The coming fortnight has the usual array of interesting Hobart rides as well as a scenic loop out of Cygnet and through Gunns Plains, both with some decent hill climbs.
Charles Darwin Trail – Saturday 23 October
This 12.7 km ride provides information about Charles Darwin’s Tasmanian exploration in 1836 so you can exercise your mind as well as your legs.
Meet at 9.45 am at the Kangaroo Bay car park before heading along the Foreshore Trail then cutting up through residential streets to the Waverley Flora Park and back around to the starting point at about 12.30 pm.
Because of the gravel paths you’ll be better off on a mountain bike or e-bike with wide tyres. RSVP to ride leader Brian if interested.
![](https://bicyclenetwork.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Charles-Darwin-trail-1-1396x800.jpg)
Gunns Plain – Sunday 24 October
This month’s north west ride is a 31 km loop through Gunns Plain with a 570 metre ascent on Sunday 24 October.
Meeting at Wings Wildlife Park for a departure at 11 am, the route follows sealed quiet country roads before returning to Wings for lunch for any riders who are interested.
An easier 17 km option with a lower ascent will also be available. Please RSVP to ride leader Alison for the ride and lunch booking.
![](https://bicyclenetwork.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Gunns-Plains.jpg)
Risdon Brook Dam Cruise – Saturday 30 October
The 32.7 km ride out to the scenic Risdon Brook Dam on Saturday 30 October is fairly flat so perfect for those riders trying to build their experience and stamina.
Meet at 9.15 am at the Cenotaph car park for the ride out along the Foreshore Trail and up Sugarloaf Road, before returning to Lindisfarne for a coffee then back to the car park.
If you are coming from the eastern shore or don’t want to ride the bridge contact ride leader David to arrange to meet under the bridge at 9.45 am. All riders please RSVP via the RidewithGPS website.
![](https://bicyclenetwork.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Risdon-Brook-Dam.jpg)
E-bike Scenic route to Moonah – Thursday 4 November
This 13 km Scenic Route to Moonah on Thursday 4 November is perfect for people who have just bought an e-bike or are thinking about it as other e-bike riders will be on hand to answer your questions.
Meet at 9.45 am at the Cenotaph car park before heading north via quiet streets and paths through Lutana and Derwent Park to Glenorchy where we’ll get onto the Intercity Cycleway down to Moonah for coffee.
Please RSVP to rider leader Di in case of cancellation and let her know if you are interested in buying one of our “What Hills?” t-shirts.
![](https://bicyclenetwork.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/E-bike-coffee-cruise-to-Moonah.jpg)
Cygnet Loop – Sunday 7 November
The mix of farmland, bush and coastal views makes the 27.6 km Cygnet Loop on Sunday 7 November one of our favourite routes.
Meet at 10.15 am in the free car park behind the Cygnet Town Hall before heading off into the hills and then down to Petcheys Bay and the Huon River, skirting around Lymington and back into Cygnet for coffee.
There will be some gravel road sections so this is not suitable for narrow tyres. RSVP to rider leader Brian in case of cancellation.
![](https://bicyclenetwork.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Cygnet-loop.jpg)
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.
- Seven Mile Beach to Sorell– Saturday 13 November
- E-bike Westside Discovery– Thursday 18 November
- Tranmere Trundle– Saturday 20 November
- E-bike Coffee Cruise: ICC to Cadbury – Thursday 2 December
- Women on Wheels– Sunday 5 December
- Christmas lunch at Longley – 11 December
- E-bike Coffee Cruise: Ridgeway–South Hobart Meander – Thursday 16 December
- Mounty Nelson High– Saturday 18 December
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 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 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.