According to Google, Melbourne’s French influence is evident in its architecture, community, and cultural scene. But on the last Sunday of June, one could argue the influence is on its cyclists. For two decades, those with a bike (and a fondness for the abnormal) have chosen to take part in the annual “Melburn Roobaix” – an event that takes notes from the original “Paris Roobaix”.

The similarities are hard to ignore. An arduous course is mapped out by organiser and industry-stalwart Andy White (FYXO – you may know him) – one that traverses mud, gravel, cobblestoned alleys, and puddle-laden backroads. The rain hammers down in harmony with Victoria’s bitter winds. Like Paris, the “Melburn Roobaix” is intentionally designed to make a mockery of dry pants and clean knees.

However, unlike Paris, the Melburn Roobaix doesn’t warrant a discerning taste for endurance cycling. Nor does it require much in the way of robust equipment. Instead, Andy White has created an event that puts greater emphasis on riding with your friends, community, dog, or whatever you so choose. It’s not about what you ride, nor how, but instead that you show up and get stuck in.

Cycling is a sport that takes allcomers and one could argue that there is no better showcase of this than the Melburn Roobaix. Encouraged to dress up, riders took off on the 2025 edition from Fairfield and wove their way through Melbourne’s Inner North. Through tunnels, backyards, up hills, and eventually winding their way to the Brunswick Velodrome – greeted by the allure of fresh prizes, warm food, and the ever present thirst for a hard earned beer.

Knog were stoked to be back sponsoring the event – with a tunnel activation appropriately deemed the “Knog Nightclub”, as well as gifting out a heap of lights at our humble tent in the Velodrome inner-field. We’d like to give a big shout out to Andy White for having us back as a Major Sponsor, and to all of the dirty faces we spoke to, cheered on, or simply spotted rocking a Knog light and/or bell.