Grade: S-X
Distance:20 km return
Road Conditions: Mainly cycle paths
Route: From the Family Court in University Avenue, City via Sullivan's Creek bike path, Bruce Ridge, Uni Canberra to Belconnen Town Centre and return via Cook, Bindibi St, Glenloch Interchange and Lake Burley Griffin.
Map: Canberra Cycleways Map and detailed map of ride
Starting Point: Family Court in University Avenue, City
Description: From the Family Court building ride up Childers St to the Marcus Clarke St intersection with Barry Dr., turning left here to follow the bike path as it crosses Watson St and heads north.
The ‘hypodermic syringe’ on your left, which is the Telstra Tower, jabs into the sky 195 metres above the Black Mountain summit as the path proceeds in parkland to Masson St and then through narrow Haig Park, one of Canberra's oldest. Cross Condamine St and cycle past a high fence on the left which protects children and the unwary from Sullivans Creek, here a stormwater drain which is a deceptive hazard when in flood. David St must be crossed and ride past O'Connor Oval to busy Macarthur Ave, negotiated at traffic lights.
Turn left immediately and a few metres later find the path moves right then arcs left to run past St Joseph's Roman Catholic school and church, the latter an inspirational structure built in stone and possessing a tranquil interior. Apart from religious motives, St Joseph's warrants a visit if you are interested in modern church architecture and the way artists can use colour to striking effect in stained glass windows.
The path crosses Hovea St and rises gently to cross Miller St, then Bauhinia St to climb towards Dryandra St. Once over this street turn right (it's the only way to go) and cross the Kunzea St entrance to Canberra Motor Village, an accommodation centre. By now you have cycled about 4.5 km.
It's a relief to leave all these streets and roads behind and climb O'Connor Ridge through bushland in which birds sometimes make a commotion. The ascent is moderately taxing and as you proceed notice the conglomeration of Australian Institute of Sport buildings on flats on the right. Light towers dominate the former National Athletics Stadium at Bruce (now the home of the Canberra Raiders rugby league side), and their collective brilliance makes a captivating picture at night. Keep pushing uphill and after a couple of steep bits find you can sweep down to Haydon Dr., a difficult crossing at peak hours.
Once across, take the path to the left. It makes two awkward road crossings before you can swing right and lift your speed in riding past the homes of South Bruce, the path running parallel with Belconnen Way and passing under a highly visual pedestrian bridge spanning this roadway. By now you have travelled almost 8.5 km.
Cross Eastern Valley Way at a difficult intersection with Belconnen Way and ride past townhouses to meet another intersection with Benjamin Way, controlled by lights, which you must cross to the left. Ride south and follow the sign pointing to Cook, and in turn cross Catchpole and Redfern Streets and Lyttleton Cres., all of which demand vigilance.
That's the end of road crossings for a while. The path has been climbing steadily since Belconnen Way and continues to do so, topping a rise to reveal views of Canberra's distant high country, its flanks an intriguing mixture of light and shadow when under scattered cloud. Suburbia is left behind as the path hurtles downhill, sweeping under Bindubi St via a tunnel. On the way down there are grand views of wooded Black Mountain and its tower while far away the Australian flag, said to be about the size of a double-decker bus, flaps above the burnished stilts of the Parliament House flagmast. To your left, a quiet pastoral scene of grazing cattle and horses is at odds with the madness of the traffic clamour from intrusive roads on your right.
About 13 km from the starting point the cycleway turns sharp left and rushes down to another tunnel (under Caswell Dr.) to dash on towards Lake Burley Griffin and thread its way through no fewer than three short tunnels, all accident prone, to reach Lady Denman Dr. Turn left once over this road and cycle along the shores of the lake, in autumn its reed- and willow-fringed waters reflecting the reds and yellows of dying foliage.
The path climbs to cross the road to Black Mountain Peninsula (ignore a turning to the right just before this). Ahead of you, across the waters of the lake, are striking white office buildings beyond which soars Mt Alnslie. As you proceed, ride past other left and right turnings to cross Sullivans Creek via a bridge, 18 km from the start. It's worthwhile stopping on this structure to look across to the sprawling concrete of Parliament House while beyond the lake rise the hulking south-west ranges, sullen under indigo cloud and a setting sun.
As you proceed, go left where the cycleway forks to make a steep ascent before traversing Liversidge St. It rushes down to meet the lake (there's a a curious juxtaposition of buildings visible here with the National Library seemingly sitting astride the gentle curving lines of Commonwealth Avenue Bridge), before swinging left to take you on to a high pedestrian overpass slung above Parkes Way. Carry on past the rear of the Rydges Lakeside Hotel, cross Edinburgh Ave and Gordon St to reach Marcus Clarke St. Cross this at traffic lights to the left and continue down University Ave to arrive back at the Family Court building.
Pedal Power is grateful to Graeme Barrow for agreeing to allow this material and
maps to be reproduced here from his book "Riding Canberra's Bike Paths: A
commuter/tourist cycling guide". Other titles by Graeme Barrow include:
