Boycott The Hell Ride?

March 5, 2009 · Comments

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The Hell Ride is iconic to cycling in Melbourne. For those of you reading who don’t know, it’s a popular group ride that starts at 7am on Saturday mornings from a suburb called Black Rock.   Sometimes as many as 200 cyclists will show up and ride approximately 80kms. There’s a couple of challenging parts to the ride, but nothing too testing if you’re decently fit.  That said, the sprint finish at the end can definitely get pretty sketchy.  Apparently the Hell Ride had its beginning in 1984 when some VFL footballers began a weekly ride from Black Rock to Mt Eliza and back – reviving an older tradition known as the Frankston Derby.  If anyone else can provide some more detail to the history of the Hell Ride I’d be very interested in hearing it.  I’ve heard that back in the day John Kennedy would note down the final sprint results and submit them to the newspaper the following day!

There’s a lot of controversy over this ride.  Because of the group size, red lights are regularly run and quite often both lanes of the road will be filled up with cyclists 6 abreast.  It’s not hard to see why it gets a bad name.   The media has labeled the people who do it “The Hell Riders” (as if it’s a gang of hooligan cyclist terrorizing the streets every Saturday).  This has gone so far now that Cyclosport Victoria (abbr. CSV – our state governing cycling body) has issued a formal statement urging all cyclists not to participate in the Hell Ride.  Many clubs have now passed on this statement to nearly every cyclist who races in Victoria.   CSV has threatened sanctions to rule breaking cyclists’ licenses if proven that they’ve breached road rules.   I understand their position here as they are the ones who have to stand up for us cyclists when we lobby for road permits and cyclists rights.  They are asking this of us for our own good. How on Earth will CSV have any credibility and be taken seriously if we keep on riding in the Hell Ride like we do?

However, the Hell Ride is not going away.  It’s numbers may die down for a while but it’ll rise again.  The Hell Ride is not something tangible that you can just ban.   It’s is part of a tradition in Melbourne cycling and is a tourist destination for many visiting cyclists.  Many Australian PRO cyclists got their start doing the Hell Ride.  When I first moved here I thought it was the coolest thing on earth riding beside half a dozen Pro Tour riders (I still think it’s pretty cool).  In the end, it’s basically a weekly social gathering of  a large group of serious cyclists doing what we love.  It can also be seen as a stepping stone for beginner cyclists making the leap to a big bunch ride to test out their legs. I think it’s a great thing. On a cold winter day when the group is under 50 riders it is completely safe and everyone rides responsibly. It’s those sunny summer mornings when the group gets to 200 is when things go ballistic.  Riders run red lights, ride 6 abreast, overtake cars that can’t get through, ride on sidewalks.  It’s absolutely nuts!   I’ve seen the sprint finish use up all 4 lanes of the road at times and oncoming traffic comes to a halt.  I just sit back and shake my head.

The behavior of the hell ride needs to come from examples set within the bunch. Everyone I speak to is absolutely embarrassed by the behavior of some of the others during the ride.  95% are good and there are a few bad ones who ruin it.  This responsibility to be a jackass seems to rotate depending on who’s there.   When some of the stupid behavior is initiated by some of the strongest riders and some PROs in the bunch, this just perpetuates through to the riders who are easily influenced. These PROs need to be setting the benchmark for the others.  If Team Management were to see some of these PRO riders’ behavior on this ride, they’ve be fired on the spot (not Gerro though…he’s cool).

In the end, I think it’s up to the riders themselves to put the pressure on the others who are making the rest of us look like a bunch of idiots. These are the people who are hurting cycling’s image and the reputation of the ride itself. Maybe the answer is for the cyclists themselves to ban offending riders. Even though many of these cyclists who break the road rules are our friends or may be a PRO, have some balls and say something to stick up for your sport. This isn’t a popularity contest and we’re no longer in high school.

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  • Sam
    I did the Hell Ride this morning. And I do Tuesday /Thursday North Road almost every week. I consider myslef a rider who follows the law and can use common sense to prevail over bunch mentality.

    For what it's worth, the behavior I observed in the bunch was fine, and absolutely no different to the NRR.

    The reason I bring this up, is to to point out that perhaps the attitudes of those cyclists who have behaved poorly in the past have changed or are changing.

    I think both motorists and cyclists alike need to stop using the hell ride as a scape goat, because I have have seen as bad (and far worse riding) in various different bunches and locations in Melbourne.

    I know this topic was posted sometme ago, but I wanted it to be heard, so we can all stop making miss informed comments from a distance.

    I'm not saying the Hell Ride is a stand up example of cycling behavior now, but rather an observation you may all be pleased to hear that as stated above perhaps those "idiots" are now curbing their inclinations to do wrong (albeit less often).
  • Sorry Sam

    Now the weather is changing for the better, the dills in the Hell Ride are back.
    Same old antics, take over both lanes and pass each other in the oncoming traffic lane.

    Time for the police to have a blitz and get rid of the Hell Ride forever
  • Jim Connell
    And the website below is a ripper

    http://web.aanet.com.au/beach/hell%20ride.htm
  • This web site sums up the Hell & Pack Riders
  • clancy
    ok basically as much has been said the more committed, smarter, stronger riders ride the 6am north road bunch and during the colder months doesnt attract much over a group of 50 cyclists and even during the warmer months there isnt much trouble at all. this is because it is civilised, this is because most of the people who do it are experianced and know what they are doing. the hell ride on the other hand is an open ride waiting for disaster to happen. as a regular rider of both their is alot of differences. gone in the hell ride is the civility and incomes stupidity. alot of people who ride the hell ride are absolute idiots who are trying to prove they can make it with the big boys. boycott the hell ride? no it isnt going to work because it is a tradition and it is the few idiots that ruin it for everyone.
  • Mike Goldie
    We are in different times so my comments relating to the 60's has little to do with today however as a young rider out with the pros and older amateurs we WERE regulated & castigated by the more experienced if we made unsafe or sudden movements. HunkidOry is correct about the North Rd ride and the need for leadership if you must do the Hell Ride. I am told that Robert Crow a highly respected man and champion cyclist did address riders regarding safety but was he listened to or did his comments fall on deaf ears.
    If I were coaching a young kid with ability I would instruct him to stay away from The Hell Ride but from what I see young guys get quite a buzz from mixing it with older guys on this ride.

    I doubt this ride will stop irrespective of our views or drum beating but if those who MUST do it can regulate the riders then at least others will see you taking some self action, which is what I am told Robert crow tried to achieve.

    Just ride safely.
  • Hunkid0ry
    Mike Goldie & John Fox are right on the money. Wades original post mentioned the roots of this ride & the traditions that started it. I am sure that they were based on the values of the VFL players; good sportsmanship, comradery & gentlemanly behaviour. Not the oneupmanship & showpony grandstanding shown by many on this ride. John Fox's post relates the blaring obvious, if this sort of behaviour continues on this ride "The Hell Ride will destroy Beach Road cycling". The Nth Rd ride regulates & castigates the wrongdoers amongst us, the same should apply to the core/experienced regulars on the Hell ride. If you want the ride not to damage cyclings image, then look at the image that you are projecting thru your participation in it & your silence when the JackAss behaviour is tolerated as the norm.
  • Tony R
    Personally I found it much more rewarding getting my arse wiped by Brad B and the boys on the Saturday morning Hill ride.
    Learnt more ( how to avoid Kangaroo's? ) got stronger and fitter, and NO IDIOTS.

    Now I am in New Zealand, I just have to avoid the sheep

    Hell is not for everyone, amen.
  • John Fox
    I read with great interest all of your comments and make the following observations.

    I have witnessed the hell ride recently and was very, very embarassed at the behaviour of the Hell ride cyclist. Both racer and Novice.

    What I saw;

    Two complete South bound lanes wide from Black rock to Frankston, thats 15 + cyclists wide, NO car could over take the bunch.
    Regularly the riders at the rear went onto the wrong side of the road.
    At lights, riders jumped up onto the footpath to gain a better position.
    At one set of lights the bunch was 4 lanes wide. Yes 4 lanes.
    Cars made illegal manouveres to get past the bunch, between Mordi and Olivers and placed the rider at risk.
    Some idiot rider took a drink at 55 klm and dropped his biddon, my god it was close to a bunch crash.
    Riders went around the traffic islands on the wrong side of the road.
    Riders road around in circles at traffic lights whilst waiting for the green, using 2 lanes and then abused the motorists.
    130+ riders on this day is 100 tooooo many.
    Riders swung out without looking, into gaps in the cars in the right hand lane when the bunch was at full pace. They then drafted the cars.
    One rider cut in front of me after he was dropped with NO handes, then cut across 2 lanes stil with NO Handes over to the mediam strip.
    2 riders cut off a 4wd then did a U turn in front of him and then through a red light.
    These issues where not just the novice cyclists but also the racer.
    SPEAK UP !!

    Many racers ride the hell ride for many reasons, many novices ride the hell ride who think they can race and a racer can pick a novice at the blink of an eye. Racers and Novices don't mix. We have racing clinics to fix this.
    SO SPEAK UP !! Do not tolerate bad ettiquette on the road.
    The hell ride should no longer be considered or tolerated as having bragging rights as people do brag they ride the hell ride. SO WHAT!!!!!
    Bragging rights is to WIN on a Thursday night or a Tuesday at Sandown, not a ride with 100 plus riders then takes up 2.5 lanes to sprint to an imaginary finish line.

    We have clubs for racing Southern, CCCC and others who put on the best and toughest races going around.
    These clubs put in sooo much time for the racing cyclist, you would shudder if you really knew.
    Support your clubs.
    Support your races.
    Re-arrange your training and have controlled groups in pairs of 20 or so.
    We want the clearway established all the way down beach road. If we have one more incident we risk everything.

    FYI Real training does, as pointed out takes part in the Nongs.

    I can tell you that one of my members was verbally abused for training with his wife along Beach rd by a hell rider, why!! He was doing the right thing. The arrogance of the Hell rider has too stop please Guys.
    The complaint file on Beach road is a thick one, hence action is pending.

    Message; Don't be the first to get busted and made an example of by riding the HELL RIDE.
    Its going to happen....change your training and get the NOVICE rider into a club. Oh Yes, Don't yell, TALK to the novice they might be precious.
    Get them into a club.
  • Mr T
    Can't agree more strongly with TJB's last sentence. Sadly the boon in cycling has led to a boon in idiocy amongst a lot of the new riders. While Beach Rd may be bad, the daily work commute is getting worse. Mostly older guys who haven't ridden since they were 12, who should know better; drafting strangers at full speed on bike trails, running reds and almost over lollipop ladies etc. etc.

    I've ridden Beach Rd (both fixed and geared, but not the Hell Ride) and it's a great ride and can be done safely. But on some of the larger groups I've seen guys on flat bar roadies and hybrids trying to keep up with the pack.. it's ridiculous!!
  • TJB
    TC "I did the hell ride on my track bike, no brakes. Perhaps a tad foolish, but it’s not that hard." One idiot amongst the many, and its an attitude like this that drives others.
    I dont care if the Hell Ride is banned or goes on forever. I looked around me at all the die hards when i did it once and once only was enough for me.
    Id prefer to train on Beach Rd with only a few so i achieve what i set out to do, train to the max and prepare for the real races that the clubs put together. (That take a lot of effort to do so we can all race in a safe environment.)
    Mike has nailed it on the head "but if there were another fatality caused by this ride then all in cycling will pay a price so just think of the implications when you have the urge to ride silly"
    It wont affect just this ride, it will affect all cyclists. The shame of it all is that the idiots are becoming a majority, including your bike commuter to work who runs the reds and nearly takes out the lollipop lady.....the minority need to speak up before it becomes too late.
  • Mike Goldie
    I read with interest the various articles and nearly all are balanced in their view. I have been openly critical of this ride for a long time with my name clearly identifying me. As a young amateur I rode the Frankston Derby amateurs and pros. We young blokes thought we were better than a lot of pros and they probably thought we were wankers and were. That was in the 60's. The difference in those groups was that amateur or pro they were all racing cyclist with experience. The Hell Ride is made up off, experienced, weekend riders, strong woodduck etc. The front third to half ride two abreast from there back its 4, 5 or 6 wide at times which is very unsafe.

    Yes Cyclesport Victoria are taking a stronger line and my club Carnegie has always made it's position clear. Yes Carnegie riders still take part despite them knowing the clubs position so the comments about one club I see of no relevance at all. Let's hope there is not, but if there were another fatality caused by this ride then all in cycling will pay a price so just think of the implications when you have the urge to ride silly.

    I do the North Rd rides generally on the slower days and they are very safe. On the hard days when I am out I go ahead of the fast groups. One morning I was later and the fast group came by. The front riders were fine but as they went by the weakers riders who see this ride as their big challenge were all over the shop trying to hold wheels.

    Whatever your standard stick your nose into the wind on Beach rd and you will get a much better workout than sucking wheels thirty riders
    back.

    Just enjoy your riding and ride safe.
  • CT
    there's 2 simple rules

    1. don't ride into the other lane of traffic (never mind oncoming lanes of traffic)
    2. don't run red lights

    Unbelievable that both of these rules are broke time and time again. I understand the mentality. One guy thinks that he'll squeeze into the other traffic lane so he can gain some positions. Then another guy follows, then another. Before you know it you have a whole swarm rolling through using up a whole other lane and there's a million cars backed up behind. Yesterday morning there was a massive crash near Seaford and all the cars following had to come to a grinding halt to avoid running everyone on the ground over.

    The horrible thing about this is after I've stopped for people who have crashed 6 or 7 times in the past, I no longer stop to see if they're alright (unless someone I know). I just keep riding as does everyone else. It's a horrible group mentality.
  • tc
    There is no easy answer.

    Is any cyclist with a bag on their back a courier?

    Is any cyclist on Beach Rd a 'Hell rider'?

    We're all responsible AND accountable for our own actions.

    Real cyclists ride in the hills. Anyone can hold a wheel on a flat road, especially when the pack is 50+ deep. I did the hell ride on my track bike, no brakes. Perhaps a tad foolish, but it's not that hard.
  • Mick
    Sorry Wade, I did the Hell ride today after some two years of swearing off it. Nothing has changed. Many of the riders think they are God's gift to cycling even though they never see the front. They are all over the road too many times and show scant respect for anyone that isn't their best buddy.

    Yes there are many sensible riders as well ... but they hardly need the Hell ride for a work out. Perhaps it would be a more controlled ride if a van with a big mirror motor paced them. Cause for some it's just the look and who can see them.
  • SM
    Smaller bunches are a simple and effective solution. Why not a 6:50 7:10 & 7:20 Hell Ride?
  • Dave C
    I think there's a direct correlation to the size of the bunch too. There's a sense of anonymity you get riding in a large bunch. That and the "safety in numbers" feeling plus the testosterone/adrenaline leads to this errant behaviour. You could say the same of the Nth Road Ride too.

    Perhaps the only solution is smaller bunches?
  • James
    There is a simple outcome here that we all have to appreciate, if the behaviour continues, (as the article points out it can be way out of control) it has to be contolled. Regardless of whether or not we boycott the ride, ultimately cyclists will pay the price for the bad behaviours of some, boycotting this ride may only prolong the control that is coming, as its pointed out that the behavious is not isolated (Thur burbs).

    If the guys that need attention so bad that they openly break the law, they should do so without other riders that choose to abide by it. If that means changing rides, then so be it. Id rather this happen then a threat of us not being able to bunch ride full stop.
  • Dave C
    I've enjoyed the Hell Ride over the years and in the past used it to get back to race form (bunch skills) and also as a form tester. I have great memories of Matt Wilson offering to lead me out for the sprint, riding with Shane Kelly, loads of other pros. Many years back I also made the mistake of stopping at a red light in Frankston on the way back. I called it load and clear with plenty of time to stop. You should have heard the scream and abuse I got from a "pro" rider as he bolted through stopping pedestrians in their tracks. I think he's a bit older and wiser now so shall remain unnamed.

    But I agree that it's dangerous due to mix of abilities and sheep mentality. I also think there's harder training you can do. And when do you race in a bunch over 100 in Australia anyway?

    I now choose NOT to do the Hell Ride. I'd rather ride the 'Nongs. I do however disagree with telling to boycott it. Sure educate about the dangers and damage to cycling's rep but it's up to the individual to ride it or not and whether or not to break the law.

    Another point re telling off the 5%. I reckon telling people off or indeed giving them advice is and always has been lacking and it's very frustrating. I guess you've gotta back yourself to start dishing out advice or criticising other people's riding. Most people are afraid of the potential conflict. And that is a shame.
  • Brad Davies
    Craig - theory suggests that the best predictor of behaviour is what people did last time, not what they say they will do next time. The history of the Hell Ride suggests that despite your desire that more of you will speak out and `call a spade a shovel' every Saturday morning for however many years it has not happened. And unlikely it will.
  • Craig Johnson
    As an experienced A-grade rider who has ridden the Hell ride regularly throughout my 25 year cycling career I disagree with boycotting the Hell ride. My reason for this position is the fact that I consider myself to be an experienced rider and I am not backward in calling a spade a shovel when it comes to speaking out about poor behaviour in the bunch. If all of us responsilble, experienced riders choose not to participate in this ride, who then will be left to speak up when we see the stupidity of a select few endager the safety of others and the reputation of a sport we love?
    In so saying tho, the responsibility of educating these riders also falls to us who through our experience, age and ability have earned the right to speak up and let it be known that obeying the road rules is not optional. That is all we need to do - if you see it, call it. I garantee there are alot of others thinking it.
  • Dylan
    Tim - I don't think it's worthwhile getting clubs involved but as it has been raised I think it's worth defending them. What TJ says may be true but don't forget that the club you mentioned is one of the biggest if not the biggest in terms of member numbers so it wouldn't surprise me if some of their members are 'idiots'. This club itself has been quite active in warning riders of bad conduct, with specific mention of the Hell Ride. Anyway, clubs don't organise the Hell Ride so why get them involved?

    Like Dave I agree that riders within the Hell Ride should be vocal in "curbing" stupid and unsafe riding. This is probably the best way to keep this ride from getting an even worse reputation.

    For myself I'm happy to let them pass me by and spend more time in the wind and less time being sucked along for a free ride. If I want to get along Beach Rd without much effort I'll take the car.
  • Dave
    I agree that responsible riders should stand up and say something to those that step out of line; after all, we are all doing these rides together and we should have a code of conduct to which we adhere.

    However, every time I do say something to an idiot, everyone else stays silent and I get a lot of road-rage abuse for my troubles! Maybe the word needs to get around that we should stand up for each other in these situations and get the bunch rides back under control. Thursday's Tour of the Burbs is getting as ridiculous as the Hell Ride.
  • SM
    Thanks Tim, I suspected as much.
  • SM
    How many people would miss it? I can't boycott a ride that I don't do.

    However I would like to add that I don’t appreciate CSVs approach. What next, ban all bunch rides? How would riders respond if the call went out to can the Nth Rd ride? Personally I’d rather see CSV direct their aggression into lobbying govt’s to raise rider awareness and road safety (ours, not driver’s).
  • Tim
    The clubs Caulfield Carnegie!!!
  • Mr T
    It's hypocritical. We complain when motorists do the wrong thing, but then riders go out and do this?!
  • The Hick
    Wayde i concur with what you say.

    Essentially its up to us all remembering that whether it is right or not, we represent ALL cyclists on the road. It may be unfair to discriminate in such a way, though thats the way it is and we have to deal with it.

    I feel that there are not enough people willing to stand up and confront those who do the wrong thing on this ride and others like it (Thursday Tour de Burbs comes to mind). I agree that the majority do the right thing and object to the actions of a few, but people need to say something. Unless those few get a stiff message from that other 95% of riders that their actions are unacceptable they will continue to do it because they can get away with it without consequence. We all need to take an active part in the sport we love to keep it safe, fun and acceptable within the greater community. This isnt one of those issues where people can say "its not my problem" because if you ride a bike and ride on public roads it is your problem.
  • Jeff
    oh oh....let the club rivalries begin
  • TJ
    There is one club in particular that most of these idiot riders belong to. Obviously not everyone in this club is an idiot rider, but all the idiot riders are part of this club. No need to mention this club name - everyone knows who I'm talking about.
  • Mr T
    It should also be pointed out that during one Hell Ride, an elderly man was hit and killed on a crossing when some riders ran a red light.

    As frame maker, Daryl McCulloch from Llewellyn Bikes says: "If you have something to prove, pay your entry fee and then pin your number on."
  • Brad Davies
    First problem with the Hell Ride is that it's not training. It's the weekly race for people that only ever ride crits and want to be able to tell themselves they are road riders. Second problem with the Hell Ride is that it's not discriminating. Because North Road (another Melbourne bunch ride) is at 6am on a weekday it tends to attract more committed and, more likely, experienced riders. The Hell Ride is a free for all and the massive gap in abilities accentuates the (many) problems. Third problem with the Hell Ride is the fact that you don't have to stay with the group for the hardest part of the ride to be part of the sprint. The natural selection process that you would get in a road race is removed. And the fourth problem with the Hell Ride is that it has a massive PR problem and by supporting it we are only making it easier for people to tar all us `irresponsible cyclists' with the same brush. I have ridden the the Hell Ride many times - the last time about three years ago - and I will never ride it again. I would prefer to train on Saturday mornings.
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