Back in 1993, before the internet made connections easy, Jenny Currie placed a small ad in the Sunshine Coast Daily to see if anyone else shared her passion for bicycle touring. That ad was the spark that brought the club to life. A year later the Club was incorporated as the Sunshine Coast Bicycle Touring Club. 

Jenny remembers:

For many years I used to print the calendars and newsletters at my work as we had a photocopier. We used to deliver them by hand to every bike shop on the coast. When we progressed into a double sided A4 trifold calendar I used to fold them at home whilst watching TV. I got quite adept at doing the folds while barely looking.

Ralph Gibson remembers:

"I remember in the early days no one was allowed to ride ahead of the leader. We'd sit on about 20–25 km/h, winding through the countryside — sometimes even down ravines. Most of us had pretty basic bikes, mountain or hybrids, though a few had road bikes. It didn't matter what you rode; it was all about having fun and sharing the road with friends who loved the same thing.

All our rides were on Sundays back then, and we rarely rode along the coastal strip. We did a lot of hills instead — many rides went up onto the range. Times were different too. It wasn't unusual for cans or milkshake containers to be thrown at us by motorists. And of course, we didn't have phones with good cameras — if they had cameras at all — so we've got no photos from those early days. But the memories are still strong, and the spirit of those rides lives on." 

To support safety and advocacy, members were encouraged to join Bicycle Queensland or similar for personal insurance, linking the club with a broader cycling community. 

💡 Did you know?

• Promotion stepped up a gear with our first business cards, which helped attract new riders. 
• Ride leaders volunteered to lead rides and ensure members signed onto a ride sheet. This was kept for a year in case of insurance claims.

Community spirit has always been at the heart of the club.

Robyn Vardy remembers:
"When I first joined in 2007, Saturdays had just two rides — the Easy Riders and the Medium group. Vince usually led the Easy Riders, and it felt like someone got a flat tyre every week. We all stood around watching as Vince patiently showed us how to patch or change a tube — that's how we learned.

The rides drew big groups, and The Spoke Speak newsletter was always full of photos. Vince also started monthly after-ride morning teas and sausage sizzles from his trailer. I helped out sometimes, and it was always great fun.

Another highlight were the Bicycle Queensland tours — eight days of riding through different parts of the state, camping at showgrounds, with a well-earned rest day halfway through. Many of our members joined those adventures over the years." 

💡 Did you know?

• Our first club newsletters 'Spoke Speak' were written by members and printed by local companies. Copies were posted and left at bicycle shops on the Sunshine Coast along with our ride calendar. 
• And of course, who could forget the early jerseys, proudly worn on weekend tours — a symbol of belonging and a shared love of cycling on the Sunshine Coast. Our first Club jersey was designed and worn by members in 2004. President Ray Phythian noted in a newsletter, "If you look closely, you can see the reflection of the sun in the water. Pretty Clever Hey!"
• On 21st March 2004, 47 riders participated in the 10th year Anniversary ride to Eudlo, led by Jennie Currie, our foundation member.
• In 2007, the Club had 149 members and 7 business sponsors.
• Fifteen members still enjoy riding today with the Club.
• The Suncoast Cycling Alliance work was formally recognised through:
  • A regional award for contributions to sustainable transport and community advocacy on the Sunshine Coast.
  • Nomination for a national Australian Bicycling Achievement Award (hosted by the Cycling Promotion Fund), acknowledging the Alliance's impact on cycling promotion and infrastructure development.
  • Personal nomination for a national award recognising individual contribution to cycling advocacy.

Peter Duffy maintained a list of coffee shops and Ian Jope (WebMaster) uploaded these lists and cycling maps of the Sunshine Coast to the Club's website. Four rides were offered on Saturday with different average speed options and two ride options on Sunday. Members could check who was riding on Saturday via the website.

Some members also enjoyed personal holiday touring rides interstate and overseas including New Zealand, Thailand, Port Phillip Bay, the North Haven Hub Ride and the Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail. 

Rob Coles led the Buderim Boot Camp that featured, "a navigational odyssey throughout Buderim, up, down, around and through gravel, grass, mud, roads and bikeways, steep steps up, steep steps down, next to lakes, old homes, historic tramways, mansions and shacks." 

The Kenilworth Winter Getaway was also a Club favourite enjoyed for 11 years by many members. And of course, members gave their full support every year to the Cycle of Giving.

Paul Glass remembers:

On a Sunday MTB ride in 2013, my bike (much to my fellow riders' amusement) was purchased on eBay for 99c. I had to drive to Cooroy to pick it up. It made it to the top of the hill overlooking the Mary Valley. The rIde organiser was Pat Farmer and was a well-known member of the Club at the time and regularly led Sunday MTB rides.

💡 Did you know?

• The acronym A.R.S.E. was created to describe the BBQ get togethers started by Vince. It stands for After Ride Social Event and is still popular today with the help of Helen and Michael Gavigan.
• Sunday rides were rated for their approximate gradient and listed on the ride calendars and distributed via post and bike shops.
•   H1 - Easy      H2 - Undulating       H4 - Brutal 
  

Michael Jacobson remembers:

"2020 was a challenging period for the Queensland community as the state government placed restrictions on the distance people could travel from where they lived. Sports events were cancelled, and Club organised rides had to be cancelled for several months to meet the requirements placed by Queensland Health Department. 

During the lock-down period Club members were reminded not to ride in a group wearing a Club shirt. Some found this challenging. When rides commenced again the Club had to ensure members followed the Return to Cycling plan developed by the Club to meet the guidelines. A challenging time for all which is now behind us."

In 2024 and 2025, members, friends and family enjoyed the Esk Camp and Jam music festival. Noel Wood organised the weekend with 3 rides on offer followed by music for the rest of the day. In March 2026, Noel will be running the Esk camp and rides again. 

We launched our new website in 2024, and members moved to a modern calendar featuring its own app for mobile users. Our newsletters are now emailed to members.  

Our story is still unfolding. In September 2025, members voted to embrace a new name: Sunshine Coast Bicycle Club Inc. Over three decades, the club has grown to welcome riders of every level, with daily rides covering all distances and styles — far beyond touring alone.

Today, members enjoy gravel and eBike rides, long Sunday adventures, and shorter spins throughout the week. On Saturdays, riders can choose from seven groups, while our new southern chapter in Golden Beach offers three speed and distance options — Cruisers, Spinners, and Chasers.

With a new name, fresh jerseys and logo, and a spirit that's always welcoming, we're pedalling into the future together — and inviting more riders to join our Sunshine Coast Bicycle Club community.

💡 Did you know?

• Since 2024, our Club's insurance does not require members to register for Club rides. Members use WhatsApp to let others know if they are riding, especially if there's inclement weather.