SKCC Newsletter March 2026 EditionSKCC.COM.AU ABN 32 704 382 157 A00 382 31V |
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MARCH MADNESSA fantastic month for SKCC. Our International Women’s Day Ride drew an outstanding turnout — a real reflection of the inclusive and safe culture we’re building here for all genders. On the inter-club front, I’ve been connecting with presidents from Hawthorn, Coburg, and Brunswick clubs, sharing ideas on membership, programming, and governance. I’m pleased to have proposed a networking function in April to formalise these conversations — more details coming soon. AusCycling Special General Meeting: Members may be aware that an AusCycling Special General Meeting (SGM) has been called following a formal request from clubs across the country. While four motions were originally proposed, only one will proceed to a vote at the SGM. This reflects ongoing conversations within the national cycling community about governance and the relationship between AusCycling and its affiliated clubs. SKCC will have several Board members attending to represent our club and membership at the meeting. We’ll report back with a full update afterwards. If you have questions or views you’d like us to take into the room, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Member Celebrations: Huge congratulations to Sam Bradbury and Dave Fairburn on representing SKCC at Track Nationals in Brisbane, and to our 3 Peaks ambassadors who flew the flag at one of Australia’s most iconic cycling events. We’re incredibly proud of you all. Ride Leaders: A big thank you to Robin (Moriac), Trevor (Boulevard), and Alison (new Veloway bridge) for taking members off the beaten path this month. If you haven’t joined one of these alternate routes, give one a go! Congratulations to the 7 new Ride Leaders who completed the practical component of the AUS Cyling course over the weekend. We look forward to joining them on rides soon. Quick Updates
Thank you to everyone who makes this club what it is. Juliet Cooper |
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TRACK MASTERS
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| March was the track masters’ nationals, and the best riders descended on Brisbane to pit their strength, speed, and skills against each other. SKCC was represented again by Dave Fairburn and Samantha Bradbury. This was Dave’s 10th Nationals campaign, whilst Samantha was backing it up for her second. Both Dave and Samantha had signed up for numerous events over the week. Dave commented that he was up against some strong competition, including world champions. He started well with the fastest time in the individual pursuit qualifying, but couldn’t quite match it in the gold medal final to come second. Dave then managed a silver and bronze in the scratch race and Kierin before finding his form in the points race to take gold. Samantha, on the other hand, decided it was time to take on some enduro events as well as sprints. This was a full program over the course of the week and tested her resilience and strength. It started with the time trial and team sprints. She picked up gold in the time trial, including a new national record, and second in the team sprint. She rejoined her world championship team to take part in this, and they beat their national record in the final but fell agonisingly short to come in second. Next up were the team and individual pursuits, and Samantha was able to pick up gold medals in each of these, including a national record for the individual pursuit. Samantha then went in for the sprints and went toe to toe with her teammate from Castlemaine in Emma Jackson. The racing was so fierce and close that there was even a dead heat in one of the rounds. Finally, there was the scratch race and the Kierin. Samantha managed another first in the scratch race and a second in the Kierin. Overall, Samantha finished with four golds, three silvers, and two national records. Samantha commented that she loved the vibe and the support at the event. She wanted to single out Dave for his support and pacing strategies for the pursuits as this got her both gold and national records. Well done to both Dave and Samantha on their tremendous efforts and for flying the flag for the St Kilda Cycling Club at the National Track Masters. Will G. |
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY – CELEBRATING OUR CLUB MEMBERS!
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| On a beautiful Wednesday morning, our St Kilda women (and men) turned out for our inaugural SKCC International Women’s Day ride. A record turnout headed to Black Rock and back. Gaelene Snelling, Christine (Ripke) Donnan, and Liz Georgeson joined us for coffee to chat about the early days of SKCC’s Women’s community. Hearing about how St Kilda became a destination for women riders, inclusive of all abilities, including paracycling athletes, was informative. The ladies shared their passion for supporting. Grass roots to pro riders with their development from new to riding through to grade A crit racing. Current members are reaping the rewards of the previous members breaking down barriers. Sarah D. |
3 PEAKS – PEAKS CHALLENGE
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| Peaks Challenge 2026 has been run and ridden. All the months of preparation, the long time in the saddle going up and down all the hills around Melbourne, plus the countless trips to the high country, had prepared the intrepid SKCC riders for what awaited them. For those who haven’t done the ride, it starts and finishes at Falls Creek. In between there are climbs up Tawonga Gap, Mt Hotham, and Falls Creek. It is 235km long, and you have 4400m of elevation along the way. You are given 13 hours to complete this ride, but you get a special jersey if you finish in less than 10.We started in the clouds for a misty descent. Thankfully, this cleared quickly and made for a safe descent. The Tawonga climb arrived first and is a taste of things to come. It’s a good opportunity to test the legs and make sure everything is ok. After the climb is a quick descent to Germantown, rolling turns to Harrietville, and then the beast that is the Hotham climb. This year, the last 10km of the climb was done in the clouds and with visibility down to 100m. If you get through that, then lunch awaits you at Dinner Plain. Then it’s the long descent to Omeo (which includes 500m of climbing) before rolling into Anglers Rest. This is the last real opportunity to refuel and restock before the final climb of Falls Creek. You turn off the main road and head towards Falls Creek and hope that the legs don’t go Bang! The back of falls starts with a 15% ramp and averages about 10% for the first 10km. It’s not great on fresh legs and can be impossible on tired legs. However, a Coke awaits you at Trapyard Gap, and the finish line is almost in sight. David Kenny made mention that Back of Falls was a grind but an incredible feeling to be rolling back into Falls Creek at the end of a huge day. Christopher Deane called it an epic adventure. The conditions in 2026 enabled faster than normal times. Thank you to the SKCC wave leaders who straddled 8-, 9-, 10-, and 11-hour pacing, and congratulations to all the SKCC members who completed the ride. It’s a big day out and one that you come with plenty of stories. If you ever thought about doing the ride, then have a chat with the “Peaker’s” that completed this year or one of the wave leaders. We’re sure to sign you up for 2027! Will G. |
Riding Beyond Beach Road!
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| We heard you want more variety and intermediate challenges—and we are delivering exactly that under blue skies. • The 3 Boulies (40km | 475m elevation): A classic inner-city leg-burner! We tackled the curves of the Yarra, Kew, and Ivanhoe boulevards for some perfect Sunday climbing. • Moriac–Lorne–Moriac (105km | 900m elevation): 19 SKCC legends headed west to prove we aren’t just Beach Road specialists. It was a massive day in the saddle and the ultimate warmup for the Otways in May. Save the date!
18 April: Welcome our New Members (details to follow). We’re trialing a fresh social ride designed specifically to help our newest members swap stories and goals over a post-ride brew. Robin G. |
COMING UPSaturday 4 April 2026: Club Ride: 3 Boulies Summer Saturdays. Sunday 12 April 2026: Club Ride: Monthly ride in the Nongs. Sunday 12 April 2026: Women’s Handicap Race; Geelong Surfcoast Cycling Club. Saturday 18 April 2026: Club Ride: New Members Brunch and Ride. Saturday 18 April 2026: Northern Combine Autumn Cycling Classic Saturday 2nd May 2026: Great Ocean Road and Otway Classic |