Social Rides Guide

GUIDE TO PEDAL POWER SOCIAL RIDES

Pedal Power offers members a range of social rides, the co-ordinators and ride leaders of which are all volunteers. This is a general guide to assist members choose the ride/s most suitable for them. The Guide for the rides listed under Road/Path is NOT based on any National or International Standards. To gain more detailed information regarding weekly offerings, you must download Team App.

See the separate grading key at the end of this document for Pedal Power’s selection of mountain bike/gravel rides. As a general rule the weekly mountain bike rides on Team App will show a grading system which is based on the Australian Mountain Bike Trail Guidelines. The model used can be found at the end of the Guide.

Most weekday rides start between 8am and 9.30am, depending on the season. Check the Access (ride) group for actual start times each week. As a general rule, most rides will include a café stop.

Rides for Roads and Bike Paths – for all bikes including e-bikes

Key

Distance This is the approximate range of these rides, starting and returning to the same point (unless otherwise noted).

Speed This is the average speed of each ride over the whole of the ride (excluding stops and café breaks).

Ride Grades

Note: Lower grade rides commonly have points to regroup and markers along the ride. If you are graduating from a lower grade to higher grade ride, please be aware that at the higher level there will be fewer regroups or markers.

These rides are the easiest of Pedal Power’s graded social rides. Rides are somewhat shorter and at a lower speed than others, so there is more time to enjoy the scenery and socialise. They are generally on shared paths and flatter terrain around Caberra, without significant hills to climb.

These rides are suitable for cyclists who are confident on their bike and want to take the next step to increase speed, kilometres and take on some minor challenges. Rides are usually on bike paths with some quiet sealed roads and with some small hills.

These rides are suitable for cyclists who are confident riders with the required level of fitness for the distance and speed noted against each ride. Rides are likely to include some hill climbs and may include a combination of sealed and unsealed roads and link paths. The Country Riders will often include a segment of gravel.

These rides require a high level of fitness and riding experience. Rides will be on sealed roads, including in regional areas close to Canberra, and are likely to include significant hill climbs. Rides may include group or bunch riding.

Distance

Average

Speed

30-40km 18-20km/h

Ride Grade

40-90k 17-24km

45-60km 23km/h

45-60km 20-22km/h

Monday Weekday Riders

Road Rides

This ride is suitable for confident cyclists riding on bike paths and quieter sealed roads, with some small hills, to destinations around Canberra suburbs. Distances range between 30-40km at an average speed of 18-20 km/h. Sometimes the ride includes places or points of cultural or historical interest around Canberra. This ride appoints waypoint markers and a tailender to assist along the way. Rides start from and return to 'Maribyrnong Avenue car park, opposite Diamantina Avenue, Kaleen.

Tuesday Tourers 21

This is for fit and experienced cyclists with varying routes being offered on undulating to hilly sealed rural roads. Distances vary from 40-90km at an average speed of 17-24km/h over the ride (with longer distances having the lower average speed). Rides start from and return to Duffy shops.

Wednesday Social Group A

This ride is for fit and experienced riders who can ride on a mix of roads and paths, and are capable of longer rides, often with hill climbing. Distances range between 45-60 km at an average speed of 23km/h.

Rides starts from and return to Maribyrnong Avenue car park, opposite Diamantina Avenue, Kaleen.

Wednesday Social Group B

This ride is for experienced and confident riders, mainly on sealed roads. There are fewer regroups or markers on this ride. Distances range between 45-60 km at an average speed of 20-22km/h, usually with some hills.

Rides start from and return to Maribyrnong Avenue car park, opposite Diamantina Avenue, Kaleen.

Average

35-50km 18-22km/h

Ride Grade Road Rides

Wednesday Social Group C

35-45km 16-18km/h

35-75km 20km/h

20-30km 15-18km/h

This ride is for confident riders, riding around suburbs on quiet sealed roads and paths. Distances range between 35-50 km at an average speed of 18-22km/h. Occasionally, a longer excursion option will also be available.

Rides start from and return to 'Maribyrnong Avenue car park, opposite Diamantina Avenue, Kaleen.

Wednesday Social Group D

This ride is for confident riders at a leisurely pace to destinations around Canberra. Distances range between 35-45 km at an average speed of 16-18km/h. This ride uses waypoint markers and a tailender to assist along the way.

Rides generally start from and return to 'Maribyrnong Avenue car park, opposite Diamantina Avenue, Kaleen, with occasional different starting locations.

Thursday Southside Riders

This ride is for experienced riders on a variety of terrain including paths, roads, and fire trails occasionally with longer excursions. (One week in every month there is a dirt ride instead of road ride.) Distances are varied and range from 35-75 km at an average speed of around 20 km/h.

Rides generally start from Greenway.

Thursday Southside Cruisers

This ride is for confident riders on sealed paths/quiet roads and is an alternative to the Thursday Southside Riders longer and faster road rides (2nd Thursday in the month) and the longer distance dirt rides held on 4th Thursday of the month. Distances range from 20-30 kms at an average speed of around 15-18km/h. This ride appoints waypoint markers and a tailender to assist along the way.

These rides mainly leave from and return to Sea Scouts, Mortimer Lewis Drive, Greenway.

Distance

Average

Speed

35-45km 18-22km/h

Ride Grade Road Rides

Friday Weekday Riders

35-45km 16-18km/h

< 30km 18-22km/h

30-40km ~ 15 km/h

This ride is for experienced cyclists generally to destinations around the Canberra suburbs. Distances range from 35-45 km at an average speed of 18-22km/h. (An excursion ride, with a distance range of 45-60 kms might be held – with advance notice to the access group).

Rides start from and return to 'Maribyrnong Avenue car park, opposite Diamantina Avenue, Kaleen.

Friday Cruising Riders (fortnightly)

This ride is for confident riders at a leisurely pace to destinations around Canberra. Distances range between 35-45 km at an average speed of 16-18km/h. This ride uses waypoint markers and a tailender to assist along the way.

Rides generally start from and return to 'Maribyrnong Avenue car park, opposite Diamantina Avenue, Kaleen, with occasional different starting locations.

Friday Summer Twilight rides

These rides are for confident riders on Friday evenings during warmer months (roughly 1 January to 30 April). Rides conclude with a meal at a convivial café or pub. Distances are usually less than 30 km with an average speed of 18-22 km/h.

Rides start from different starting points and are notified to those registered on this access group on Team App.

Saturday Further Horizons

This ride was initiated for New Horizons Program graduates to ride in a supportive and non-competitive atmosphere mostly on paths or quiet roads, but all members are welcome even if they did not complete the Program. Distances range from 30-40 km with an average speed of around 15km/h.

Rides start from different starting points, with at least one each month starting in Tuggeranong, and are notified to those registered on this access group on Team App.

Distance

Average

Speed

24-30km 18-20km/h

Ride Grade Road Rides

45-60km 21km/h

> 70km 21-22km/h

60-80km 25km/h

> 75km 27km/h

Saturday Riders

These easy social rides are on sealed bike paths and quiet roads in Canberra, with distances of 24-30km and an average speed of 18-20km/h.

Rides start from different starting points and are notified to those registered on this access group on Team App. Riders can return to the start with others after a café stop, or disperse as desired.

Sunday Wanderers 21

This ride is for casual group riding, for experienced riders developing endurance for distance riding. Rides on sealed country and urban roads. Distances range from 45-60 km with at an average speed of around 21 km/h. Riders normally travel at a similar speed with occasional regrouping stops. Longer excursion rides of more than 60 kms are held occasionally.

Rides start from the carpark next to the Library at the Dickson shops.

Sunday Wanderers 23

This ride is for casual group endurance riding for experienced riders on sealed roads around the Canberra region. Distance is usually around 70+ km at an average speed of 21-22 km/h. Riders normally travel at similar speeds or independently with occasional regrouping stops.

Rides start from the carpark next to the Library at the Dickson shops.

Sunday Wanderers 25

This ride is for fit and experienced riders on sealed roads around the Canberra region, with bunch riding where possible. Usual ride distances between 60 and 80 km at an average speed of around 25km/h. Riders normally travel at similar speeds or independently with occasional regrouping stops.

Rides start from the carpark next to the Library at the Dickson shops.

Sunday Wanderers 27

This ride is for strong, experienced, fast riders on sealed roads around the Canberra region with bunch riding where possible. Distances exceed 75 km riding at a fast pace averaging 27km/h.

Rides start from the carpark next to the Library at the Dickson shops.

60-100km 20-24km/h

Country Riders (Intermittent and usually on weekends)

A companionable ride in open countryside, taking experienced riders to lunch or a refreshment stop, usually on Sundays. Riding speeds depend on road surface but will be in the range of 18-21 km/h over a distance of 60-80 km. Gravel bikes are common on these rides. Newcomers to gravel-riding should first discuss their interest with the ride leader. Leaders may take account of riders’ experience, gravel skills and bike equipment in accepting or declining requests to participate. Rides leave from a starting point described in the Team App ride description. Occasionally, a longer ride may stay overnight in country towns.

~ 10km Slow Ungraded 1

Beginners Tourist Rides – Irregular not weekly (Canberra By Bike)

These are leisurely short weekend rides (not every weekend) on quiet streets held in conjunction with Canberra By Bike. It’s not a race; nor is it for fitness. Wear whatever is comfortable. Be yourself. Ride distance is around 10 km, often with a theme.

For details of upcoming rides, join the Team App access group or visit Canberra By Bike | Meetup.

1 These rides are different to regular social rides and have not been graded.

Rides for Gravel and Mountain Biking

Distance Ride Grade

Mountain / Gravel Rides

NOTE: Dirt rides have a separate grading system which is at the end of this document. For simplicity, similar coloured symbols have been used to provide a basic description of the level of difficulty of each ride.

The three Monday Mountain Bike rides are currently full - to join the waiting list please email kalmsie@icloud.com with details of your skills and experience.

20-25km

20-25km

25-35km

19-40km

Monday Mountain Biking (Cruisers)

For those who like to cruise around the bush mainly on fire trails with the odd challenge and occasional single track. Rides of around 20 to 25km. Held each Monday starting at 9.00 am throughout the year starting from various locations.

Monday Mountain Biking (Challengers)

For those who like to challenge themselves in a range of riding conditions and will include single track and technical sections – rocks, roots, small jumps/drop offs, downhills and challenging uphills etc.

Rides of around 20 to 25km. Riders need to be skilled and experienced. 9.00 am start year-round with different starting locations each week.

Monday Mountain Biking (Adventurers)

For those who like a faster, longer, more difficult or more technical ride with lots of single track. Rides of around 25 to 35km throughout Canberra and surrounding areas. Held each Monday starting at various locations. 9.00 am start throughout the year.

Wednesday Dirt Riders

Rides on dirt or gravel over 19-40 kms. Moderately paced with some hills and suitable for less experienced riders. Rides commence at 9.00 am, from different starting points.

35-75km

18-30km

Thursday Southside Riders

Rides of 35 to 75 km with a moderate pace of around 20 km/h.

Rides generally start from Greenway, with various routes, and a variety of terrain on paths and roads, to fire trails. Once a month these rides are for mountain bikes only.

Friday Dirt Riders

More challenging rides on green and blue single tracks for those who are experienced. Approximate distance 18-30 kms. Rides commence at 9.00 am and from different starting points. Hills guaranteed.