Join a ride

SUVelo is committed to the development and enjoyment of its members, and maintains a schedule of graded rides that cater to a range of abilities, Tuesday to Sunday each week.  We strongly encourage all members to wear club kit during the rides.

Friday is a social “Coffee Ride” where new and prospective members can meet the club and its members – if you have never ridden with us before this should be your first ride.  While we are friendly and inclusive, we are not equipped to assist beginners.  Riders wanting to join us should have:

  • some experience in riding in bunches and be able to ride in close proximity to others at speed;
  • cycling shoes and “clipless” pedals with the ability to clip in and out easily; and
  • a bike with drop handlebars (no flat bars, aero bars or tri bars) in good mechanical order

Every SUVelo ride has an experienced Ride Captain who is responsible for the safety of riders.  Please listen to their instructions at all times.  We encourage new and prospective members to introduce themselves to the Ride Captain who will welcome you and get you safely integrated into the ride.

Read our Safe Ride Guide and Riding Tips to understand how we roll.

SAFE RIDE GUIDE

RIDING TIPS

How to choose your bunch

All rides are graded according to average bunch speed.  It’s a good idea to start with an easier bunch speed and then as you become more confident, move up to a faster bunch.  No-one enjoys the situation when someone tries to ride with a bunch that is beyond their abilities.

If you already race, use your race grade to choose the appropriate bunch speed.

If you’re a regular rider, base it on the grades of others who race and you can keep pace with.

Or, just base it on the speed you can comfortably sustain solo for 30 minutes!

 

SUVelo Bunch Speeds

Groups ride at the following approximate speeds (on the flat, with no wind):

Bunch Approx. Speed Approx. Race Grade
P1 40+ km/hr Men’s A, strong B or Women’s A
P2 36-37 km/hr Men’s B, C or Women’s B
Civilised 33-34 km/hr Men’s D, Women’s C
Base 28-32 km/hr N/A

Start here!

Most of our rides start at the Woollhara Gates of Centennial Park (opposite Ocean Street). Our north shore rides start opposite the Crows Nest Hotel.
Start times vary depending on the ride with most starting at 6am, or just before.
MONDAY
No regularly scheduled rides. Take a break!
TUESDAY
The Malaya Lifeguards Hills Ride – 6am
Mosman Hills Ride – 6am
WEDNESDAY
Staminade ‘Wednesday Whip’ Ride – 6am
THURSDAY
No regularly scheduled rides. Take a break!
FRIDAY
Eastern Suburbs Coffee Ride – 6am
SATURDAY
Saturday Cruise (Eastern Suburbs) – 7am
South Long Haul (1st Saturday we go north) – 5:55am
SUNDAY
No regularly scheduled rides. Take a break!

Tuesday

The Malaya Lifeguards Hills Ride

Start time Distance Grades
6am 28km – 32km Base – P2 – P1

A ride designed to build one’s climbing legs, Tuesday’s Lifeguards route includes several short, sharp climbs through Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. The most notable being Bondi’s Military Rd, Wentworth Ave in Vaucluse, Cranbrook Rd in Rose Bay and Bellevue Rd in Bellevue Hill.

Coffee: Cafe Fiveways, Paddington, 7:15am

Mosman Hills

Start time Distance Grades
6am 30km Base – P2 – P1

A ride for our North Shore riders, the Mosman Hills route offers a “greatest hits” tour of the Lower North Shore. After heading to The Spit, you’ll climb Parriwi, head in and out of Balmoral, Chowder Bay, Clifton Gardens and Taronga Zoo.

Tuesday North Hills Elevation

Wednesday

Staminade Wednesday Whip Ride

Start time Distance Grades
6am 30km Base – P2 – P1

The ride is as quick as your whip can take you! Heading out through Maroubra down towards La Perouse, the ride returns via Bunnerong Road, takes a right turn along Franklin Road, back to Anzac Parade and a quick run back to Centennial Park.

Coffee: The Greenhouse, Centennial Park, 7:00am

Friday

Eastern Suburbs Coffee Ride

Start time Distance Grades
6am 28km Base

Perfect if you are new to the club, for getting back on the bike or just to be social. This is an easy, no-drop ride that heads through Maroubra down towards La Perouse before heading back to Centennial Park in time for a quick coffee with fellow members. There is occasionally a call for ‘Fast Friday’ – be prepared for a double-espresso version of the ride!

Coffee: The Greenhouse, Centennial Park, 7:00am

Saturday

We offer two separate ride options each Saturday, and dependent upon numbers we will often split bunches into smaller, more manageable groups.

South Long Haul

Start time Distance Grades
5:55am 60-120km
according to grade & route		 Civilised – P2 – P1

The regular Saturday long haul ride takes the club south to the Royal National Park. Heading down Southern Cross Drive and over Captain Cook Bridge, the faster bunches will ride through the Park, with the others turning at Waterfall or Sutherland.
– Sutherland (60km) Base / Medium
– Waterfall (90km) Medium / Fast
– Royal National Park (110km) Medium / Fast

Eastern Suburbs

Start time Distance Grades
7am 50km Base

Eastern Suburbs variety ride. Perfect for building up your endurance (50km)

Coffee: Lumiere, Surry Hills

First Saturday of the month

On the first Saturday of each month, the club rides north through Ku-rin-gai National Park. The Civilised bunch climbs McCarrs Creek, with the faster bunches adding Akuna Bay and West Head to the ride. All bunches return to the city for breakfast and coffee.