Road Cycling
We roll six days a week from The Square, Marrickville.

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.

Our bunches
25's
Our crusiest of bunches and the entry point for new riders. The perfect place to start if you are new to bunch riding.
Average speed 23 - 26km/h. This is a no drop group.
20km ITT
45-55 mins
Sunday Waterfall
2hr 51 min – 3hr 10 min
28's
By far our largest cohort of riders. Bunches are moderately paced, and rides tend to be social. This is a drop group, but with a good level of fitness you can keep up.
Average speed 28 - 30km/h. May reach speeds up to 40km/h when pace lining.
20km ITT
40-45 mins
Sunday Waterfall
2hr 31 min – 2hr 50 min
Middies
Not the very fastest but this group still travels along at a high pace. A solid base of riding and a high level of fitness is required.
Expect the speed to be about 31 - 35km/h. This is a drop group.
20km ITT
34 -40 mins
Sunday Waterfall
2hr 16 min - 2h 30 min
Fasties
Our fastest cyclists. Very fit and experienced riders, often racers. If you are new to cycling, you will wonder how anyone not a professional can ride this fast.
Unlike other groups, the Fasties won’t wait for you if you get dropped, so you better know the way home. Expect the speed to be 35km/h+.
20km ITT
Sub 34 mins
Sunday Waterfall
Sub 2hr 15 min
Our rides and routes

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.

Tuesday
Eastern Hills
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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.

Wednesday
Tour of Maroubra (ToM)
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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.

Thursday
Eastern Hills
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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.

Womens LaPa - 1st & 3rd Thursday
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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.

Friday
Mosman Alps
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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.

Saturday
Saturday Slowies
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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.

25's LaPa
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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.

Eastern Hills
Read more

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.

Sunday
Waterfall (Four Bunches)
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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.

Kurnell - 1st Sunday
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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.

Akuna Bay- 2nd Sunday
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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

Royal National Park (RNP)- Last Sunday
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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.

*Disclaimer

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.

Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to have before joining one of our social road rides

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.

What kind of bike do I need?

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.

What happens if its raining?

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. 

What do I need to bring on a ride?

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!