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.
Due to the large number of current
members, for safety reasons, new membership & ride visitors are limited to invitation by existing members only.
This site will be updated should this policy change in the future.
Notices
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.
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 cycling.
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.......
As the whole community knows, areas of Victoria have been devastated with
the recent bush fires. It's unimaginable how thousands of people are grieving and mourning their losses and now face the massive task of rebuilding.
Photo to the right is of members riding down the picturesque main
street of Marysville. As a club we were there enjoying lunch at the bakery on the 11th January 09 and in Kinglake the following week. Apart from the Gippsland
area, virtually every other town affected by the fires are visited by our club regularly. We have one member who owns a home in Buxton and another who's a CFA volunteer.
Our club enjoys, respects and supports these areas we love to ride through so we will
be monitoring the situation and doing our part to help in the rebuilding process.
PETER O'CALLAGHAN Mt DANDENONG CHALLENGE ( 22nd Feb 2009 )
As expected, a huge turnout for the inaugural Peter O'Callaghan Mt Dandy Challenge!
15 of Peter's family and friends joined the ride and as said at the BBQ, he'd probably be amazed (and proud) of those
who slipped into the lycra. I'm pleased to report that all returned from the ride safely. Ok there were some short cuts
and additional coffee breaks and why not, we do normally stop during a ride anyway. Although no times were kept, well
done 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.
All the participants recieved a commemorative water bottle designed by the O'Callaghan family.
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.
Peter who sadly passed away in June 2008, was the face of Middle Distance Bicycle Club always willing and ready
to assist any member or visitor to the club.
Our 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 ability. 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.
BUSHFIRE APPEAL
PETER O'CALLAGHAN Mt DANDENONG
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.
All the participants recieved a commemorative water bottle designed by the O'Callaghan family.
Our 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.
ability. 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.
Profiles
of club rides