This is a ride Shun Yeung (Dave) Yip and I did during HK's cooler part of the year, which is in December to mid February. In fact it was Chinese New Year Public Holiday. It is a clockwise route parallel to the north shore, visiting the pretty beach village of Shek O on the east shore, and then following the south coast through Repulse Bay and Aberdeen and then taking the quieter road past the Cyberport to Kennedy Town, and back to Hong Kong harbour.
The only really steep hill is the 2.5 Kms climb from Chai Wan up the Tai Tam Road (up to 9% slope for 2 Km), the rest of the route is rolling but not so steep slopes (4-5%).
The first 11 Kms parallel to the north shore follows the main Hennessey Road through Causeway Bay, North Point and Quarry Bay. Mostly we followed the tramline, although we found a quieter road parallel to it, just after Tseung Kwan O MTR along Java Road. The main problem with this part of the route is the number of traffic lights. Safer and more relaxing to start off early morning to avoid heavy traffic. But it is interesting to see another part of the City. The routes then turns south up the Tai Tam Road, the only really steep part, turning off to go to and from Shek O. Then back on the Tai Tam road, past Tai Tam Reservoir, past the turning to Stanley, and through Repulse Bay and Aberdeen. The route can get busy but is windy so traffic is moving less fast. Approaching and passing Aberdeen however, you have to go along the dual carriageway which is busy and fast, and I am not keen on this part although there is not an alternative route. However after Aberdeen you can avoid climbing the busy Pok Fu Lam Hill, and turn off to follow a much quieter road through the Cyberport, which brings you back to the harbour at Kennedy Town.
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| Start Central; through Causeway Bay, North Point and Quarry Bay; turn off up Tai Tam Road (Km11); top of climb (Km13); all downhill to Shek O by the beach (Km 22); Climb back up to Tai Tam Road (Km 32); left at roundabout nice descent to Tai Tam Reservoir (Km 34), follow coast road past Stanley (Km 37), through Repulse Bay to Aberdeen. Continue toward Pok Fu Lam, turn off Pok Fu Lam road just before hill gets steeper (Km 50) to the Cyberport; follow road above Cyberport to Kennedy Town (Km 55) |
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| Route Profile: the only steep part is the climb from Chai Wan up Tai Tam Road (Km 11) - up to 9% slope |
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| The first part of the route follows the tram line along Hennessey Road |
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| Shek O beach |
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| This is more a Western cafe selling Lattes etc, the more local cafe opposite, Lulu's, which I prefer, was shut because of the holiday. |
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| You can go through Shek O to explore the Headland village |
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| This would only appeal to English humour |
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| Tai Tam Reservoir Dam |
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| Tai Tam Reservoir |
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| Deep Water Bay |
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| Ocean Park on the Headland, taken from Deep Water Bay to Aberdeen Road |
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| Aberdeen - sun has come out! |
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| Aberdeen climbing up the first part of Pok Fu Lam hill |
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| Graveyard, near the Cyberport |
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| Back at Hong Kong harbour at Kennedy Town. Stonecutters Bridge and Tai Mo Shan mountain visible |
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| Guinness in Kennedy Town. The Pub is called something else now |
