This is a free leisurely **out-and-back** bike ride from Wallsend to Warners Bay foreshore for brunch. **Map of route:** https://www.komoot.com/tour/1814240254?share_token=aQNqAcNeIHLTIL2FUweKsJYKFNliOciedu56M4MHDxvTbBA17N&ref=wtd&t_s=referral&t_cid=route_share&t_ref_username=4040550065485 **Distance:** 27km return **Infrastructure:** This ride is all on shared paths (apart from 200 metres on the road at the start). **Suitable for:** those with a good cycling fitness level, who can comfortably ride at an easy relaxed pace of 15km/hr for two hours (with morning tea in the middle), including tackling a few steep hills, and a 15 minute climb up a gentle incline. **Please note:** Due to the distance and the hills, this ride requires a higher level of cycling fitness than most of my other rides. New people welcome :) Any questions, DM me or comment below. Children not permitted, unless they are a passenger on your bike. This is a group to meet others, enjoy the outdoors, build cycling confidence, cycle at an leisurely pace, and learn easy, quiet cycling routes around Newcastle! **Start/finish:** Wallsend Rotunda, 120 Tyrrell St **Start time:** arrive by 8:45am for a 9am departure **Finish time:** approx 12:30pm **Relative cycling fitness level:** very easy/easy/**MEDIUM** **to HARD**/very hard **Topography:** To begin, we have 5km of undulating path, including a two 500 metre-long medium to steep hills. Then 1.5km of downhill, 1km of some gentle ups and downs, then 4km of flat path beside the lake. We return the same way. People generally find the return harder because there is more uphill, including a 1km-long uphill section that can be a bit of slog for some. . **What we'll do:** * **9am:** From Wallsend we cycle along the 4km Tramway Track (a sealed shared path through the bush) to Glendale TAFE. * Then we join the Lake Rd shared path, that runs beside Lake Rd for 2.5km, all the way to Speers Point Park. * We then cycle along the lake on a shared path for 4km. * **10:15am:** At Warners Bay foreshore, we stop for a coffee and a bite to eat. * There are several takeaway options. Buy something or bring your own food. We'll eat on the foreshore. * **11:15am approx:** We then cycle back the same way to Wallsend. . **How we'll ride together:** * On the way to Warners Bay, we will stick together. I will lead the group; except during the long uphill sections, during which riders spread out, so I will ride at the back to keep track of everyone. There will be a regrouping point at the top of the hilly section, where we will stop to allow everyone to catch-up. * As long as you can get up the hills, take it at your own pace. * It's about enjoying the journey. * The standard pace for this group is very leisurely, going at 15km/hr on the flat, so feel no pressure to exceed that. * * On the return leg, we do not stop to regroup because there is a lot more uphill, and the pace of riders can vary a lot. Go at your own pace on the return. I will ride at the back the whole way to keep track of everyone. Navigation is easy - just a matter of following the dotted line of the shared path. As there are junctions only every few kilometers, riders tend to spread out a bit. Some may choose to ride on ahead, finishing before others. . **Water:** bubbler and bottle-refilling tap at Glendale; bubblers at Speers Point Park and Warners Bay. **Toilets:** the Wallsend Rotunda's toilets are open 9-5; Speers Point Park and Warners Bay have toilets. . **You'll need:** * **opal card, phone and bike lock/s** in case you get a puncture * a repair kit, if you have one eg a spare tube, tyre levers and a pump. I have an electronic pump. * a bike with brakes in good working order and tyres pumped to the recommended PSI * helmet * plenty of water * snacks . **Safety** You are responsible for your own safety at all times. Riding safely and graciously are priorities. We are a group of varying experience and confidence levels. I give instruction as needed so that as a group we ride cooperatively and predictably around motorists and pedestrians. **Indemnity and release of liability** By participating in this activity you unconditionally indemnify the organiser/host against any and all claims, demands, losses, injuries, damages, liabilities or other costs, whether present or future, relating to your participation and/or dealings with Bike About Town - Newcastle, including but not limited to, any accident, loss or damage to property or death or injury to any person. . If the weather is looking unfavourable, check the comments below for updates; heavy rain may result in cancellation. . **Transform your journey, ride & drive more safely, and change Newy's street culture.** These videos explain best practice cycling principles for everyday city riding: * How to cycle safely at junctions: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CG0VTwevoU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CG0VTwevoU) * Road positioning for city cycling explained: [https://www.cyclinguk.org/article/road-positioning-cycling-explained#:](https://www.cyclinguk.org/article/road-positioning-cycling-explained#:) . **The Magic of Street Design** * How the Dutch Slow Drivers for Safer Streets: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGOBOw9s-QM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGOBOw9s-QM) * Traffic Calming is everywhere in The Netherlands: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAxRYrpbnuA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAxRYrpbnuA) * The Wrong Way to Set Speed Limits: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bglWCuCMSWc](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bglWCuCMSWc) . **Facebook** [https://facebook.com/BikeAboutTownNewcastleNSW](https://facebook.com/BikeAboutTownNewcastleNSW) **Komoot:** [https://www.komoot.com/tour/1831416099?ref=itd](https://www.komoot.com/tour/1831416099?ref=itd) **Newcastle Cycleways Movement:** [https://www.newcastlecycleways.org.au/way-finding](https://www.newcastlecycleways.org.au/way-finding) **The aim of Bike About Town** is to give people the knowledge and skills to use their bike for everyday short trips, eg. to work, the shops, to hobbies, to the beach. Add a low-cost, low-carbon, mood-boosting, quick transport option to your repertoire!