A Tweed Ride is a bike ride where a group of cyclists dress in historic and vintage attire. The tradition began in London in the 90s with riders dressing in classic British winter attire and riding through the streets of London. Similar events are now held all around the world.

The Ballarat Tweed Ride has been running since 2012. Join us for our 12th year. The riders take a leisurely pedal or scoot around Ballarat's autumn streets. The pace is relaxed, the company is light-hearted and the route is flat. The complete ride route is 3km long and suitable for riders who are confident at a standard cycling pace.

Spectators and fashion lovers are welcome to see riders off at the ride start, which will begin after a presentation of style award rosettes for the best-dressed riders and participants.

All bikes are welcome on a Tweed Ride but vintage and interesting bikes aren't just welcomed, they are celebrated.

Rosettes are presented for beautiful bikes, dashing outfits and in-the-spirit spectators.

The ride will finish with the Tweed Fair at the cathedral hall, Dawson Street South with a pantomime of The Magic Pudding and a vintage fashion parade.

There will also be a dancefloor, refreshments and sweet treats, handmade bespoke items, vintage fashion stalls, millinery and more.

For full ride details read the Participant Information Pack and FAQs here: https://ballarattweedride.com/whats-coming-up/

The ride route

The ride route for 2024 will begin from the Dawson St Sth via the separated bike and pedestrian path. It will travel west along Sturt St using established bike crossings up to Pleasant St. At Pleasant St, riders will loop along the Northern side of the block and will gather to wait for all participants to catch up. The ride will then travel east along Sturt St, travelling back down the same path, crossing all the same intersections and continuing east along Sturt St to the Ballarat Town Hall for a group photo. Riders will then return along the bike path to Dawson St to complete the ride and join in the Tweed Fair.

Getting dressed up

The dress code for the event leaves lots of room for personal expression. The classic Tweed Ride style is captured in popular culture with costumes from Peaky Blinders and Sherlock Homes. See the Participant Information Pack to read all the categories.

Tweed fabric is not compulsory and participants can get inspiration from many sources.

The colours you will see are many shades of brown with accents of gold, mustard, teal, burgundy, deep green and navy.

The fabrics are tweed, wool, knit, velvet, houndstooth and herringbone.

The clothes are suits, vests, dresses, capes, and boots.

The details are buttons, elbow patches, bow ties, exquisite tailoring, gloves, scarves, patterned socks, cuff links, pearls, and winter hats.

Style awards are given out immediately before the ride commences.

While we will have a more casual approach to our fashion awards and rosettes this year, the usual gender-neutral awards will still be given out to our favourite riders and spectators.

The ride commences at with an acknowledgement of country, style awards, a quick safety briefing and then we ride.

If you would like to be considered for the fashion awards, you should make sure you are present at 11 am when registrations open in order for you to be seen by those looking for the best dressed of the day as you socialise.

Riding with us

Anyone is welcome on the ride but they must book via Eventbrite and be checked off as attending on the day to take part. All participants should be confident enough to ride at a standard relaxed pace, following the road rules expected as we cross from the separated bike path at intersections.

Any bike, trike, scooter, e-bike or unicycle is welcome, using the same guidelines as above. If you're confident riding it in our ride setting, you're welcome to join in.

As we are following all road rules, riders are expected to wear a helmet.

Ride registration provides essential details to cover you for insurance purposes, so booking via Eventbrite is essential.

The Tweed Fair

This year we will have a fair at the cathedral hall on Dawson St South.

Entry in 2024 is FREE

The hall will be open from 11.00 am until 4.00pm

The hall will have food, drink, places to sit, family entertainment, a fashion parade, specialty stalls and more.

11.00 am - Doors open

12.40 pm - The Magic Pudding Pantomime

1.00 pm - Dancefloor

2.00 pm - Vintage Fashion Parade

2.40 pm - The Magic Pudding Pantomime

3.00 pm - Dancefloor