United Energy Around the Bay

Event Info

Did you hear the news?

Hello Albert Park!

Following rider feedback we’ve decided to make the move from Melbourne’s Alexandra Gardens to Albert Park in 2018.

The exciting move means riders riders won’t be dealing with challenging City Road conditions (particularly at the end of the day), while also experiencing less congestion, stunning views over Albert Park Lake, an improved finish line and better access to a new look event village!

Choose your adventure today with all 10 ride options tweaked to fit the new location, situated only three kilometres from the heart of the city.

The Village

Bring friends and family to celebrate your ride at The Village. Pack a picnic blanket, grab your spot on the lawn, and enjoy all the post-ride festivities on offer.

Food trucks

Whether it’s a hot snack or cheeky dessert, it will all be ready and waiting after your ride.

Kids zone

Kids entertainment galore! Make sure you visit the kids zone with face painting, an animal farm and much more.

Spokes bar

Grab your team mates, friends and family, kick back, enjoy the atmosphere and reward yourself with a drink at Spokes bar.

Pump track

Have a crack at a few laps of our pump track with Bicycle Network’s Ride2School team.

Cycling expo

Visit the cycling expo to see hot new products and explore a range of goodies available at a one-off bargain from our 2018 exhibitors. More details coming soon!

2017 Ride guide

The 2017 Ride guide is now available online. Download your copy for everything you need to know about this year’s event.

Download now

Member benefits

Bicycle Network members can take advantage of our free Members Lounge, plus exclusive offers from our event partners and sponsors.

Members Lounge

The Members Lounge is the perfect spot to sit back and relax after the ride. Bring your riding buddy or even the whole family and show them the perks of being a Bicycle Network member.

We’ll have free massages to help you recover and plenty of refreshments.

Show and save

Flash your membership card at The Village and you’ll be able to save on a huge range of exclusive ‘show & save’ offers. There will be plenty of deals on offer on the day, just look for the show and save sign, but for a sneak peek see the drop down boxes below.

To access your membership card online log into your member profile using your Rider ID and email address and click on your ‘Membership Card’.

2XU – 20% off compression products
Santos Tour Down Under – 20% off
BZ optics – 15% off
Great coffee moments – 50c off coffee

Franklin Classic American Hotdogs – 10% off
Bean to Melbourne – 50c off coffee
Hub – 10% off
Winners – 20% off

Membership

Be insured every time you ride for just $9.99/month

Plus priority event entry and some awesome member perks!

Join Now

The Clubhouse

The Clubhouse lets you come together with your team and other riders to celebrate the ride post event. Whether you want to cheer on your team as they come across the finish line or simply enjoy a drink and gourmet food with friends, it’s the perfect way to wrap up your day.

What’s included?

2 x drink vouchers (beer, house wine or soft drink)
Dedicated food truck and a meal voucher
Private bar
Communal tables in a deluxe outdoor setting
Dedicated toilets
Cloak room (available pre-event for bag drop-off)
Exclusive bike parking

Pricing – $95 pp

Entry is restricted to participants over 18 years of age, and must be pre-booked. If you’ve already purchased your entry to United Energy Around the Bay please contact us to secure your spot in The Clubhouse. Bookings close on Friday 28 September.

Buy now

A next level experience

VIPeloton - $80

Our VIPeloton package will take your United Energy Around the Bay experience to the next level with a whole suite of exclusive benefits to help make your preparation and event day be as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Book the experience with your entry at this year's United Energy Around the Bay. If you've already purchased an entry, and would like to become a VIP, please contact us to organise an upgrade.

Priority access

Priority start
VIP car parking at Albert Park
Priority ferry queue
Exclusive first access to our 2019 300km ride

Exclusive benefits

Free class at The Spin Room
Valet on-route
Free photos of you captured along the ride
Your own cycling coach
VIP training ride
20% off merchandise

Food and drink

Meal upgrade
Free drink at the finish line

Enter now

Volunteer

Get involved

United Energy Around the Bay could not be run without the support of so many enthusiastic volunteers.

Each year we have more than 400 wonderful team members who help raise funds for The Smith Family and support more than 10,000 riders who pedal the United Energy Around the Bay.

It you’re interested in volunteering or know someone else who might, please hit the link below and register.

Learn more

transport your gear around the route

Valet service

The valet service is available for all 210km and 250km riders passing through Sorrento or Queenscliff. We’ll transport a small A4 valet envelope for you from the starting line to your lunch stop and back again. Riders with valet will also receive a second satchel to return anything back to the finish line.

Valet allows you to have extra gear, spare tubes, warmer clothes or additional food meet you out on the route.

Valet is also available for purchase at Alexandra Gardens until 5pm, Saturday 7 October.

Cost: $20 (must be paid in advance)

Purchase valet

What's valet used for?

You can use it to carry a fresh kit, extra tubes or a favourite snack. Riders typically use the return service to transport spare tubes they don’t need or warm layers.

How do I drop off my valet satchel?

Valet satchels must be returned to the Bicycle Network marquee at the United Energy Around the Bay Festival by Saturday 7 October at 5pm. At this time the valet items will be transported to their destination.

How do I collect my valet items after I finish?

After the ride on Sunday 8 October, valet satchels will be available from the bag drop area at the United Energy Around the Bay Festival in Melbourne. Please note that there may be a period of time between when riders finish and the valet bags becoming available.

Changes to traffic conditions

To ensure the event is run as smoothly as possible, there will be a number of partial/full road closures and changed traffic conditions that will apply on the day. We will continue to update this site should details change.

Learn More

EventFAQs

Here are the answers to your most common questions.

If your question isn’t in the list, please contact us via our website or call on 1800 639 634

How do I create an account in the new Bicycle Network online portal?

We’ve got a brand new event registration system and want to make your experience as smooth as possible! If it’s your first time visiting the new Bicycle Network online portal (live since October 2018) you can get started with three easy steps below:

Set up your account by submitting your email (username) here
You’ll receive an automated email with prompts to create a password
Log into the Bicycle Network community here with your new username and password and you’ll be ready to enter any upcoming events from the new look online shop!

Is there a minimum age to participate?

20km and 50km rides

These family friendly rides are open to all ages and kids under 12 ride free!

100km rides

Riders must be aged 12yrs or older on the day of the ride and riders under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

135km + rides

Riders must be aged 15yrs or older on the day of the ride.

How do I collect my rider pack?

Riders can opt to collect their pack in the lead up to the event.

Rider pack collection will be run out of the Bicycle Network Melbourne office for two weeks before event day (Monday 24 September until Friday 5 October).

The times and locations of the rider pack collection are listed below.

Where: Bicycle Network Melbourne office, Level 4, 246 Bourke Street Melbourne 3000

When:

Monday 24 September to Wednesday 3 October from 9am – 5pm (excluding Victorian Grand Final long-weekend from the Friday 28 September – Sunday 2 October)
Thursday 4 October from 9am – 7pm
Friday 5 October from 9am – 5pm
Saturday 6 October from 10am – 2pm

Is a jersey included in my entry?

A bonus event jersey is included with all entries to United Energy Around the Bay before the early bird deadline (Friday 27 July). Please note, the bonus jersey offer is not available for kids under 12 taking advantage of the free ticket option.

How do I exchange my jersey?

To swap your jersey for the correct size, please bring your event jersey to Bicycle Network HQ (Level 4, 246 Bourke Street) from 24 Sep – 5 Oct. Sizes are subject to availability.

Where: Bicycle Network Melbourne office, Level 4, 246 Bourke Street Melbourne 3000

When:

Monday 24 September to Wednesday 3 October from 9am – 5pm (excluding Victorian Grand Final long-weekend from the Friday 29 September – Sunday 1 October)
Thursday 4 October to Friday 5 October from 9am – 6:30pm

In order to have your jersey / rider shirt exchanged, you must return it unworn with the original tags in place.

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. You’ll need the following items to take part in the United Energy Around the Bay:

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)

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25 years and counting

Event history

A tshirt from the first ever Around the Bay event in 1993.

While this year’s United Energy Around the Bay will be the first big bike ride for some people, others will saddle up for the 26th.

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.

Legends and honour board

Our 10 legends have ridden every year since the first one in 1993 and have seen the United Energy Around the Bay grow from a local bike ride to a major Melbourne event.