Melbourne Cycling

Organized by Neil Griffiths and 18 others

What we’re about

Please expand this section and read through before joining, thanks.
MELBOURNE CYCLING is a meetup cycling group founded 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. You can donate, if you wish, $5 to offset expenses. See below for more details.

There are group rides along metropolitan roads as well as bike paths and sometimes we travel further out of town for country road-rides, rail trails and weekends away.

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 so you can RSVP a "Yes" to reserve a place. (No need to respond with "No" unless cancelling your attendance.

Rides vary in speed, fitness level and distance so there will be something for most and ride speeds will usually be posted on each ride description where applicable. 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 (Event Hosts) there are usually enough rides posted for each weekend to suit everyone, weather permitting.

IMPORTANT: If you are joining, please use a real name on your account (It's a matter of trust as you'll be meeting real people so keep it real) and answer all five questions. If you would like to add a short bio to the five membership answers, it would the leaders quite a lot.
Do upload a recognisable profile picture of yourself. Meetup has recently ceased supporting different profile images for members with multiple Meetup groups so find a photo of yourself you think is suitable for all purposes.

Whenever you RSVP to our rides, please do check the site or your app for any changes the night before and on the morning of the ride, as the ride may be cancelled in the event of extreme weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

And, if you realise you cannot make it to the ride please change your RSVP to 'NO' immediately even if you are still on the Waitlist.

You'll find us here on Facebook for discussions: https://www.facebook.com/groups/melbcycling...

There is annual $5 voluntary subscription based on your membership date, should you wish to donate. Meetup charges the Organiser every six months to keep the group active plus we have some other small expenses so your donation is appreciated.
Payment is accepted using: Cash or bank transfer. You can pay Neil on a ride or into BSB 814282 Acc 50572735 direct to Neil Griffiths. Reference your name please so we know who sent the donation.

--If you direct deposit then let Neil know by a text or meetup 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. Names can be cut short in the transfer so please send me a message so I can manage your donation properly.
--Please note, I won't know your membership name if your bank knows you by another name. Message me privately on Meetup or SMS, as I have already asked, thanks.

I hope you join in soon on one of our rides and you will be very welcome.

Upcoming events (4)

See all

Sat, Apr 27, 2024, 6:00 AM AESTGreat Ocean Otways ride 204km
Torquay Play Park, Torquay, VI
PAID EVENT

Plan to ride together as a team with rolling turns on the flats and rolling hills.
Climb and descend at your own safe pace and regroup afterwards.
Around 33km/h on flats. More and less depending on wind speed and direction
https://www.greatoceanotwayclassic.com.au/204km-ride/
Join the "Melbourne Cycling 1" group at signup.
3 attendees
Sat, Apr 27, 2024, 7:00 AM AESTOtway Classic 145km (Cover Page)
Elephant Walk, Torquay
Otway Classic 145KM Cover page

https://www.greatoceanotwayclassic.com.au/145km/

This is a paid event.
17 attendees+12
Sat, Apr 27, 2024, 10:15 AM AESTKyneton - Redesdale Gravel Loop (82kms, +820vm)
Kyneton Station, Kyneton, VI
Please read all the text before you RSVP

Catch the 9.05am Echuca train at Southern Cross to arrive at Kyneton at 10.12am.
We'll be riding past the bakery so a coffee stop is on before leaving town. This ride is all through undulating open farmland will some short bits of bitumen. The only stop will be at Redesdale where there's a pub and general store.

Gravel- 65kms
Bitumen- 17kms

YOUR BIKE
Your bike is to be well maintained and in excellent working order.
Suitable for touring/gravel/hardtail/ bikes with high quality minimum 40mm+ tyres suitable for unsealed surfaces.
This ride is not suitable for road bikes, town bikes & non gravel/MTB e-bikes.

Click here to view the route

If you are a fast rider and wish to ride ahead of me please make sure that you have the route downloaded into your device as we sometimes turn off onto tracks that are not obvious. Likewise if you are a slow rider please be self navigating so we are not having to regroup at every intersection.

Note: End time is a guesstimate only

ESSENTIAL ITEMS- Don't turn up without them!
Spare tube, puncture kit, pump, basic tools
For tubeless tyres- plugs, spare sealant, CO2, or as above.
Rain & warm gear (according to conditions)

WATER
It's your responsibility to check the temperature and distance for the day and carry an appropriate amount of water. When riding outside suburbia remember that carrying too much water is better than not enough as the distances between water availability may vary greatly from the planned route due to road closures or other unforeseen circumstances.

Check your app for any changes the night before, and before you leave on the morning of the ride, as the ride may be cancelled in the event of extreme weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

If you realise you cannot make it to the ride please change your RSVP to 'NO' immediately even if you are still on the Waitlist.
'No Shows" will be booted!

When I RSVP for this activity I acknowledge that the activity of bicycle riding can be dangerous and that I may suffer loss or injury or death and I agree that in consideration of my participation in any event conducted by Melbourne Cycling that I will absolve from liability the Melbourne Cycling Group, and any event organiser from all claims, demands, or suits whether for personal injury or property loss suffered whether by negligence or otherwise.
4 attendees
Sun, Apr 28, 2024, 10:00 AM AESTLara - Geelong Explorer (75km loop)
Lara Station, Lara, AL
Ride: We meet at Lara and ride to Geelong to explore the Barwon River trails (both sides) and check out Geelong's beachfront on the way.

We'll use plenty of bike paths but keep the pace up to 25kmh where safe. ie Faster than social pace. Geelong has a few hills, too.

There will be some roads as well and all roads should be sealed, unlike previous times. See map link.

Expected temp for Geelong is 19°C

http://www.bom.gov.au/places/vic/geelong/forecast/detailed/#d2024-04-28

Distance:
75km for the loop or about 48km one way (Sth Geelong Stn)

Getting there:
Southern Cross 9:10 to Waurn Ponds arrives Lara 9:57 or drive 60km via Princes Fwy (M1). Note: Capacity for bikes is limited on Vline trains. I'll be on the train.

Map and GPS files: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29002540

Actual route may vary on the day

Bike type:
Road, gravel or hybrid. Please check your bike before the day and especially the tyres for condition and pressure.

Speed:
Approx 25+ kmh (typical speed on the flat)

Bring:
Water, spray jacket, snack food, cash for lunch and emergencies, Myki, tube, tools, your phone with my number.

Contact:
Neil Griffiths - 0419 560 409

*Photos - From 2016 and 2017

"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"
2 attendees