Road Cycling Group Rides

A fantastic way to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Margaret River Region and Busselton is by bicycle. Joining a road cycling group ride gives you an opportunity to meet a diverse group of friendly locals and benefit from their knowledge of the lesser known thoroughfares of the region.

As the winter weather makes way for the longer days of spring, the region once again sees the number of road cyclists increase. With its rolling hills, picturesque scenery and quiet back roads, this place has plenty to offer the road cycling enthusiast looking for the chance to spin the legs, get some kilometres under the belt or undertake some serious training.

Group rides are an essential part of road cycling and riders from Busselton, Cowaramup, Dunsborough and Margaret River regularly meet to take a range of hilly and flat routes past renowned vineyards, through ancient forests or skirting the edges of the crystal clear Geographe Bay.

Meeting time: Tuesday and Thursday 5:30 am  –  Saturday 6:30 am

Location: Fat Duck Cycles, Prince Street, Busselton

Approximate distance: Tuesday and Thursday 45 kms  –  Saturday 70 kms

Description: Structured rides with 2-3 groups depending on numbers. Average speeds range from 27 to 36 kph. Mostly flat with some small climbs.

Post ride coffee spot: Fat Duck Cycles, Prince Street, Busselton

More information: Busselton Cycle Club Facebook Group or Fat Duck Cycles’ website

Details: Three different routes are on offer every week of the year. The Tuesday ride start is a flat one, leaving town along Layman Road towards Forrest Beach and the magnificent Tuart Forest. The Thursday ride heads due south and stays flat until the push to Chapman Hill where riders regroup before heading back to town for a coffee. Saturday’s ride is longer, leaving town via the Vasse Highway, along Sues Road and up Sues Hill. The group then heads to Mowen Road where they turn around to power back to Busselton; hang on tight!

Meeting time: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 6:30 am

Location: Tuesday / Thursday: Christian Fletcher Gallery, Dunn Bay Road, Dunsborough – Saturday: Outside Outdoor Sportz in Dunsborough Park Shopping Centre car park, Seymour Boulevard, Dunsborough

Approximate distance: Tuesday / Thursday 45 kms  –  Saturday 65 kms

Description: Group rides that tend to splinter into groups to meet riders’ ability as the ride progresses. Average speeds range between 25 and 35 kph. Hilly terrain on Tuesday / Thursday, relatively flat on Saturday.

Post ride coffee spot: Yallingup Coffee Roasting Company, Hannay Lane, Dunsborough

More information: Bikeshed Dunsborough shop and website

Details: The Tuesday and Thursday rides make a beeline for the hills of Yallingup, heading up Commonage Road to some of the quieter back roads of Yallingup. The roads are scenic and rolling, passing many a kangaroo and vineyard before ending on the rollercoaster that is Yungarra Drive. The group starts as one but things can liven up within 20 minutes where three groups form to provide options 5-10 kms shorter. This route also has several shortcut options and it’s common to find members of the faster group taking strategic advantage of these. The Saturday ride is mostly flat and heads south-east through Yallingup Siding and Yelverton, then across the Bussell Highway towards Vasse before sweeping back to Dunsborough. The group tends to stay as one for the first half before splitting to three smaller groups as riders find like-minded buddies to meet their requirements.

Meeting time: Saturday 7am

Location: Carpark on the corner of Bussell Highway and Hall Road in front of the Cowaramup Town Hall

Approximate distance: Option 1: 55-60 kms  –  Option 2: 80-110 kms

Description: Undulating terrain with average speeds of 26 to 28 kph for the shorter option and a greater level of fitness required for the longer option.

Post ride coffee spot: Smithereens, Bottrill Street, Cowaramup

More information: Ride Margaret River Facebook Group

Details: This Saturday ride takes in quiet, undulating roads and country lanes of the Margaret River Region’s winemaking ‘engine room’. Enjoy the glorious vineyards as you pass by some of the most celebrated names from the Margaret River Region. The longer ride heads north to take in the spectacular Canal Rocks and a return to Cowaramup via Wildwood Road.