After being limited to riding with one other person for months our social ride leaders have burst out of the gates with two rides already held and three more in the offing this month.
The government is allowing up to 20 people to gather outdoors for social sporting activities but according to the Australian Institute of Sport riders should keep 10 metres from the rider in front of them.
Charles Darwin Trail
This is a perfect ride for those of you who want a bit of exercise for the mind as well as the body.
The Sunday 21 June ride will follow Clarence Council’s Charles Darwin Trail, which retraces the footsteps of the famous scientist when he went for a walk on the eastern shore in 1836.
Starting at the Kangaroo Bay car park at 10 am the 11 km ride will go along Clarence Foreshore Trail and through Waverley Park, joined up by quiet side streets. And if the trail wasn’t enough history for you, there will also be a stop at the Bellerive Bluff historic site.
This is suitable for all types of bikes, although Waverley Park tracks are not sealed, and the ride will be led by Brian Chapman.
If you are in the mood, the group will end the ride with a coffee in Bellerive. Please RSVP as this ride will be cancelled if the weather is forecast is poor.
Intercity Cycleway Montrose Loop
This is a great ride for getting out and getting the legs pumping but not testing them too much!
The 21 km route is mostly flat as it sticks to the Cycleway with a scenic detour around the Montrose foreshore.
Meet at the Cenotaph car park before 9.30 am on Saturday 20 June where we'll head off along the Cycleway. The route may vary on the day depending on what the group would like to do and people's interests and riding experience.
This ride would suit all bikes and abilities as it will be an easy-going pace, you just need to be fit enough to ride 21 km. And there will be a stop for a coffee and chat so you can share your riding experiences.
Please RSVP to ride leader Greg Dutkowski as the ride will be cancelled if the weather forecast turns.
Wynyard and Back
The north-west riders’ group is heading to Wynyard on Sunday 28 June for three ride options, led by Keith and Wendy Boyle.
The groups will leave at 11 am from Gutteridge Gardens in Goldie Street (near the toilet block) and the rides will take a couple of hours.
Option 1 is the toughest at 25 kilometres and 246 metre ascent, taking the old and new Bass Highways along the coast to Somerset, then Seabrook Rd, Coopers Lane and Mt Hicks Road back to the start.
Option 2 is 19 kilometres with a 183 metre ascent that will take Mt Hicks Rod to Coopers Lane to meet the other group and return.
Option 3 is for people who want to enjoy Wynyard’s paths and have a coffee. The group will either head east along the Old Bass Highway to Bruce’s café and return or west through Gutteridge Gardens and quiet streets to Cape Bridge and the gold club, returning to town via Sweetness Café.
Option 1 and 2 maps are on the website, where you can RSVP.
Cruisy Bruny Island Camping Ride
The Bruny Island campers are back from Monday 29 June to Saturday 4 July to enjoy the tourist-free roads and easy riding of the island.
The ride and camping spots will be determined by the group, which will have a maximum of 7 riders, but could include Dennes Point, Adventure Bay, Cloudy Bay, Cap Bruny Lighthouse and the Neck.
This ride is for people wanting to enjoy a cruisy pace of 35–50 km a day that allows for side-tracking to take in a view, have a hot coffee or investigate interesting looking animals or sites.
All sorts of surfaces will be ridden so hybrid, touring and mountain bikes are your best bet, with tyres of at least 38 mm and low gearing.
Camping will be on established camp sites, private property and in the bush and riders must be able to carry enough food and water for a couple of days before the next shop. Dinners will mostly be cooked at camp, but the group may decide to eat out.
If you are new to camping cycle touring but are keen to come along, contact ride leader Andreas Hack who may be able to help you out with panniers and camping gear.
You will need to RSVP for this ride with leader Andreas Hack via email who can also answer questions you may have.
COVID-19 guidelines
Our social rides leaders are following a new set of protocols to help make our rides compliant with government directions:
- Meeting places for rides will have plenty of space for people to maintain 1.5 to 2 metre distancing while unloading bikes, listening to the briefing, and getting ready to ride.
- Riders will are asked to register online so there is no paper being handed around on the day and we can limit numbers.
- if people show up on the day and push the rider numbers over the limit, the group will be broken into two if there is another ride leader on site.
- the ride leader will have sanitiser on hand in case of needing to touch bikes or riders.
- Other than for family groups, riders will be asked to keep 10 metres behind other riders during the ride.
- People are asked not to attend rides if they have fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, shortness of breath or runny nose.
Upcoming rides & events
Social rides are featured in each edition of In the Loop, but if you want more notice visit our social rides calendar, which is regularly updated.
- Sunday 12 July - Eastern Shore Beach Cruise – Kangaroo Bay car park along Foreshore Trail and return.
- Sunday 2 August – Women on Wheels – ICC to Cadburys Estate
- Sunday 6 September – Women on Wheels – ICC to Cadburys Estate
- Sunday 20 September – Orielton Lagoon Loop – Sorell
- Sunday 27 September – Sprent Loops – Sprent Recreation Ground
- Sunday 4 October – Cygnet Coast Road – Port Cygnet Cannery
The strength of our social rides program depends on members volunteering to lead rides. Leading social rides is a fun way to "give back" to the riding community, and to help us to get "more people riding, more often".
Bicycle Network Tasmania accredits Social Ride Leaders, and requires anyone interested in leading rides to be accredited. If you would like to be one of our Ride Leaders, please volunteer here and we'll let you know when the next Ride Leader Skills Development Workshop is scheduled.