What we’re about
About Us ... plus information on how to support us: (Expand to read more)
Melbourne Cycling was founded on Meetup in 2008 and still going strong. We organise recreational bike rides several times a week around Melbourne and beyond, thanks to our volunteer leaders, and all for free*
- *Members can voluntarily donate $5 annually if you wish to offset our expenses which are mostly the fee that Meetup charges to the Organiser. (That charge was $A550, including GST plus an Int'l Visa credit card fee, in January '25 )
- See down below how to pay, thanks.
We lead group rides along metropolitan roads and bike paths and sometimes travel further out of town for country road-rides, rail trails and weekends away.
Please scroll our Past Meetups page for an insight into what we've been doing lately or browse the Calendar for past and future events. New rides are announced to members by email and iPhone and Android apps and also show in the Notifications page so you can RSVP Yes to reserve a place . (No need to respond with "No" unless cancelling your attendance )
Rides do vary in speed, cycling fitness level, terrain and distance so there will be something for most. Anticipated ride speeds and distances will usually be in the meetup event title so you can choose to attend rides by matching your riding style and ability to the ride leader's event description.
Beginners / novices will find the slower and shorter rides more suitable and more advanced riders can find longer and hilly rides to go harder / longer / faster, etc.
Between all our ride leaders (ie Event Hosts) there are usually enough rides posted for each weekend to suit everyone if weather conditions permit.
If you would like to try leading any rides then let me (Neil Griffiths) know in person or contact me via Meetup secure messages, please.
IMPORTANTLY: If joining, please use a real name on your account. This is a matter of trust as you'll be meeting real people (so keep it real) and answer all five joining questions.
If you would like to add a short bio to the five membership answers it would the leaders quite a lot. (Edit that on your Melbourne Cycling Meetup Profile)
We do require a recognisable profile picture of yourself and Meetup has recently ceased supporting different member profile images for each group you join, so endeavour to upload a clear photo of yourself you think is suitable for all purposes.
Whenever you RSVP to our rides it is up to you to keep across any changes to the event by monitoring emails, comments (or push notifications on the Meetup App) for any changes or a cancellation. Eg, Bad weather, train cancellations and sometimes even a ride leader coming down with illness.
Should you realise you cannot make it to the ride, please change your RSVP to 'NO' immediately even if you are still on the Waitlist. That's being fair to others still queued.
You'll find Melbourne Cycling here on Facebook for discussions: https://www.facebook.com/groups/melbcycling...
*As mentioned above, there is an annual $5 voluntary subscription based on your membership date, should you wish to donate. Meetup charges the Organiser every six months or annually to keep a group active and there may have additional small expenses, so your donation is appreciated.
-Payment is accepted using: Cash or bank transfer. You can pay Neil on a ride or account BSB 814282 Acc 50572735 direct to Neil Griffiths. Use your name as reference so I can know which of our large membership sent me the donation, please.
-If you do direct deposit then let Neil know by a meetup private message as
sometimes your name is cut short by the banking transfer system and I need to record it against your Melbourne Cycling profile (not visible to anyone else).
--FastPay, if your bank app has it, is also available to PayID 0419560409 (Neil's phone number) and will transfer into our Special Account. Again, names can be cut short in the transfer notice so please send me a message so I can manage your donation properly.
--Importantly, I won't know who the donation came from if your bank knows you by a different name to the one I know, then message me privately there so there will be no confusion, thanks folks.
-Wanting to know when you last paid? eg when 12 months are up since last time?
Check your own Member Dues under Payments Made as Meetup helps the Organiser by recording it and members can check for themselves.
(Dues are actually Aus dollars not US dollars, by the way, despite what that page says)
Finally, "Welcome" to all new Melbourne Cycling members and we wish you many happy rides with us.
- Neil Griffiths
Organiser of Melbourne Cycling
(since 1st Jan, 2016)
Upcoming events
3
The Basin to Emerald Lake loop (54km/64km, +1000m ascent)
The Basin, Outside the Dragonfly Cafe, 1317 Mountain Hwy, The Basin, AU- Forecast for Emerald: Sunny and 25°C
https://reg.bom.gov.au/places/vic/emerald/forecast/detailed/#d2025-12-03
Ride: A midweek ride in the Dandenongs to Emerald Lake and back to The Basin where we started.
Suits: Intermediates and above with good climbing abilities at a reasonable pace.
Steep downhills require extra caution. Uphills require much exertion.
All roads are sealed but may be wet, slippery or sandy with runoff.
Map and GPS files:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/7141979 *
* Actual route may vary on the day
Route:
We ride up Mountain Highway (the "One in Twenty") to Sassafras then turn south on the Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd to take Sherbrooke Rd downhill to Kallista. We keep going straight at the roundabout to continue through The Patch to the Monbulk-Emerald Rd where we turn right to Emerald and the lake. Early lunch in Emerald at a cafe or the bakery if not too crowded.
From Emerald, we return to Kallista through Grantulla Rd then left to Belgrave and down the hill to Upper Ferntree Gully. I have mapped the bike path which parallels the railway which you may find pretty but you can take the road if you prefer.
We return from Upper FTG via Forest Rd to The Basin for our departure or you can pick up the train from various stations without needing to complete the loop. There's an opportunity to ride back to town with me afterwards if desired.
Getting there:
Take the 8:30 Flinders St train towards Belgrave to arrive at Bayswater at 09:12. Then cycle 5 km straight up Mountain Hwy for a warm-up to meet at The Basin. I'll be on the train in the last carriage.
Those driving to the start can use the carpark over the road from the Basin shops or meet us at Bayswater Station if you are early enough. Drivers should allow more time than you'd think to not arrive late, please.
Distance:
64 km from Bayswater station / 54 km from The Basin
Bring:
-Sunscreen, spare tube and tools, money/card for coffee / lunch, water, your mobile phone with my number.
-Emergency contact details *
Contact: Neil Griffiths - 0419 560 409
Image: Emerald Lake - Oct '17
- EMERGENCY CONTACT DETAILS : Please have these on you in case of a medical emergency. ie Family member's name, phone number and relationship (eg, Sister). Written down, preferably, and with your personal items that you carry so it can be found by emergency personnel attending.
"All riders are riding at their own risk and Melbourne Cycling does not take any responsibility for any injuries or accidents you may have on any of our rides"
4 attendees- Forecast for Emerald: Sunny and 25°C
City to Eaton Mall, Oakleigh (40km social ride for lunch)
Melbourne Exhibition Centre, 2A Clarendon St, South Wharf, vt, AUI thought we could reverse our usual route and ride anti-clockwise
so we'll start at Jeff's Shed (Melbourne Exhibition Centre) and finish in the City (see map link below)
--------------------------------------------
Let's ride from Melbourne Exhibition Centre to Oakleigh for lunch in the very popular Greek dining mall in Eaton St.
Other available food choices include Korean, fish & chip shops and Bánh mì (Vietnamese salad rolls)
We return to town via Malvern East or you could catch a train back
- Weather on Sunday: 20°C, slight chance of a shower before the start
- https://reg.bom.gov.au/places/vic/oakleigh/forecast/detailed/#d2025-12-07
Total distance: 41 km and mostly paths or bike lanes
Coming in by train? Check PTV for disruptions that may affect you:
Speed: 22 Km/h (typically)
Recommended bike:
Any bike in good condition should be fine. Pump your tyres to recommended pressures (firm)
Map and GPX files:
The new route is bike lanes and mostly back streets on the way out and all paths back to town.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53422535
*Note: The ride finishes at St Kilda Rd near Princes Bridge and Fed Sqr.
Bring:
- Water, jacket, sunscreen, spare tube & tools, Myki, your phone with my number
- A bike lock if you have one although we will keep a close eye on the bikes while we have lunch
- Emergency contact details: Written down and carried on you
Contact: Neil Griffiths - 0419 560 409
"All riders are riding at their own risk and Melbourne Cycling does not take any responsibility for any injuries or accidents you may have on any of our rides"9 attendees
Past events
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