Grade: S-X
Distance: 8 km, one way
Road Conditions: Mainly cycle paths
Route: From the Family Court Building, University Avenue, via Commonwealth Ave bridge, Parkes, Telopea park and Manuka to Red Hill at Mugga Way/Flinders Way
Map: Location Map (Ride No 11) and detailed map of ride
Starting Point: Family Court Building, University Avenue, City
Description: The initial directions for this ride are the same as those for Commuter Ride 5. Cycle up University Ave to Marcus Clarke St, crossing at the lights and turning right to ride on down Marcus Clarke St on the footpath. Pass Farrell Pl and then cross Gordon St and Edinburgh Ave (at lights). An overpass takes you above Parkes Way and at the bottom turn left to ride along the Lake Burley Griffin foreshore. Turn left at Albert St and cross Barrine Dr. to gain access to Commonwealth Ave and its bridge via a footpath.
Turn right at a pylon near the end of the bridge and then left at the bottom (this is about 2 km from the start point to pass under the bridge. The route takes cyclists along the lake shore past the National Library, National Science and Technology Centre, High Court and Australian National Gallery, and then under Kings Avenue Bridge. The path is now following Bowen Dr., but it moves away from this road in Bowen Park before swinging back to cross it at traffic lights and enter Telopea Park.
Ride on to where the trail leaves Telopea Park at New South Wales Cres., Barton, almost opposite the Manuka Swimming Pool. Turn left here, then fight to cross this thoroughfare and head down towards Canberra Ave. Traffic lights allow you to cross this busy road in safety and the path continues on up Captain Cook Cres., Griffith, to skirt the Manuka shopping centre, cross Franklin St and reach Murray Cres. Turn right then left at Flinders Way at a roundabout and cycle up the left-hand side of this street towards Mugga Way, Red Hill.
The path runs past tennis courts, crosses La Perouse St, skirts parklands and crosses Monaro Cres. It climbs steadily to take you past Canberra Grammar School and ends at the Flinders Way/ Mugga Way junction.
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:
