Wallsend to Warners Bay Foreshore - All shared paths - 27km return

Join us for free out-and-back guided bike ride from Wallsend to Warners Bay foreshore for morning tea. 27km return.

All on shared paths, this scenic ride includes the 4km sealed Tramway Track through bushland, the 2.5km Lake Rd shared path, and 4km of shared path along the shores of beautiful Lake Macquarie.

This is a group to meet others, enjoy the outdoors, build cycling confidence, cycle at a leisurely pace, and learn easy, quiet cycling routes around Newcastle.

We go at a relaxed slow leisurely pace of 15km/hr on the flat.

This ride is fairly hilly and requires a decent cycling fitness level.

It has some good uphills and some good downhills. Go at your own pace on the hills. We regroup at the top.

Map of route: https://www.komoot.com/tour/1814240254?sharetoken=aQNqAcNeIHLTIL2FUweKsJYKFNliOciedu56M4MHDxvTbBA17N&ref=wtd&ts=referral&tcid=routeshare&trefusername=4040550065485

New people welcome :) Any questions, DM me or comment below.

Children not permitted, unless they are a passenger on your bike.

Start/finish: Wallsend Rotunda, 120 Tyrrell St

Start time: arrive by 7:45am for a 8am departure
Finish time: approx 11:30am

Grade: very easy/easy/between MEDIUM and HARD/very hard (for ebikes, drop the grade down a level)

Topography: To begin, we have 5km of undulating shared path, including two 500 metre-long medium hills. Then 1.5km of downhill + 1km of some gentle ups and downs, then 4km of flat path beside the lake. We return the same way. People generally find the return harder because there is more uphill, including a 1km-long hill that can be a bit of slog for some. But you can go at your own pace.

Distance: 27km return

Suitable for: those with a decent cycling fitness level, who can comfortably ride an undulating route at an easy relaxed pace of 15km/hr for two hours (with morning tea in the middle), including riding up a few steep hills, and a long climb up a 1km incline.

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What we'll do:

8am: From Wallsend we cycle along the 4km Tramway Track (a sealed shared path through the bush) to Glendale TAFE.
Join the 2.5km Lake Rd shared path to Speers Point Park.
Cycle 4km along the lake on a shared path.
9:15am: At Warners Bay foreshore, stop for morning tea, either at a cafe if there's seating, or grab takeaway to eat on the lake foreshore.
10:15am approx: Cycle back the same way to Wallsend.
11:15am- 11:30am approx: Finish

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How we'll ride together:

On the way to Warners Bay, we will stick together, regrouping at the top of the hilly sections for a breather, until everyone is ready to continue.
The standard pace for this group is very leisurely, going at 15km/hr on the flat.
On the return leg, we tend not to regroup. There is a lot more uphill. From Speers Point onwards, riders tend to spread out, as the pace of riders can vary widely. Go at your own pace. Some may choose to ride on ahead, finishing before others. I will ride at the back to ensure everyone makes it back. Navigation for the return is easy - just a matter of following the dotted line of the shared path. There is always someone in the group who knows the way for this one.

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Water: bubbler and bottle-refilling tap at Glendale; bubblers at Speers Point Park and Warners Bay.

Toilets: the Wallsend Rotunda's toilets are open 9-5; Warners Bay foreshore has toilets.

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You'll need:

phone and bike lock
a repair kit if you have one eg spare tube, tyre levers, pump
a bike with brakes in good working order and tyres pumped
helmet
water
snacks

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Safety
You are responsible for your own safety at all times. Riding safely and graciously are priorities. We are a group of varying experience and confidence levels. I give instruction as needed so that as a group we ride cooperatively and predictably around motorists and pedestrians.

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.
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Transform your journey, ride & drive more safely, and boost Newy's street culture. These videos explain best practice cycling principles for everyday city riding:

How to cycle safely at junctions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CG0VTwevoU
Road positioning for city cycling explained: https://www.cyclinguk.org/article/road-positioning-cycling-explained:

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The Game-changing Power of Street Design

How the Dutch Slow Drivers for Safer Streets: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGOBOw9s-QM
Traffic Calming is everywhere in The Netherlands: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAxRYrpbnuA
The Wrong Way to Set Speed Limits: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bglWCuCMSWc

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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.