Everything you need to know
Thanks for being part of the 16th edition of the 'Hell of the Northcote'.
Below is a guide to everything and in between about event day.
It'll only take a few minutes to digest the details - some are SUPER important so make a brew and chew slowly.
Thanks!
Andy & Melodie.
Super Important
Event Day Schedule
7:30am | Sunrise
9:00-10:00am | Rider Registration Open
2:00pm | Event Village open
3:30-4:00pm | Prize Ceremony
5:00pm | Sunset
START LOCATION
The registration point / start location is:
Lawn 7 - Royal Park, Brens Rd, Parkville - MAP
GENOVESE COFFEE CART will be at the start serving brews from 8:30am.
How to get there
Closest train stations:
UPFIELD line | Flemington Bridge Station
5mins via Capital City Trail.
MERNDA line | Rushall Station
20mins via Capital City Trail
HURSTBRIDGE line | Westgarth Station
21mins via Capital City Trail
WILLIAMSTOWN line | Closed for Public Holidays
Parking options:
PLEASE DO NOT PARK WITHIN 500M OF BRUNSWICK VELODROME.
Barkly Square Shopping Centre is halfway between start / finish.
Streets OFF the Merri Creek Trail to the north & south would make safe ways to get home post event.
Finish:
Roobaix (Brunswick) Velodrome
Harrison st, Brunswick
MAP
PLEASE DO NOT PARK WITHIN 500M OF BRUNSWICK VELODROME.
Don't forget your ticket!
Physical ticket and/or e-tickets.
Please have your ticket ready to show at the START location.
No ticket.
No rider pack.
Big Sad.
Super helpful
What to bring
We strongly suggest a good sense humour as this event is SERIOUS fun.
Items which may be useful on the day:
- Your bike and helmet.
- A warm jacket.
- Gloves.
- Spare socks (cold feet is zero fun)
- Cash or card.
- Phone.
- Battery bank to recharge phone.
- Bike tools.
- Pump and spare tube(s).
- Bike lock (for long lunch stops)
Is this your first Roobaix?
Welcome!
Roobaix is part scavenger hunt, part car rally - all bike party!
At the start, you'll get a rider pack with your map, manifest (list of questions), and other goodies.
The map is a good ol' fashioned one thanks to Melway.
There is a QR code on the map to give you access to the route on your device(s).
The chillest route is marked on the map to guide you from sector to sector, but you can choose your own adventure, skip one, two or a few, have a long lunch and take a shortcut to the finish. It's a fun ride - you decide your version.
The chillest route is NOT a closed course to other vehicles and you need to consider other road users and road laws at all times.
The route is 36km in distance and links the cities network of bike paths, bike lanes, and of course - cobblestone alleys. This year has more than ever with 5km of pure pavé to bounce over!
Everyone is eligible to to win prizes in the raffle draw. Make sure your manifest is in the PINK barrel by 3.30pm.
The exception is the 'Winner of Melburn Roobaix' may only be won by a complete and correct manifest.
Navigate with ease
Following the chillest route has never been easier.
The route will be available on Strava, RidewithGPS and as a TCX file.
Get a Quad Lock and you can have the route right in front of you, and focus more on the bumpy sectors and cool bikes!
If you want one for event day, use code FYXO20 to save 20% OFF!
The Weather
Whatever it IS - it will be cold.
The START & FINISH locations are grass fields and will be WET from rain, dew or both.
Dress appropriately for the long day outside.
New for 2023
New stuff
Inspired by life.
One of the best bike events I rode in New York was Cranksgiving - a race around the city with supermarkets as checkpoints, a shopping list of items to purchase, and a homeless shelter the finish line. Some riders bought twice as much goods as required, and that feeling of having fun AND doing good made a lasting impact.
This year, if you want to grab an item from THIS LIST or your own pantry - you can donate it at the velodrome and it will go to Food Bank Victoria. There's a few supermarkets on the route, including one not far from the finish.
Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we are already on target to double our initial fundraising goal and hit $5000 - which will provide 10,000 meals. If you'd like to donate, our link is here.
Watch the video to see where your money and food will go.
What should I ride?
Your chosen contraption must be safe to ride and not a hazard to yourself or others.
Beyond that - ride whatever you like!
Road, gravel, singlespeed, tandem, unicycle, MTB, BMX, trike, new school, retro cool, classic, cargo, low rider, tall bike, e-bikes, adaptive, recumbent, super expensive or hard rubbish find. All are welcome.
RE-CYCLING
Matthew from Bikes for Humanity is riding this rig and then donating it to Africa.
If you want fix up a hard rubbish find and do the same, BFH will ship it to Africa at the end of Roobaix.
Velodrome - Event Village
From 2pm onwards at Brunswick Velodrome.
Tell your friends and family to come along, enjoy the spectacle, fill their bellies and play games and have their face painted.
Food
Beat Box Burger - Greek Street Food - Lekker Lekker Frites & Donuts - Brunswick Canteen
Blackhearts & Sparrows Bar
Beer & Wine
Roobaix Merch.
Caps, Tees, Beanies, Socks and Sweats.
Fun stuff
Challenge your friends to a game of cornhole!
Take a turn on a Tern GSD cargo bike from Lug+Carrie.
FREE Face painting for ALL ages.
Bike Wash / Bike Pen
Let the Goon Wash team clean your bike before you leave it in the Bike Pen.
Capture the day forever!
Professional Portraits by Peter Bongiorno - Download yours FREE post event.
Toilets
Available in the Brunswick Club Rooms.
First Aid
St Johns Ambulance will assist for minor injuries
Prizes!
1st across the line.
You win zilch. Zero. It's not a race! SLOW DOWN and enjoy the visual feast.
Genovese COFFEE stops!
There's an extra good reason to stop at the cafe's listed on the route.
Order a coffee and you might win one of 3 Genovese Prize packs!
Prizes for Acts of Awesome
Cutest Couple
Awesome Foursome
Each member gets a QUAD LOCK gift certificate of $100!
Craziest Contraption
Crowd voted, the winner will get a FYXO Kaos Keg and a jar of Mum's Jam.
Prizes to win in the raffle!
High 5 from Blackhearts & Sparrow
5 slabs of Birra Beer is what you hear! Goes perfectly with pizza!
Malto bene!
Handmade Crumpler Bag - M E R C I !
We are making a limited edition run of 50 Crumpler bags for Melburn Roobaix - and ONE will be a prize drawn from the raffle, with a jar of Mum's Jam in there too. Super sweet!
All the bags are Made in Melbourne and come with the Crumpler LIFETIME warranty.
Check out the 4 designs available.
TAC - Be Bold, Be Seen.
What could you buy with a $500 gift certificate at Commuter Cycles.
You could shout yourself a new helmet, lights and something bright!
Thanks to TAC for this amazing prize.
Like a Bosch!
A FREE 3 month subscription to Lug+Carrie. Build a bike now and see what yours could look like.
Winner of Melburn Roobaix
The gold Pavé trophy, handmade by the wizard of wood - Andy Van Bergen.
$1000 cash!
A bottle of cheap champagne.
A jar of Mum's Roobaix Raspberry Jam.
Eternal glory.
Got a question?
Hopefully we have covered everything.
If we haven't - email hello@fyxo.co
Squeaky wheels get the oil!
SUPER DEALS
QUAD LOCK
EYES FRONT!
Take the bumps out of wayfinding and focus on ride with a QUAD LOCK.
Use FYXO20 at checkout for 20% OFF.
LUG + CARRIE
GOOD MOVE.
We've been riding a TERN all this month, including to mark the course for Melburn Roobaix. They're awesome!
All Roobaixer's can get 50% off for the first 2 months of any subscription.
GOOD CYCLES
REAL GOOD.
Get 20% OFF bike servicing &
10% off parts & accessories
No strings or cables attached.
See you very soon.
RIDE SAFE!
