United Energy Around the Bay
Event day preparation
On top of making sure your bike and body are ready to roll, preparation for the big day is easy.
1. Read our FAQs
Take a look at the event FAQs to answer all your questions!
The official United Energy Around the Bay ride guide will be published in September and will have all the information you need to head to the start line feeling prepared.
2. Collect your pack
Rider packs and early bird jerseys can be collected from Albert Park during the week prior to the event.
Stay tuned for pack collection location and times coming soon.
*If you paid for postage you will receive your pack from mid September.
3. Enjoy your ride
Once you’ve read your ride guide and collected your pack, you’re good to go!
Take a moment to think about getting there (there is no event parking at Albert Park or Cunningham Pier, Geelong). We recommend catching a train and riding to warm up your legs.
Getting there
Albert Park
The main event site for United Energy Around the Bay is Albert Park. The area will be buzzing with activity and road closures are in place, so please take a moment to plan your travel arrangements.
There is no car parking available in Albert Park. We recommend using Melbourne’s 24-hour public transport system to nearby railway stations, or parking in nearby areas and warming up your legs with a short ride to Albert Park.
Distance from railway stations
- Prahran Station – 2.7km
- Windsor Station – 3km
- Southern Cross Station – 3.5km
- South Yarra Station – 4km
24-hour car parking facilities nearby
- Ace Parking – 150 Albert Rd, South Melbourne
- Wilson Parking – 517 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
- Wilson Parking – 436 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
- Secure Parking – 417 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
Geelong
We’re bringing back the Geelong start at Cunningham Pier for our 135km ride!
Distance from railway station
- Geelong Station – 800m
24-hour car parking facilities nearby
- Secure Parking – 109 Corio Street, Geelong
- Wilson Parking – 16 Gheringhap Street, Geelong
Transport from Melbourne to Geelong before the ride
A bus will depart from 100 Canterbury Road, Middle Park at 5:15am. Please arrive by 5.00am to begin boarding. The bus will arrive in Geelong by 6:30am.
There will be transport for you, your bike and a small post-ride bag (A4 size). You can use our valet service from Geelong to get your bag sent back to Melbourne.
Please book your spot on the bus when you register to ride, alternatively give us a call on 1800 639 634 or contact us via our website.
Transport from Melbourne to Geelong after the ride
Stay tuned for updates coming soon!
Is there a minimum age to participate?
Family Ride and 50km ride
These family friendly rides are open to all ages and kids 14 and under ride free!
100km and 135km rides
Riders must be 12 or older on the day of the ride. Riders under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a registered rider over the age of 18 at the time of registration.
200km+ rides
Riders must be 15 or older on the day of the ride. Riders under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a registered rider over the age of 18 at the time of registration.
What should I bring?
You want your ride to go as smoothly as possible, so check the weather forecast and prepare your gear the night before. Remember that this is a fully supported ride with mechanics, nutrition and water on route, check your specific ride distance to see what is available at each rest stop and consider taking the following items.
Compulsory
- Helmet
- Event number/wrist band
- Lights – front and rear (compulsory)
Essential
- Sunglasses
- Kit – jersey/knicks/socks/shoes
- Rain jacket/wind vest
- Gloves
- 2 x water bottles
We also suggest that all riders carry:
- Spare tubes/flat repair kit
- Money/eftpos card and myki card
- ID
- Pump
- Mobile phone
- Additional nutrition supplies
- Sunscreen
- House key (recommended even if you are using our bag drop services)
Is a jersey included in my entry?
Enter during Early Bird 1? (ends midnight Sunday 4 June)
A bonus event jersey is included with all early bird 1 entries to United Energy Around the Bay. Please note, the bonus jersey offer is not available for kids taking advantage of the free ticket option.
Enter during Early Bird 2? (ends midnight Sunday 30 July)
A bonus event jersey is included with all early bird 2 entries to United Energy Around the Bay. (Please note, the bonus jersey offer is not available for kids taking advantage of the free ticket option.)
Enter during standing pricing?
Tickets purchased during standard pricing do not include a free jersey, but you can purchase one with your ticket.
300km Jersey?
All 300km riders will receive an exclusive ‘300 club’ jersey with their entry (size subject to availability).
Don’t want a jersey?
During the early bird period, riders can opt-out of receiving the event jersey and we’ll donate its value to a family ride or 50km ride entry to a community group who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to participate. The community group will be selected from initiatives such as Ride2School and Women’s Community.
What is my jersey size?
Classic jersey (included with all early bird entries)
Please use the women’s classic jersey sizing chart or men’s classic jersey sizing chart to confirm your size before purchasing an entry.
300km jersey
Please use the men’s premium fit jersey sizing chart or women’s premium fit jersey sizing chart to confirm your jersey size before purchasing an entry.
Can I transfer my ride entry?
Yes, to transfer your ride entry to another rider please give us a call on 1800 639 634 or contact us via our website. You can also arrange the transfer in person during kit collection.
What are the start times and locations for each ride option?
Location: Aughtie Walk, Albert Park, Melbourne
The Family Ride: 08:45am
50km: 07:45am
100km: 06:45am200km: 06:30am
The Classic: 05:30am
300km: 05:25am
Location: Cunningham Pier, Geelong Waterfront
135km: 07:00am
How can I collect my rider pack?
Book before Sunday 30 July to get your pack in the post. If you have paid for postage, your rider pack will arrive from mid-September.
If you have not paid for postage, you will need to collect your rider pack from:
Albert Park between Monday 2 October and Saturday 7 October
Stay tuned for more details coming soon!
Entries are open until 10am on Saturday 7 October. If you book up until this time you must be able to collect your pack during the pack collection times.
Please note that rider pack collection will not be available on event day.
The Village
The celebrations continue in the event village where you can soak in all those feel-good post-ride vibes with your family, friends or colleagues.
Food trucks
Refuel after your ride with some mouthwatering food truck options. Whether it’s a hot snack or a well-earned dessert, it will all be ready and waiting after your ride.
Kids zone
Packed with entertainment and activities, the hardest thing will be to get the kids to leave. Featuring a live BMX demo, obstacle course, face painters, a colouring wall and so much more, it’s the perfect way to spend an afternoon with your family and friends.
Main bar
Grab your teammates, friends and family, kick back and enjoy the atmosphere with a drink at the main bar.
The Clubhouse (including the Bicycle Network Members Lounge)
Exclusive access to The Clubhouse lets you come together with your team and other riders to celebrate your amazing day on the bike. Whether you want to cheer on your teammates as they come across the finish line or simply enjoy a drink and meal with friends, it’s the perfect place to continue your post-ride celebrations.
The Village Expo
Check out the latest cycling products and explore a range of goods available at exclusive expo prices from our wide range of exhibitors.
We've got your back
Membership
As a Bicycle Network member, you're fully supported every time you ride with our comprehensive riding insurance and Riders’ Rights (legal support). Plus, you'll score 10% off your event entry and a whole lot of other great benefits!
With individual memberships from $11.99/month, join almost 50,000 riders around Australia who ride with complete confidence, knowing we've got your back!
LEARN MORE
The Clubhouse – $65 pp
Purchase a hospitality ticket to The Clubhouse and celebrate your achievements in style with your teammates, friends and family. Let us take care of all the post ride logistics, so you can celebrate a truly memorable day on the bike.
What’s included?
- Exclusive valet bike parking
- Post ride fuel – receive a meal voucher to redeem in the Village.
- Two complimentary drinks at the private bar
- Deluxe lounge seating with heaters and shade
Entry is restricted to participants over 18 years of age and must be pre-booked with your ride entry.
Bicycle Network Member’s lounge
Bicycle Network Members who are joining us on United Energy Around the Bay are invited to take advantage of our valet bike parking, as well as all the comforts of The Clubhouse in the Bicycle Network Member’s Lounge.
The Members Lounge will be open from 11am – 7pm and includes:
- Exclusive valet bike parking (alongside The Clubhouse)
- The Clubhouse access via the Members Lounge – featuring deluxe lounge seating with heaters and shade
- Members are invited to bring a friend to join in the celebrations at the Members Lounge
Become a Member and help us make bike riding easier for everyone!
As a not-for-profit organisation, by becoming a Member and taking on our events you’re also supporting our behaviour change advocacy initiatives to make it easier for everyone to ride a bike, every day.
Learn moreGet involved
Volunteer
Are you bringing friends or family along to the event?
We’re on the lookout for enthusiastic volunteers to help us at the start and finish line at Albert Park, as well as at rest areas and on route.
As part of our event team, all volunteers receive a Bicycle Network uniform while also getting a front row seat to the action! Sound like a good time?
Learn more
29 years and counting
Event history
While United Energy Around the Bay 2023 will be the first big bike ride for some people, others will saddle up for the 29th time!
A lot has happened since the first ambitious bike ride around Port Phillip Bay in 1993, including infamous ferry incidents and testing weather conditions.
See the full history of the event that has become a bike riding rite of passage.
Read more
A tshirt from the first ever Around the Bay event in 1993.
Score a free event jersey (valued at $90) with your entry.
Enter now