Rides

Parramatta Cycling Club is regularly welcoming new riders into our bunch rides. We obey the road rules at all times with no exceptions. We try to set an example to fellow cyclists and drivers.

All riders must be responsible and respectful to all other riders and be willing to help educate other riders within the group on proper etiquette. All riders need to respect the differences in other riders' skill and fitness levels.

When riding in a bunch, your actions are no longer independent and must be considered as to their impact on the entire group. Everyone is responsible for the safety of the group.

Please ask the ride leaders and long-standing members if you have any questions about ride etiquette and safety.

Regular Rides

These regular rides are available for members and guests to join. They occur at the advertised time and starting venues unless stated otherwise. We occasionally run additional rides or alternative routes which are communicated to members in our WhatsApp chats.

Saturday x3

Three weekly Saturday group rides (plus 2 monthly options) for varying abilities, each meeting up afterwards at Parramatta’s Social Hideout Café https://www.socialhideout.com.au or BadManner Cafe https://badmannercafe.com.au (choose your crew/brew!).

1 Universe - Moderate/Fast - 30km/h

This group ranges from moderate to high fitness. The group rides as one group for the first 30km to the Great Western Highway at a moderate pace and then split into two groups (moderate and fast) for the 20km return to Parramatta, both with rolling turns down the highway.

Start:6:30am, PETBARN 561 - 565 Church Street, North Parramatta.

Est. finish: 8:10 am

Route: https://connect.garmin.com/app/course/522562153, Distance 50km

Ride leaders: Phil Gates [email protected], Andrew McLean [email protected], Stephen Jones [email protected].

2 Universe - Steady ‘no drop’ - 25km/h

This ride caters for riders who want to improve skills and comfort riding in a bunch and indeed anyone who simply wants a moderately paced ride. Different route for the first 2km to the crest of Constitution Hill, then takes the same route as Group 1.

Start: 6:10am, near Hungry Jack's, Junction Shopping Centre, corner Church Street and James Ruse Drive, North Parramatta.

Est finish: 8:10am

Route: Universe steady – https://connect.garmin.com/app/course/522561081, Distance 50km

Ride leaders: Andrew Cooper [email protected], David Lee [email protected]

3 Parramatta Park - Slow - Self-paced

An entry-level social ride for those who wish to ride at a steady pace without road traffic. The group targets 10 laps of the 3.2km Parramatta Park circuit.

Start: 6:30 am, Governor's Bath House, top of the hill on the Westmead side of the park. https://maps.app.goo.gl/sHftHsprJCjufwYN9

Est finish: 8:00 am

Ride leader: Bob Shields [email protected]

4 Gorges Ride - Monthly on first Saturday

Provides an alternative ride once a month for moderate/fast riders via Castle Hill and through Galston Gorge, returning via Pennant Hills Rd.

Start: 6:10 am PETBARN 561 - 565 Church Street, North Parramatta.

Est. finish: 8:20 am

Route: Galston Gorge via Castle Hill and Galston, returning via Hornsby, Pennant Hills and North Rocks https://connect.garmin.com/app/course/523179140

Ride leader: David Elton [email protected]

5 Parramatta Park Women’s ride - Monthly

A monthly organised training ride for women in Parramatta Park. See /womens-rides/ for location, dates, and more details.

Ride Leader: Anna Whitten [email protected]

Sunday x 2

1 - Moderate pace ~27km/h

General info: A moderately paced ‘no drop’ group ride with varying routes through western and northern Sydney for a distance of 70-90km. Routes confirmed each week on WhatsApp.

Start: 6:45 am, Traffic lights on Windsor Rd, Baulkham Hills at the M2 overpass.

Est finish: 10:30am

Ride leaders: Stephen Jones [email protected] , Matt Crapp [email protected] .

2 – Steady pace ~22km/h

General info: A steady-paced ‘no drop’ group ride with varying routes throughout Sydney. Can be anything from gorge rides to bike paths, ranging from 50- 70 km. Remarkably, this ride always seems to end at a cafe! Routes confirmed each week on WhatsApp.

Start: 7:00 am, location varies by week, notified on WhatsApp.

Est. finish: 10- 11 am

Ride leaders: Andrew Cooper [email protected],David Lee [email protected]

Wednesday - Parra & Homebush laps

General Info: A moderately paced evening group ride starting in Parramatta Park.

Start: 5:30 pm, Governor's Bath House top of the hill on the Westmead side of the park. https://maps.app.goo.gl/sHftHsprJCjufwYN9

Est finish: 7:30 pm

Ride leader: David Elton [email protected]

Friday - Homebush Laps

Info: A moderately paced ride along Parramatta River and around Homebush. Approx 25km

Start: 7:00 am, James Ruse Drive bridge https://maps.app.goo.gl/rDeY4EMtiGk2799w6

Est. finish: 9:00 am

Ride leaders: Phil Lee, Andrew Cooper [email protected], Stephen Jones [email protected]

Annual Easter Ride - Good Friday

The ride: An annual Fondo-style ride with various routes and distances so the whole Club can participate. We head to Windsor and Richmond depending on which group you ride, then onto Rouse Hill Regional Park for a BBQ breakfast before returning home to Parramatta.

Meet: Corner Windsor Rd and Brien’s Rd North, Parramatta (Office Works car park).

Other rides:

Members also organise/coordinate

Social long weekend, around March/April. Destinations have included Canberra, Mudgee and Bright.

Attendance at annual organised rides, such as Mudgee Classic, Bowral Classic, and MS Sydney to the Gong.
Europe trip (“Parra to…”), 3 weeks in June or July, every second year since 2013. We visit routes, climbs and places of the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and the Spring Classics, and savour the food, landscapes and culture of France, Italy and more.