COVID travel restrictions means we’ve had jam-packed summer social ride calendars over the past few years but now that the restrictions have eased we are going back to normal conditions, which means our social rides will start to become fewer in the lead in to Christmas. But we still have a few rides planned for the rest of November and December and other social ride leaders will undoubtedly add more as the weather warms up and they become inspired!
Tunnels and Bridges – Saturday 19 November
This is an easy ride, mostly along the Intercity Cycleway starting near the Cenotaph and doing a loop around the Montrose foreshore, but exploring a number of "secret" tunnels and bridges off to the side.
Meet ride leader Greg at 9.15 am at the Cenotaph car park for the 25 km route which will suit all types of riders, with a mixture of tracks and quiet roads.
Coffee stop planned so you get to talk to other riders. Please RSVP in case of cancellation: https://ridewithgps.com/events/196639-tunnels-and-bridges
TBUG Evandale Verandah Music Festival ride – Sunday 27 November
Join ride leader Rafael to head to Evandale to enjoy this year's Verandah Music Festival on Sunday 27 November in a 29 km return trip.
Meet at the Kings Meadows Bowls Club carpark at the top end of Nunamina Avenue at 9.15 am for a 9.30 am start down Hobart Road and onto the new bike path from the Breadalbane roundabout.
Entry to the festival is $15/10 and it runs 10 am – 3.30 pm, if you don't want to stay for the day you can head back on your own: https://verandahmusicfestival.com/
E-bike Coffee Club: Lutana–Moonah Loop – Thursday 1 December
The E-bike Coffee Club is offering an easy 13.8 km cruise down the Intercity Cycleway and quiet streets through Lutana and Moonah on Thursday 1 December.
Meeting at 9.45 am at the Cenotaph car park, this ride is a great introduction to paths and quiet streets in the north of Hobart and the best bit is they finish with a coffee at Baked in Moonah!
Please RSVP to ride leader Di in case of cancellation: https://ridewithgps.com/events/194702-e-bike-coffee-cruise-lutana-moonah-loop
E-bike Coffee Club: Ridgeway–Soho – Thursday 15 December
Immerse yourself in hills and nature with the e-bike coffee club ride from South Hobart up to Ridgeway and back on Thursday 15 December.
The 17.3 km loop down the Rivulet Path, up Strickland Avenue and back via the Chimney Pot Hill Road and Ridgeway Road is a perfect test of your e-bike’s ability to handle steep slopes.
Meet ride leader Di at 9.45 am at Hamlet Café in South Hobart, where we’ll have coffee afterwards, but please RSVP in case of cancellation https://ridewithgps.com/events/195258-e-bike-coffee-club-ridgeway-soho
TBUG Wednesday and Thursday rides
The Tamar Bicycle Users Group runs regular rides on Wednesday mornings usually about 30-40 km and taking in the scenic riding country of the West Tamar, Meander Valley and Northern Midlands. Check the RidewithGPS events listings for meeting points of upcoming rides.
The Thursday night twilight rides are held during daylight savings and start at the Park Street entrance of Royal Park at 5. pm and head out around Launceston’s paths and trails for about an hour. These are great rides for people wanting to get into riding, to explore the path network or just go for a quick, social ride.
TBUG’s social rides are now affiliated with Bicycle Network so feel free to join in, even if you’re not a TBUG member.
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.
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 email our Rides Coordinator with your contact details and what sort of riding you are interested in and we'll let you know when the next Ride Leader Skills Development Workshop is scheduled.
COVID-19 guidelines
Our social rides leaders are following a set of protocols to help make our rides safer:
- 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 are asked to register online or via phone so there is no paper being handed around on the day.
- People are asked not to attend rides if they have fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, shortness of breath or runny nose or are in mandated isolation.