
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- City - Dingley Bypass path - Waterways - Frankston and train back (60km)Federation Square, Melbourne
Ride: A midweek (Friday) ride from Fed Square to Dingley Bypass path then Chelsea (lunch after 40km) and 20km more to Frankston for a train back to town.
You can cycle back to town, if you wish, into the cool northerly winds. Decide on the day.Target group:
Suits Intermediates with a medium fast (25-30kmh) group pace on the paths and a few roads to Frankston. (Not too fast and not too slow)Bike:
Most bikes okay. Nothing too heavy like an MTB, please. Ask me if unsure.Speed:
About 25-30 kmh on the few roads. 25+ kmh on paths where safe.Distance: 60 km. This is a one-way ride on a day with mild northerlies,
Finish time: Includes the train trip back to town, give or take
Route Map & GPS Files:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51271483 *
* Actual route may vary on the dayForecast: Melbourne area - 17°C
Partly cloudy. Areas of morning frost in the northeast suburbs. Winds northerly 15 to 20 km/h.
http://www.bom.gov.au/places/vic/chelsea/forecast/detailed/#d2025-06-20Lunch: Longbeach Bakery in Chelsea has excellent coffee and food
Bring:
- Warm layers, water, myki, tube, tools, any snacks
- Your phone with my number in your contacts, please
- Emergency Contact Details * (See below)
Contact: Neil Griffiths - 0419 560 409
*Photo: Waterways - Nov '16
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"
- City - Thornbury (27km social loop to Artiga Cafe by the trail)College Of Surgeons Gardens, East Melbourne
Note the starting point which is slightly out of the city centre at the top of Lonsdale St before it becomes Albert St.
Ride:
This is an short and easy social ride going north to Thornbury and then east to stop for brunch / coffee at Artiga Cafe which is located conveniently by the Darebin Creek Trail (See event image above). They have indoor seating as well as outside.We return to town via Darebin Ck Trail, Main Yarra Trail and through Abbotsford and Collingwood.
Note: Finish time is an estimation. Could be earlier.
Distance: 27 Km
Speed: 20-22 Km/h typically
Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48765338 *
*Route may vary on the dayForecast: Melbourne area - 17°C
Mostly sunny. Areas of morning frost about the nearby hills. Winds northerly 15 to 25 km/h increasing to 20 to 30 km/h later.Bike: Any bike in good condition. Pump up your tyres to recommended pressures and check your bike over prior to the day.
Bring: Water, warm clothing, spare tube, tools, phone with my number.
Contact: Neil Griffiths 0419 560 409
*Photo: Artiga Cafe - Oct '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"
- Woodend to Melbourne via Riddells CreekSouthern Cross Railway Station, Melbourne
Forecast for Gisborne/Woodend: 13°. Mostly sunny day. Slight chance of a shower in the evening. Winds northerly 20 to 30 km/h.
http://www.bom.gov.au/places/vic/gisborne/forecast/detailed/#d2025-06-22This is a ride starting with a Vline train trip from town to Woodend. (Catch the 10:06 Bendigo train using your Myki and arriving Woodend 11:05)
We ride to Riddells Creek bakery for lunch then continue to Woodlands Historic Park and take the Moonee Ponds trail back to Melbourne. Expecting tailwinds on the day.
Total distance: 92 Km
The route is mostly on sealed roads and paths except for the upper section of Moonee Ponds trail which is compacted gravel. A road bike will be fine on it or bring your gravel bike if you like.
Speed: 25-30 Km/h typically
Recommended bike: Road bike
Map and GPX Files: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/7625587
- Actual route may vary on the day
Bring: Water, warm gloves, spare tube & tools, money for lunch & emergencies, Myki, your phone with my number.
Please check your bike's tyres condition beforehand.Note: Woodend will be considerably colder than Melbourne but we'll feel warmer by Riddells Creek after dropping some altitude
This ride is being hosted by Neil - 0419 560 409
*Photo:
Cycling Woodend - Melbourne (Wildwood Rd) : (May 2013)"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"