About us
About Us ... plus information on how to support us: (Expand to read more)
Melbourne Cycling was founded on Meetup in 2008 and is 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 are welcome to voluntarily donate $10 once a year if you would like 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 )
- The Organiser won't chase you for this donation so please set it in your calendar app to remind yourself to donate same time next year.
- See down below how to pay, please.
The number and variety of rides varies including road-rides along metropolitan roads, groups on bike paths and sometimes 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: When you join Melbourne Cycling 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)
It is a requirement to have 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 $10 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 our group.
- Neil Griffiths
Organiser of Melbourne Cycling
(since 1st Jan, 2016)
* Melbourne Cycling's home page photo: From a ride to Point Nepean in June, 2016
Upcoming events
2
Seymour - Whittlesea - Melbourne (115km, +761m ascent)
Spencer St/Collins St, Melbourne, VI, AUA roadride with hills for Upper Intermediates only on conventional dropbar roadbikes, ta. See below.
Ride: We cycle on sealed backroads from Seymour to Broadford for lunch then via Wandong to Whittlesea and Mernda and into town through Epping and the St Georges Rd path to the city.
- Saturday in Seymour is likely to be 20°C with 20 km/h northeasterly tailwinds when we start riding. Warming to 24° as we ride.
- https://reg.bom.gov.au/places/vic/seymour/forecast/detailed/#d2026-09-19
Distance: 115 km, Ascent +761m
Speed: 25-30 kmh (typical speeds on flat ground). Faster if the wind is right. There's some hills as we cross the Great Dividing Range and we'll do some of that at our own pace and regroup but otherwise we'll ride close.
Suits: Upper Intermediates and above.
Note: This is not an easy ride, even with a tailwind. Please ensure this actually matches your ability before you RSVP.
-Exits to Vline are available at Broadford, Wandong and Wallan.
-Exits to Metro trains at Mernda, Epping, Reservoir, etc.
-Finish time of 5:30pm is only an estimateRoute Map, Profile and GPS files:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43346160 *
* Route on the day may vary once we hit the suburbsGetting there: We catch the 09:36 Southern Cross - Shepparton Vline train arriving Seymour 10:41.
This Vlocity train has reserved and unreserved seats/carriages and reservations are not required to travel to Seymour with your Myki but you can reserve a seat by phone to PTV or at premium Metro stations in advance if you wish.There are only two bike racks across its three carriages (Nominally of 6 bikes capacity but can hold 8 roadbikes). Bike spots on Vline cannot be booked / reserved so be early or risk refusal to board by the conductor of the day.
- You could take an earlier train if you like and meet us at Seymour.
Bike: Lightweight conventional dropbar road bikes only.
Please check your bike before the day and especially the tyres.
Fit and use a very bright flashing tail-light, please.Bring:
- Water, sunscreen, snacks & energy bars, spare tube, tools, Myki, emergency money (eg taxi maxicab), your phone with my number.
- Please carry your emergency contact details on your person (for paramedics to find if required). Here's a template that prints nicely at 50% scale if you need one: https://www.create.101planners.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Emergency-Contact-2.pdf
Contact: Neil Griffiths 0419 560 409
*Photo: Sugarloaf Creek Rd descending to the creek - Dec '20
"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"
6 attendees
Coolaroo - Woodlands Historic Park - City (47km, ~11km gravel)
Coolaroo Railway Station, 1400 Pascoe Vale Rd, Coolaroo VIC 3048, Coolaroo, AURide: Take a half-hour train trip from town to Coolaroo and ride to Woodlands Historic Park (Greenvale) and the homestead (admission free) then cycle to Westmeadows for a bakery cafe lunch and ride Moonee Ponds Creek Trail back to town from there.
Expect to see kangaroo mobs, retired racehorses and more 🙂
We'll have a bonus tailwind helping us back to town, as well.
This route includes approximately 11km of compacted gravel (mostly) and all the rest is sealed.
Click this link for more about the historic homesteadForecast: Melbourne area - 25°C.
Slight chance of a shower (0 - 1mm) later in the day
Detailed forecast: (Check this link by Sunday morning) https://reg.bom.gov.au/places/vic/westmeadows/forecast/detailed/#d2026-09-20Bike to bring: You could do this ride on a roadbike but wider tyres are better so I recommend a gravel bike or hybrid. E-bikes okay.
Route distance: Approx 50 km finishing at Melbourne Exhibition Centre in South Wharf.
Getting there: Catch the 9:57 Craigieburn train from Flinders St (or 10am from Southern Cross) to arrive at Coolaroo at 10:30.
(I live out north and will meet you at Coolaroo Station ie not with you on the train)Map and GPX files:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/57153745 *
* Actual route may change on the day.Speed: approx 22-25 kmh outside Woodlands. Slower within Woodlands.
What to bring: Water, sunscreen, snacks, pump, spare tube and tools, your phone with my number.
Ride organiser: Neil Griffiths - 0419 560 409
Picture: Gravel path inside Woodlands Park - Jun '19
"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"
10 attendees
Past events
3242
