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Welcome To Our Web Site

The Middle Distance Bicycle Club started on 18 August 1993 and is based in Croydon, an eastern suburb of Melbourne. We are not a touring or racing club but somewhere in between where you can ride in one of 4 alternative paces in a social atmosphere.

Our rides vary from 60 - 160km, with a stop for morning tea to let everyone catch up and have a social chat.

Visitors are welcome for a trial but must contact a member first, abide by the Club Rules and would be required to join if they wish to continue riding with the club. Visitors fee is $5.

Riders who just turn up, will not be given a map and directions thus not be a part of our group.


Group Ride WANT TO RIDE WITH OUR CLUB?

All are welcomed.

Just read our ride rules first, fill in the form on the Riding Enquiry page and you'll be sent instructions, next ride info and where we meet.

The form is to help us decide which of our four groups would best suit you.

During the cooler months, our rides are only around 70K but hilly, to compensate for the shorter distances, and around 100K from September through to April. We also have a few hilly rides around 150K that are scheduled in the mix.
Check our Ride Calendar for distances and destinations.

So if you like hills, then we may be the club for you.
If you're a Beach Roader, be prepared for something quite different.

Only 6 or so rides of our 82 different routes could be considered flat.

You may be suprised!

All Riding Enquiries: CLICK HERE Fill In The Form And Send

MEMBER NOTICE: NEW PASSWORD FOR MEMBERS SITE FROM WED 7th APRIL 2010
Contact Joe or Bob for details.

Notices

YOUTUBE VIDEO OF THREE MEMBERS ON A TUESDAY ARVO RIDE

120_youtube_thm Descending the 1:20


Taken with a camea the size of a BIC lighter taped to my handlebars then uploaded to YouTube. Unfortunately, it started shaking too much towards the bottom but still ok to look at.

Quality has been drastically reduced for uploading. You can hear me calling out speed while descending.


Please note, this was not a club ride...


YouTube allows you to leave a comment so please feel free to do so....

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Peter O'Callaghan2010 PETER O'CALLAGHAN Mt DANDY CHALLENGE

MDBC held this year's POC Challenge on the 28th Feb. I'm pleased to report that all returned from the ride safely. Although no times were kept, congratulations to those who finished in a little over two hours and well done to everyone else as even at 68K it's much harder than Beach Rd.

Following the ride, a BBQ was put on for members and invited guests and their families to enjoy.

It was then followed by the ever popular raffle with prizes donated by various retailers who are all listed in the left column. They also continue to support members through out the year with services and discounts which is greatly appreciated.

The club would like to thank all the committee, organizers, O'Callaghan family, helpers and all responsible in putting the event together.

Money raised will be forwarded to the Amy Gillett Foundation.


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NEW ROAD RULES AFFECT CLUB RIDE RULES ( Nov 09 )

Two new road rules have been put in place starting November 9 that affect our club. Member safety is the club's priority and our rules go beyond what is legally required by VicRoads.

Subsequently, the club haa ammended a rule and created a policy for our groups stopping at red lights.


Firstly:
A single continuous white line now is the same as a double white line so our Club Rules 5th dot point now reads:

  • Ride no more than two abreast and ride in single file on narrow roads, when continuous double or single white lines are present and when traffic conditions suggest it appropriate.

Secondly:
At traffic lights, cyclists are required to position themselves in bike boxes at the front of traffic when provided.

This is not appropriate for groups and will use Amy Gillett's approach and wait as a group in position behind queued vehicles rather than rolling up the side of stopped traffic. This will reduce driver antagonism in having to pass a line of riders twice. This is also a legal manoeuvre.

MDBC

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CLUB PRESIDENT STEVE BROWN TESTS AN ELECTRIC BIKE UP 1:20

Steve works at Electric Vehicles where they sell a selection of electric bikes and also provide conversion kits for regular bikes. He's just completed a comparison up the 1:20 captured on film for an up coming documentary on Steve Testing Electric Bikecycling. It's a fantastic clip that has been placed on YouTube and is well worth a view.

Now before anyone get's any ideas, no club members use electric on club rides. Well not yet anyway! Or could we finally have a way for our non-riding partners to join us.......

YouTube Link... Video by Mike Rubbo
Full Report... (pdf file)
Electric Vehicles Web Site...

Other Bike Video's by Mike (YouTube Links)
Commuting on an Electic Bike?.....Yes you can!
Power to Pedal.....
An Electric bike for Phillipe; Here's the future!
Hans gets on a bike.....finally!

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About the Club

Ready to RollOur club is a relaxed club with only a few formal rules that relate to safety. Rides are well planned and follow a different route every week. Each rider is given a map and directions. Most rides pass through the rural and semi rural areas east and north east of Melbourne. Rides are generally around 70k in winter and up to 160K plus through the warmer months which include some good climbs and corresponding descents.

There are 3 - 4 groups starting at 10 to 15 minute intervals and (depending on rider numbers) so you can ride with others with similar Mandatory Coffee Stop On All Ridesability. At some point during the ride there is a mandatory stop at a bakery or coffee shop and a short cut option, combined with the staggered start, usually allows all riders to meet up for coffee. While there is no formal competition, many riders are naturally competitive. For some there is a personal challenge to stay with faster riders or beat their best time on a climb or descent. They then take it easy for the bunch to regroup.

Ride calendar is programmed to prepare riders for annual rides held by other clubs like Around the Bay Bicycle Victoria, Alpine Delight and Classic Audax, Otway Challenge, etc, which many of our members take part in.

Club Quick Facts

  • Usually 4 ride groups.

    Ride Group Ave Speeds

    1st Group:20 - 22 Kph
    2nd Group:23 - 25 Kph
    3rd Group:26 - 28 Kph
    4th Group:29 plus Kph

    Note: Average speeds are based on a typical MDBC hilly ride, our 1st Group would average mid to high 20ies along Beach Rd.

  • Over 80 different ride routes.
  • At least 1,000 Mtrs of climbing on virtually ever ride route.
  • In 2008, ride distances covered 4,685K and ascent altitudes climbed over 68,000 Mtrs.
  • Most rides are undulating to hilly.
  • Social events throughout the year
  • Large representation every year at Alpine Classic, Alpine Delight, Around The Bay In A Day, Otway Challenge, etc.


Members Climbing Mt Hotham


Member descending Mt Buffalo


Members Click Here

Members have access to our comprehensive web site providing:
  • Almost Daily Updated MDBC News
  • Ride Maps & Directions
  • Nearly All Rides Have ProfilesProfiles of club rides
  • Elevation / Gradient details of our regular climbs
  • Notices of Coming Events
  • Last Minute Ride/Event Changes
  • Member Photos
  • MTB Page for members who hit the tracks
  • Maintenance Articles
  • Ride Reports
  • Special Articles on Riding Skills, Health, Nutrition and General Issues
   And much much more!

 


Enquiries: mdbicycle@gmail.com

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