I use to live in Melbourne before i was into cycling, i had no idea the scene was so great. Oh the regrets of not finding the love of cycling back then.
Why does an American guy like this video so much? Well two years ago I was lucky enough to be sent to Melbourne for a month by my employer. As a cyclist I was at first concerned I might not be able to ride while away in Australia, but soon all my fears faded away and I found myself pedaling from Melbourne to Ft. Pierce at the end of the peninsula. I stopped in Blackrock at Omara's Bike Shop for a flat white and to take a look around. While there I also rode about 35km on the Warburton trail on a Trek Emonda SL rental. A bit bumpy but still nice a ride. This was all before discovering your RUclips Channel a year or so ago. Wish I knew of you when I was visiting, I would have at least looked you up to say Good Day Mate! One day I will make it back to Melbourne for some more riding. I wanted to ride some of the Great Ocean Rd. but never got it in.
You just reaffirmed my feelings about Melbourne cycling. I live in the south eastern suburbs just a few blocks from Glenvale and Sandown, regularly take the Eastlink trail to the Nongs and to Patterson Lakes, ride Beach Road during summer. I even bought some bike parts from Damion Drapac before he was taken. I thought the bike scene here was good but took it a bit for granted until I saw your vid and read all the comments of how good it is in Melbourne. Thanks for the view from the outside
Well-said mate! A feisty, delicious walk through some of the best Melbourne cycling has to offer... Enjoy your content and the direction you've taken the channel over the last few years. Kudos.
Baum is from Geelong, so you may upset the Melbournians anyway 😂. Glad you mentioned Prova Cycles! Mark is an absolute brilliant engineer and his attention detail and workmanship is second to none.
I enjoyed this video about Melbourne and its cycling. Being from the great white north, it was nice to hear about the other side of the world and what is happening there. I have a few friends in Melbourne and they are very fortunate to be able to take advantage of the cycling there. :)
Well captured sir. VIC beer, those 80s commercials still resonates in my head, so does Dennis Lili and the chapel brothers playing cricket and slamming Vic beer. I just added Melbourne to my list next time I'm back in Aus. Fair go.
Nice one. . . . . I've only been in Melbourne 3 years and hope to crit some time soon. . . . . You've given a great insight into the bike scene and why I'm looking to develop my cycling further here. . . .bit it is true though, the weather is shell grit
Great work there Cam, that’s really a good introduction to the grassroots to elite level scene. I would add the your local bike shops are also a great source of first time bunch riding experience and a social network. Love the NE of Melbourne and it has provided me with a great vice that is road cycling 👍🏽😄
Really enjoyed this. Would LOVE to see an attempt made at the Hell Ride doco even though funding wasn't found. I reckon it would do well on your youtube channel!
Great video. Sometimes you take it for granted. I live in mulgrave. Im 5 minutes from glenvale 5 from sandown 30 from the 1 in 20 and 30 from beach Rd edithvale.. Once this nastiness is over im going to really have a, crack at stuff. Keep up the great work. Love the channel.
That Hell ride reminds me of a local ride to me, cupla years back prior to a bridge being built which snarled a big area and the ride was ordered chaos, and that was it's pull for me and it's greatly missed as you'd get a good few out...
Also there's the Kinglake Whittlesea area for some good climbs. And in the north west Mt Macedon is always a good one. I really should do a run down to Black Rock and back once restrictions loosen up. That stretch of road along the bay is a great ride
Agree with good quality local bike shop Cam! I bought my swork tarmac sl6 from Zack Hampton cycles and my supersix evo from Gabe urban pedaler. Missing melb cycling culture right now, thanks for the video Cam⚡
Cam , what are you doing to us?! We’re currently in Stage 7 lockdown, and with theoretically no wandering out of your local area, giving us thoughts of the Nongs is just cruel!! 😵. Of course if you live up there, having the roads to yourselves at the moment must be awesome. BTW, the only good thing about VB is John Mellion! 😜
I havent rode in Melbourne before but been there 2 years back, and definitely watched cycling RUclipsrs from the area. Definitely a reason why it's called first class.
Mate, that’s an awesome scene, especially the amount of racing to choose from, but I can’t help think we need to get you down to Brisbane more often 😎👍
Thanks mate, hopefully we'll be out there again soon. At the moment Melbourne has epic Zwift Racing. When this is over I'm taking the angle grinder to my trainer
When I was riding bike in Melbourne in 80 ties, I was alone, I have hardly seen anyone on bike, only cars, there were no bike paths and only once I have seen races on a closed circuit. All in 9 years when I lived there. What a change!
Great video Cam....one of your best! 👍👍 Would love to see something similar on the Noosa area...shops, rides etc. BTW...I was a Melbourne Bitter man. Always remember the Hawking Brothers theme song! Cheers Peter
I had no idea something like Sandowne cycling existed. Awesome Do you think Melb cycling clubs are open? I'm not a very fast cyclist, don't really care about racing but want to get away from solo riding. Clubs seem a bit intimidating
Hey how are you I enjoy watching your videos .I was wondering how do you like that Giant Tcr and as far riding style what bike would you compared to that Giant TCR.
I guess everywhere you go in Australia must be great scenery to cycle. some of Melbourne drivers are bad. Best to go out early morning or late night. Leaving Melbourne soon and wish to come to it one day.
bad weather, you say? I'm in Portland OR and would be delighted to have a scene like you have here. It's good but not quite as awesome as you make Melbourne look! I'm sure it's not just one thing that happened and overnight you had an amazing cycling culture. Perhaps there's a video coming on how it all came to be? You have a knack for story telling. In the US we have loads of swill beers. I recall one particularly brutal ride when I was a huge beer snob. I had one bidon and that was about seven too few. I'm telling you that Pabst Blue Ribbon aka PBR was liquid gold :p I partook because I needed hydration. It also made me very superstitious as it was a sacrament from La Madonna Del Ghisallo and I wonder if it did actually save my ass. Another story!
Police escort for the first part of the Hell Ride. Bloody fantastic. Did anyone request VICPOL to do this? Or was VICPOL being proactive and doing something positive for the cycling community? Either way great to see! PS Canberra is the toughest city to ride in. Over 500 metres above sea level and freezing in winter. -2 this morning for a two hour spin. Not fun.
I am KOM pig then. Great video, seems like Melbourne is the place to be for cycling. Do you know if Perth has a good, quality scene? I'm a MTB rider at heart but I do ride road too, my wife and I want to make the move from the UK to Perth and I feel like cycling could bridge that initial lack of social life a lot of people experience when first moving to a different country. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated, thanks :).
Perth cycling scene is massive and has some of the best cycling routes in Australia... As for hills, obviously you haven't ventured out to Kalamunda hills..
Ronald Reagan I have been out to Kalamunda hill and that is what it is a hill not a mountain like the ones in Melbourne . I like the cycling seen in Perth I have found it hard to find a good group of riders to ride with in the hills . But that maybe my fault . Thanks for your reply
Bloody hell! Telling people how to eat and now telling people that Melbourne is good for something. You're just trying to start fights now. Keep it up.👍
I spoke too soon...full Lee highlights reel at 14:37. Awesome Cam - I laughed so hard at this video, the sheer eccentricity of the man is so legendary. The "Telekom" clip is gold 🏆
Got a hell ride in my city too. Either you’re a regular, can handle the heat in the kitchen. Or you hate the elitist culture of a no-drop chain gang / simulated race 🤣 when it’s a side wind and thrown into the gutter you certainly find out pretty quick who is there to train or who is there sucking wheels
I dunno i miss it and I also don't. I miss some of the people in my former road group and the pretentious, elitist wankers...well no, its partly why i started dirt riding. I got disillusioned with the Melbourne scene fairly quickly.
Thanks so much Cam. Great to hear a vote of confidence in our town at this bleak time.
I now also miss the Melbourne cycling scene, even though I have never been to Melbourne...or Australia...or the Southern Hemisphere.
Come on down and bring your bike! ....oh!...just not yet. Say in 12 months...maybe!
I will consider that a standing invitation. Thanks!
@@chrisweidnerplease do that.
You might not realize it Cam, but that is probably one of your best 'video edits' on YT .. congrats
Cheers Dallas, 👍
I use to live in Melbourne before i was into cycling, i had no idea the scene was so great. Oh the regrets of not finding the love of cycling back then.
Hey Hotrod, thanks for the shout out. Your a great guy and great for cycling. Miss having you around.
Cheers Troy, hope all is well mate 👍
Why does an American guy like this video so much? Well two years ago I was lucky enough to be sent to Melbourne for a month by my employer. As a cyclist I was at first concerned I might not be able to ride while away in Australia, but soon all my fears faded away and I found myself pedaling from Melbourne to Ft. Pierce at the end of the peninsula. I stopped in Blackrock at Omara's Bike Shop for a flat white and to take a look around. While there I also rode about 35km on the Warburton trail on a Trek Emonda SL rental. A bit bumpy but still nice a ride. This was all before discovering your RUclips Channel a year or so ago. Wish I knew of you when I was visiting, I would have at least looked you up to say Good Day Mate! One day I will make it back to Melbourne for some more riding. I wanted to ride some of the Great Ocean Rd. but never got it in.
Awesome stuff Don and great to hear. Thanks for sharing on the thread
You just reaffirmed my feelings about Melbourne cycling. I live in the south eastern suburbs just a few blocks from Glenvale and Sandown, regularly take the Eastlink trail to the Nongs and to Patterson Lakes, ride Beach Road during summer. I even bought some bike parts from Damion Drapac before he was taken. I thought the bike scene here was good but took it a bit for granted until I saw your vid and read all the comments of how good it is in Melbourne. Thanks for the view from the outside
Well-said mate! A feisty, delicious walk through some of the best Melbourne cycling has to offer... Enjoy your content and the direction you've taken the channel over the last few years. Kudos.
A work of art Cam. Beautiful to watch!
Cheers Ivson, appreciate it. Cam
This is why I subscribed. A proper Aussie bloke doing proper videos...and yes StKilda & Brunswick are great clubs.
Thanks Cam for this video, never forget where you come from.
that's a stellar effort on the 1 in 20 - I struggle just ride up the bloody thing!!!
Baum is from Geelong, so you may upset the Melbournians anyway 😂. Glad you mentioned Prova Cycles! Mark is an absolute brilliant engineer and his attention detail and workmanship is second to none.
Very good insight! Thanks for sharing.
I gotta get to Melbourne... Australia even. Great video
Great video cam, I’m a friend of Devan Frmlyplanted, great podcast you did with him a few weeks ago. Keep up the great work!
Nice one, cheers mate 👍
Im thinking about moving to Australia for my master next year. This video convince me even more.
I enjoyed this video about Melbourne and its cycling. Being from the great white north, it was nice to hear about the other side of the world and what is happening there. I have a few friends in Melbourne and they are very fortunate to be able to take advantage of the cycling there. :)
Well captured sir. VIC beer, those 80s commercials still resonates in my head, so does Dennis Lili and the chapel brothers playing cricket and slamming Vic beer. I just added Melbourne to my list next time I'm back in Aus. Fair go.
haha, cheers mare. They knew how to drink!
Very well put together Aussie 🎂!!! Thanks for sharing!!!
Cheers Crit Whit 👍
this video should have started with "DISCLAIMER: I am a former melbournian but have since moved to the dark, well sunnier side to Queensland"
Haha
great little video and thumbs up to all the cyclists of melbourne
Cheers Steve
Nice one. . . . . I've only been in Melbourne 3 years and hope to crit some time soon. . . . . You've given a great insight into the bike scene and why I'm looking to develop my cycling further here. . . .bit it is true though, the weather is shell grit
haha@, Nice one Stuart. Cam
It’s at the top of my bucket list to one day visit Melbourne and watch a Hawthorn footy game, ride my bike and now (thanks to you) sink a few VBs!!
Haha! Nice one
Great work there Cam, that’s really a good introduction to the grassroots to elite level scene. I would add the your local bike shops are also a great source of first time bunch riding experience and a social network. Love the NE of Melbourne and it has provided me with a great vice that is road cycling 👍🏽😄
I love Brisbane... but miss Melbourne... and it's been 12 years!
Really enjoyed this. Would LOVE to see an attempt made at the Hell Ride doco even though funding wasn't found. I reckon it would do well on your youtube channel!
Great video. Sometimes you take it for granted. I live in mulgrave. Im 5 minutes from glenvale 5 from sandown 30 from the 1 in 20 and 30 from beach Rd edithvale.. Once this nastiness is over im going to really have a, crack at stuff. Keep up the great work. Love the channel.
Cheers mate thanks for sharing 🙏
That Hell ride reminds me of a local ride to me, cupla years back prior to a bridge being built which snarled a big area and the ride was ordered chaos, and that was it's pull for me and it's greatly missed as you'd get a good few out...
Thats a cycling heaven you live in!
Also there's the Kinglake Whittlesea area for some good climbs. And in the north west Mt Macedon is always a good one.
I really should do a run down to Black Rock and back once restrictions loosen up. That stretch of road along the bay is a great ride
Absolutely! Not footage of that though unfortunately
Agree with good quality local bike shop Cam! I bought my swork tarmac sl6 from Zack Hampton cycles and my supersix evo from Gabe urban pedaler. Missing melb cycling culture right now, thanks for the video Cam⚡
Love the vid! Im from the states and riding in Melbourne is one of my life goals! Not much of a cycling scene where I’m from, out in the boonies. Lol
Nice one, thanks for sharing Cory
Cam , what are you doing to us?! We’re currently in Stage 7 lockdown, and with theoretically no wandering out of your local area, giving us thoughts of the Nongs is just cruel!! 😵. Of course if you live up there, having the roads to yourselves at the moment must be awesome. BTW, the only good thing about VB is John Mellion! 😜
It's like a eulogy video :(
Just trying to create some positivity about what will come back to my VIC friends 👍
@@CamNicholls all good, has me excited for when it returns. Just sucks as I was going to do my first cyclocross season this year.
Cam Nicholls that’s the motivator in you! Thanks. Love your work👍
Great work Cam, makes me want to get out on Beachy for a roll now but also makes me froth for the 545’s 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Cheers mate 👍
I havent rode in Melbourne before but been there 2 years back, and definitely watched cycling RUclipsrs from the area. Definitely a reason why it's called first class.
I’m from Sunny Singapore btw hee! Stay safe!
Mate, that’s an awesome scene, especially the amount of racing to choose from, but I can’t help think we need to get you down to Brisbane more often 😎👍
Yea he does make it seem like he isnt enjoying QLD
Not at all, I just wanted to cheer some people up down south.
I love your vids!! 👍🏽🇺🇸 hello from USA!
Cheers mate, appreciate it.
Cam Nicholls gift and a curse to have found cycling during this time. I can’t wait till I get to experience the group rides out here.
Hey Cam, would you mind reposting the bunch ride list? Appears the link may no longer work a few years on. Many thanks and great video.
Just beautiful, this is such a wholesome list!
Cheers Brian
Thanks mate, hopefully we'll be out there again soon. At the moment Melbourne has epic Zwift Racing. When this is over I'm taking the angle grinder to my trainer
outstanding Cam :D thanks for sharing
When I was riding bike in Melbourne in 80 ties, I was alone, I have hardly seen anyone on bike, only cars, there were no bike paths and only once I have seen races on a closed circuit. All in 9 years when I lived there. What a change!
cam come canberra, we have dedicated lanes on all major roads and extensive paths.
I’ll have to check it out if I ever get there! Thanks for sharing mate.
@@CamNicholls Majura Parkway is a great path to ride on. I'd also recommend Vikings CC group rides (disclaimer: am a member).
Watching this from +254 and am impressed, That's a great place to live and ride. Nice video 👌
Nice package Cam. I do miss the cycling scene down in Melbourne, in particular the people. But the Sunny Coast vs Melbourne weather........🤔
Great vid, Cam. Hoping to immigrate to Melbs from South Africa post Covid
Nice one Wade, you’ll love it. Plenty of SA’s in Sunny Coast too
You had me at “Custom Bikes”!
Ah, It makes me extra sad moving interstate later this year. Gonna miss Melbourne.
Sounds good mate. If i ever get the funds together for a plane ride, Mel is on my list :)
This is still relevant this week. Nick's a beast didn't know the beer story though might give him some crap for it ;)
Love it; and I’m from Sydney!
Great video Cam....one of your best! 👍👍 Would love to see something similar on the Noosa area...shops, rides etc. BTW...I was a Melbourne Bitter man. Always remember the Hawking Brothers theme song! Cheers Peter
haha! Nice one mate, I have a can in the fridge thanks to the thumbnail, so looks like I'll be on it tonight.
Agree Cam - Dandenong's have so many climbs that are a blast. Beats Beach Rd with all the lights.
what a scene
Great vid mate. This surely means you’re coming back?
Haha. Not at this stage mate. Just for visiting.
I had no idea something like Sandowne cycling existed. Awesome
Do you think Melb cycling clubs are open? I'm not a very fast cyclist, don't really care about racing but want to get away from solo riding. Clubs seem a bit intimidating
Hey how are you I enjoy watching your videos .I was wondering how do you like that Giant Tcr and as far riding style what bike would you compared to that Giant TCR.
Tarmac
@@CamNicholls interesting ok thanks for getting back to me .
Kudos to legends like Troy and Shannon up North keeping the wheels spinning
Knog and Velokicks are based in Melbourne too.
Nice one thanks for adding to the list mate
Ughh! Those bikes are awesomeeee! #DREAMBIKE 😍
7:15. What Trent doesn't tell you is that he still hasn't fixed last season's the flat on his front wheel.
Haha
I guess everywhere you go in Australia must be great scenery to cycle. some of Melbourne drivers are bad. Best to go out early morning or late night. Leaving Melbourne soon and wish to come to it one day.
How do I give this a double thumbs up? The VB part was have scored higher 😁👍
Haha cheers mate
Great video - but i am biased as a Melbournian ;-)
I was in a VB add back in the 70s 3 day shoot, was a hoot. Beer and food and paid a $100 a day.
The 5.45 north road ride and the hell ride are great rides if you like crashing
Another good vid bloke. But you forgot No. minus 10. It's cold. Bloody bloody cold. :-)
bad weather, you say? I'm in Portland OR and would be delighted to have a scene like you have here. It's good but not quite as awesome as you make Melbourne look!
I'm sure it's not just one thing that happened and overnight you had an amazing cycling culture. Perhaps there's a video coming on how it all came to be? You have a knack for story telling.
In the US we have loads of swill beers. I recall one particularly brutal ride when I was a huge beer snob. I had one bidon and that was about seven too few. I'm telling you that Pabst Blue Ribbon aka PBR was liquid gold :p I partook because I needed hydration. It also made me very superstitious as it was a sacrament from La Madonna Del Ghisallo and I wonder if it did actually save my ass. Another story!
haha, Sounds like a good story though. Cam
If Melbourne had Noosa's winter weather it would perfect.
💯 (and less idiot drivers! Although Noosa has a few)
Great love letter to your former home!
Cheers Christiane, Cam
Hey Cam, you should check out the latest francis cade video. You might find it interesting.
Police escort for the first part of the Hell Ride. Bloody fantastic. Did anyone request VICPOL to do this? Or was VICPOL being proactive and doing something positive for the cycling community? Either way great to see!
PS Canberra is the toughest city to ride in. Over 500 metres above sea level and freezing in winter. -2 this morning for a two hour spin. Not fun.
Have to agree.
I now wanna move to Melbourne..... :-)
I am KOM pig then. Great video, seems like Melbourne is the place to be for cycling. Do you know if Perth has a good, quality scene? I'm a MTB rider at heart but I do ride road too, my wife and I want to make the move from the UK to Perth and I feel like cycling could bridge that initial lack of social life a lot of people experience when first moving to a different country. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated, thanks :).
Haha KOM pig. I hear Perth as a very good scene and some big bunch rides but I’ve never ridden there myself.
Cam Nicholls Thanks Cam, I’ll ask around and see,...or maybe I won’t, keep it an adventure into the unknown!
Victoria has great cycling RUclipsrs too, Maven and Shane Miller to name a few.
Absolutely
Coffee not VB! Otherwise, love your work.
can't agree with you more cam
Yup 100% cam I move to Perth this year and the cycling seen is nothing like Melbourne no big hills in Perth
Good bunches though I hear Paul. Nice winds too 👍
Perth cycling scene is massive and has some of the best cycling routes in Australia... As for hills, obviously you haven't ventured out to Kalamunda hills..
Ronald Reagan I have been out to Kalamunda hill and that is what it is a hill not a mountain like the ones in Melbourne . I like the cycling seen in Perth I have found it hard to find a good group of riders to ride with in the hills . But that maybe my fault . Thanks for your reply
Home sick cam?
Haha! A little at times, but not as we speak. Just wanted to cheer some people up for a few minutes. I felt it was the right n investment of my time!
that cover bike sure looks like a clone of a No. 22 Aurora.
The beer though cam. Vic bitter is known as sugar can brew in the brewing scene 38% white sugar :-(. Carlton draught a better option.
It doesn't have the jingle though Glenn!
@@CamNicholls VB and Solo ads are iconic.
@@CamNicholls Don't drink VB but..... "#matterafactigotitnow. Maybe a DarkDeeds Stout #supportlocal. Great work again Cam
Bloody hell! Telling people how to eat and now telling people that Melbourne is good for something. You're just trying to start fights now.
Keep it up.👍
14:15 LEE! 💪
I spoke too soon...full Lee highlights reel at 14:37. Awesome Cam - I laughed so hard at this video, the sheer eccentricity of the man is so legendary. The "Telekom" clip is gold 🏆
Haha! Agreed 👍
I live a minute away from Hampton cycles
Big thanks, no racing as Covid takes over Melbourne as we knew it, if you ride the 1 in 20 the police issue a ticket😓
It’s said isn’t it! Hopefully back to normal soon
4:45
Got a hell ride in my city too. Either you’re a regular, can handle the heat in the kitchen. Or you hate the elitist culture of a no-drop chain gang / simulated race 🤣 when it’s a side wind and thrown into the gutter you certainly find out pretty quick who is there to train or who is there sucking wheels
Andrew Durrant
Can I get a road bike？please。
Ken Evans cycles
Footscray cycling club runs the safest crits, skcc and glenvale have heaps of suicidal riders who take this amateur racing too seriously
I dunno i miss it and I also don't. I miss some of the people in my former road group and the pretentious, elitist wankers...well no, its partly why i started dirt riding. I got disillusioned with the Melbourne scene fairly quickly.
I hear that and can appreciate the sentiment, thanks for sharing 👍
Makes me jealous. Not much of a scene here.
I get better training from the 545 NRR than the Hell Ride. I think it's not a super important institution, more infamous than valuable.
Wrong.
@@_LeeTurner What's wrong for you is right for me. I get better training outcomes from the 5:45 NRR.
@@koshu4 If you're training to race then its the Hell Ride hands down.
So does QLD suck or what???
Nah, it’s great, I wouldn’t want to rub in a QLD tribute though with the freedom and magnificent winter weather. Melbourne people would hate me!
@@CamNicholls we love you mate
@@CamNicholls Ah mate this made me have a laugh. fair enough