Insider’s Guide to Canberra With The Phoenix Cycling Collective

Visiting Canberra for Nat Cap Tour? Phoenix Cycling Collective have put together a run-down of all the important things to know before hitting the ACT!

Connect with them via Twitter (@phoneixcycle) to go on rides with the team, meet the riders, and get race updates.

Best Viewing Spots – Vie 13 National Capital Tour

Day One – Individual Time Trial, Friday 19 September

The individual time trial starts and finishes at the National Museum of Australia. This is the perfect spot to see Australia’s best road cyclists begin their tour. Not only will the area be full of riders, team support and event officials, but the Museum Shop and waterfront café are both excellent distractions – as are the many wonderful exhibits within the Museum itself. Entry is free, but some exhibitions do have a fee. For more details, please visit the National Museum of Australia website

Day Two – Road Race, Saturday 20 September

There are a number of prime viewing spots for the Queen Stage of the Vie 13 National Capital Tour. Our favourites based on previous viewing experiences and access to parking are:

The National Arboretum, Forest Drive, Canberra City ACT 2601

The race circles the Arboretum soon after the end of the neutral zone, so our tip would be to skip the race start and head straight here.

Honeysuckle Climb – Apollo Road, Tennent ACT

Our tip is that this climb will sort the winner of the race. Halfway up the climb (please leave all cars off the race route and walk or ride up) is Canberra’s equivalent of Dutch corner at the Tour de France.

Day Three – LBG Road Race, Sunday 21 September

There are numerous beautiful viewing spots of the race around Lake Burley Griffin, but to really feel the speed and excitement of the bunch, we recommend viewing from Scrivener Dam. There is plenty of carparking available, and it is also on the Lake Burley Griffin bike path.

Day Three – Criterium, Saturday 21 September

This is easy! Look for the blue marquee, and Ride 365 banner, and hang out with us next to the race track. We will be there from mid-morning.

Bike Shops

Our local bike store, supporter of the team and all things cycling in Canberra, is Ride 365. The ship is best accessed from the Lake Ginninderra bike path, not the road side.

If you run into any issues, feel free to call the shop on 6251 1124.

Here is a map of all the bike stores in Canberra. For a more detailed look, see Google Maps.

Cafes

All the cafes below have been selected due to their friendliness to cyclists, level of customer service and (most importantly) the quality of their coffee.

Near Civic (City Centre) –

A Baker, 15 Edinburgh Ave, Canberra ACT 2601

Lonsdale Street Roasters (either of them), 7 or 23 Lonsdale St, Braddon ACT 2612

Autolyse, 21 Lonsdale St, Braddon ACT 2612

Near Parliament House –

Double Drummer, 2-4 National Circuit, Barton ACT 2600

Hideout, 6 National Circuit, Barton ACT 2600

The Corner, 38 Sydney Ave, Forrest ACT 2603

Weather

Always bring a jacket! It is still cold in the morning, and in the afternoon there is a usually a good wind coming from the Brindabellas and Snowy Mountains. The forecast temperature is:

Do you have any questions about Canberra in the lead-up to this weekend?