Scenic Bike Ride in Two Parts (City & Manly)

Upon popular request for a bicycle ride that is more suitable to less experienced riders (yet still worth getting out of bed for for diehards) is this stunning bike ride that combines the best of both the East and the North: the City to Manly Beach Ferry Bike Ride!

Our route has two parts: the City and Manly, with a ferry in between. You can do both parts - or just one.

Rest assured: for 90% of the entire route, we will be cycling on dedicated cycle lanes and paths. 

ROUTE

Part 1: The City from Bondi Junction to Circular Quay

Starting with an enjoyable ride around Centennial Park, part 1 uses the new cycle ways and back lanes to explore some of the most scenic & buzzing parts Sydney, this side of the bridge. Discover great bakeries, coffee places, meat pies and street art along the way.

Meeting at Bondi Junction Train Station at 9:45

Centennial Park Loop

Surry Hills & Bourke Street (dedicated cycle way)

Via back lanes of Darlinghurst to Kings Cross

Woolloomooloo & Finger Wharf

Macquarie Chair

Botanical Gardens via Opera House

Circular Quay

Distance part 1: about 13 km

Part 2: Manly Beach and North Heads

Part 2 starts with stunning views from the ferry of Sydney Harbour and the city skyline (don't forget your camera - you can't get better pictures of the harbour and Opera House). After the memorable ferry ride, we'll l cruise along Manly Beach past the Manly Corso, the “Hole in the Wall” and Manly Lagoon. Then we'll head back on the dedicated bike path along the ocean promenade and past the Mediterranean style villas along Cabbage Tree Bay to picturesque Shelly Beach. From there we'll venture out to the scenic North Head to explore the secluded Collins Beach and waterfall, Little Manly Point, St Patrick’s Estate, North Fort Artillery Museum and Sydney Harbour National Park. After the ride, we'll sit back and take in the beautiful Sydney sunset behind the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and city skyline as we cruise back on the ferry! (Not after we've had a cold blonde one at the Manly Wharf pub!)

Start at : Circular Quai - Ferry to Manly

Manly Beach Promenade to Manly Golf course and back

North Head Scenic Drive to North Head an back

Distance part 2: about 18 km (including one hill up to the heads)


WHERE TO GET A BIKE

Places that rent a bike include:

- Manly Bike Tours, ca. $33 for the day http://manlybiketours.com.au/bikes-rates/
- Sydney By Bike, ca $40 for the day http://www.sydneybybike.com.au/pricing.html
- Centennial Park Cycles, ca. $50 for the day http://www.cyclehire.com.au/hybrid.html

TIP: Sydney bike rental rates are ridiculously high. So instead of paying $40 or more, you may want to consider getting your own bike for a few hundred dollars. For second hand bikes check sites like gumtree.com.au or bikeexchange.com.au. Cellbikes.com.au is probably the cheapest shop for quality new bikes. Just make sure you get a bike your size, and get a hybrid bike if you can. If you need advice on how to buy a bike that suits your budget and needs, feel free to contact me.

Cost of the entire activity: $ 8 dollars for the ferry plus some $40 for your bicycle rental. (Beats the $129 some commercial operators dare ask for a tour half that size - I kid you not!)

PLEASE VISIT http://www.facetime.com.au/activities/details.aspx?id=63014 TO JOIN PARTICIPANTS LIST