Neighbourhood Guide to Cycling Melbourne
The Neighbourhood Cycling Guide to Naarm – Melbourne is an essential, laidback and practical guide to exploring the city on pedal power.
No lycra? No worries. This is a fun, accessible guidebook for riders of all ages and levels, whether you zoom around the city on your fixie on a daily basis or if it’s been a few years (or decades) since you’ve dusted off your rusty old bicycle. Throughout you’ll find helpful tips and tricks on everything from basic bike repair to cycling etiquette.
Featuring a number of easy-to-navigate itineraries with maps and illustrations, the book is divided into neighbourhood routes, cycling trails and daytrip trails. You'll be cruising down backstreets to get an authentic taste for Collingwood, Richmond, St Kilda and more – the characters, First Nations culture, the history, the best pubs, where to pick up picnic supplies, and what makes each ride unique. If riding on the road is a little daunting then this book might be more your cup of tea, taking you on dedicated bike paths through city bushland and along the bay. Once you’ve finished two-wheeling around Melbourne, jump on the train or pack the bike in the car to check out the daytrip trails in the Bellarine, Lilydale or the Bass Coast.
So get out there and explore Naarm – Melbourne like you’ve never seen it before. As they say, it’s just like riding a bike…
Maps and illustrations by Alex Hotchin.
About the Authors
A travel writer for over 15 years, Trent Holden has co-authored over 50 guidebooks across Australia, Asia, Africa and Europe. This includes the past four editions of Lonely Planet’s Melbourne & Victoria, his hometown and a city he loves like no other. And after completing this cycling book, he’s now adamant there’s no better way to explore Melbourne and its many hidden joys than cruising around on two wheels. A self-described MAMNIL (middle-aged man NOT in lycra), Trent prefers to keep things casual and doesn’t mind a few sneaky beer and burger stops along the ride.
Kate Morgan is a freelance writer and editor who has worked on a number of guidebooks for Lonely Planet, including the Melbourne & Victoria book. Her job has taken her on plenty of adventures across the globe, from cycling Kyoto’s charming streets and slogging it to hilltop temples, to zooming along with the locals in the ultimate bike-lover’s city, Amsterdam. But Melbourne remains one of her favourite cities to explore on two wheels, thanks to its many trails that allow you to see another side of the city. Kate has written two books previously published by Hardie Grant Explore – The Globetrotter’s Guide to Happiness and Destination Wellness.