Club history

Sydney Cycling Club was formed in 1978. Recreational cycling was booming and Eastern Suburbs Cycling Club member Don Beavis set out to build a new club folding in sport and recreation aspects; day/weekend tours and socializing; with the various cycle racing disciplines. In good Australian tradition, a barbeque was hosted for riding friends to discuss the idea and the club was born.

With riders sometimes racing overseas, it was decided that the name Sydney would be identifiable anywhere. Today’s club jersey still features the original red, white and blue colours, now in a modified design with ocean waves and Sydney’s famous Opera House. Early club meetings were held at the [now defunct] Sydney Bicycle and Motor Club.

In 1979, the Sydney Cycling Club organised a criterium race in Sydney’s historic Rocks district to coincide with both the centenary of the Bicycle and Motor Club and the Festival of Sydney, the annual multicultural celebrations. Don and Botany Club members then [by illegally pulling down a few fences] opened up an better criterium venue in Maroubra’s Heffron Park, then a disused migrant hostel centre and now an Eastern suburbs racing institution.

As members grew, some riders competed in open races, while our touring and social activities set us apart from other metropolitan clubs only interested in hard-core racing.

Today, we are arguably the most friendly club in Sydney, providing five training rides a week, regular tours, frequent time trials and supporting club/open racing for riders willing and able to go the distance. Of about 320 members, aged from 21-75+, the majority are between 30-50.