Bicycle Network: Bicycle Network Victoria Membership

Alex McLean was a keen bike rider, and a dedicated Bicycle Network Victoria Member.

A cycling enthusiast from the age of 11, Alex’s love of bikes began when we started riding to school.  This passion continued throughout his life, cycling everyday from his home in Black Rock.

Not satisfied with riding in the local area, Alex embarked on many long rides.  Among his feats were Surfers to Noosa in 1994, the Great Victorian Bike Ride - River to River 1988 and Yarrawonga to Melbourne in 1989, the Easter Bike Ride in 1990, and rides in South Australia, the Summit to Sydney, Bundaberg to Brisbane, Mudgee to Sydney and the Blue Mountains to Holbrook.

By far his longest journey was in 1999 when Alex, at 68 years of age, rode solo from Melbourne to the Gold Coast.  After spending two months organising his trip (including mailing clothes ahead so he could travel light) he departed Broadmeadows on 18 March. 

This 1800km trip took him just over 3 weeks of riding, covering either 80kms a day or eight hours – which ever came first.  Starting each day at dawn, the part Alex found the most difficult was not the long distances or steep hills, but the road surfaces.  Staying in hotels and country pubs along the way Alex met many great people.

After the ride, when asked why he decided to take on such a challenge, Alex said, “because I can and because it was there.  I did it because I wanted to, because I love to ride my bike.”

Alex passed away 3 October 2008, aged 78.