Our Club's History
🌞 A Club Born on the Sunshine Coast
In 1993, a small group of riders with a passion for touring came together to form the Sunshine Coast Bicycle Touring Club. What began as a handful of friends pedalling through rolling hinterland hills has grown into a thriving community of almost 300 members.
📅 Milestones Through the Years
1993 - 1999: Starting the Journey
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.
As the group grew, so did its traditions. One of the most memorable was the After Ride Social Event (A.R.S.E.), held on the first Saturday of each month — a chance for members to relax, laugh, and build friendships off the bike.
Technology began to play its part too. Our first website was created and launched by Ian Jope, opening the club to a wider audience. Later, Andrew Hogberg set up a Facebook page, where stories, ride photos, and achievements were shared with fellow cyclists.
To support safety and advocacy, members were encouraged to join Bicycle Queensland for insurance, linking the club with a broader cycling community. Promotion also stepped up a gear with our first business cards, which helped attract new riders.
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.
2000 - 2010: Growing our Community
Community spirit has always been at the heart of the club.
Mary Long and her husband Mal launched the Cycle of Giving Charity Ride in 2004, with strong support from our members, helping raise funds for an important cause.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.
2010 - 2020: Expanding Horizons
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2020 - 2030: Sunshine Scenery & Social Spins
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