Grade: S-X
Distance: 18km, one way
Road Conditions: Mainly cycle paths
Route: From the Family Court, University Ave, City via Commonwealth Ave bridge, Lake Burley Griffin, Molonglo River, Streeton Dr, Hindmarsh Dr to Woden Town Centre library.
Map: Location Map (Ride No 14) and detailed Map 10 and Map 11 of ride
Starting Point: Family Court, University Ave, City
Description: The initial stages of this ride are the same as that for Commuter Rides 12 and 13 until you reach the point where the path divides just beyond the tunnel under Lady Denman Dr. Ignore the turning to the left (Commuter Ride 13 to Woden) and cycle on to find after 450 metres that the path you want to take shoots off to the left from the main cycleway as you approach the Molonglo River. It bounces over a wooden bridge spanningYarralumla Creek, then dashes along the left bank of the Molonglo. It's up-and-down terrain and you can get up to a satisfying speed.
The cycleway runs under the Tuggeranong Parkway, moves left away from the Molonglo, climbs a hill and continues on its undulating way to the Cotter Rd/Streeton Dr. intersection, 12.5 km from City. This junction is dangerous, but fortunately it is controlled by lights. Ride down the right-hand side of Streeton Dr. and cross Dixon Dr. A sign points right to Holder, but this route is not a cycleway.
As you continue up Streeton Dr. pass a hazardous tunnel under this road on the left (it links with Rivers St, Weston, and if you ride down from this street you come out of the tunnel 'blind'). Ride on up Streeton Dr. to travel over a stormwater drain via a bridge before moving awkwardly left under Streeton Dr. In exiting, the path swings right, then left, to run through playing fields, pass under Namatjira Dr. and proceed behind the Cooleman Court shopping centre.
The cycle path passes under Namatjira Dr. once more and curves hard fight at an apartment block to proceed up towards Hindmarsh Dr. As it nears this major traffic artery be sure to ride left because otherwise a conspicuous tunnel under this road will take you into Woralul St, Waramanga. The bike path climbs steadily in running alongside Hindmarsh Dr., crosses McInnes St and levels out to become undulating before scooting down to the hazardous crossings of access/ exit roads to the Tuggeranong Parkway.
As it continues, the cycleway passes the bike route to Tuggeranong (right), 16.5 km from City, crosses another intersection at Launceston St and skirts Lyons on the left. The path rushes downhill and passes a tunnel on the right giving access to Renwick St, Chifiey. It bends left to reach a tunnel beneath Corinna St and end at the Woden Town Centre Library at the Corinna St/Furzer St intersection after negotiating the tunnel and a barbecue area, keeping left.
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:
