This afternoon Pascal and my brother biked part of the way to the city. They parked the car at Mt Henry Bridge, and then biked all along the Canning and Swan Rivers to the city, stopping at things like the Como Jetty on the way. They did a bit of shopping (bought some cd’s for Pascal’s birthday which is today!), visited the new Borders store and had a drink at ‘The Lucky Shag Waterfront Bar’, which is at Barrack St Jetty, so with a view over the Swan.
Pascal used to bike a lot when we lived in Mt Hawthorn; to work everyday in Subiaco and often to King’s Park or the city in the weekend. And occasionally I joined him and we biked around Lake Monger or Herdsman Lake.
But now we live a bit further out (Thornlie area), and there aren’t to many nice spots around here (except the hills). Luckily we have just bought a bigger car, and the bikes fit in the back, so that will make it easier.
Perth biking info
For all bike related news in Perth, plenty of cycle maps and other info, see the website of the Department for Planning and Infrastructure. Some of the maps are just for sale, but there are also pdf files with the paths of the Perth Bicycle Network, and other bike rides with maps and directions, which you could print out.
I enjoy biking around the river, Herdsman Lake, or King’s Park. You can also bike along the ‘Sunset Coast‘, but I’d choose a time when there won’t be too many people walking there, because that can get annoying, it’s a shared path! Also, think about the wind (Freo Doctor) when deciding which way you will bike (if you do it one way)!
Remember that you can take your bike onto the train, though there are special rules in rush hour.
Mountain biking
Then of course there is mountain biking in the Hills! First of all there is the Mundaring Loop Trail, which is a reasonably easy ride of about 17km. There is also the Railway Reserve Trail, which must be quite a lot harder, as it’s 40km, and goes through John Forrest National Park! Remember though, you can always do part of the route.
And last but not least (of my little list at least), the Munda Biddi Trail.
Comparable to the famous Bibbulmun Track (for walking), stage 1 (Mundaring to Collie) of this mountain bike trail opened in July 2004.
For more cycling links, see here.
Edit: Perth Trails also has bike routes (thanks Rebecca), and Bikely is website to create and find bike routes, and has a few Perth ones on there already (thanks Dee!)
If you have any tips on cycling in Perth, please leave a comment!
Click through to see a few more photos:
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