The Fern Tree Christmas lunch features in this fortnight of social rides, and there's the popular folding bike convoy to MONA, plus country challenges out of Hobart. Keep tuned to our events page for more rides to be added as this is the second last summary for the year and In the Loop takes a break over January.
Christmas lunch in Fern Tree – Saturday 9 December
The Fern Tree ride on Saturday 9 December includes a 31km Christmas lunch ride to the Fern Tree Tavern.
Meet ride leader Brian at 9.45am at the Cornelian Bay car park to head up the Rivulet Path and Strickland Avenue to the pub. The return will be via Ridgeway and includes a short section of busy Huon Road and Macquarie Street, before it hits the paths back to Cornelian Bay.
RSVP for lunch (maximum of 12) via https://ridewithgps.com/events/234418-christmas-lunch-in-fern-tree-max-12
Orford Thumbs Lookout Loop – Sunday 10 December
The 30km Orford Thumbs Lookout Loop on Sunday 10 December offers a great mix of forest and sea views.
Meet ride leader David at 10.15am outside the front of Wattelebanks Coastal Café, just before the Prosser River bridge.
Most of this ride is on the unsealed Wielangta Road and is not suitable for some bike tyres. Bring morning tea for a break at Rheban Beach. There'll be a cafe stop in Orford for a late lunch after the ride.
RSVP via https://ridewithgps.com/events/230843-orford-thumbs-lookout-loop
Kangaroo Bay to Tranmere return – Friday 15 December
The 23km Kangaroo Bay to Tranmere ride on Friday 15 December takes advantage of the Clarence Foreshore Trail and Tranmere track.
Join ride leader Brian at 9.45am at the Kangaroo Bay car park and head to Tranmere, and return, along sealed and unsealed trails, and one section of quiet streets.
There will be a coffee stop in Bellerive after the ride. Please RSVP in case of cancellation via https://ridewithgps.com/events/234437-kangaroo-bay-to-tranmere-return
Forth to Devonport - Sunday 17 December
The usual north-west last Sunday of the month ride is not happening due to Christmas/New Year but Helen will be leading a ride on Sunday 17 December from Forth to Devonport.
Meet at 11 am at the Forth recreation ground to head to Devonport via the new Lillico strait section of the Coastal Pathway and then returning to Forth, all up it will be about 30km on paths apart from the short section from Forth to the path.
There will be a coffee stop in Devonport and BYO lunch for after the ride at Forth.
Flight of the Folders – Saturday 23 December
Join with other folding-bike enthusiasts to show off your engineering marvels on the Intercity Cycleway out to MONA on Saturday 23 December.
Join ride leader Di at 9.45am at the Cenotaph car park for the 23km easy roll to get coffee and snacks before returning.
Please RSVP in case of cancellation via https://ridewithgps.com/events/227400-flight-of-the-folders
Brighton to Pelham Christmas Challenge – Wednesday 27 December
Shake off your Christmas lunch lethargy on Wednesday 27 December with a 55km ride from Brighton to Pelham.
Join ride leader David at 9.45am in the car park outside the bakery at 153 Brighton Road for the ride on quiet, sealed Elderslie and Pelham roads to the top of the 435m hill. The group will return to the bakery for a late lunch.
Please RSVP in case of cancellation via https://ridewithgps.com/events/289143-brighton-to-pelham-christmas-challenge
TBUG rides
- 7, 14, 21 December: Trails Around Launceston, meet at 5.45pm at the Park Street entrance of Royal Park, 10–15km, slow pace.
- 13 December: Rosevears to Batman Bridge and lunch, meet at the hotel at 215 Rosevears Drive at 9.45am, 40km, 20–25 km/h pace.
- 20 December: Longford to Carrick, meet at 9.15am at Lyttleton Street, 50km, 20–25 km/h pace.
Upcoming rides & events
- Burnie Fernglade – Sunday 31 December
- Coffee, Chat and Cycles – Friday 5 January
- E-Bike Coffee Cruise: the Queens View – Friday 5 January
- Northern Suburbs/Eastern Shore Loop– Saturday 6 January
- Howrah Mens Shed Amble – Thursday 11 January
- Ranelagh River Ride – Saturday 13 January
- Geilston Gully Visit – Saturday 20 January
- Oatlands Parattah and Stonor Circuit– Friday 26 January
- Coffee, Chat and Cycles – Friday 2 February
- E-bike Coffee Cruise: The Queens View – Friday 2 February
- Geilston Bay to Tranmere Foreshore Trail – Saturday 3 February
- Cambridge Park Loop – Friday 9 February
- Risdon Brook Dam Visit – Saturday 17 February
- Lindisfarne Hills – Friday 23 February
- E-bike Coffee Cruise: The Queens View – Friday 1 March
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. You don't have to be super fit or into competitive riding, our rides are a mixed bag depending on the interests of our ride leaders. They offer everything from short 1-2 hour rides, with stops along the way to day-long excursions.
COVID-19 guidelines
Our social rides leaders follow 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 metre 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.