About us
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 are welcome to voluntarily donate $10 once a year 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 )
- 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)
Upcoming events
5

Portarlington - Queenscliff - Sorrento - Frankston (85 km)
131 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands, VI, AUTwo Ferries for Two Rides:
Let's take the fast ferry from Docklands to Portarlington
and ride 34km via St Leonards to Queenscliff
for the car ferry to Sorrento
then ride the remaining 50km to Frankston. (More after Franky if you like)
We'll have mild temperatures and southwesterly winds in our face on the Bellarine Peninsula but those winds will help us from Sorrento to Frankston:
https://reg.bom.gov.au/places/vic/portarlington/forecast/detailed/#d2026-01-28
The high speed ferry arrives in Portarlington about 10:40am and we can expect to make the Queenscliff ferry departing at 1pm.
So, lunch in Queenscliff.
Distance: About 85 km and any extra later
Speed: 25+ - 30 km/h typically. (Suits upper intermediates)
Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53804357 *
- Actual route may vary on the day
Type of bike:
Conventional lightweight dropbar roadbikes only, ta.
Travel light, please.
Getting there:
Pay at the Docklands ferry terminal on the day (card only)
or
Book yourself online for a One way fare for Adult (or Concession if that applies) from Docklands to Portarlington (ferry continues to Geelong) then add your bike to the Cart and pay $21.50 by credit card ($20 conc):
https://www.portphillipferries.com.au/tickets-times/portarlington-to-docklands/
I found myself signed up to "Link", a company based in Ireland, for the payment by credit card so maybe paying at the office is the best way?
Expect to show the QR codes (You plus bike) as your ticket on your phone when you board (easily done from the confirmation email)
I have taken this Docklands - Portarlington ferry several times before and the ferry has capacity for 20 bikes, tied up on hooks but otherwise safe at the back of the boat.
For the Queenscliff ferry, I'll pay at the ticket office for everyone ($22 each) and we'll line up with the cars and ride onto the car deck to place our bikes as directed in a corner and out of the way. (You can pay me back by cash or online Fastpay to my phone number)
Bring: Sunscreen, water, snacks, myki, a spare tube, pump and tools, etc. Your phone with my number.
Please fit and use a bright flashing tail-light on the day.
Contact: Neil Griffiths - 0419 560 409
*Photo: Port Phillip Ferry arriving Portarlington - June '21
"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"3 attendees
Past events
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