There is a wide variety of rides on offer for the first social rides update of the year, whether you are on e-bikes, up for a long challenging ride or a gentle roll through the countryside, there’s something for everyone. A special mention is the e-bike ride to Seven Mile Beach which will utilise the summer Saturday ferry to explore the new path along the Tasman Highway.
New Norfolk Lunchtime Ride – Sunday 5 February
We've had to curtail our planned New Norfolk ride on Sunday 5 February due to the Bridgewater Bridge project not providing safe passage for people riding through the works area. So instead we'll be riding from Granton to New Norfolk for a tasty lunch at The Agrarian Kitchen's outdoor cafe area.
Meet ride leader David at 10.15 am at the Granton car park for the 33 km ride down the Lyell Highway then around New Norfolk and return. If people feel like a challenge then the group can branch off at Malbina for the ride up to Molesworth then back down.
Please RSVP in case of cancellation via https://ridewithgps.com/events/203342-new-norfolk-lunchtime-ride-agrarian-kitc
Crabtree Crawl – Saturday 11 February
Join ride leader Jack on Saturday 11 February for a roll along quiet roads in the Huon Valley, with the obligatory stop at the magnificent Summer Kitchen bakery.
Meet at 9.45 am at the Willie Smiths Apple Shed at 2064 Huon Highway in Grove for the 25 km route along Crabtree Road, Cross Road and Glen Road, taking in the mountain views, rolling hills, vineyards and orchards and old hop kilns.
Lunch and cider after the ride, RSVP in case of cancellation via https://ridewithgps.com/events/203445-crabtree-crawl
E-bike Coffee Club: Lenah Valley Looper – Thursday 16 February
Ride leader Phillip is taking the e-bike coffee club on a loop around Hobart, starting and finishing in Lenah Valley at the new Banjos Bakery.
Meet at 9.45 am to head straight up to Mt Stuart and through Knocklofty Reserve before the descent to South Hobart and the Rivulet path, cutting through the city to the Intercity Cycleway and back through quiet New Town streets to Augusta Road and coffee/lunch.
This is a mix of gravel paths, sealed paths and on-street riding so make sure your bike is up to it. RSVP in case of cancellation: https://ridewithgps.com/events/202287-e-bike-coffee-club-lenah-valley-looper
E-bike Coffee Club: Derwent Ferry to Seven Mile Beach ‘n back – Saturday 18 February
The e-bike coffee club is taking advantage of the summer ferry service on Saturday 18 February with a 45.5 km ride to Seven Mile Beach.
Meet ride leader Di at Brooke St Pier in time to catch the 10am ferry – eastern shore riders can meet the group at the Bellerive terminal.
The ride will follow quieter streets (some bike lanes marked) to Hobart Airport and then try out the new path alongside the highway to get to the beach for a drink and snack (BYO or buy from the store) before returning in time for the 2 pm ferry.
RSVP in case of cancellation via https://ridewithgps.com/events/201825-e-bike-coffee-club-derwent-ferry-to-seve
Knocklofty Kneetrembler – Sunday 19 February
The 26 km Knocklofty Kneetrembler loop around Hobart is a great workout for people who like to ride up hills, with three rises to tackle in Knocklofty Reserve, Mt Stuart and Lenah Valley Road.
Meet ride leader David at 10 am for a 10.15 am start at the Cenotaph car park on McVilly Drive, for the mixture tracks, roads and steep climbs. You will need a bike with low gearing or electric assist and tyres wide enough for gravel paths.
RSVP in case of cancellation, and there will be a coffee stop along the way.
TBUG Wednesday and Thursday rides
The Tamar Bicycle Users Group regular Wednesday morning and Thursday twilight rides will continue through February.
TBUG’s social rides are now affiliated with Bicycle Network so feel free to join in, even if you’re not a TBUG member. You can see their calendar of rides on their website: https://tamarbug.org.au/events/category/rides/month/
The Wednesday morning rides are usually about 30-40 km and take in the scenic riding country of the West Tamar, Meander Valley and Northern Midlands and start at 9.15 am.
The Thursday night twilight rides are held during daylight savings and start at the Park Street entrance of Royal Park at 5.45 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.
Upcoming rides & events
- E-bike Coffee Cruise: Scenic route to Moonah – Thursday 2 March
- Pipeline Track from Fern tree or Hamlet – Sunday 5 March
- International Womens Day Hobart ride – Wednesday 8 March
- Ranelagh River Ride – Thursday 9 March
- River to Mountain: Friday Bike Week pub lunch – Friday 10 March
- History Ride – Friday 10 March
- Bromptons Rally: Bike Week – Saturday 11 March
- Colebrook Lake Tiberias Circuit – Sunday 19 March
- E-bike Coffee Cruise: The Queens View – Thursday 6 April
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.