Club Rides
Join the RATS Club Rides: Your Adventure Starts Here!
Whether you’re just starting out or ready to push your limits, the RATS Cycling Club has a regular ride group for you. We offer a supportive, fun, and social environment across a variety of distances and speed levels.
Participation Requirements
To ensure the safety and coverage of all riders, all participants must have AusCycling insurance. This is typically obtained through membership of RATS or any other AusCycling affiliated club.
Club Members: Members of RATS or another AusCycling club with relevant insurance are welcome.
Not a Member? A free 4-week trial membership is available directly from membership page. We encourage you to become a full RATS member afterwards!
Our Regular Weekly Rides
We currently host three regular ride groups per week to cater to different interests and skill levels.
| Ride Group | Schedule | Focus | Suitability |
| Saturday Morning Social Ride | Every Saturday morning | Social pace, skill development, and diverse trails. | All levels, from entry-level to advanced. |
| RATS Chicks Ride | Sunday or Saturday afternoon (see schedule) | Fun, supportive, social-paced mountain biking for women. | Ladies of all levels. |
| Advanced/E-Bike Ride | Saturday afternoon | Faster pace for advanced riders or e-bikers. | Experienced and faster riders only. |
Saturday Morning Social Ride (All Welcome!)
This is a cornerstone benefit of being a RATS member, and we welcome members from other AusCycling clubs too! The Social Ride caters to everyone, including entry-level riders and juniors.
Schedule & Logistics
Start Times: 7:30 am (cooler months) | 7:00 am (hotter months).
Duration: Approximately 3 hours (15 – 25 km).
Structure: The group maintains contact at every trail junction, ensuring no one gets lost or left behind. A sweep rider is always present.
Support: Ride leaders provide trail knowledge and riding tips throughout the ride.
Monthly Locations
The schedule generally rotates each month starting with the first Saturday:
Week One: Daisy Hill
Week Two: Scribbly Gums
Week Three: Somewhere in the Redlands
Week Four/Five: Away Ride
Guidance for New & Beginner Riders
Beginner Focus: The FIRST and SECOND Saturdays of the month are new rider accessible and the locations are easier.
Initial Ride: Beginners are strongly requested to attend their initial ride on the first or second Saturday. We try to have accredited riders available, but it’s a challenge every week.
Fitness Requirement: While social, mountain biking is physically demanding. A medium level of fitness is required at a minimum.
Prior Experience: You must have ridden single track in the forest previously.
Non-Members: If using a trial membership, please arrive a minimum of 15 minutes before the start time to sign in.
Contact & Information
Questions: Non-club members can confirm ride details and ask questions on the RATS Cycling Club Facebook page.
Non-Facebook Users: For the Saturday Social, you can contact Pat McKay at 0409 171 268.
Junior Riders
Riders under 17 years old must be accompanied by a responsible adult (parent or family friend) for the ride. RATS is a family-friendly club, and we are happy to discuss alternative arrangements for continuing junior riders once you join the club.
Sunday Afternoon RATS Chicks Ride (Ladies Only)
With more than one-third of RATS members being female, our RATS Chicks rides offer an active, thriving, and supportive community for ladies of all skill levels.
What We Offer
A social-paced mountain bike ride in a fun and encouraging environment.
Plenty of experienced riders to provide encouragement and tips.
The group maintains contact at each trail junction.
Schedule & Logistics
Start Times: 3:00 pm (warmer months) | 2:00 pm (cooler months).
Duration: Approximately two hours (average 10-12 km/hr pace).
Attending: Please respond to the event on the RATSChicks Ride Facebook event page. You can also just turn up, but please arrive in plenty of time to sign in.
Who Can Come?
All Women Welcome: Open to all women, including those from the trans community who identify as female.
Teens: Older teens (15-17) are welcome with a guardian.
Prior Experience: We highly recommend you have some experience riding single track in the forest.
Absolute Beginners: Please start with our dedicated P-Plate Ride (see schedule below).
RATS Chicks Ride Schedule (Note: Subject to change, check Facebook weekly)
| Week | Location/Focus | Description |
| Week ONE (Sunday) | Roaming Away Ride | We venture further afield (e.g., Bunya, Gap Creek, Nerang). Difficulty varies, noted in the event. |
| Week TWO (Sunday) | Daisy Hill | Regular green/blue trails. Starts near the Fo Guang Shan Chung Tian Temple. |
| Week THREE (Saturday) | EXTRA: Hidden Vale | A faster-paced, longer ride (approx. 3 hours at 13-14 km/hr). Not for beginners. |
| Week THREE (Sunday) | P-Plate Ride | Slower pace on green trails at Scribbly Gums/Redlands Track Park. Perfect for newbies and less experienced riders. |
| Week FOUR (Sunday) | Bayview Conservation Park | Regular green/blue trails. Starts from the second entry on Kidd St. |
| Week FIVE (Sunday) | Scribbly Gums Alternate | Alternate entry/trails at Redlands Track Park, tackling trails at our usual pace. |
Calling Experienced Riders!
Interested in becoming a RATS Chicks Ride Leader? We need contributors for our 10+ monthly positions. Please message us via Facebook Messenger or email president@ratscc.com.au.
General Club Ride Information
What to Bring:
Mountain Bike: In good working order (Hybrids are not suitable).
Helmet: Meeting Australian Standards.
Spares & Tools: Basic tool kit, Allen keys, pump, spare tube and tyre levers (even if you need help fitting it, bring the right size!).
Supplies: Sufficient food, water, and sunscreen for the ride duration.
During the Ride:
Check-Out: If you must leave early, LET THE RIDE LEADER or SWEEP RIDER KNOW.
Trail Respect: Respect the policies of the land managers: do not make or use unauthorized trails.
Difficulty: All social rides are social. Group contact is maintained at every junction. Remember, it is still mountain biking, and a medium level of fitness and prior single-track experience is required.
Further Resources
Our ride leaders follow a documented guide. The Social Ride Handbook is available
Other Rides & Communication
Ad Hoc Rides: Other club rides may be arranged and will be posted on our RATS Events Calendar.
Want More? If you have a group wanting more rides, let us know, and we can look to advertise them as a weekly option!