Lots of rides centred around Hobart are on offer in the coming fortnight, although the north-west riders can enjoy the Railton–Sheffield ride this Sunday.
Mighty Eastern Shore Challenge– Saturday 25 September
This 42 km circuit takes you through sealed and unsealed bike tracks, quiet local roads, a private dirt track not normally accessible and topped off with challenging bush country and magnificent views.
You will need a tough bike, be prepared for a little bit of challenging terrain and be relatively fit and able to lift your bike over gates.
Bring your own picnic lunch and refreshments to have along the way because we won't pass a coffee shop.
RSVP to Ride Leader Brian in case of cancellation. The ride will start and finish at the Geilston Bay Boat Club car park, meeting at 9.45 am and returning at about 2 pm.
Railton Sheffield Paradise: Sunday 26 September
Another challenging ride is coming up in the north-west with the 44.8 km loop out of Railton taking in Sheffield, Paradise and Beulah with 750 metres of ascent.
A shorter 26.5 km ride from Railton to Sheffield return is on offer for people wanting a gentler pace.
Both rides will meet at 9.45 am at the toilets and park on Railton Road off Foster Street and head out on the rail trail, with stops to take in the Redwater Creek waterfall and Mt Roland view, to Sheffield. The group who doesn’t want to do the full circuit can return along the rail trail or take the Bridle Track Road to Stoodley to join the rest of the group.
RSVP to ride leaders Kerry and Patrick and BYO own food and refreshments.
Granton Grunter – Saturday 2 October
Join ride leader Greg for the 39 km ride out to Granton along the Intercity Cycleway and back on Saturday 2 October, meeting at 9.15 am at the Cenotaph car park.
This is flat terrain so a good ride to test your stamina without too many pesky hills and the coffee break on the return leg will give you a reprieve.
Please RSVP because the ride will be cancelled if too windy or wet.
https://ridewithgps.com/events/160295-granton-grunter
Women on Wheels – Sunday 3 October
Our monthly ride is heading to the eastern shore for the 31.6 km roll from Lindisfarne and back along the Foreshore Trail.
This will suit riders of all experience levels, come along on your own or with a friend and we’ll stop for coffee along the way for a chat.
RSVP to ride leader Maryanne in case of cancellation, the group will meet at Simmons Park at 9.45 am.
https://ridewithgps.com/events/159386-women-on-wheels-details-tba
E-bike Coffee Cruise: Ridgeway and South Hobart – Thursday 7 October
The e-bikers are going bush with the 17.5 km route up through South Hobart and Ridgeway on Thursday 7 October.
Leaving at 10 am from Hamlet Café, the group will meander along the Rivulet Trail, through leafy quiet streets of South Hobart, slipping along a bush trail through Waterworks, and a good climb up to Ridgeway. We'll return to the city via Huon Rd, Strickland Ave and the Rivulet Trail, and enjoy coffee back at Hamlet.
RSVP to ride leader Di in case of cancellation.
https://ridewithgps.com/events/159123-e-bike-coffee-cruise-ridgeway-south-hoba
Moonah Mountain Moaner – Saturday 9 October
Test your legs on the 18.6 km Moonah Mountain Moaner on Saturday 9 October, meeting at 9.15 am at the Cenotaph car park.
This ride is suitable for riders experienced in hill climbing and Kalang Rd is narrow and can get a lot of traffic. There will be some dirt tracks and grassy connections so wider tyres are better, as are good brakes and low gearing.
RSVP to ride leader Greg in case of cancellation.
https://ridewithgps.com/events/160296-moonah-mountain-moaner
Seniors on E-bikes – Wednesday 13 October
We’re celebrating Seniors Week in Hobart on Wednesday 13 October with a relaxed 27 km ride out to MONA for coffee, and back.
We’ll take quiet roads and paths on the way out to show riders a new way of heading north and return along the Intercity Cycleway. This means if you want to linger at MONA you can and come back on your own.
Meeting at the Cornelian Bay upper car park at 9.45 am and returning at about 1 pm, please RSVP to ride leaders Di, Jack and Phillip.
https://ridewithgps.com/events/151873-seniors-on-e-bikes
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.
- NW easy Seniors ride– Saturday 16 October
- North west riders: Gunns Plains – Sunday 31 October
- E-bike Scenic route to Moonah – Thursday 4 November
- Cygnet Cycling Festival – Sunday 7 November
- E-bike Westside Discovery– Thursday 18 November
- Charles Darwin Trail – Saturday 27 November
- Women on Wheels– Sunday 5 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.