Bang for buck.

Melburn Velo-cultural Weekend

A staggering number of you are coming from EVERY state in Australia and New Zealand to ride this year. Yes, even from the Northern Territory.

To put even more bang in your buck into your time for those coming from far and wide I thought I'd list 10 things you could do as a lead up to your Sunday in Hell. Perhaps out-of-towners can ADOPT A MELBURNIAN for the weekend, or at least on the day to help them along the way.

10. Coffee at Liaison.

Would you believe I have been mistaken for the owner - that's how much time I spend there. Danny and Sian have the fine art of feeding and entertaining in the same gulp down pat. Only open on weekdays so make it top of your list if you are here on Friday.

Where: 22 Ridgway Pl. Look for the red stools out front.

9. Pho on Victoria St, Richmond

In between deals you can score a delicious pho and combination spring rolls for under $10. Thy Thy 2, Ha Long, are my favourites. Victoria street itself might as well be a cobbled sector it's that rough and corrugated.

8. Pubs

Where else can you play pool, pacman and have a parma by the fire? If you are an avid watcher of Offspring you'll recognise the interior. Union Club. Then there is the massive BOGAN burger at the Napier Hotel. Perhaps the best is aptly The Pinnacle in North Fitzroy. google em.

7. The Kinglake loop.

Just a spectacular part of the world to be seen on two wheels. Stop at the Pheasant Creek bakery for a mid ride refuel.

There are many variations but this is one of my favorites. Hurstbridge - via Whittlesea first. Train out to H'Bridge from the city if you want to save your legs for Sunday.

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If you enjoy flat monotony and watching others backsides, Beach road is for you and the other thousands that do it every Saturday. St Kilda to Mordialloc is the standard, only Arthurs Seat will make it memorable.

6. Queen Victoria Market

Food, Glorious Food. Lots of it. Google it.

5. The Corner Hotel/Espy/Tote/Northcote Social Club

Live music has never been my thing so I don't pretend to know. Those who do will tell you that the above venues will cater to most styles in any given week. google it.

4. Salford Lads Club, Port Melbourne

Greg's cafe is a shrine to his loves. Art, bikes, music and food. The Full Northern breakfast is ridiculously good. SipSupreme coffee and check out my unridden Eddy Merckx 7 Eleven team bike gathering dust way up high.

Where: 1 Fennel st, Port

3. Get lost

Ride in any direction for 15 minutes and I'm sure you'll find something to distract you. If you get lost ask for directions or call me.

2. Shifterbikes

You'll probably feel like you've been there - but it's so much better in the flesh. Dan's current and latest studio has to be seen to be believed. Shifterbikes is hosting a Saturday shindig which may involve some magic.

Where: 7 Ellis St, South Yarra.

1. Melburn Roobaix.

It's just around the corner.

Chaz tumblr.

Feel free to add your own suggestions at the bottom. Rides and food go hand in hand.

Never hurts to ask.

INBOX

Hi Andy,

Need to ask a favour....

Myself and a friend are flying over from Tasmania for the Roobaix and are hoping to sleep on someone’s floor for a couple of nights in exchange for maybe a carton of beer, new friendship, immature behaviour and giggles.

Any chance you could put the word out for a kind volunteer to house two Tasmanians?

Riders near the Melburn-Roobaix?? (25th and 26th?)

Totally okay if you can’t. Can backpacker/hostel it if needed.

Would prefer gorgeous brunettes, but any fellow Roobaixer is fine.

Cheers,

John (and Dan)