The Lake Circuit - Pandemic Inspired Cycle Touring - CycleBlaze

April 14, 2020

The Lake Circuit

Arguably the best urban lake tour in the world

The Canberra Must Do Ride

Today was a slow, mid afternoon ride on the Red Bike around Lake Burley Griffin. There were many photo stops.

From a cycle touring perspective, the Lake Burley Griffin circuit, ridden on a multi user path (for walkers, runners , cyclists) provides a diverse range of vistas. It includes national institutions, wetlands, high density residential, natural bushland, city, rural, a plantation, an arboretum and a capital city, all on paths with zero motor vehicle traffic.

It has been a fun interesting half-day of cycle touring. The lake circuit ride is about 28km, and it’s about 7km to/from home to the lake.

A few pics from today:

Glebe Park on the edge of the Canberra CBD. In the early 1800s, this area of land was allocated to the Anglican Church reverend’s family for their livestock and orchards.
Heart 0 Comment 0
Where I began the lake circuit near an area called Commonwealth Park. Keen observers will note the blue-green algae in the lake water. Not good for swimming in.
Heart 0 Comment 1
Bill ShaneyfeltDown tube shifters! I had a bike with those in the late 60s to late 70s! Really prefer bar end.
Reply to this comment
3 years ago
Duly noted. No foraging of the local fungi.
Heart 0 Comment 0
Our old and new parliament houses. The new is where the National Government sits. The old is now the Museum of Australian Democracy.
Heart 0 Comment 0
The Carillion on Aspen Island near the lake edge. A gift from Britain to Australia. It houses massive bells which are manually rung to produce a melodious cacophony.
Heart 0 Comment 0
The lakeside path leads to the Molonglo river which was dammed to form the lake.
Heart 1 Comment 0
Molonglo Reach at the eastern end of the lake.
Heart 0 Comment 0
Part of an area known as the Jerrabomberra Wetlands. This is popular with birdwatchers. Over 200 species of birds have been seen here including Latham’s Snipe which migrates as far as Japan and China annually.
Heart 0 Comment 0
More of the extensive Jerrabomberra Wetland
Heart 0 Comment 0
The Red Bike resting in the wetland.
Heart 0 Comment 0
Adjacent to the wetland an apartment block area known as the Kingston Foreshore. There are many cafes and restaurants here popular with cyclists, but not today. Closed due to COVID19.
Heart 0 Comment 0
The Sculpture Garden, adjacent to the National Gallery of Australia
Heart 1 Comment 0
One of the installations within the sculpture garden. A mist producing art piece by a Japanese artist.
Heart 0 Comment 0
Commonwealth Place looking toward the Parliament House flag pole
Heart 0 Comment 0
The flags of all the nations with representatives in Canberra.
Heart 0 Comment 0
Looking north across the lake toward the Canberra CBD.
Heart 1 Comment 0
The Beijing Garden
Heart 0 Comment 0
A side trip to Yarralumla shops for lunch. The best Turkish kebabs in Canberra. Takeaway only during the quarantine period.
Heart 0 Comment 0
Do not feed the magpies at the Yarralumla shops.
Heart 1 Comment 0
Yarralumla Homestead built in the 1890s. Now the home of the Governor General
Heart 0 Comment 0
Cork Oak plantation
Heart 2 Comment 0
Looking south from near Yarralumla Homestead
Heart 2 Comment 0
Cork Oak bark
Heart 1 Comment 0
Black Mountain, one of Canberra’s lookouts and nature reserves
Heart 0 Comment 0
One of the many people fishing in the lake today
Heart 0 Comment 0
Looking east across the lake from Black Mountain Peninsula
Heart 1 Comment 0
The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Studies
Heart 0 Comment 0
Commonwealth Avenue Bridge
Heart 0 Comment 0
Kangaroo Grass
Heart 0 Comment 0
And back home for an outdoor dinner on the back deck
Heart 1 Comment 0

Today's ride: 35 km (22 miles)
Total: 70 km (43 miles)

Rate this entry's writing Heart 4
Comment on this entry Comment 0