We’ve got plenty of pre-Christmas free social rides to keep you busy this month before the traditional slow-down, with a mix of mountainous thigh testers, easy e-bike rides and scenic gravel paths.
Mounty Nelson High
If you want sing Rocky Mountain High on your way up the bends of Mt Nelson on Saturday 5 December you are more than welcome but it won’t be compulsory!
This 22 km route from the Cenotaph to the top of Mt Nelson will weave through quiet streets of Battery Point before tackling the multiple bends of Mt Nelson Rd. After taking the in the views of the river from the summit, the group will return via Olinda Rd and bush tracks through the university land before taking a route of back streets through Sandy Bay and South Hobart to the Rivulet Path and back to the car park.
Meet at 9.15 am at the Cenotaph car park with the ride, including coffee stop, taking about 3 hours. Please RSVP online so you can be notified if the ride is cancelled at https://ridewithgps.com/events/140991-mounty-nelson-high
Women on Wheels Pipeline
This month’s Women on Wheels ride on Sunday 6 December will take the scenic Pipeline Track on kunanyi/Mt Wellington.
Meet at 9.45 am at the Ferntree Tavern for the easy 25 km ride along the unsealed track which suits mountain bikes, sturdy hybrids or sturdy e-bikes. The track condition is variable, with some parts rockier than others.
The group can decide on the day if they want to include a walk to Silver Falls or Wellington Falls, but you’ll need to bring your own lock.
The ride will finish at the tavern by 1 pm for coffee/lunch. RSVP at https://ridewithgps.com/events/140265-women-on-wheels-pipeline-track
Knocklofty Kneetrembler
Another ride to test your legs, the Knocklofty Kneetrembler on Saturday 12 December is a challenging ride suitable for more experienced riders.
Meet at 9.15 am at the Cenotaph car park before heading along the Hobart Rivulet path and the steep climb up to Knocklofty Reserve. From there the group will take back streets down through Lenah Valley and then along the New Town Rivulet to the Intercity Cycleway and back to town.
The route is a mixture of tracks and roads and your bike will need low gears (or electric assist) and tyres wide enough to go on gravel paths. There will be a coffee stop along the way with an estimated return time of 12 noon.
Please RSVP online in case the ride has to be cancelled. https://ridewithgps.com/events/140992-knocklofty-kneetrembler
Westside Discovery e-bike coffee cruise
If there was a perfect landscape to show why e-bikes are such a good idea, then western Hobart would be it, which is why the Westside Discovery e-bike ride on Thursday 17 December is exploring the area.
The relaxed 16 km over tracks and back streets gives new and existing riders options for a more comfortable ride through Lenah Valley, West Hobart, Mount Stuart and North Hobart.
You are more than welcome to come on a regular bike if you can keep up with the e-bikes on the hilly terrain and keep in mind wider tyres may be better on the track through Knocklofty Reserve.
There will be a coffee stop along the way to chat about e-bikes, if you are interested please RSVP online at https://ridewithgps.com/events/140788-e-bike-coffee-cruise-west-side-discovery
Moonah Mountain Moaner
The last of our leg wringers is on Saturday 19 December, the Moonah Mountain Moaner will let you in on the secret slopes of the deceptively hilly suburb.
Meet at 9.15 am at the Cenotaph car park for the first leg up the Intercity Cycleway before the group peels off onto local rounds for two undulating loops through back streets, bush and the main shopping centre before returning along the cycleway.
This is a challenging ride that would will suit riders experienced with hills and narrow roads. Riders need good strength (or an e-bike), good control, low gears, good brakes and wider tyres as there will be some riding on dirt tracks and grass.
We’ll stop for a coffee before returning about 12.15. Please RSVP online. https://ridewithgps.com/events/140993-moonah-mountain-moaner
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 6 December – WoW Pipeline Track
- Sunday 3 January – WoW to Cadbury Estate
- 6–13 March – Tasmanian Bike Week
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 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 or via phone 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.