Melburn Roobaix 2025
20 years ago
It was a windy day, and 100 brave souls gathered at Fed Square with no idea what lay ahead of them. I forgot to bring pens, a rider kindly zipped off to Officeworks and returned with boxes of Bic's for all. The Spirit of Roobaix was born.
A haphazard BBQ greeted those who made it to Brunswick Velodrome, with the ingredients sourced from the last checkpoint 'Northcote Plaza'. Even in its most amateurish form - riders demanded we do it 'next year'.
Fast forward two decades - so many incredible things happen during the daylight hours on event day. It blew us away that so many were riding their 'first' Roobaix having just discovered it - and promising to be back for '26 and beyond.
We never imagined the 'cultural icon' it has become, an event that has been deemed by others as the 'best in the world' for celebrating the love of bikes. This was nearly 'the last one'. If it was - it was possibly the best*.
Pavé. Gravel. Mud. Party!
Fresh sectors, liquid sunshine, crazy bikes. Roobaix had it all!
FOOD PITSTOP!
Free Time Beer, Burgers, Pizza, Bagels, Coffee, Taco's, Gelato and more.
Vibes all the way to the Velodrome.
Roller doors were raised, and high fives handed out in celebration of 'the bike party of the year'.
Thank you Brunswick Cycling Club.
The Prizes!
20 YEARS and over $10,000 in prizes to be won just for taking part in the festivities.
Thanks to our sponsors and supporters for making many of these possible, and for you for sticking around the village to win them!
Win your mate a Surly Preamble!
If giving away a Preamble at Early Bird AND Surly Sidequest - Sydney wasn't enough, the final Surly bike to be won meant dropping into Off Course Bike Shop mid ride.
Lachy Troup was the lucky winner - thanks to Surly Australia for making this possible.
Alex Trathen (who I met on last years Great Vic Bike Ride) won the Surly Kaos Keg!
The Sweet Tray!
Just like a meat tray - but sweeter!
Packed with Lil FYXO's favourite sweet treats, a Skingrowsback Plan B saddle bag, Quad Lock stem mount + $100 Gift Certificate.
Congratulations to the FOUR winners!
Knog Care Packs
For the FRONT, BACK and your most precious two wheeled recreation device - Knog lights + the SCOUT Alarm and Bike Tracker for 2!
Knog also have away a HEAP of lights at the Nite Club mid ride.
Best Team
The controversy may have raged, but the Oarsome Foursome got the biggest cheers (according to the decibel reading) and won an amazing experience at FOMO Cinema at East Brunswick Village - an entire cinema of up to 43 humans, to see the film of their choice!
True to their 'oarsome' moniker, the winners have invited The Snails to share the prize with them - plus some people in pyjamas, and the entire Roobaix Event Team.
Don't forget!
Every Roobaixer can enjoy 2 for 1 movies with their vouchers, a FREE pint at Bridge Road Brewers, and a host of other deals to get you back to East Brunswick Village until the end of the month.
Cutest Couple
Old love beat young lust this year. Congrats to the winners who fashioned their Roobaix scarves from 2019 into outerwear - and comiserations to the 'newly weds'.
The winners take home a $200 gift voucher from FYXO to spend at Bridge Road Brewers, Brunswick. Pizza and Beer!
Crazier Contraption
A rocket ship came close - but couldn't blast last years winners away from the Plenty Gorge MTB club with their extended 'bike' - a length of steel and wheels resembling a massive caterpillar.
Another FYXO Kaos Keg for their pool room!
Can it Zwift?!
Proof that just about ANY bike can use the Zwift ONE smart trainer - even my hard rubbish 14 speed MTB worked!
Use the derailleur to initially adjust the chainline, and the Bluetooth Zwift click for virtual shifting.
These lucky ducks took home a Zwift One Smart Trainer AND 12 months of Zwift valued at $1250 each!
Perfect time to watch the Tour de France on the trainer.
The Great(est) Victorian Bike Prize!
One of the highlights of 2024 for me was riding the Great Victorian Bike Ride with my kid, so it was particularly heart warming that the 2 winners will both experience the event with their parents.
Koen (pictured below) and Miriam St George (who also came from Sydney) both won a entry to the event valued at $1250!
The Bicycle Network event has been revamped into a 5 day only option taking in the Great Ocean Road and surrounds in 2025.
If you want to join me this year, don't forget to use code MELBURN100 for nearly $100 off entry.
The Spirit of Roobaix
From one Roobaix legend to another. Once again, Michael 'Makatron' McInerney gifted a framed print of an original artwork - awarded to Shelley McColl aka Lightning McStitch.
Shelley has been Roobaixing 'since forever' and if she's not riding her Seven Titanium MTB over the cobbles - it's because her handmade costume doesn't allow it. Her insta profile photo is from the 2008 Melburn Roobaix, which she rode while pregnant!
Shelley is also co-organiser of Melbourne Frocktails, an annual event which celebrates a community of people making their own clothes. Did I mention she's a Vet who helps animals?!
This print is a fitting prize for the 'Queen of Roobaix'. Chapeau!
The Grand Prize
VAINQUEUR DE MELBURN ROOBAIX 2025
If you tune into FYXO instagram on Friday Night's you'll know how much we love pizza and our pizza oven - so when it came to giving away an even GRANDER PRIZE than 2024, it was a no brainer!
To win, all you had to do was have a complete and correct manifest - be pulled at random from the raffle barrell AND be present at the prize ceremony.
PIZZA TIME!
Congratulations Luke St George who came from Sydney, with his kid to ride - and took home the spoils.
A Gozney ARC XL Pizza oven valued at $1499, a kilo of Caputo flour with Melodie's dough recipe to get your started, and a jar of Mum's Jam.
But wait... there's so much more!
There's a MEGA gallery of 600+ shots to explore.
Thanks to our event photographers for capturing the day.
Tex Walker - Bob Barrett - Marcus Enno - Hunter Blair
The most colourful peloton in the world.
Over 800 bangers from Peter Bongiorno who has been capturing the field in all their glory since 2011.
The 20th Melburn Roobaix was made possible thanks to:
Supported by
With your help - We raised over $5600 for our charity partner
