r/melbournecycling

I recently became a university student in Melbourne and pretty new to cycling.

I recently bought a Pedal Ranger 4 mountain bike from 99 Bikes. My first proper ride was around 9 km and I found it much harder than I expected. My legs were very tired, my backside hurt, and I struggled quite a lot with hills, sometimes having to get off and walk.

I mainly want a bike for going to the shops, carrying groceries and casual weekend riding. Most of my riding will be on roads, bike paths and shared paths around suburban Melbourne with occasional smooth dirt paths. I won’t be doing any proper mountain biking.

I’m looking for something comfortable, reliable, easy to ride and able to take a rear rack. I don’t really care about going fast. My budget is around $400.

I’m considering exchanging the Ranger 4 for a hybrid or road bike. Would a hybrid feel noticeably easier to ride than my current MTB, or only slightly easier? Would a road bike be even easier, and which type would be more practical for my needs?

The annual 1 in 20 hill climb time trial is coming up this September on Sunday the 27th. It's open to all AusCycling members with at least a lifestyle membership* or an event day membership. This is run as round 3 of the VTTS but is also open to those who are just interested in setting a time on the 1 in 20. If you're new to time trials, this is a great opportunity to pin a number on and have a go! You don't have to be fast, and a lot of people use it as their own personal time they want to beat.

The 1 in 20 is a 6.6km hill climb that has an average grade of 5%. It begins in The Basin and takes you winding up Mount Dandenong to Sassafras. It is suitable for both beginners and expert climbers. After you descend back down there are plenty of cafe's to unwind at with presentations being held in the park across the road.

The road will be open to traffic but there will be traffic marshals in place to help control traffic.

Sunday 27 Sep 2026, starting from 9am. Start order: J11, J13, J15, J17, Women Non-Aero, Men Non-Aero, Para-cycling, Women C, Men C, Women B, Men B, Women A, Men A.

If you have any questions, feel free to drop a comment below or DM me.

https://entryboss.cc/races/31664

*We are currently in the process of switching to the new membership system. Existing members need to check their emails and follow instructions provided. For new members, I'm in the process of confirming the minimum required membership- stayed tuned.

https://preview.redd.it/fs14fscc7ujh1.png?width=1380&format=png&auto=webp&s=34f082ff4be864cc248725ec4127fda778648fde

What is the history of this section of Gardiners Creek Trail underneath the Citylink viaduct near Kooyong? I think it's pretty cool visually but a bit dark and grimy, it's a bit like the Dixon Veloway beta version. Was it originally included when Citylink was built or was it added later? Would like to find out more about it, if anyone knows any resources (either physical or digital) let me know (thinking maybe like library local history sections or Citylink designs as I can't find much online)!

I am moving to Melbourne for work in a few months. First time flying to Australia. I own a road bike for about 8 months now and instead of selling it, I plan to just bring it with me. I did some research and found out that in order to bring the bike in without any import fees/taxes, I need to have owned it for at least 12 months and need to have proofs/receipts. How strict is that rule being implemented? I do not have all the receipts for all the parts anymore. Should I just sell the bike? Hoping to hear from y'all!

Our school - Princes Hill Primary - has been working with Yarra council to promote active travel to school. Tonight the council passed a proposal to connect our school with the linear park, by making Park Street a no through road (for cars, kids and bikes can go through!), and making Wilson Street one way, giving heaps more space for pedestrians and bikes.

There was some well organised opposition from a local retirement village, but the school community was supportive. It passed 5 for, 3 against.

Honestly, it's only a small street in a quiet part of town, and it's only a trial, but it still took a lot of work. We had the support of councillors who haven't always been supportive of more progressive infrastructure, but seemed genuinely keen to support the school and the kids.

Totally get drivers not seeing you when turning left across a protected bike lane, never expect them to give way and will always give a wave/thumbs up when they do but.. for the love of god, don’t turn across the whole bike lane and then stop because you’ve realised too late you were meant to give way. Gah!

I’m keen to start riding from Brunswick to Docklands for my work commute. I did a test run yesterday, and some sections of the capital city trail felt quite creepy. As a solo woman riding, I’m vaguely worried about it.

Can anyone provide insight in to what it’s like between Royal Park and Macaulay stations along the Capital City trail during the week? Are there quite a few commuters using it? I’d be riding roughly between 8am-9am and 5pm - 6pm a few times a week.

Also keen if anyone can provide insight into the terrible bobby pin turn by Flemington Bridge station. Going into the city was ok, but coming back to Brunswick would be tough - any way to avoid this?

If anyone has suggestions for a different route altogether I’m all ears too. I’m just keen to stick to dedicated bike paths or quiet streets as much as possible.

Thank you!

I went for a ride with a mate up the Darebin Creek Trail to Mood Dog World a few weeks ago and it was a pretty nice way to spend a Saturday arvo. So Saturday just gone, we thought we’d check out the Dixon Veloway and some other new-to-us bike paths out west. After a couple of hours riding we stumbled across Hop Nation Brewing in Footscray. There were a heap of bikes in the racks and the place was full of cyclists getting on the beers. It was definitely a vibe and we left after a couple of pints vowing to do it again.

What other bars are you all riding to?

The list so far:
Mood Dog World, Preston
Inner North Brewery, Brunswick
Co Conspirators, Brunswick
Foreigner Brewery, Brunswick
Bridge Road Brewing, Brunswick
Hop Nation Brewery, Footscray
Kaiju! Pizza and Beer, Huntingdale
La Sirene, Reservoir
Rocky Ridge, Brunswick
Gales, Brunswick East
Keeper, Brunswick East

I don't have a subscription to the age, so I can't vote, but I was hoping some of you would vote for the Building more bike lanes option

Was out in the otway by Birregurra heading to deans marsh. And I got swooped 2 times same road about 5km apart from each other. Fun times ahead.