes, chain & brakes ✨
The route includes:
- Throsby Creek shared path to Islington Park
- quiet streets of Tighes Hill
- the Honeysuckle foreshore shared path to Nobbys Beach & Newcastle Beach
- Hunter St mall
- leafy low-traffic streets of Cooks Hill
- the Watkins St shared path to Merewether Beach.
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Unfamiliar with riding on roads? Come along and you'll learn as we go - the aim of this group is to build people's skills & confidence :)
Max 15 spots. New people welcome (please read the full event description). Any questions, DM me or comment below. :)
Start/finish location: Tree of Knowledge Park, Wickham (it's on Hannell St, next to the outdoor carpark at corner of Honeysuckle Dr & Hannell St). Meet beside the shared path, by the water.
Start time: arrive at 8:45am for a 9am departure
Finish time: approx 11:15am-11:45am
Relative cycling fitness level: very easy - easy - MEDIUM - hard - very hard
Topography: flat, except for two 50 metre steep hills, which can be walked if you like
Total pedaling time: around 2 hours, plus a couple brief water breaks
You’ll need:
- water bottle (1 litre recommended)
- helmet
- bike with good working brakes and tyres pumped to the recommended PSI
- bike lock/s (important to have in case of an unfixable mechanical issue)
- phone and opal card in case of puncture
- repair kit, if you have one; spare tube highly recommended
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Detailed route description: We first cycle north on the Throsby Creek shared path to Islington Park, then do a u-turn via some quiet streets of Tighes Hill, before rejoining the shared path. We follow the path back to Wickham, this time on the Carrington side of the creek, then cross over Cowper St bridge, and continue past Honeysuckle to Nobbys & Newcastle Beach (drink break). We then head along low-traffic Hunter St Mall, jump back on shared paths to Newcastle Library, before heading towards The Junction shops via low-traffic Bruce St, & Corlette St. Another 1km along the Watkins St shared path gets us to Merewether Beach (drink break). Then we head back along Corlette St, and rejoin the foreshore path to finish back at Wickham.
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, balance at an almost walking pace, 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 and sometimes assign a sweep. 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 pass pedestrians slowly. For further details read the How We Ride Policy & the RSVP Policy on the group's homepage. Unfamiliar with riding on roads? Come along and you'll learn as we go :)
You're responsible for your own safety at all times.
Getting there
• Council Cycleway maps: https://newcastle.nsw.gov.au/living/transport-and-parking/cycling/cycleway-maps , or message me for a low-pressure route.
• Coming by train? Bikes travel free on opal card trips; alight at Newcastle Interchange & cross the road to the start point.
• Honeysuckle Dr Outdoor Carpark, approach via Hannell St, with the entrance on Honeysuckle Dr. Free & unlimited on weekends.
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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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If the weather is looking unfavourable, check the comments below for updates; heavy rain will result in cancellation.
Find the group on facebook [https://facebook.com/BikeAboutTownNewcastleNSW]
Sunday 20km Xmas Dress-up Cycle - Start Wickham - Foreshore, city, beaches loop