Start Location: Centennial Park, Sydney
Start Time: 6:00am
Ride Finish: Bowral, in the Southern Highlands.
Route is via Waterfall, Stanwell Tops, Wollongong, Albion Park, Macquarie Pass, Robertson, Bowral
When: Saturday 25 Sept 2010
Ride Difficulty: Medium-Hard
Distance of Ride: 160km
Average Bunch Size: 10-20
Ride Contact Details: Sydney Cycling Club
Details to register: www.sydneycyclingclub.org.au

About the Ride: This will be the fifth year of the “Ride for a Reason” Charity Challenge in support of Bowral Tulip Time and Father Chris Riley’s Youth of the Streets. All sponsorship funds raised go to Youth of the Streets. All fit “roadies” capable of completing a “Century” are welcome.

The ride will be on Saturday 25 September 2010.
There are 6-8 bunches and the ride is fully supported.
Maximum of 120 riders and registrations are filling fast.

Additional Notes: See route, click here

Ever considered riding from Bourke to Sydney?

Introducing The BT Future2 Wheel Classic – 1250km cycle ride for Australians in need.

The inaugural BT Future2 Wheel Classic starts in Bourke on 4 August and, 1251 km later, Ray and Peter will pedal into Sydney, arriving on Friday 13 August.  (see map below)

The BT Future2 Wheel Classic follows the route taken in 1955 by Jack Griffin, a professional cyclist. His son Ray of Future2 was inspired by his father’s recollections of the ride, on rough dirt roads for much of the way. The idea is to get to Sydney on bike while raising money for young Aussies in need.

Following Ray’s fathers route will be no easy task with some stages hitting the 160+mark.

“The roads are better today, but even so it’s going to be a ride of endurance and pain”, Griffin anticipates. “Our average daily distance will be 125 kilometres. We’ll be aiming for an average speed of 29 km per hour for 4.5 hours a day, so we’re hoping for plenty of support along the route!”

All of the money raised – through sponsorship, rider donations and individual donations – will go to the Future2 Foundation, whose grants seek to give a second chance and hope for a better future to disadvantaged young Australians.

Like to get involved?

Ride with the Team  for a day!
Choose one of the 9 legs of the ride (according to your capabilities and your location).  Up to 8 cyclists can join us on each of the days providing you commit to donating or raising $500 for Future2 (the charity).

Sponsor an individual rider!
Whether you make an online donation or use our pledge form to pay by cheque or credit card, you can opt to support the Classic as a whole or an individual rider.

For all the details on this ride and more, check out the website at: www.future2foundation.org.au/wheelclassic

Follow their tweets at: http://twitter.com/f2wheelclassic

It’s great to see Aussies helping fellow Aussies in need.
The team are sponsored by: BT Insurance, Matrix Planning Solutions and Telstra.

Bunch Ride Finder was lucky enough this week to catch up with Australia’s Rachel Neylan. From runner turned cyclist, in late 2008, the passionate and ambitious 28 year old has promptly progressed to international racing. With a recent top 10 result in her European debut we got the skinny on what Rachel thinks about the cycling scene….

Q: What Bunch Rides do you frequent ( OS and Australia )
I always do the SASI (South Aus Sport Institute) Cycling squad bunch rides wed and sun from Cibo Melbourne St Adelaide. I will often do the fast and furious time trial bunch from the city to outer harbor on a saturday morning.

Q: What’s your favorite bunch ride?
A tough long Sunday SASI bunch ride in the Adelaide hills.

Q: What annoys you about riding with the general public?
Nothing, I enjoy seeing all sorts of people riding to keep fit whatever their age or fitness level, as long as they are obeying the road rules!

Q: What what do you like about riding with non-pros?
I enjoy frequent opportunities to ride with non pros. I can learn so many things from meeting and chatting to others from all different walks, travels, locations and professions.. I love to hear other peoples great life stories.

Q: What’s your favourite after ride coffee shop?
Cibo Espresso, Melbourne St North Adelaide! (BRF Note: It’s our favourite when in Adeliade too – Rachel has good taste!)

Q: When in training do you use bunch rides as part of your training schedule?
Yes, always at least twice per week. Especially training with males or stronger riders lifts performance. Fast bunch rides are great to push leg speed.

Q: When someone punchers in a bunch ride – what’s your thoughts on the time limit 3mins? 5 mins?
5min is fair but I think it depends on the type of bunch and level of experience. Although on a fast TT style bunch ride there is no stopping so be prepared for a solo return!

Q: What are your pet hates with bunch rides?
When riders do not obey road rules or give cars respect – we cannot demand respect from them if we do not display it. Also when safety is not prioritised i.e. diligence with pointing out obstacles etc.  (BRF Note: We totally agree here, just check out the recent Cycling Tips post on the Hell Ride just the other day when ‘the bunch goes down’ check out Cycling Tips by clicking here)

Q: Is there any rule that you think all bunch rides should abide by?
Obey every road rule, never run red lights, ensure new riders are well informed on etiquette, respect cars and motorists, wave & thank cars when they slow or let you change lanes!

Q: Women Participation, what do you think would help get more women to join in the local bunch rides?
More sharing of information through forums / websites on;
- where to find bunch rides that suit the individual rider
- step by step tips on how to get to a level to be competent and comfortable riding in a bunch i.e. etiquette, a set of basic skills, to practice clipping out and stopping suddenly.
- encouraging people by highlighting the benefits of bunch rides – to learn skills, safety, to push fitness.

Q: Have you found the ‘boys’ in the bunch to be friendly and supportive – or the opposite?
I have been really well welcomed into the cycling community especially in Adelaide, but on a whole wherever I am other riders are always very supportive. I have only had had many positive experiences of people sharing advice, knowledge and insights into the cycling world.

Q: What are your goals for the rest of the year and for the 2011 season?
I am aiming for a result in a UCI race here and ultimately 2010 world championships selection in October. I am aiming to gain a professional contract with a UCI team in 2011.

Q: Coming from a running background, what similarities have you found between Running and Cycling
Similarities physically are the importance of power to weight and strength endurance especially for climbing. I have also been able to transfer the importance of off bike extras – stability / strength and flexibility practices.

Q: Winning the Amy Gillet Scholarship must have quite a honour, how do you think this will help your racing?
The AGF scholarship is indeed a real honour and a fantastic opportunity which will give me support to race part time with the AIS / National team in Europe during the 2010 season.

The opportunity to ride a Bianchi T Cube 928, such a top quality road bike will also obviously be a great asset to my racing.

The AGF sponsors Bianchi, AIS, Cycling Australia, Cycling Adventures, and Oakley have all been fantastic in contributing their support.

Want to know more about Rachel? She has a fantastic website – click here
Like to learn more about the Amy Gillet Foundation and the AGF Scholarship? – click here

UPDATE: BAYSIDE Council has refused to ban weekend morning car parking in Beach Rd – read more here

As ‘Tweeted’ by Cadel Evans,
The Age.com.au has reported a story in regards to the Beach Road and around Port Phillip Bay.

Read Below:

EACH weekend, an estimated 9100 cyclists don their Lycra and ride the city’s most popular – and controversial – recreational bike route, along Beach Road and around Port Phillip Bay.

This week their ride was made marginally safer, after Kingston Council on Monday night approved a 12-month trial of no-standing restrictions for cars along sections of Beach Road on weekend mornings. In a six-vote-to-three decision, councillors banned cars from parking along the five-kilometre section of Beach Road from Mentone to Mordialloc.

It is hoped the no-standing zones, which will run from 6am to 10am on Saturdays and Sundays, will stop cyclists being injured when they either slam into the back of parked cars, or swerve to avoid parked cars.

In September, Bicycle Victoria counted 9111 cyclists using the road on weekend mornings between 6am and 10am.

Accident figures compiled by Kingston Council show that, in four years to 2004, there were 102 accidents involving cyclists along Beach Road, including two deaths and 35 serious injuries.

In recent years, more cyclists have been injured on Beach Road, many seriously.

The full article can be found at www.theage.com.au or simply click here – and be sure to read the comments below to see how the ‘public’ feels about this… quite interesting.

Lance Twitter's his Bunch Ride

Robbie McEwen's Twitter Message - He's in too!

IT’S ON!! Lance Armstrong and Robbie McEwen have announced a Bunch Ride in Adelaide
When: 16/1/2010
Start: Wigley Reserve Adelaide Australia (see Map)
Time: 9am

Join 7 time Tour De France Champion Lance Armstrong and Aussie Sprint Legend Robbie McEwen for a public Bunch Ride this Saturday (16/1/2010).

Tell your mates, bring your partner and let’s make this HUGE – We need it to be bigger than any other Bunch Ride Lance has done – Come-on-Aussies!

Map Below:

View bunch ride finder – cyclists linking cyclists in a larger map

Start Location: Murgon State High School, Gore Street Murgon.
Meet where the telephone booth is opposite Harm Street.
Start Time: Saturday Afternoons 5pm Summer, 4pm Winter
Ride Finish: As above.
Days of the Week: SATURDAYS
Ride Difficulty: Easy
Distance of Ride: 10-20km
Average Bunch Size: 2-10

Ride Contact Details: Barambah Road Riders on Facebook
About the Ride: This ride is of a very easy pace and gradient to allow anyone to enjoy getting out on their bike for fun, fitness and to ride with other people. The ride will usually be an easy loop that will allow people to stop and catch up on route. The loop will stay away from busy roads and away from traffic where possible.

Additional Notes: This ride is for ANY beginner and is very different to the higher intensity and more difficult Barambah Road ride on Sunday mornings. Still plenty of room for growth for both Baramabah groups – so join in!.

Like to discuss this ride? Visit our Forum!

View bunch ride finder – cyclists linking cyclists in a larger map

NOTE: This ride and any ride on this website is not organised by this website Bunch Ride Finder. Riders taking part in these rides do so at their own risk. Crashes can and do occur. The organisers of these rides (which is not Bunch Ride Finder) condone safe and legal riding practice and recommend you always wear a helmet, use lights when appropriate, and abide by local road rules and regulations. This ride and any of the bunch/group rides found on this website are used the participants own risk.

Going to the Tour Down Under?

Sign up for the ‘Ride Like Crazy’ ride on Sunday the 17th of January for either a 109km or 53km ride which is supported by the Victorian Police and Every cent of profit raised during Ride Like Crazy 2010 supports the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Foundation Inc and The Neurosurgical Research Foundation Inc.

About the Rides:
The 109km ride cost just $100 and Starts at Victoria Square, Adelaide, embark on Adelaide’s “most popular” hill climb to Crafers and then weave through the picturesque towns of the Adelaide Hills. The 53km ride starts  at Woodside Oval, Woodside and join the full distance riders to Lobethal before descending along Gorge Road and finishing at Victoria Square, Adelaide. You’ll also get drinks, mechanical support and a free lunch at the end.

Want to know more about ‘the man Crazy’?? click here and be sure to watch the ‘A Current Affair Video’
Check out the Ride Like Crazy Site by clicking here

Get out, get involved and let’s all help to get a 2000 strong attendance – they are at around 1400, so sign up today!

Team Sky is iniviting cyclists to come and ride with them around London during the squad’s official launch on Monday, January 4, 2010.

Interested riders should register with the new British-based ProTour team, and then 300 names will be picked at random and invited to join Sky on a cycle around the capital.

The lucky 300 will get to ride alongside Bradley Wiggins, Edvald Boasson Hagen, Juan Antonio Flecha and the rest of the team.

To register your interest and to read the full article visit CyclingWeekly by clicking here

Start Location:621 Magill Rd Magill South Australia 5072
Fast group: Nothern end of car park, Tower Hotel, corner Magill Rd & St Bernards Rd
Slow Group: Norton Summit
Start Time: 7:45 AM
Ride Finish: Same as start
Days of the Week: SUNDAYS
Ride Difficulty: Medium-Hard
Distance of Ride: 70-80km
Average Bunch Size: 2-10
Ride Contact Details: www.bikesa.asn.au

About the Ride: To Lobethal via Norton Summit & Lobethal Rd, coffee at the Market complex there. Slow group returns same route, fast group via Cudlee Creek & Gorge Rd.

Additional Notes: The route is sometimes varied and longer leading up to major Bicycle SA events, or if the Lobethal Market is closed.

View bunch ride finder – cyclists linking cyclists in a larger map

NOTE: This ride and any ride on this website is not organised by this website Bunch Ride Finder. Riders taking part in these rides do so at their own risk. Crashes can and do occur. The organisers of these rides (which is not Bunch Ride Finder) condone safe and legal riding practice and recommend you always wear a helmet, use lights when appropriate, and abide by local road rules and regulations. This ride and any of the bunch/group rides found on this website are used the participants own risk.

Our mates at Cycling Tips have posted the question:

Bunch Riding Etiquette – Are Time Trial Bars Allowed?

From the Cycling Tips website:

“There’s been a debate brewing in the Beach Road peloton over the past few weeks.  Lately we’ve been seeing more and more riders sporting their time trial bikes in the bunch rides.  The fact that more triathletes are out riding and the National TT championships are fast approaching brings out the TT bikes and aero bars into the bunch rides.

The unwritten rules of bunch etiquette typically states that if you’re riding among the bunch with aerobars, do not use the aerobars. Stay up on the hoods where the brakes are. TT bikes and aerobars do not have the same control as a normal road bike and cannot react in the same way to obstacles on the road.”

Whats your view on Aero Bars in Bunch Rides?
Read the full article, visit Cycling Tips by clicking here and have your say!