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 (4)
See all- City - Jells Park - Upper Ferntree Gully (41km) - Chocolate Shop RideThe Atrium, Federation Square, Melbourne
Reminder: Saturday is Election Day
Ride: A social ride to Upper Ferntree Gully and train back to town
Weather: Melbourne area - 22°C
Sunny. Light winds becoming north to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the morning.
http://www.bom.gov.au/places/vic/glen-waverley/forecast/detailed/#d2025-05-03Route map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42382944
Description: A social Saturday ride leaving from The Atrium and taking bike paths and a few quiet roads through to Jells Park for lunch. We will have a quick stop in Glen Waverley where you can buy your lunch to take to Jells Park or you can purchase something from the kiosk in Jells Park. From Jells, we take the paths to Upper Ferntree Gully for coffee / cake/ chocolate at Hahndorf's Chocolate Shop where a free chocolate is given with every hot drink (remember to ask).
To get back you can catch the Upper Ferntree Gully train to town
or alternatively, ride back to Glen Waverley station and catch the train from there
or ride back to town the whole way.
Check for disruptions on your own line if you come in by train: https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/disruptions/disruptions-information
or https://www.metrotrains.com.au/planned-works/Ride distance: 41 kms to UFTG plus any extra you do
Speed: 22+ (easy)
Contact - Neil Griffiths- 0419 560 409
If you text me, please include your name.Bike type:
Any bike in good working order will be suited for this ride as it is all on sealed paths. Please pump your tyres to recommended pressures as under-inflated ones will slow you down.Things to bring:
Water bottle, sunscreen, jacket, a spare tube, pump, any bike tools, money and your myki card for rail travel.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.
- Melbourne - Torquay and back to Geelong - 146 kmFederation Square, Melbourne
A Sunday road ride of 146 kms from Melbourne - Geelong and beyond to Torquay before returning to Geelong for a Vline train arriving Southern Cross around 5:30pm*
* Finish time is an estimate only. Vline departures every 20 mins Sun pm.Forecast : Geelong and Surf Coast area 10 - 24°C
Mostly sunny. Light winds becoming northerly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning. http://www.bom.gov.au/places/vic/geelong/forecast/detailed/#d2025-05-04Riders and bikes:
Experienced/Upper Intermediate riders capable of 25 - 30 km/h typical speed on conventional lightweight road bikes only.
Expect to do 35 km/h or more with tailwinds.Despite the northerly forecast, expect headwinds and crosswinds on this ride.
Route:
Via Point Cook, Werribee & Little River to Lara then taking the Hovell Ck path around Geelong Grammar. Lunch in Geelong then Horseshoe Bend Rd to Torquay. (16km back the same way to get to our train at Marshall station or the whole 146 km to return to Geelong station )All roads are sealed.
Lunch: Lara or Geelong
Map & GPX files:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/26929535 *
*Actual route may vary on the day. Eg Perhaps a detour on Horseshoe Bend Rd.Bring:
-Snacks & energy bars, water, tools, tube, phone, money for lunch and for emergencies, Myki.
-Fit and use a very bright flashing tail light and please wear coloured tops.
-Please carry your emergency contact information on you (eg in your wallet), just in case.
Contact: Neil Griffiths - 0419 560 409
Photo: You Yangs Rd, Little River - (Oct '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"
- City - St Albans and Sunshine (Bánh mì ride). (20 km or 54 km)Melbourne Exhibition Centre, South Wharf
It's almost six months since I led this same ride (see us in the photo) so it's about time to post it again, I think. The Vietnamese Bánh mì out there is simply delicious 😋.
(Would have been Wednesday but the Bureau persists in predicting rain when I'd otherwise be riding)
---------------------------Ride: A Thursday ride from town to St Albans for lunch and back another way.
We'll go via the bike paths to Sunshine, Albion and beyond and come back to town on scenic Kororoit Ck trail, etc.
The first part of the ride is 20 km and the return on other trails after lunch is 34km. You could do just that 20km half and hop on the train at St Albans if you wish or perhaps ride back the way you came at a leisurely pace. We'll be riding at a faster pace on the longer second half.
Forecast: Melbourne area - 19°C
Partly cloudy. Slight chance of showers (0-1mm). Winds northwesterly 15 to 25 km/h turning westerly during the morning.
More detailed forecast here: http://www.bom.gov.au/places/vic/st-albans/forecast/detailed/#d2025-05-08Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48998336 *
- Actual route may vary on the day
Total distance: 54 km. All sealed despite what RideWithGPS says on the map website.
Type of bike: Nothing too heavy. Firm tyre pressures will help a lot for this distance. E-bikes okay. Don't weigh yourself down with heavy backpacks or panniers, please.
Speed: 22-25 max on the paths where safe. Slower before lunch and a bit faster later.
What to bring:
- Sunscreen, spray jacket, water, spare tube and any specialist tools, Myki. Your phone with my number.
- Emergency contact details - Write them down and carry them on you. (Just in case)
Ride leader: Neil Griffiths - 0419 560 409
Photo: Albion Station car park - Nov '24
"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"
