From Picnic Rides to Mountain Goats: 50 Years of Pedal Power Social Rides
The First “Social” Ride
When Pedal Power began, riding together wasn’t yet a formal program; it was simply what cyclists did for fun. In June 1975, the fledgling group hosted its first “picnic ride” by the lake. Around 30 people came, half by bike, bringing children, food, and plenty of enthusiasm. After lunch, they took a relaxed spin around the lake, attracting “many envious looks from other fresh-air lovers who were car-bound.” The following month’s get-together added a slalom competition, complete with prizes donated by local bike shops and the cheeky observation that the younger contestants excelled over the adults.
By August that year, the first real ride had arrived: a loop of Lake Burley Griffin that covered about 25 kilometres. In early 1976, Pedal Power published its first regular rides calendar, establishing the model for the thriving social ride program we know today.
Mountain Goats in Canberra?
Throughout the late 1970s and 1980s, the club’s ambitions grew. Rides stretched beyond Canberra’s borders, becoming weekend adventures and extended tours. By 1978, members were camping at Sawpit Creek before tackling the climb to Mt Kosciuszko’s summit. The same year saw the birth of the Mountain Goat Ride, a gruelling timed ascent of Red Hill, Mt Ainslie and Black Mountain. “Participants were aptly labelled ‘GOATS,’” one magazine report read, recalling soggy riders clutching rain-spotted checkpoint cards before warming up by a fire. Stuart Nicholl earned the inaugural title of Chief Goat (complete with a symbolic yoghurt prize), and by 1980, Barry Cole had set the record of 26 minutes and 59 seconds for all three peaks.
Through the 1980s and early 1990s, the ride calendar continued to evolve. Members could join overnight tours to Gunning, holiday weekends in Kangaroo Valley, or mid-winter “Christmas” rides to Wombeyan Caves. As president, Annemarie Driver noted in 1993, social riding was booming; that year’s calendar featured nearly twice as many rides as the year before, with a growing mix of easy local rides and adventurous getaways.
Mountain biking also began to make its mark. Early Pedal Power members were among the pioneers of off-road cycling in the ACT, exploring fire trails and bush tracks long before mountain bikes were mainstream. When Pedal Power members founded Canberra Off-Road Cyclists (CORC) in the early 1990s, it signalled how deep that passion had become. Dirt riding has remained part of the club’s DNA ever since.
The Spirit of Pedal Power Always Remains
What’s remarkable is how the spirit of those early rides endures. Every social ride, from an easy coffee cruise to a full-day challenge, is still led by a volunteer member. Leaders decide where to go, what pace to ride, and how to make everyone feel welcome. That combination of freedom and community is a hallmark of Pedal Power’s success. The rides are supported by the club’s central infrastructure, such as insurance, risk management, and calendars, but shaped by the enthusiasm of individual members who simply love to share the joy of cycling.
Half a century on, our social rides remain the heart of Pedal Power. They connect members, build friendships, and keep alive the simple pleasure that started it all: riding together for the fun of it.
Find the Ride That’s Right for You
Choose your perfect ride based on distance, pace, terrain, and experience level using our SOCIAL RIDE GUIDE .
We offer:
Easy to challenging distances
Relaxed to brisk pace
Off-road, shared paths, and on-road routes
Beginner-friendly to advanced skill levels
Trained, accredited volunteers lead all rides, and most include a coffee stop or scenic break.
Need Help Joining a Ride? Here's How It Works
These rides are designed for cyclists with a moderate level of fitness and some experience riding in a group. Each ride is graded by distance, average speed, and overall difficulty to help you find one that matches your ability and preferred riding style.
To join a ride, simply register via the Stack Team App by joining the relevant access group listed in our Ride Guide.
Pedal Power uses the Stack Team App to manage all of our regular social rides (excluding trial rides). Once you’ve joined an access group, you’ll receive ride updates and notifications directly through the app. From there, you can easily register to attend each ride.
Need help getting set up? Click here for instructions on how to join a ride in the Stack Team App.
Try Before You Join
Not a member yet? No worries!
You can join us for two free trial rides before signing up.
Become a Pedal Power member to access our full ride calendar and insurance benefits.
