The Money Mustache Community
Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: cbr shadow on October 27, 2014, 02:19:19 PM
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I thought this a good forum to post this question since I know there are lots of cyclists, and more recently lots of Australians.
I just moved from Chicago to Melbourne Australia with my wife and two dogs. I'm getting settled in a love it here so far, but I'm unsure how to get into cycling here. In Chicago I did a fair amount of cycling, either indoors on a Computrainer or outdoors by myself or with a friend or two. Never an organized group ride.
I'd like to purchase a bike in the next couple of days (found the one I want at a local shop), and would like to start cycling outdoors. My issue is that I'm not sure where to start! I'm a bit intimidated by the busy roads here, cars on the left side of the road, and different cycling rules/culture. What's a good way to find a small 'beginner group' that wouldn't mind showing me how things are done here? I'm 30yr old and have good cycling fitness, but more worried about the rules.
I live in Prahran, VIC and don't own a car, so joining a group far from here is difficult. If I were good friends w/ someone at the local bike shop I'd definitely ask one of them to show me around.
Anyways, any suggestions would be highly appreciated!
Thanks,
Ryan R.
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As far as rules go, I'd have to say the best resource would be VicRoads (http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au), they do have a section dedicated to cycling IIRC (including road rules). I believe the site has a list of the bike trails as well.
EDIT: Cycling rules here (https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/road-rules/a-to-z-of-road-rules/bicycles), route maps here (https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/traffic-and-road-use/cycling/bicycle-route-maps), or here (https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/traffic-and-road-use/cycling) for more info :)
Bicycle Network (https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au) might be of assistance too, especially with group rides.
There's also Ride the City (http://ridethecity.com/melbourne) for maps and directions (although Google Maps also has cycling directions).
There's a quite nice bike trail (although I suspect busy) along the bay. I must admit I don't know of many groups though, I've only really ridden solo. MMM group perhaps?
I've seen a fair few bikes lately with the improving weather (although you'd hardly call Monday's weather 'improving') :)
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Try Meetup.com? I know there is a climbing group for Melbourne that is quite active, and there may well be one for cycling. Definitely ask at the bike shop, esp if you are buying a bike from them - they may have a noticeboard with details of community rides? I love Melbourne - jealous that you get to live there, esp in the summer!