| The funny thing about the city is, you'd reckon there are not too many places to ride a MTB and have a heap of fun. But you'd be wrong. It all depends where you go and what gives you kicks. Having rolling races down car parks with your mates is the best fun ever. Do this ride and you'll see what I mean. |
| The city is all about stairs, car parks and people telling you off. People usually tell you off because they are not used to seeing bikes riding around places where people or cars normally go. It's not that we can't ride there, it's just that it looks strange. So the ride I am about to tell you about may get you in a bit of hot water, but at least you're not breaking any rules (mostly)
Start at the top end of town (Spring St) and head down Little Collins St to the car park which is on the right about 100 meters. You can't miss it 'cause it's a big mother. This is the first of many car parks. Climb to the top level and start rolling back down. The trick in rolling races is to find the best line and stay off the brakes. This car park is a pisser because it crosses a little lane half way down the descent - tricky to stay ahead of your mates here - and then takes you down the other half of the car park. The next car park to try is on the corner of Little Collins and Russell - it's just behind a big church. Go to the top of this one and roll back down. It's really technical and has some sharp and hairy corners. Once in front, you'll be hard to pass. Then go to the big car park where Billboards nightclub used to be on Russell, just before Little Bourke St. This is one of our favourites as it has about 10 levels and is pretty fast. Lot's of fun here. Then go to the car park on Latrobe St opposite Melbourne Central - this is the only one where we have been asked to leave and even then there are no signs saying you can't ride in there. It has about 12 levels and is silly fast. Just up Latrobe St a bit further just past Elizabeth St on the right is a cracker of a car park. A bit hard to find, it's fast, with lots of levels and some silly corners. We love this one 'cause there are heaps of passing places. After this go to the Telstra Dome and ride across and past the stadium to the stairs that take you down to Spencer St. They're steep and a great challenge. Then go to the massive car park just across from the old Casino at the World Trade Centre. It's huge with about 17 levels - although not that fast to come down. Next stop, the massive car park on Flinders lane just up from Spencer St - It's the biggest of them all and a great place to race your mates. Last stop is the car park on Flinders St up from Exhibition and but just before Spring. It goes up about 12 levels and has a silly fast descent that I have more than once come a cropper on. Watch the front end on this one - especially if has been raining. The whole ride takes about 1.5 hours and is best done on week nights - at about 7 PM - most of the cars have left by that time. Make sure you bring as many mates as possible - rolling races are more fun the more people you have. Diets |