I am not one of those riders that rides the same road over and over again. I like to venture out and find new roads, interesting roads that lead to interesting places. I regularly get asked where are good rides around Canberra and I often rustle up a few quick routes, stick them in an email and fire them off. So I thought I’d put together a collection of day rides of varying lengths from a quick 100km loop just to get some fresh air to much more serious miles where you just need to get out and let the wheels roll beneath you.
- Under 200km where you just want a quick spin
- 200 to 350km where you want to ride for about a tankful of fuel
- 350 – 600km where you just want to get out for the day and cruise the countryside
- Over 600km for those days where you just need to get out for serious road therapy
A Quick Spin – under 200km
Murrumbateman
Map Link | Distance: 115km
Yass – Dalton
Map Link | Distance: 200km
Notes: the backroad to Yass is a nice alternative to the Barton highway – if you want a nice detour turn left and head to Wee Jasper for a nice little winding road in the hills.
Yass via backroads
Map Link | Distance: 160km
Note: 3km section of dirt on Dog Trap road.
Gunning – Breadalbane
Map Link | Distance: 180km
Notes: great coffee and food at the Merino Cafe at Gunning
Gunning – Breadalbane – Lake George Escarpment
Map Link | Distance: 200km
Notes: there is about 15km of dirt over the escarpment but it provides great views of Lake George.
Gundaroo Pub for Dinner
Map Link | Distance: 110km
Notes: The Colonial Inn is a lovely setting serving a great meal and feels a million miles from the Capital.
Out for a Tankful 200 – 350km
Crookwell – Goulburn
Map Link | Distance: 260km
Bungonia – Goulburn
Map Link | Distance: 250km
Araluen Pub for Lunch
Map Link | Distance: 240km
Notes: Araluen Pub – the road to Captains Flat from Araluen is dirt.
Crookwell – Boorowa
Map Link | Distance: 320km
Gunning – Goulburn – Currawang
Map Link | Distance: 245km
Lunch at the Taralga
Map Link | Distance: 330km
Notes: these are all great roads and enjoy a meal at the Twisted Vine Cafe or the Taralga Hotel.
A Cruisy Day Ride 350 – 600km
Nowra – Kangaroo Valley
Map Link | Distance: 440km
Note: make sure you stop at the Cambewarra lookout a nice little tea house and panoramic view of the shoalhaven
The Snowies
Map Link | Distance: 525km
Note: this includes a short stretch of dirt on the Wee Jasper Road
Huskisson & the Bay
Map Link | Distance: 450km
Mt Darragh & The Clyde
Map Link | Distance: 600km
I Need Serious Road Therapy! Over 600km
Monaro and Princess Hwys
Map Link | Distance: 740km
Mt Imlay & The Clyde
Map Link | Distance: 680km
Narrabri – Walgett
Map Link | Distance: 1680km
Notes: Ride report – Saddle Sore 1600
Cobar – Hay
Map Link | Distance: 1600km
Notes: Ride report – A ride to clear the head
The Alpine Way
Map Link | Distance: 660km
The Bonang & Mt Imlay
Map Link | Distance: 820km
Notes: The Bonang still contains up to 20km of dirt … and secretly I hope it never gets sealed as it will then be a major bike road.
Zed14 