
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)
See all- Lilydale to Carrum on the paths and cycling back to Melb on road (96km)Lilydale Station, Lilydale
A midweek ride via various paths and roads from Lilydale to Carrum and from Carrum to the City via Nepean and Beach Rds.
Note: Some of this route is on light gravel paths (Lilydale topping). Okay for road bikes, though.
You could get the train back to town from Carrum, etc, if you wanted to reduce the distance after 55km of 96km although SW winds should help on the Carrum - City section.
Getting there: 9:07 Flinders St train arrives Lilydale 10:03
We usually travel in the last carriage if that suits you.- Thursday forecast for Lilydale: Cloudy, SW winds, 17°C
- http://www.bom.gov.au/places/vic/lilydale/forecast/detailed/#d2025-05-29
Distance:
96 KmSpeed:
20-25 km/h (typical speed not the average)Bike to bring:
Conventional bikes, gravel bike or e-bikes in good orderMap, Profile and GPX:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43695832 *
*Actual route will probably vary on the dayBring:
Water, jacket, snacks, spare tube & tools, snacks, Myki, your phone with my number.
Check your bike tyres for pressure and condition beforehand, please.Contact:
Neil Griffiths - 0419 560 409*Photo:
Lilydale Lake and Mt Dandenong - July '23"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"
- Tour d'Altona (daytime version) - 45km return on pathsMelbourne Exhibition Centre, South Wharf
The Kororoit Creek ford crossing has reopened at last so with no detours lets check it out on a Saturday ride to Altona for lunch and back to town.
Sat Forecast: Melbourne area -17°C and light winds
http://www.bom.gov.au/places/vic/altona/forecast/detailed/#d2025-05-31We meet in South Wharf at Jeff's Shed on Clarendon St and ride via Docklands to Williamstown for a short break and then continue onto the coastal path to the seaside suburb of Altona for a quick bite (fish & chips, etc) before returning to town by around 3pm
Bike:
Any mechanically sound bicycle. Check it and pump your tyres before coming. MTBs may struggle.Speed:
22 kmh on paths where appropriateDistance:
45 km for the round tripMap:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/6954193 *
*Actual route may vary on the dayBring:
- Jacket, water, Myki, tube, tools,
your phone with my number.
-Emergency Contact Details *(See below)Contact: Neil Griffiths - 0419 560 409
*Photo: View to Port Melbourne and City skyline - Oct '22
EMERGENCY CONTACT DETAILS : Please ensure you carry 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 so it can be found by emergency personnel. There is a link to a template in our Meetup homepage (browser) down in the discussion area. https://www.meetup.com/melbournecycling
"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"
- Maryborough Accommodated Overnight Gravel Weekend- IntermediateParkview Bakery, Maryborough
Please read all the text before you RSVP
This is a car based accommodated overnighter staying in Maryborough.
You will need to sort out your own accomodation. Anyone wanting to join in just for a day ride is welcome.It's a bit early to know what the weather gods will dish out so I'll keep an eye on it and in the event of extreme weather I'll cancel the ride.
Ride description- Day 1
Eddington - Maldon Loop
Drive to Eddys Garage at Eddington for a coffee & breakfast then ride to Maldon for lunch and completing the loop back to Eddington. If you are going by train to Castlemaine we can meet you at Maldon. This ride is all through open farmland.
Distance- 78kms
Elevation- 650vm
Gravel- 58kms
Bitumen- 20kms
Click here to view the route- Day 1Ride description- Day 2
Castlemaine - Avoca Loop
This ride will take us through Paddy Ranges State Park, Glenmona State Forest, and open farmland. 0ur lunch stop will be at Avoca.
Distance- 74kms
Elevation- 600vm
Gravel- 60kms
Bitumen- 14kms
Click here to view the route- Day 2Ride description- Day 3
Castlemaine - Dunolly Loop
This ride will take us through Havelock Nature reserve and open farmland. Our lunch stop will be at Dunolly.
Distance- 67kms
Elevation- 430vm
Gravel- 55kms
Bitumen- 12kms
Click here to view the route- Day 3If 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, although we will still regroup regularly.
YOUR BIKE
Your bike is to be well maintained and in excellent working order.
Suitable for touring/gravel/hardtail/ bikes with high quality minimum 35mm+ tyres suitable for unsealed surfaces.
This ride is not suitable for road bikes, town bikes, & non gravel/MTB e-bikes.ESSENTIAL ITEMS
Spare tube, puncture kit, pump, basic tools- Don't turn up without them!
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 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.
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.