HIT THE GREAT OUTDOORS WITH THESE TOP GOLD COAST BIKING TRAILS

It doesn’t matter what kind of cyclist you are: the Gold Coast has something for everyone. With its long expanse of flat terrain beside one of the most picturesque coastlines on the planet; beginner cyclists and those preferring to cruise are well catered for. But should you wish for a tough climb, or a thrilling descent – or a lively mountain bike through the rainforest – you’ll be in biking heaven.

HIRING A BIKE

There’s nowhere easier in Australia to hire a bicycle than the Gold Coast – better still, get them delivered right to you. Beach Bikes is the most popular bike hire company on the Gold Coast and it doesn’t matter where you are (or where you finish), they’ll come to you. You can hire mountain bikes, hybrids, e-bikes, cruisers, kids’ or tandem bikes. They can also lead personalised tours. Paradise Road Cycles also deliver bikes straight to you. You can also hire fat tyre bikes to ride on the beach, organise bike tours, or take it easy on hired electric scooters and E-bikes. Hiring standard bicycles costs as little as 99c per hour.

CYCLING ROUTES AND TRAILS

While there’s well over a thousand kilometres of bikeways to choose from, there’s some spectacular routes that take in the best of what you can see on the Gold Coast – from beachside trails to mountain traverses.

1. THE DARREN SMITH MEMORIAL ROUTE

If you’re up for a challenge, the Darren Smith Memorial Route is a Gold Coast must for any bicyclist worth their lycra. Named after a local Olympic cycling legend, this route takes in almost the entire coastal strip. It runs for 48 kilometres – so you’ll need some stamina – but the good news is it’s mostly flat terrain, and a lot of the route runs right next to the beach. You’ll have amazing views all the way from Point Danger in Coolangatta to the south, to Surfers Paradise and Paradise Point in the north, with great cafés and restaurants to refuel at along the way.

2. SEAWAY BIKE TOURS

For something a bit different (and totally fun) jump on a water bike with Seaway Bike Tours located in the City’s north at the Broadwater. With no road bike experience required and suitability for all fitness levels, this aquatic cycling experience is a must for the whole family. Get peddling and visit Wave Break Island or lap the beautiful open space of the Spit – the choice is yours. Each water bike can hold up to 136kg’s and has a 5foot (152.5cm) height minimum to ride.

2. CURRUMBIN VALLEY

Currumbin Valley is just a short distance from one of the Gold Coast’s best beaches, Currumbin Alley, but out here amongst the rainforest you’ll feel a thousand miles away. This is a 20.5 kilometre loop which starts off easy – along flat road beneath the escarpments and cliffs of the ancient Tweed Volcano. But guess what: before too long, you’ll be heading skyward too, up sharp inclines and through tight switchbacks into tropical rainforest.

3. MAIN BEACH TO THE SPIT

So you don’t want to spend hours in the saddle? Then take a 90 minute easy peddle from Main Beach along the coast, before riding beside tourist hot-spots along Seaworld Drive, including Seaworld, Palazzo Versace Hotel and the water-side attractions of Marina Mirage. You’ll get to see trawlers and pleasure boats navigate their way out through the Gold Coast Seaway into open sea. It’s worth stopping for a meal of fresh-caught prawns and fish at the Gold Coast Fishermen’s Co-Op.

4. MT TAMBORINE

Okay, so you’ve done Currumbin Valley – now you’re ready for the real test! Take the 43 kilometre loop up to Mt Tamborine on the northern Gold Coast – and feel the burn of climbing high into the Gold Coast Hinterland. You’ll ride through rainforest, and have views back over the beaches of the Gold Coast, before making your way through the tourist town of Mt Tamborine with its numerous art galleries and cafés. There’s plenty of technical switchbacks along the way, though mostly this ride is a test of your quads… and your lungs.

Looking for more? Watch Robbie McEwen’s cycling on the Gold Coast guide below:

destinationgoldcoast.com – The official city guide for Australia’s favourite playground.

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