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Training Rides

There are a range of other training rides in Canberra on weekday mornings and at the weekend.

It is a requirement of national road rules that helmets are worn when riding a bike. It is dark for many early morning rides (at the beginning during some of autumn and spring and throughout during most of winter). The club recommends that proper lights be used. Apart from selfpreservation, lights are also a legal requirement.

Training can be dangerous at times and you do so at your own risk. These rides are open to all and are not exclusive to Canberra Cycling Club members. The Canberra Cycling Club does not organise these rides and hence takes no responsibility for the ride.  However, you can become a member of the Canberra Cycling Club. Membership provides insurance coverage. Membership information is available here.

It is recommended that riders read the notes on bunch etiquette.

Monday:

CCC Social Bunch Ride* : from Lennox Gardens (not running currently)
Start: 6:00AM Finish: Approx: 7AM
Expected Avg. Speed: ~25km/h (sub recovery pace for elite riders, achievable for novice / junior riders). Run as no drop, speed dating pairs.
Details and registration: see EntryBoss (https://boss.as/canberra) for bunch details and weekly registration.
Must have current AC License to participate.
Hosking Junior Bunch*: from Margot Espresso Bar
Start: 6:30AM Finish: Approx: 730AM
Expected Avg. Speed: ~20km/h (achievable for novice / junior riders).
Details and registration: see EntryBoss (https://boss.as/canberra) for bunch details and weekly registration.
Must have current AC License to participate.

Tuesday:

Hour of Power (HoP)*** : from the The Bicycle Centre 11 Hindmarsh Drive Phillip
Start: 6am Finish: approx 7:15am
Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/6443637

Not called the ‘Hour of Power’ for nothing! This is a time trial style bunch where a pace line rides as fast as possible for the duration of the ride. This ride is only for very experienced riders.

Another group (*/**) will leave with the HoP, at the rear. When the pace of the HoP increases on Yarra Glen, the slower group rides at tempo

Ladies Indoor Hour of Power*/**/***
Start: 6am Finish: 7am

Ride Bunch**
Start: 6am Finish: 7am

Route: Leaves from the corner Canberra Ave and 
Captain Cook Cres for an hour loop through Red Hill, Narrabundah, Yarralumla and back to Artoven in Manuka for coffee. There are designated sprint points but the bunch re-groups and waits for everyone after each sprint.

Wednesday:

Wednesday Worlds**/*** : from the The Bicycle Centre 11 Hindmarsh Drive Phillip
Start: 6am Finish: 7am
Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/6456761

Leaves from the The Bicycle Centre 11 Hindmarsh Drive Phillip. This ride goes through undulating Red Hill and Yarralumla. It starts at a moderate pace and there are two designated hill climbs – regrouping after the first climb but in the second it’s everyone for themselves! A good ride for those wanting to test themselves and a starting point for the harder bunches.

Vikings Wednesday Wasabi
Start: 6am finish at ANU by 7.15am

Routes: Belcosabi (Faster bunch tack-on) – Majurasabi

Leaves from ANU Union Court Bridge meetup point distance 30-35km 2 loops alternating each week. Usually 1-2 groups for different speeds.  Coffee: The Little Pickle, ANU Google Maps Link Must have current CA License to participate.

Bilby Wednesday Bunches **/***
Start: 6am finish at Dickson Pool

Routes: On the Bilbys website.

FIT Ladies Wednesday Bunch*/** 
Start: 6am Finish: approx 7:30am

Route: Leaves from the West Block car park in Parkes at 6 am. For this ride you need to be comfortable with bunch riding and able to find your own way back if you lose the bunch.Ride through Yarralumla/Deakin back to Purple pickle for coffee at ANU by 7.15am. Something for those who want a more relaxed approach to their Wednesday morning!! All of the girls are safe,experienced and very friendly riders.

Thursday:

Ride Bunch**
Start: 6am Finish: 7am

Route: Leaves from the old Ride Shop store in Manuka (corner Canberra Ave and
Captain Cook Cres) for an hour loop through Red Hill, Narrabundah, Yarralumla and back to Artoven in Manuka for coffee. Designated sprint points but the bunch re-groups and waits after each sprints.

WIP**
Start: 6am Finish: 7:15am

Route: A fast paced women’s only ride leaving from The Cyclery in Braddon. About 42km with a QOM through Aranda, a 3km gallop and a couple of km of pace-line. There are short cuts for those who are not quite up to speed.

Friday:

Hour of Terra (HoT)*** : from the corner of Hindmarsh and Melrose Drive Phillip
Start: 6am Finish: approx 6.50am

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/6443435
This is known as the hardest ride of the week. Starting at a fast pace, it quickly turns in to a pace line along the flatter parts of Canberra. There are frequent attacks and attempted breakaways. Finishes with a gentle but long hill climb. Average speeds are 40km/hr. Recommended for experienced riders.

Vikings  Norman Bunch Ride*/**/***: from the ANU, Willows Oval carpark
Start: 6am Finish: approx 7:15am

Route: 30-40km. Red Hill Loop  TGA Loop There are usually three groups catering for all levels of experience: Fast, Medium and Novice/Newbie groups. Finishes with breakfast at the Purple Pickle. Must have current CA License to participate.

FIT Ladies Friday Bunches*/**:

Start: 6am Finish: approx 7:30am

Route: Two groups (slow and medium) leave from West Block car park at 6am each Friday. Sessions sometimes focus on skills and drills, at other times it’s a longer ride.All of the girls are safe,experienced and very friendly riders.

Saturday:

Club Racing */**/***: Most weekends, either the Canberra Cycling Club or Vikings Cycling club will hold various races around Canberra. Details of up and coming events can be found at the clubs’ websites:

The Bakery Bunch**/*** : from 11 Hindmarsh Drive Phillip
Start: 6:30am all year Finish: approx 9:00am

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/6456877
Ride Discussion on Strava: https://www.strava.com/clubs/bakerybunch

This ride leaves 11 Hindmarsh Drive Phillip starting off at a moderately fast pace through the Northern suburbs. The first ‘Gallop’ from the Barton Hwy, concludes just short of Lexen Ave with sprint point. The second ‘Gallop’ starts again at Barton Hwy, concluding with a race (counter-clockwise) to the top of the arboretum. Follow the bunch to coffee in Civic.

For those that struggle up William Hovell Dr, Short-cuts are available at Lhotsky and Kerrigan St. These short-cuts are also a good chance to rest up for the first ‘Gallop’.

Sunday:

The Cyclery Bunch**
Start: 8.00am Finish: approx 9.00am

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/6456830

Leaves Bittersweet in Green Square, Kingston to do a moderately paced loop around Weston Creek and Woden, finishing at Celestino’s in Fyshwick. A good moderately paced social bunch with a sprint point.

FIT Ladies Sunday Bunch*/**
Start: 8.00am Finish: approx 9.30am

Route: Leaves from Debacle Braddon for a 2 hour ride. The group usually splits into two fast and slow rides.

Sunday Track training:

Narrabundah Velodrome (November – March) Located at the end of Kayeema St off Goyder St Narahundah:
Sunday 2 – 4pm Novices
Sunday 4 – 7pm Everyone Else

RATING GUIDE

  • *: New to cycling? Then head along to these rides! Slower rides.
  • **: Medium pace. Good rides to start challenging yourself.
  • ***: Fast! Recommended for more experienced riders.New to bunch riding? Take a look at bunch etiquette so you’re in the know before you head out!