DHBC runs social road rides every day of the week except Monday, meeting at 'The Square' (Alex Trevallion Plaza), Marrickville. Timing of weekday rides aims to fit in perfectly with your life/work schedules. On the weekends, we start slightly later and finish with a post-ride coffee/breakfast. Read some of our frequently asked questions below.
These are our regular weekly and monthly rides. Below there is a cheat sheet you can download and keep with you or even print and stick it on your fridge so you'll never miss a ride again.
We do other adventure rides, especially on public holidays or if we're training for an event. These will be posted on the DHBC Facebook Members Page or the DHBC Club Strava.
Start:
5:30 AM - The Square
5:45 AM - Redfern
Approx Finish:
7:30 AM - Surry Hills
Coffee:
St Jude’s Cafe,
Bourke st, Redfern
Distance:
50km
Elevation/Terrain:
650m, multiple climbs
Average speed:
22 - 25km/h
Notes:
Solid mid-week training ride, with no ride leader. Group splits at Centennial Park into A and B groups, and riders wait at the top of climbs to regroup. Recommended for 28's.
Start:
5:35 AM - Redfern
5:50 AM - CP Horse Gates
Approx Finish:
7:30 AM - Surry Hills
Coffee:
St Jude’s Cafe,
Bourke street
Distance:
40
Elevation/Terrain:
500m, undulating
Average speed:
22 - 25km/h
Notes:
A quick paced ride for 28's riders with decent hill fitness. Hills can vary week to week. Meets with the regular LaPa ride at La Perouse for the return ride to St Jude’s Cafe.
Start:
6:00 AM - The Square
Approx Finish:
7:30 AM - Surry Hills
Coffee:
St Jude’s Cafe,
Bourke street
Distance:
40
Elevation/Terrain:
275m, mostly flat
Average speed:
25-28km/h
Notes:
Good mid-week ride with a ride leader. A no-drop ride recommended for 28's riders, as it can be faster. Splits in to varied speeds on the return trip from La Perouse.
Start:
5:30 AM - The Square
5:45 AM - Redfern
Approx Finish:
7:30 AM - Surry Hills
Coffee:
St Jude’s Cafe,
Bourke street
Distance:
50
Elevation/Terrain:
650m, multiple climbs
Average speed:
22 - 25km/h
Notes:
Solid mid-week training ride, with no ride leader. Group splits at Centennial Park into A and B groups, and riders wait at top of climbs to regroup the bunch.
Start:
5:30 AM - The Square
6:00 AM - CP Horse Gates
Approx Finish:
7:30 AM - Surry Hills
Coffee:
St Jude’s Cafe,
Bourke street
Distance:
40
Elevation/Terrain:
250m
Average speed:
20 - 23km/h
Notes:
A no-drop ride suited for all women. The ride is led and mentored by experienced women ride leaders. Assistance is provided with mechanicals and flat tyres, leaving no one behind.
Start:
5:15 AM - The Square
5:30 AM - Wattle St
Approx Finish:
7:30 AM - Milsons Point
Coffee:
Bay Ten Espresso,
Milsons Point
Distance:
55km
Elevation/Terrain:
950m of climbing, sharp pinches and multiple climbs
Average speed:
20 - 24km/h
Notes:
A challenging, hilly ride for 28's riders and serious climbers. Uses busy suburban and city roads and big, steep hills. Specific hills change on a weekly basis and the bunch regroups at the top of climbs.
Start:
6:30 AM - The Square
Approx Finish:
8:30 AM - Marrickville
Coffee:
Cafe in Marrickville
Distance:
20 - 50km (Depends on how many laps of CP you choose to do)
Average speed:
18 - 23km/h (Depends if you stay with the bunch or ride at your own pace around CP)
Notes:
The perfect place to start riding with DHBC. New riders welcome and will be introduced to bunch riding and DHBC calls. Centennial Park return, where you can do as many or as little laps around the park as you like. You will never be left behind on Saturday Slowies.
Start:
6:00 AM - The Square
6:15 AM - Redfern
Approx Finish:
9:00 AM - Marrickville
Coffee:
Cafe in Marrickville
Distance:
50km
Elevation/Terrain:
340m
Average speed:
22 - 25km/h
Notes:
The perfect step up from Saturday Slowies to prepare for 25's Waterfall or Kurnell. This is a no-drop ride with a ride leader.
Start:
6:00 AM - The Square
6:15 AM - Redfern
Approx Finish:
8:30 AM - Marrickville
Coffee:
Cafe in Marrickville
Distance:
50km
Elevation/Terrain:
650m, multiple climbs
Average speed:
20 - 25km/h
Notes:
Group splits at Centennial Park into A and B groups (and sometimes C), and riders wait at the top of climbs to regroup.
Start:
6:30 AM - The Square
Approx Finish:
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
- Marrickville
Coffee:
Cafe in Marrickville
Distance:
76km
Elevation/Terrain:
650m / flat / undulating
Average speed:
25 - 40km/h
Notes:
This ride is fantastic to learn bunch riding skills with multiple exit points near train stations. There is a rest break at 38km at the Waterfall turnaround, and then at around 50km in Sutherland at the 7 Eleven.
We operate four bunches on this ride, 25's, 28's, Middies and Fasties. 25's is a no drop ride with a ride leader.
Start:
6:30 AM - The Square
Approx Finish:
10:00 AM - Marrickville
Coffee:
Cafe in Marrickville
Distance:
69km
Elevation/Terrain:
360m, mostly flat
Average speed:
23 - 26km/h
Notes:
Recommended for 25's riders. This no-drop ride uses main and suburban roads, and some bike paths, and always has a ride leader. It’s a good step up ride from Saturday 25's LaPa to prepare for 25's Waterfall.
Start:
6:00 AM - The Square
6:15 AM - Wattle St
Approx Finish:
10:30 AM - Pyrmont
Coffee:
Cafe in Marrickville
Distance:
98
Elevation/Terrain:
1400m
Average speed:
24 - 26km/h
Notes:
A ride for the experienced, as it crosses over many busy suburban roads and has some long climbs. Climbing experience and the ability to ability to sustain 28km/h averaged pace
Start:
6:00 AM - The Square
Approx Finish:
10:00 AM - Marrickville
Coffee:
Cafe in Marrickville
Distance:
100km
Elevation/Terrain:
1300m
Average speed:
25 - 28km/h
Notes:
A ride for those with strong fitness and ability to sustain 28km/h average. Outbound pace recognises the need to save legs for climbs in the park, with regrouping at the top of climbs in the Royal National Park. Recommended for 28's riders and middies.
These rides are only for club members with an active AusCycling licence. Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club does not take responsibility for the safety or accuracy of routes detailed above. Cycling can be dangerous and you do so at your own risk.
Before joining one of DHBC social road cycling rides:
• Have an active AusCycling License. Learn more at Getting Started.
• Make sure your bike is in sound mechanical and roadworthy condition.
• Wear an approved helmet on all rides and no personal music players as they may limit your ability to hear calls and stay safe in the bunch.
• You need to have a front and rear lights if riding in the dark.
•At all times you must carry spare tubes and tools in case of a mechanical issue.
For road cycling, we recommend a bike road bike with drop handlebars. We don't allow flat or aero bars, time trial bikes or mountain bikes as these are not ideal for bunch riding. However Saturday Slowies is an exception, where we allow all types of bikes to get started, including E-bikes, vintage and triathlon bikes and flat or aero bars.
For track cycling, we have a range of bicycles to borrow that are included in the velodrome hire. If however you choose to bring your own bike, you will need a fixed-gear bicycle. It'll have a single gear ratio, no freewheel nor brakes. Tires are narrow and inflated to high pressure to reduce rolling resistance.
The club will only announce if rides are 'cancelled’ on the DHBC Facebook Members Page if that ride has a dedicated ride leader allocated to it. Some of these rides include Saturday Slowies and Sunday Waterfall. This call will be made on the morning of the ride around 45 minutes before the start time, so please check before heading out your front door.
If it's raining, or rain is predicted, it is up to the individual rider to decide whether they would like to venture outside or not. If you choose to head out, pack a rain coat and be extra careful.
Wet weather provides many challenges and additional hazards. Visibility is reduced for both the rider and driver. Road surfaces can become slippery, incidents of flat tyres can increase, and riders need to be even more alert.
Yourself, your road bike (with drop handle bars), a water bottle, a tool kit and spare tubes. We always recommend carrying some food, from an energy gel always available for those times in need, to energy bars, bananas and small snacks.
If it's winter, you will need front and rear lights and warm clothes like gloves, base layers, arm warmers, leg warmers and a wind vest. Wear more than you think as there is a bit of standing around listening to instructions so you can get cold quickly. Also, you can always take layers off, but once you're cold its very hard to warm up.
You don't need clip-in pedals and shoes, but its worth investing in some if you wish to continue with the sport and endeavour into longer rides. Whatever you do, don't try clip - in pedals for the first time in a bunch ride - they take a bit of practice to get used to!
Photos by Mark Ross, Bike Racing Sydney, Richard Scriven, Thomas Ellis, Tarryn Myburgh and various DHBC members. Website by TM Creates
