| Location | Mismatch Brewing – this is now closed. Start from Prince Albert Hotel instead. 254 Wright St, Adelaide SA 5000 |
| Route | 21km through the suburbs of Adelaide, Kent Town, Stepney, St Peters, Bowden, Thebarton. |
| Rest Stops | Cafetal Coffee Co 10 College Rd, Kent Town SA 5067 |
| Last ridden | 8 Participants 9:00am 17 March 2024 Add all rides to your calendar |
| Location | Adelaide Showgrounds Farmers Market Rose Terrace, Wayville SA 5034 |
| Route | 25km through the suburbs of Wayville, Adelaide, St Peters, Stepney, Kent Town, Dulwich |
| Rest Stops | Little Bang Brewing Co 25 Henry St, Stepney SA 5069 Old Croissant Factory Unit 2/242 Hutt St, Adelaide SA 5000 Reggies Detroit Pizza 96 Goodwood Rd, Goodwood SA 5034 |
| Last ridden | 5 Participants 9:00am 25 February 2024 Add all rides to your calendar |
| Location | Shapeshifter Brewing Co Unit 2/54 Crittenden Rd, Findon SA 5023 |
| Route | 20km through the suburbs of Findon, Grange, Henley Beach, Fulham |
| Rest Stop | Grange Hotel 489 Esplanade, Grange SA 5022 |
| Last ridden | 5 Participants 11:00am 04 February 2024 Add all rides to your calendar |
All the information about this April’s Canberra Takeover by Adelaide Bromptoneering can now be found on the Canberra Takeover page. There will be a total of 10 rides over 5 days, totalling 288km.
The forecast was for a sunny 28 degree day.. and it certainly did not let anyone down. We arrived super early (30 minutes)… and everyone slowly started to arrive and line up their bikes. After the obligatory photo…ride overview by Kym (feel like I missed it) we headed off.
We headed through Dover Gardens and Seacliff Park zig- zagging our way through residential streets, across Seacombe road and towards the hills. Thankfully the route provided enough momentum to get us up and across the hills (and down) crossing Brighton Road at pedestrian lights.
We followed an old bike route which led us through Seacliff Primary School. Except like all good routes there was an actual fence, and the gate was 50 meters to the left of the path. The local Bromptoneers who were obviously familiar with the territory decided to take a short cut via Sherlock Road avoiding the incline meeting up again before we stopped briefly at Tjibruke Monument look out. However, the spot is better known for its Northern scenic view across the Adelaide Coastline (thanks for the tip Alison).. and also perfect for photos with the Bromptons.
From here it was downhill, past the caravan park and onto the foreshore path and road through Brighton. If you’ve ridden here before you know the joy when cycling at the right speed and you have a car patiently driving behind you just waiting with enough width to over take. Being at the back we managed nearly a couple of KM before being overtaken … ah the joy. We soon left behind the beach and headed through the back streets, the North Brighton cemetery (obligatory photo and finding an extra rider) before crossing Brighton road and stopping at Summertown Studio.
Surprisingly we met up with a few other Bromptoneers who were running a little late (time issues and forgetting a helmet – we’ve all done it). Summertown Studio managed very well to feed us with coffee and cake in good time enabling 19 Bromptoneers to head off with sufficient fuel.
Making our way through residential streets and pedestrian crossings we found our way finally to the Sturt Linear Park (nothing picturesque about a concreted drain).There was the expected issue with crossing Marion Road.. and those at the back were lucky to have a traffic gap to meet up with the sensible front group who crossed at the lights
As we continued along the path the view improved with native woodlands and wetlands until we reached the very ugly traffic lights near Marion Road and Southern expressway intersection. After waiting patiently (it felt like eternity) for four sets of lights we managed to be on the right path zig zagging again back to Patrtitti Wines where we made it back to enjoy drinks and food from Sooki la la food truck.
It was a great ride.. and not one wrong turn – well done Kym!
Thanks to everyone who came out for the ride – and if you didn’t hopefully we’ll catch you at the next Adelaide Bromptoneering ride at 11am, 17 May.
Bromptoneers started: 15
bromptoneers finished 19 – wow great turn out!
Lyneham Shops your local shops and cafes during your stay. You might like to try breakfast at Tilley’s Devine Cafe Gallery or The Front Gallery and Cafe.
The route details are available on Strava >> https://www.strava.com/routes/3405908374827855568
Welcome to Canberra. Today’s ride will take us to one of Canberra’s lesser known ‘industrial’ areas Fyshwick. The purpose is to find Capital Brewing a microbrewery that has been around 2016 and is the first brewery in Australia to be 100% Climate Active Carbon Neutral certified. The beer and food is pretty good too!
But being an Adelaide Bromponeering ride there are a fair few plot twists to be had before we arrive at Capital Brewing for lunch.
The ride starts out pretty simply by following the C3 and then the C1. But as Adelaide Bromptoneers we’re not going to stick the road well ridden. We’re going to leave the C1 to take some back streets and laneways. But for good measure there is 3.5km of dirt trail at the base of Mount Ainslie for us to try. All pretty easily handled by the Brompton. Fortunately, we have a rest stop at the Bragg Street Neighbourhood Park before we tackle the dirt track. Your thermos (that you placed in the support car before going) with your preferred morning drink and snacks will be available.
We leave the dirt track just behind the Australian War Memorial. We will leave the Australian War Memorial at 12 noon, which should provide us with an hour or so to look around. We then tour past the many memorials along Anzac Parade before scooting through Campbell and then crossing in to the heart of the Defence establishment in Reid before arriving at the shore of Lake Burley Griffin.
A gentle ride around the lake and past some cows will lead us to our lunch spot of Capital Brewing. After lunch we continue through the Jerrabomberra Wetlands back to the southern shore of Lake Burley Griffin.
We ride through Kingston Foreshore before passing the National Gallery, National Library and High Court. We will be back on Wednesday with a couple of hours set aside to explore. But, if you want stay here a bit longer and return at your own pace just let us know your plans at lunch. The main group, however, will continue back onto the C8 and then C3 back to Alivio.
The route details are available on Strava >> https://www.strava.com/routes/3402487591925144260
I have some optional Strava routes if you want to avoid the gravel or would like the challenge of climbing Mount Ainslie.
Today’s ride will take us around the world by visiting many of the Diplomatic Missions located in Canberra.
We start with a quick mosey through Canberra CBD and then across the Waterloo Bridge. Not long after this our world tour starts with the British High Commission – an OBVIOUS spot for a Brompton line up.
The first coffee stop will be near Nara Peace Park and a bunch of other parks. A chance to go to the toilet and enjoy your coffee and a snack.
Part of the route is based on the National Capital Authority’s Diplomatic Missions Self-Guided Driving Tour. More details are available from their website. The first group of Diplomatic Missions involve some gentle undulations.
Before getting to the second group of Diplomatic Missions we will pop into the Royal Australian Mint for 60 minutes.
We visit a few more Diplomatic Mission (and a few more undulations) then we arrive in Woden for lunch. All being well the lunch spot will be in the park at Friends & Momos or you can bring your own. For those who want to turn their Brompton into a stunt BMX please visit the nearby skate park at lunch.
The final set of Diplomatic Missions involves some steady climbing (this were the bulk of the vertical gain is achieved). Then we head to the peak of Red Hill for some stunning views and another public toilet. For those wanting to avoid the climb, arrangements can be made at the lunch spot for transportation to the next meeting spot … with the appropriate foldable donation. Or alternatively, you can ask for the route with the shortcut after the Mint.
After Red Hill we scoot down the hill with a fantastic view of Capital Hill, we then pass by new and old Parliament Houses and then back towards Canberra CBD. We head around the other side back towards Alivio Tourist Park.
The route details are on Strava >> https://www.strava.com/routes/3475708312032874028
The Sydney Building in Canberra CBD houses the Verity Lane Market a wide choice of food choices for dinner. We will leave for dinner at 6:30pm.
The route details are on Strava >> https://www.strava.com/routes/3407032350692637318
Today’s ride will take us to the heart of our nation’s national monuments. But before we get there we will ride around Black Mountain starting with a steady climb through some lovely bush and long downhill towards the south western part of Lake Burley Griffin.
Our first stop will be a short toilet break at the beginning as the route joins Lake Burley Griffin. Those who are adventurous and with too much energy might decide they want to leave early to visit the National Arboretum. They can join us at this stop.
We continue on the Lake Burley Griffin Trail riding over the Scrivener Dam, around Government House and Royal Canberra Golf Course. The morning tea stop will be in Weston Park. You can consume your coffee with a snack or you can purchase your requirements from the Yarralumla Play Station. Toilets are also available.
We continue on the Lake Burley Griffin trail until we arrive at Commonwealth Place. We then follow the Canberra Centenary Trail. We can park our bikes at the National Portrait Galley Bike Park. In this area you can explore the National Portrait Gallery, the National Gallery of Australia, the High Court, the National Library of Australia, Old Parliament House, New Parliament House, the National Carillon and Questacon. We will be staying in this area until 2:30pm. If you decide to visit New or Old Parliament House you can negotiate to meet the group there.
We continue on the Canberra Centenary Trail past both Parliament Houses and then some pretty natty paths. Around the back of Parliament Houses and then we a small hill climb to enable a nice downhill run through Manuka past Saint Christopher’s Cathedral and Manuka Oval. Then it’s back to Lake Burley Griffin. We cross the bridge to continue on the northern shoreline. Our afternoon tea stop is the National Museum of Australia. We will be there for just over an hour.
The run back to Alivio is through The Australian National University.
The Route is available on Strava >>> https://www.strava.com/routes/3402498679070688864
A cycling themed microbrewery for dinner in the trendy inner city district of Braddon. Let’s hope we don’t bend a spoke en route.
The route is available on Strava >> https://www.strava.com/routes/3402489975585602056
Today’s ride will take us around the northern and eastern extremities of Canberra. This is a chance to see what the countryside may have been like before they decided to plop a capital on it.
We start out by crossing North Canberra towards the new Garden City Cycleway. This is a new family friendly bike route the connects key parts of inner-northern Canberra. Some of the early birds may have decided to have breakfast in Braddon or in Canberra CBD. Your meeting point with the main group will be at the corner of Constitution Avenue.
The first rest stop will be near the Australian-America Memorial Eagle. There is no public toilet but in the defence buildings there are a bunch of cafes. If you need a public toilet the closest is about 500m away. First we acquaint ourselves with Duntroon the only Australian military base that the public can travel through (according the internet). Please note that the speed limit for passing marching soldiers is 15km/h. For those in need of an extra challenge you can turn left on to General Bridges Drive to climb Mount Pleasant \ to see the view and the Royal Australian Artillery National Memorial.
After this we spend quite a bit of time passing through the Canberra countryside. This includes Canberra Airport, the Canberra Truffle Farm, the Army’s Majura Training Area, Treetop Advenutres and Mount Majura Vineyard. While for various reasons we won’t be visiting these places, we will, however, take a rest stop at Majura Pines. Here there are picnic tables, basic toilet facilities and kilometres of mount biking. You will be able to get your coffee and snack from the car. From here the climbing begins. Most of it is gentle but steady.
We rejoin suburbia with a pretty scenic and fast downhill. You’ll get to spy on some of the latest suburban creations and venture into those suburbs for lunch at Cypher Brewing Co. Those of you looking for short cut can catch the new tram to Macarthur avenue and zip back to Alivio.
We will explore some more of the suburbs and lakes before we arrive at Cafe Birrigai on Lake Ginniderra for afternoon tea. From here it’s just 5km through the AIS back to Alivio.
The Route is available on Strava >>> https://www.strava.com/routes/3402543902153785680
I am looking forward to this one. Lolo and Lola is a Filipino restaurant that is a favourite of one of our riders. We leave at 6:30pm.
The Route is available on Strava >>> https://www.strava.com/routes/3402495415792707268
Savoir French is a lovely French Patisserie nestled in campus of The Australian National University.
The Route is available on Strava >>> https://www.strava.com/routes/3402494040518066488
This is the final and longest ride of the Canberra Takeover. The route will explore the outer southern regions of Canberra by following much of the cross town C5 cycleway from Belconnen to Tuggeranong. But before we join the C5 we will visit The Australian National Botanic Gardens for about an hour or so. There will be options to visit the Botanic Gardens, ride up to the top of Black Mountain, or alternatively, you can sleep in and join us at the Botanic Gardens for our departure around 11:00am.
Before joining the C5 near the National Arboretum, we will circumnavigate Black Mountain Peninsula – a much calmer ride than the mountain itself. The route passes the same toilet stop that we passed on Day 3. This will be the last toilet stop before lunch in 14km. The morning tea stop will be at the Scrivener Dam (the dam that forms Lake Burley Griffin) lookout a few kilometres down the road.
We will continue to wind our way down the C5, taking small diversion into Waramanga and Fisher to explore the suburbs and reduce our kilometres by a little bit. Lunch will be at Kambah Village. Here you will be able to choose between the cyclists favourites of L’Epi Artisan Bakery or the Kambah Inn. You might choose to sample both?
After lunch, the route continue to circumnavigate Lake Tuggeranong where there will be opportunities to have a photo spot or two and a public toilet if needed. After the circumnavigation we will join the C4 for the return journey back to Alivio. There will be an opportunity to eat your cake and drink bought from the bakery in Kambah at Arabanoo Park in Woden. If there are any monuments that you’ve missed feel free to peel off as we pass them on the way back at around 4:00pm – but don’t forget to let us know.
The Route is available on Strava >>> https://www.strava.com/routes/3402572767299730538