The Cardinia Climbers
Here at La Velocita we love to see you get out and ride. We want to help you find some new friends and find an excuse to get out and ride. Over time will be profiling a number of riding groups.
Today we start with the Cardinia Climbers, a Strava group that are based out of Berwick in the South Eastern suburbs.
Words: - Brendan Edwards Images - Daniel Christiansz
ABOUT
The Cardinia Climbers are a group of cyclists who’s appreciation for cycling and the local hills has brought them together.
The Cardinia Climbers are based out of Berwick/Beaconsfield, and Cardinia has some great riding, and joins onto the southern side of the Dandenong’s. A Strava group was formed by Robbie Rowlands. When he started the group there wasn’t an established group of riders in the area and you could head out for a 50km ride and be lucky to see another rider on the road.
The Cardinia Climbers has helped encourage riders to meet up and go out for social rides and show riders the best spots to ride. The popularity of the group grew and grew, and it now has over 120 members, and has helped to encourage a new era of riders to ride the area. The Cardinia Climbers have regular social rides and even has its own kit... quite impressive.
RIDE
We spoke with Robbie Rowlands, the founder of the Cardinia Climbers. Here's what he had to say.
Several years back when I was out riding I would have the roads all to myself. There just wasn’t many people out riding. The Cardinia Climbers came about as I wanted to bring cyclists in the area together so we could arrange group rides and get to know each other.
It’s just a beautiful place to ride and I hoped to be able to make a difference. We now have regular social rides, we help riders get stronger and give them an excuse to get up early to ride their bike more.
Our social rides are called the 'Tour of Berwick' or 'TOB' which takes you over the smaller climbs around Berwick. The rides are Tempo with Friday seeming to be getting quicker each week, with great hit outs and the numbers increasing every ride.
DETAILS
The Cardinia Climbers welcome new riders to join their social rides, and have three regular rides each week all at 5:30am and last around one and a half hours.
Tuesday mornings
5.30am Start for 40km loop
Meet at Berwick Cycles in Berwick.
Link to Monday ride here
Wednesday mornings
5.30am Start for 37km loop
Meeting at the corner of Princess Highway & Clyde Road meeting in front of Harcourts (opposite the Shell Service Station)
Link to Wednesday ride here
Friday mornings
5.30am Start for 32km loop
Meet at the corner of Princess Highway & Clyde Road meeting in front of Harcourts (opposite the Shell Service Station).
Link to Friday ride here
FIND OUT MORE
Link to the Cardinia Climbers Strava group here - new members welcome.
Link to the Cardinia Climbers Facebook page here
If you want any further information on social rides email: rowlomail@gmail.com
La Velocita. Rides.
Do you dream of the open road, riding through beautiful rolling country and breathing in the fresh country air? Of riding roads with little traffic and testing yourself against some very spicy climbs? Well, you can get this and a lot more from this year’s Newcrest Orange Challenge.