How is this for a ride description?
Eat your way around the cycleways and backstreets on an almost calorie-neutral bike tour of chocolatiers, gelato manufacturers, specialty shops and patisserie and confectionary wholesalers you never knew existed.
For twenty years now, Bike Marrickville has been running its famous Chocolate and Fine Food Ride at Easter time. Described as an ‘easy’ ride –10 minutes riding, then 10 minutes eating – this food discovery tour of the Inner West has two aims: to promote local businesses and to encourage local shopping by bike.
Thanks to Fiona Campbell, Bike Marrickville member and, of course, Manager of Cycling Strategy at City of Sydney, for filling us in on the backstory of the very popular ride.
Bike Marrickville members study the route to the next destination on the 2024 Chocolate and Fine Food Ride after a stop at Tuga Pastries in Alexandria (Image: Bike Marrickville)
“The Chocolate Ride started in 2005 as a way to demonstrate how people shopping by bike can support Marrickville food businesses,” explains Fiona. “The bike advocates hoped this would strengthen our position with the then Marrickville Council.”
“We have invited councillors and decisions makes in the past. Councillor Jo Haylen came along once!”
The 16km route follows back streets and bike paths and there is a lot of stopping to eat. The itinerary uses the safest possible infrastructure to encourage return visits. It’s always popular - especially with new riders, women and children. And dogs!
The Chocolate and Fine Food Ride is a highlight of the year for Fiona’s Jack Russells (Image: Bike Marrickville)
“We would visit all the businesses beforehand to let them know that our ride would promote their offering. Some owners used to arrange tastings and tell their stories. These sessions always made the ride really memorable!”
Amazing tasting platters were provided by Paesanella Cheese in Marrickville for a pit stop on the 2018 ride (Image: BIKESydney)
“Over the years we got some great media coverage: a piece by food blogger Simon Leong in 2010; an article in Broadsheet in 2014; and two features on a Channel 7 food program – one on the ride and then a follow up with TIM Products, a discovery they loved from the ride. This was great exposure for TIM.”
Riders gathered for free samples at TIM Products back in 2010. The Theotoridis family sells a wide range of Greek biscuits and cakes, such as mini baklava, kourambiedes (almond shortbreads), and honey and orange biscuits from its much-loved Marrickville shop (Image: Simon Food Favourites)
The Chocolate and Fine Food Ride route changes a little every year to reflect the shifting foodie scene in the Inner West.
“Marrickville has seen a lot of development and change over the last twenty years,” says Fiona. “Some of the greats have gone, such as Georgiou’s Confectionary, Casa del Gelato, Abla Patisserie and the Adora Hand Made Chocolate shop on the Cooks River path. Remaining businesses are now mainly clustered in an unpleasant road environment near Sydenham station. At the same time more food specialty shops have opened around the growing network of cycleways from Stanmore to Waterloo and Rosebery.”
The 2014 group outside the now-closed Candlelight Confectionary in Dulwich Hill (Image: Bike Marrickville)
The 2024 route started at Hearthe (by the founder of Black Star Pastry) at Stanmore station and followed cycleways and quiet streets to the Nut Shop Factory in Waterloo, Black Star Pastry, Wholefoods House, Gelato Messina and Tenacious Bakery in Rosebery. The group then rode along Confectioners Way near the former Sweetacres confectionary factory, and on through Alexandria stopping at Tuga Pastries and at two fromageries (one vegan) and Hakiki Turkish Ice Cream in Newtown.
The route for the 2024 Chocolate and Fine Food Ride. It can be downloaded from Ride GPS (Image: Bike Marrickville)
If that sounds good, sign up for the 2025 edition on 5th April! Keep an eye on Bike Marrickville’s Facebook page for details.
“To be honest, maybe the ride isn’t really calorie-neutral, but it’s lots of fun and very tasty,” says Fiona. “It would be great to have a whole network of chocolate and fine food rides across NSW, to motivate more people to ride, shop by bike, and win shopkeepers’ favour.”
Colourful street art remains a constant feature of bike rides in ever-changing Marrickville (Image: BIKESydney)
About Bike Marrickville
Bike Marrickville is a local Bicycle User Group (BUG), established in 1991, affiliated with Bicycle NSW. Bike Marrickville works with the Inner West Bicycle Coalition, Inner West Council and state government for the improvement of cycling infrastructure, urban amenity, community health and safety. Membres also provide information, advice and rides for members of the local community and schools.
Keep an eye on Bike Marrickville’s Facebook page for details of the 2025 Chocolate and Fine Food Ride.
Would you like to join a BUG?
Bicycle NSW supports a state-wide network of affiliated local Bicycle User Groups (BUGs). BUGs organise inclusive recreational rides and promote bicycle riding for fitness, recreation, transport, and social engagement.
Many BUGs are also deeply committed to bicycle advocacy. Alongside their jobs and family commitments, BUG members can be found working closely with governments and decision makers to campaign for improved infrastructure for bike riding.
“We are incredibly grateful to the many BUG members who contribute countless hours as volunteers,” says Bicycle NSW CEO Peter McLean. “Their detailed knowledge of local conditions really amplifies our advocacy to make NSW better for all bike riders.”
Head here to find out how to become a member of your local BUG or set up a new group, and read some great stories about BUGs from across the state.
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