Our Club's History

Back in 1993, before the internet made connections easy, Jenny Currie placed a small ad in a cycling magazine to see if anyone else shared her passion for bicycle touring. That ad was the spark that brought the club to life. A year later the Club was incorporated as the Sunshine Coast Bicycle Touring Club. 

Ralph Gibson remembers:

"In the early days, no one was allowed to ride ahead of the leader. Speeds sat around 20–25 km/h, and the routes often wound through the countryside — sometimes even down ravines. Our bikes were pretty basic, from mountain bikes to hybrids, but that didn't matter. It was all about having fun and riding with friends who shared the same passion. As the club grew, stronger riders pushed for more pace, and new groups were formed to match different speeds and levels of experience." 

To support safety and advocacy, members were encouraged to join Bicycle Queensland for insurance, linking the club with a broader cycling community. 

💡 Did you know?

Promotion stepped up a gear with our first business cards, which helped attract new riders. 

Community spirit has always been at the heart of the club.

Robyn Vardy remembers:
"When I first joined in 2007, Saturdays had just two rides — the Easy Riders and the Medium group. Vince usually led the Easy Riders, and it felt like someone got a flat tyre every week. We all stood around watching as Vince patiently showed us how to patch or change a tube — that's how we learned.

The rides drew big groups, and The Spoke Speak newsletter was always full of photos. Vince also started monthly after-ride morning teas and sausage sizzles from his trailer. I helped out sometimes, and it was always great fun.

Another highlight were the Bicycle Queensland tours — eight days of riding through different parts of the state, camping at showgrounds, with a well-earned rest day halfway through. Many of our members joined those adventures over the years." 

💡 Did you know?

• Our first club newsletter 'Spoke Speak' was written by members and printed by local companies. Copies were posted and left at bicycle shops on the Sunshine Coast along with our ride calendar. 
• And of course, who could forget the early jerseys, proudly worn on weekend tours — a symbol of belonging and a shared love of cycling on the Sunshine Coast. Our first Club jersey was designed and worn by members in 2009.

John Stephen and Andrea Davies represented our Club on the Sunshine Coast Cycling Reference Group.

John remembers:

Peter Duffy maintained a list of coffee shops and Ian (Web Master) uploaded cycling maps of the Sunshine Coast to the Club's website. Four rides were offered on Saturday with different average speed options and two on Sunday. 

Some members also enjoyed holiday touring rides interstate and overseas including New Zealand, Thailand, Port Phillip Bay, the North Haven Hub Ride and the Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail. 

Rob Coles led the Buderim Boot Camp that featured, "a navigational odyssey throughout Buderim, up, down, around and through gravel, grass, mud, roads and bikeways, steep steps up, steep steps down, next to lakes, old homes, historic tramways, mansions and shacks." 

And of course, members gave their full support every year to the Cycle of Giving. 

💡 Did you know?

• The acronym A.R.S.E. was created to describe the BBQ get togethers started by Vince. It stands for After Ride Social Event and is still popular today with the help of Helen and Michael Gavigan.
• Sunday rides were rated for their approximate gradient and listed on the ride calendars and distributed via post and bike shops.
•   H1 - Easy      H2 - Undulating       H4 - Brutal 
  

Covid changed things for our club. Rides were local and 

Our story is still unfolding. In September 2025, members voted to embrace a new name: Sunshine Coast Bicycle Club. Over three decades, the club has grown to welcome riders of every level, with daily rides covering all distances and styles — far beyond touring alone.

Today, members enjoy gravel and eBike rides, long Sunday adventures, and shorter spins throughout the week. On Saturdays, riders can choose from seven groups, while our new southern chapter in Golden Beach offers three speed options — Cruisers, Spinners, and Chasers.

With a new name, fresh jerseys and logo on the horizon, and a spirit that's always welcoming, we're pedalling into the future together — and inviting more riders to join the Sunshine Coast Bicycle Club family.