What we’re about
Please expand this section and read through before joining, thanks.
MELBOURNE CYCLING is a meetup cycling group founded 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. You can donate $5 annually if you wish to offset our expenses which are mostly the twice a year fee to Meetup that the Organiser pays. See down below how to pay, thanks.
We organise group rides along metropolitan roads and bike paths and sometimes we'll 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 appear in the Notifications page so you can RSVP to reserve a place. (No need to respond with "No" unless cancelling your attendance)
Rides do vary in speed, fitness level and distance so there will be something for most and ride speeds and distances will usually be in the meetup event title so you can choose to attend rides matching your riding style and ability.
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, weather permitting. If you would like to try leading any rides then tell me in person or message me via Meetup private messages, please.
IMPORTANTLY: If you are joining, please use a real name on your account (It's a matter of trust as you'll be meeting real people so keep it real) and answer all five questions. If you would like to add a short bio to the five membership answers, it would the leaders quite a lot.
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 annual $5 voluntary subscription based on your membership date, should you wish to donate. Meetup charges the Organiser every six months to keep the group active plus we have some other small expenses so your donation is appreciated.
Payment is accepted using: Cash or bank transfer. You can pay Neil on a ride or into BSB 814282 Acc 50572735 direct to Neil Griffiths. Reference your name please so we know who sent the donation.
--If you 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 another name to the one I know, so message me privately there and then and there will be no confusion, thanks folks.
Welcome to all joining Melbourne Cycling members and we wish you happy cycling with us!
Upcoming events (2)
See all- City to Eaton Mall, Oakleigh (40km social ride for lunch)Fed Square, Melbourne
Had to cancel this one due to rain on Sunday 24th Nov so let's try again on Sunday 1st December 🌞
----------------------------This is a social pace ride on paths from town via Malvern East to Oakleigh for lunch in Eaton St, a very popular Greek dining mall.
Other food choices include Korean and there are fish & chip shops and Bánh mì (Vietnamese) also nearby.We return via St Kilda and South Melbourne, mostly on bike lanes.
Total distance: 40 km and mostly on paths or bike lanes
Forecast: 23°C and cloudy. Likely dry.
Check this link closer to the day:
http://www.bom.gov.au/places/vic/melbourne/forecast/detailed/#d2024-12-01Coming in by train? Check Metro Planned Works for disruptions that may affect you on the Glen Waverley, Lilydale/Belgrave and Sunbury lines.
Speed: 22 Km/h (typically) - Easy
Recommended bike:
Any bike in good condition should be fine. Pump your tyres to recommended pressures (firm)Map and GPX files: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35347555 *
The route follows shared paths going out. Bike lanes, mostly on back streets, getting back to town.*Note: The ride starts in Federation Square but we end at Jeff's Shed (Melbourne Exhibition Centre) to avoid riding through South Bank crowds as a group.
Bring:
- Water, sunscreen, spare tube & tools, money for lunch/coffee, Myki
- Bring a bike lock and we will keep a close eye on the bikes as well
- Emergency contact details: Written down and carried on you, thks
Contact: Neil Griffiths - 0419 560 409
"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 - 50km evening ride - #9 for the seasonMelbourne Exhibition Centre, South Wharf
Our 9th Altona weekly evening ride for the current daylight saving season (Season #11)*
* I had been saying "10" seasons but I couldn't count correctly, oops.Td'A is a 50km evening ride intended for intermediates due to the speed and headwinds. We cycle on bike paths to Williamstown and Altona and do some riding on the roads coming back in the dark.
Thu Forecast: Melbourne area - 29°C
Sunny day. Slight chance of a shower late at night. Light winds becoming northerly 15 to 20 km/h during the morning then tending northwesterly during the day.
Check this link on the day:
http://www.bom.gov.au/places/vic/altona/forecast/detailed/#d2024-12-05- Strong winds are the usual experience on this ride making it unsuitable for beginners whenever blowy, which is most of the time.
- Best for intermediate level cyclists to get there and back as scheduled, thanks
We 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, in the park) before returning to town by 9:30pm.
>> If you come late you will likely have to chase us <<
Bike:
Any mechanically sound bicycle. Check it and pump your tyres before coming. MTBs may struggle.Lights:
Excellent lights that illuminate the path are essential. We aim to get back by 9:30 when it will be very dark. Consider bringing spare lights.Speed:
25 kmh on paths where appropriate and faster on a few roads but it is mostly paths. You can be sure of headwinds by the coast.Distance:
50 km for the round tripMap:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/6954193 *
*Actual route includes a detour to Millers Rd due to the Kororoit Ck ford crossing closure and expect to be detoured to Dynon Rd on the way back to town due to ongoing Footscray Rd works.Bring:
- Jacket, water, cash/card for food, Myki, tube, tools, bike lights,
your phone with my number.
-Emergency Contact Details *Contact: Neil Griffiths - 0419 560 409
Photo: Altona beach - Nov '24 (by Julia)
*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://4142298.xyz/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"