18km Saturday Cycle - Beach & City Loop, coffee @ Honeysuckle - Start Adamstown

This is a free guided bike ride at a leisurely pace (15km/hr) on low-traffic streets & shared paths.

Starting at Adamstown Station, we cycle an 18km loop taking in Hamilton, Merewether Beach, the CBD, Honeysuckle, the Throsby Creek shared path to Islington Park, & then back to Adamstown through Hamilton North & Broadmeadow. See map below.

We will stop for coffee at halfway at the Beehive Cafe on Honeysuckle Foreshore.

If you'd only like to join us for a portion of the ride, no worries; feel free to peel off at any point.

This is a group for most skill and fitness levels, with the primary aim being to give people the skills & confidence to cycle for some of their everyday short trips around town. The rides are lead by me, Pip. Come along to have fun, build cycling confidence, get outdoors, & meet others. Pick up key skills such as signaling & road positioning safety principles. Learn quiet routes around inner Newy.

10 spots only. New members welcome. Any questions, don’t hesitate!

Start/finish: Adamstown Station carpark on Park Avenue

Meet at: 8:45am for a 9am departure
Finish time: around 12:30pm

Total Distance: approx 18km loop

Topography: mostly flat, with a little bit of gentle up & down, plus one 100 metre steep hill (the one at Dixon Park Beach; can be walked if you like!)

Cycling Pace: slow & leisurely, max 15km/hr on the flat, breathers & drink breaks as needed

Approx. total active pedaling time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Types of streets: about 8km of shared paths, 7km of low-pressure streets, & 3km of medium-pressure streets (Teralba, Darling, Melville & Clyde Streets; we may take the footpath on Clyde St)

Relative cycling fitness level: very easy - easy - MEDIUM- high - very high

You’ll need:

• water, I recommend carrying 1 litre. We will stop once or twice at a bottle-refilling tap.
• bike lock/s (needed in case of you have an unfiaxble mechanical issue)
• helmet
• bike with good working brakes & tyres pumped to the recommended PSI
• phone & opal card in case of puncture (a repair kit if you have one)
• snacks if you like

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What we'll do:

• 9am cycle to Merewether Beach via Hamilton, Hamilton South, & The Junction (Teralba Rd, Melville Rd, Darling St, Lawson St, Jenner Pde, Kemp St, Corlette St, Watkins St shared path)
• 9:50am brief pause at Dixon Beach Lookout to enjoy the view.
• Cycle 1 minute on the coastal shared path to Bar Beach.
• Cycle 10 minutes to the CBD & Honeysuckle Foreshore, via low-pressure streets (Brooks St, the traffic-calmed block of Darby St, Bruce St, Laman St, Civic Park, Wheeler Place).
• 10:15am approx Coffee/bite to eat at Beehive Cafe, Honeysuckle
• 11:30am approx Cycle 20 minutes on the Throsby Creek shared path to Islington Park.
• Then 20 minutes back to Adamstown Station via Broadmeadow & Hunter Stadium (through Tighes Hill TAFE, Clyde St, Emerald St, Bates St, Jackson St shared path, Turton Rd shared path, Jellicoe Pde, Mackie Av, St James Rd shared path)
• 12:30pm approx Finish at Adamstown Station

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Getting there by bike: https://newcastle.nsw.gov.au/living/transport-and-parking/cycling/cycleway-maps , or message me for route advice.

Coming by train? Bikes travel free on opal card train trips.

Parking: Adamstown Station has a free unlimited carpark on Park Ave.

How we ride: I lead the ride. 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. Please read the How We Ride Policy & the RSVP Policy located on the group's homepage. Unfamiliar with these principles? Check out this video, &come along & learn as you go :)

• How to cycle safely at road junctions | Cycling UK (youtube.com)

You are responsible for your own safety at all times.

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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 may result in cancellation.

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