The Hell Ride , also known as the Hell Dog, is an informal group bicycle training ride that follows the coastline of

Port Phillip Bay Port Phillip ( Kulin: ''Narm-Narm'') or Port Phillip Bay is a horsehead-shaped enclosed bay on the central coast of southern Victoria, Australia. The bay opens into the Bass Strait via a short, narrow channel known as The Rip, and is comple ...

through the south–eastern suburbs of

Melbourne Melbourne ( , ; Boonwurrung language, Boonwurrung/ or ) is the List of Australian capital cities, capital and List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city of the States and territories of Australia, Australian state of Victori ...

Victoria Victoria most commonly refers to: * Queen Victoria (1819–1901), Queen of the United Kingdom and Empress of India * Victoria (state), a state of Australia * Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, a provincial capital * Victoria, Seychelles, the capi ...

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...

. It meets at 7am on Saturdays at the Black Rock clock tower, Black Rock and heads south towards Mount Eliza along Beach Road. The record for the fastest Hell Ride is currently held by Thomas Lombardi (DUDA) and Jimmy Whelan (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team), according to Strava, with a time of 1 hour, 20 minutes, and 43 seconds, set on December 23, 2023. The ride has been widely criticised, particularly after the death of pedestrian James Gould in August, 2006.The Age - Fast, furious, fatal: official eye falls on Hell Ride
/ref> A continuing police presence is now monitoring the weekly ride and has improved the behavior of cyclists and motorists alike. Following the Victorian State Coroner's investigation into the death of Gould, after a cyclist from the Hellride bunch failed to stop at a pedestrian crossing when the traffic light was red and collided with him, a review of the literature on cyclists who ride in large groups or bunches on public roads was commissioned. The research was released by Monash University Accident Research Centre in January 2009. The 2006 fatality, along with other incidents involving cyclists, has led to the introduction of new "culpable cycling" laws by the

Victorian State Government The Victoria State Government, also referred to as the Victorian Government, is the executive government of the Australian state of Victoria. As a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, the State Government was first formed in 1851 when Vic ...

. The Road Legislation Amendment Bill 2009 introduces new penalties for cyclists who cause death or injury in a collision, for failing to stop and render assistance and for "dangerous and careless riding".

References

Cycling in Melbourne Port Phillip Cycling events in Victoria (state) {{melbourne-stub

See also

References