Everyone is welcome at the Rainforest & Reef Cycling Club
Local Cycling Club
Rainforest & Reef Cycling Club - formally D.I.R.T. Club - is the local cycling club in the Douglas Shire to represent cyclists in the region.
Angela Johnson, treasurer at the Rainforest & Reef Cycling Club has been a committee member at the cycling club since 2017. She purchased her first mountain bike when she was 35 years old.
“I love cycling, the feeling of being outdoors and the freedom it brings”, she said. “It has a low impact on the body, unless you fall off, and it can keep you in a level of fitness that is healthy and sustainable right into your golden years.”
Ms Johnson is also owner of the Bike Shop in Port Douglas. “Purchasing the bike shop was a stepping stone to being involved in the cycling club”, she said.
“Two years ago I decided to take up road cycling, something I vowed I would never do. I have come to love the convenience of it, as it starts when you ride out the gate, and there is always a group waiting to cheer me on and lift my spirits. I always feel better after a ride.
“The members of the club range from 30 to 80 years in age and I promise you, never trust an old man on a bicycle he will probably outsprint you every time.”
New club format
Ms Johnson explained that the club was originally formed in 2014 and was known as the D.I.R.T Club, which stood for ‘Douglas Integrated Riders and Trail-builders’.
In December 2020, most of Australia’s cycling associations of all disciplines came together to form a single association; AusCycling.
“This was an inspiration for the D.I.R.T Club to reinvent themselves and try to incorporate all these different disciplines”, Ms Johnson said.
“We rounded up additional members to join the committee and changed our name and constitution, and the Rainforest & Reef Cycling Club was born.”
Fun cycling events
The club offers a variety of rides and events with many local riders involved in both mountain biking and road cycling. “From regular rides, weekend events, various races and a social network that can be fun and entertaining whilst keeping fit”, Ms Johnson said.
“We have hosted a number of events, Mt Molloy Dash, which is a club ride starting at Rifle Creek, the mountain bikers ride down the Bump and the Roadies ride down the range. The road cyclists currently hold the trophy for being the fastest down the hill.
“We have also hosted a fun event called the TTTT where the roadies ride up the range, tag their mountain bike partner who then rides down the Bump Track.
“King and Queen of the Beach is an 11 kilometre beach sprint on any bicycle of choice. We hope to organise this event again this year during Carnival, with a few obstacles thrown in for good measure.
“We are extremely excited about the Grand Fondo, which will take place on September 9 and 10 this year. This is an amazing event for Port Douglas to be hosting, it incorporates social riding, criterium racing events and it is just a fun day for the whole family.”
Mountain Bike Skills Park
Ms Johnson said that, for many years, the club has been working on their dream to realise a Mountain Bike Skills Park in Port Douglas.
“The former D.I.R.T Club organised a yearly mountain bike race called the Twin Bridges Tussle. With this race they raised funds to build a Mountain bike Skills Park in the Sports Precinct.
“The Club struggled with motivation and interest, and for a number of years became just a committee of five people, still committed to raising the funds and to fulfill the dream of a Mountain bike Skills Park.
“We were extremely excited when Council incorporated our club activity into the Sports Precinct and we were able to continue our project again. Currently we are seeking the last of our funding needed to complete the project and hopefully this will commence soon.”
Members
“The club currently has just over 50 members and anyone is welcome to join. If you are a road cyclist and just starting out on a road bike, or you are a seasoned rider, we have a group that suits you.
“Rides leave Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning, with a ladies ride on Sunday, organised via a WhatsApp group and available to all members.
“A typical cycling day on a road bike is meeting the group around 6:15am doing a 30-50km ride and enjoying coffee at various local coffee shops after the ride.
“If you are a mountain bike rider we encourage you to join our club and be a part of the local mountain bike WhatsApp group where you can find people with your cycling interests and abilities.
“For more information pop in and see the Bike Shop in Warner Street and they will point you in the right direction.”
Interested in joining the club? Head over to the club’s website or Facebook Page.