If you joined us on Sunday’s Alba Optics x Chainsmith Ride, you already know—it was the kind of morning you wish you could bottle.

Led by Chainsmith’s own Ben, the best of Chainsmith's rIde leaders, and supported by our friends at Alba Optics, the bunch rolled out at a refreshingly civil hour of 7:30am. For Sydney riders, anything after 6am is pro-hours. Greeted by perfect winter sunshine, the crisp conditions proved ideal for pushing pedals. With a route that hugged Sydney’s coastline before looping toward Redfern’s SPOKEN Handmade Bike Show, this was more than a ride—it celebrated bikes, new stories, and the shared views surrounding us.

A Route to Remember

But this ride wasn’t special just because of the scenery (though the ocean views never disappoint). Ben carefully crafted a route that kept even seasoned locals on their toes. More than a few riders admitted they’d never turned down (or up) some of the narrow streets and coastal corners. Even suburbs they knew suddenly looked unfamiliar. It added just enough exploration to keep the ride spicy, while offering recovery spots when the bunch needed to regroup.

As always, finding the balance was key:

“We had one rider say ‘we normally do more hills,’ while another said ‘I was struggling to catch my breath on a climb,’” Ben shared.
“That’s exactly the point—we’re always refining the mix to challenge but not crush, and to give every rider something to enjoy.”

We had at least 30 riders, 3 bunches, and plenty of new faces in the mix—something that made the event even more rewarding. There’s a particular thrill in seeing a bunch form mid-ride, with unfamiliar riders quickly bonding over cadence, climbs, and quiet turns.

Alba Optics: Clarity in Motion

Thanks to Alba Optics, riders had the chance to test ride a range of performance lenses, designed for everything from sunrise sprints to shaded descents. Feedback was glowing, with many commenting on the crystal clarity and lightweight fit—exactly what you want when both the scenery and speed demand full focus.

Of course, no ride is complete without a story or two: one rider lost their sunglasses mid-route (yes, they made it to the SPOKEN show safely), and another claimed the coffee at SPOKEN never tasted better than after 60km of rolling social terrain. On that note, thanks to Nathan at SPOKEN for the complementary Genovese Coffee, we know our sudden influx of riders made a barista's busy morning busier.

Prizes, Stories & The Finish Line at SPOKEN

We were thrilled to give away a few spot prizes for creative and heartfelt ride stories. And while not everyone walked away with a gift, we thank every rider for sharing their moments, laughter, and energy. You made it what it was.

Our final destination, the SPOKEN Handmade Bike Show, could not have offered a better finish—a room filled with beautiful bikes, great coffee, and inspired conversation.

Captured by the Eye of Leo

No ride recap would be complete without a mention of Leo Lopez, whose lens brings every turn, climb, and moment to life. Leo has a rare ability to shoot from the saddle, capturing movement and emotion mid-ride with an eye trained by experience.

Whether it was the early morning light off the coastline, the effort etched into faces on a steep pinch, or the spontaneous mid-ride grins, Leo’s photography tells the story of the day as vividly as the ride itself, and we thank him for it.

For any of riders would like a copy of their image, please send us an email so we can happily arrange it. hello@chainsmith.com.au

From all of us at Chainsmith and Alba, grazie mille. We’ll see you on the next one.