Eastern shore riders have long enjoyed the Clarence Foreshore Trail and we’re sharing it with you in July with two rides that showcase some of its best attractions.
Charles Darwin Trail
This is a perfect ride for those of you who want a bit of exercise for the mind as well as the body, and has been rescheduled from its original rained-out date last month
The Sunday 5 July ride will follow Clarence Council’s Charles Darwin Trail, which retraces the footsteps of the famous scientist when he went for a walk on the eastern shore in 1836.
Starting at the Kangaroo Bay car park at 10 am, the 11 km ride will go along the Clarence Foreshore Trail and through Waverley Park, joined up by quiet side streets. And if the trail wasn’t enough history for you, there will also be a stop at the Bellerive Bluff historic site.
This is suitable for all types of bikes, although Waverley Park tracks are not sealed, and the ride will be led by Brian Chapman.
If you are in the mood, the group will end the ride with a coffee in Bellerive. Please RSVP as this ride will be cancelled if the weather is forecast is poor.
Eastern Shore Beach Cruise
This ride on Sunday 12 July heads out from Kangaroo Bay to Tranmere and back mostly following the Clarence Foreshore Trail.
Leaving at 10 am from the Kangaroo Bay car park the route will take the trail, then roads and gravel track to get to Tranmere where we’ll turn around and return the same way, getting back by about noon.
The ride will suit all bike types and riders from the inexperienced to experienced and will finish with coffee in Bellerive. Please RSVP as the ride will be cancelled if weather looks poor, your ride leader will be Brian Chapman
Northern Art and Industry ride
This one is not on the eastern shore but the ever-popular Intercity Cycleway and intersecting trails and quiet roads on Saturday 4 July.
While the Intercity Cycleway is a great asset for the city you get pretty used to the scenery after a few trips out and back, so this ride aims to mix up the experience with some side trips to enjoy the varied land uses along the river.
The route runs along the cycleway to Montrose, where riders exit to follow the Montrose Bay foreshore track, through the Glenorchy Art and Sculpture Park, around the back of Elwick Racecourse, along Prince of Wales Bay and back on to the cycleway for the return leg. There is also the option of a side trip around the back of New Town High through to Cornelian Bay and back on the cycleway.
It is leaving from the Cenotaph car park at 9.30 am and will return about 12.30 pm.
Please RSVP online or contact the ride leader Greg Dutkowski directly, it will be cancelled if weather forecast is for significant rain.
COVID-19 guidelines
Our social rides leaders are following a new 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 so there is no paper being handed around on the day.
- Ride leaders will have sanitiser on hand in case of needing to touch bikes or riders.
- People are asked not to attend rides if they have fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, shortness of breath or runny nose.
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.
- Sunday 2 August – Women on Wheels– ICC to Cadburys Estate
- Sunday 6 September – Women on Wheels – ICC to Cadburys Estate
- Sunday 20 September – Orielton Lagoon Loop– Sorell
- Saturday 26 September – Cygnet Coast Road– Port Cygnet Cannery
- Sunday 27 September – Sprent Loops– Sprent Recreation Ground
- Sunday 4 October – Women on Wheels – Fern Tree Pipeline Track
- Wednesday 14 October – E-bike Coffee Club goes to Moonah – Seniors Week ride along ICC and quiet roads
- Saturday 17 October – Splash to the Bluff – Seniors Week ride Devonport
The strength of our social rides program depends on members volunteering to lead rides. Leading social rides is a fun way to "give back" to the riding community, and to help us to get "more people riding, more often".
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 volunteer here and we'll let you know when the next Ride Leader Skills Development Workshop is scheduled.