**This is a free very easy bike ride at a slow relaxed pace (15km/hr).** **Distance:** **9km loop** **Enjoy a short social community ride, via a bicycle-friendly route, suitable for most skill and fitness levels. No busy roads. 30% on shared paths.** **What we'll do:** **Starting at Wickham, we cycle 25 minutes to the Newcastle City Farmers Markets, held every Sunday at Broadmeadow Showground. You can grab morning tea, browse the markets, do some shopping. The markets have all kinds of food: fruit & veg, bakery goods, deli, food trucks. And usually, live music! Then we cycle 25 minutes back to Wickham via a different way.** **Whether you're new to riding, a rusty rider or a seasoned rider, this is a great way to explore the city, and enjoy riding with others.** **New people very welcome! Children permitted ONLY if they are a passenger on an adult's bike.** **.** **Start/finish point:** **Tree of Knowledge Park, Wickham (the little park next to the outdoor carpark, at the corner of Honeysuckle Dr & Hannell St)** **Start time:** **meet at 8:45am for a 9am departure** **Finish time:** **approx 11:15am** **Relative cycling fitness level:** **VERY EASY** **/easy/medium/hard/very hard** **Topography:** **flat, except for one 100 metre steep hill (can be walked if you like), and we walk our bikes under Broadmeadow Station on ramps (if you have a heavy ebike, we can help you walk it if you need it).** **Learn your way around the city by bike!** **No main roads! This route has been carefully-chosen to be low-stress, and low-traffic, whilst still being quick and direct. The ride totals 3km of shared paths, and 6km of low-speed, low-traffic streets.** **.** **.** **Map:** **I haven't had time yet to draw up or record the route for this one. Read on for a more detailed route description.** **Markets website:** **https://newcastlecityfarmersmarket.com.au/** **.** **Where we will ride:** **This 9km loop showcases two low-stress, low-traffic bicycle-friendly options to get from Wickham to the Farmers Markets. Both options are 4.5km, or about 25 minutes at an easy pace:** * **Route 1 via the Hamilton Donald St shared path:** **On the way to the markets, we go via quiet Everton St, Lawson St & Lindsay St in Hamilton, before joining the 1.7km Donald St shared path, which takes us the rest of the way.** * **.** * **Route 2 via Broadmeadow Station:** **On the return leg, we go to Broadmeadow Station via the Jackson St shared path, and Magic Park shared path. After walking underneath the station, we zig-zag through quiet backstreets, before arriving back at Everton St in Hamilton. With the help of a hidden shortcut through Hamilton TAFE and behind the Newcastle Interchange, we end up back where we started at Wickham.** **.** **You’ll need:** * **helmet** * **bike with good working brakes and tyres pumped to the recommended PSI** * **panniers/backpack/bag/basket, if you are buying things at the market** * **bike lock (for when we stop, or for if you get a mechanical issue)** * **phone & opal card in case of puncture** * **a repair kit, if you have one (spare tube, tyre levers, patches, pump etc)** * **water bottle** **.** **Getting there** * **By Bike:** [https://www.newcastlecycleways.org.au/way-finding,](https://www.newcastlecycleways.org.au/way-finding,) **or find routes on the group’s Komoot account** [https://www.komoot.com/tour/1831416099?ref=itd](https://www.komoot.com/tour/1831416099?ref=itd) **, or message me for a low-pressure route :)** * **Coming by train?** **Bikes travel free. Alight at Newcastle Interchange.** * **Parking:** **free unlimited weekend parking at the outdoor carpark, cnr Honeysuckle Dr & Hannell St, or park in Carrington.** **.** **Suitable for** **those who have recently learnt to ride through to those who are experienced.** **However****,** **you must be able to effectively:** **stop and start, pedal, steer, signal left and right, look over your shoulder to check for what's behind you, be always alert to upcoming hazards, and anticipate the behaviour of pedestrians and vehicles.** **.** **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.** **.** **How We Ride Policy** **& the** **RSVP Policy** **located on the group's homepage.** **You are responsible for your own safety at all times.** **.** **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 international best practice cycling principles for everyday city trips:** * **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** **.** **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** **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! 🤗😎**