The Making of a Randonneur

Share

In the world of long distance riding, the Audax club challenges the bold to be bolder still. Sarah Chaplin tells her story of taking on her biggest challenge. The Great Southern Randonnée (GSR) is a 1,200km event that’s held every four years in Victoria’s south­west and is one of Australia’s great Audax long distance rides. It begins
Read More…

Arctic Adventure: Riding Iceland

Share

The Ring Road circumnavigating Iceland is oft nominated as the most spectacular – and testing – cycle tour in the world. Father and daughter, Ben and Anna Brady, relate the saga of their circuit.   The gusts of wind were so strong that I was riding on the right side of the road one minute
Read More…

Into the heart of Australia

Share

From the city to the deep outback, the Mawson Trail is a unique Australian bike ride. Leon Hill makes the tough journey on the Outback Odyssey event. There are some experiences that are unmistakably Australian—climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, gazing on Uluru at first light and cycling the Outback Odyssey. While the latter mightn’t be
Read More…

Bike Lights: Is Brighter Better?

Share

Is brighter better when it comes to lighting up at night or in low light? And what effect does your light have on other road users? Simon Vincett investigates. “Thanks for highlighting the need to point lights at the road!” reads one comment on a recent Ride On Lights test. “I live in the CBD
Read More…

Solar Ebike Outback Adventure

Share

Peter Foot meets a man who took on a seriously difficult ride, while towing a trampoline, and survived.    Cycle touring has grown in popularity in recent years, and at times it can seem that every bearded young man and his dog are pedalling through a remote part of the world and writing a blog
Read More…

Riding With Confidence

Share

Know the rules and best strategies to reduce your risks and ride with confidence. Simon Vincett explains. Communication Scan ahead and slow down if you’re not sure whether someone has seen you or if they will give way. Communicate using your bell, your voice, hand signals and eye contact. Put on your lights when it
Read More…

Australia’s 25 Most Scenic Rides

Share

From the coast to the mountains, Margot McGovern seeks the nation’s top routes for picturesque pedalling.  Australia is home to some of the world’s most spectacular and diverse landscapes: sunbaked ochre desert, lush tropical rainforest, snowcapped alpine ranges and pristine coastline. Our diverse native flora and fauna makes Australia unlike any other place in the
Read More…

Ride Guide: Mt Baw Baw

Share

There’s a reason why Mount Baw Baw is so feared, Iain Treloar discovers. Noojee – Mt Baw Baw return 97km Vertical elevation gain 2,553m Some climbs are worse than others, and in Australia there are few worse than Mount Baw Baw. This isn’t hyperbole; it’s a statement of cold, hard fact. Baw Baw doesn’t care
Read More…

Uyen Nguyen treasures her grandfathers bike for the livelihood it afforded her family

My Grandfather’s Bike

Share

By Uyen Nguyen ‘Did you seriously hang that hideous thing on the wall?’ says my aghast visitor after warming herself up with a cup of tea. Without tracing her line of sight, I know exactly what has shocked her. My grandfather’s certificate of ownership for his first bicycle. 1975. The yellowing and tattered piece of
Read More…

Riders behaving badly

Share

Aggressive riders frighten others off the roads and paths, and some riders have had enough. Simon Vincett investigates. Helen Smart has just about had enough. Although she’s ridden for transport for decades, she finds herself gritting her teeth for the daily commute, which she finds regularly punctuated with conflict with other riders. After many incidents of
Read More…