These are some local rides we like and think you might too.
You are welcome to join us on any of the rides you see here, but particularly on Urban Cyclist shop rides Monday and Saturday .
- MONDAY
Today is the Urban Cyclist staff ride.
Usually a day off the bike for riders in Sydney, we take the opportunity of quiet roads to tackle the hills of the eastern suburbs. With plenty of opportunity to claim the polka dot jersey the ride varies between two courses each week just to keep things interesting.
Join us at the Randwick gates of Centennial Park at 6am for a spirited ride before finishing in Paddington or Randwick and a smooth cup of coffee.
- TUESDAY
This is the first day of the week where most cycle clubs start their organized rides. We like to continue our cycling week at the Coluzzi Café (322 Victoria St, Darlinghurst) leaving at 620am and heading south to Cronulla, returning to Surry Hills by 810am. This is a fast ride with many attacks around the back of Cronulla.
Tuesday night also has some fast paced criterium racing at Heffron Park in Maroubra. Starting in November and finishing in March, the Eastern Suburbs Cycling Club Summer Series provides exciting A, B and C grade racing and attracts riders from across Sydney. Racing commences at 6pm.
- WEDNESDAY
Today is a quick pace through some hills in the (southern) eastern suburbs. Leaving the Randwick gates roundabout at Centennial Park at 545am and returning by 7am, you have a choice of taking in some sharp steep ascents or a more gradual ride. There are various points along the way where the bunch regroups. Coffee this morning is along Clovelly Road, Randwick.
- THURSDAY
Another day starting at the Coluzzi Café (322 Victoria St, Darlinghurst) leaving at 620am and heading south to Cronulla, returning to Surry Hills by 810am. Same ride as Tuesday with the same number of attacks!
- FRIDAY
Every rider deserves time to recover and this morning is that time. Starting at 5.45 near the Randwick roundabout at Centennial Park returning by 7am today is all about spinning your legs for an active recovery with a steady ride south to Botany Bay and back. Coffee is again along Clovelly Road, Randwick.
- SATURDAY
Saturday is another spirited shop ride with two options, both times heading south.
We meet at Urban Cyclist at 6am where we head off to Cronulla for option #1 and through the heart of the Shire before a steady pace back along Southern Cross Drive to Rosebery. The back of Cronulla offers a few hills to challenge the legs and lungs of those pushing off the front.
Option #2 takes us south again, but instead of cutting through Cronulla, we stay on track to paceline along to Kurnell. Today is all about maintaining high cadence and speed for time trialing practice.
Both rides finish in Rosebery at 800/815am.
Today also sees more criterium racing run at Heffron Park, this time by Randwick Botany Cycling Club. Racing starts at 4pm for D/E grades, with A/B/C grades starting at 5pm.
- SUNDAY
Many clubs ride to Waterfall today making the highway pretty congested in areas. Check with your club as to what time they head out.
We prefer a later start time of 8am from Coluzzi for a spirited ride through the eastern suburbs and a fast pace-line along Foreshore Road. You’re back in Surry Hills by 10.30am.
On the first Sunday of the month the Australian Time Trials Association (www.atta.asn.au) holds 50/25/12.5km TT from Jones Road, Calga. It’s a great test against the clock with a mixture of hills and flat sections to test your all-round capabilities on the bike. There’s no hiding here!
