As Melbourne rolls into November, the city’s cycling scene is buzzing with energy.
In the latest podcast episode, Christophe Mallet and Grace Brown welcome Mark Augier from the Hawthorn Cycling Club to chat about the club’s long history, its role in nurturing local riders, and the sense of community that keeps Melbourne’s cycling culture thriving.
They discuss how clubs like Hawthorn offer a welcoming space for cyclists of all levels to learn, train, and connect. Mark shares personal stories about encouraging his son to get involved, while Grace highlights efforts to grow women’s participation through events like the Hanging Rock Handicap, a women-only race designed to boost inclusion and develop talent.
The team also explore the idea of “coopetition,” where Melbourne clubs balance friendly rivalry with collaboration to strengthen the sport as a whole. From gravel events like the Apple Crumble Crit to the vital role of velodromes in developing young riders.
