I recently spent a weekend in Sydney visiting my daughter and wanted to get in a few rides around greater Sydney. However for a short trip I wanted to travel light and not bother with the hassle of packing up and unpacking and lugging about a bike pod.  After a bit of research on the inter web I found the perfect solution: Livelo - Performance Road Bike Rentals.  This specialist company operates in the major cities in Australia and will deliver to and pick-up from your accommodation (hotel, AirBnB etc) a fully equipped, ready to ride performance road bike.  All you need to do is pack your shoes and flash kit.  You can select from a range of models, (Sydney stocks Colnagos).  To book your bike is easy and can be done all in advance on-line, all you have to do is specify the dates, pick a bike, advise your key bike measurements, helmet size, cleat type, and if you want a Garmin or just the mount, lights etc then the bike is delivered the night before you need it.  The bike arrives standard with two water bottles, a tool kit, tube, and a gas bottle. They throw in a snack bar and an electrolyte powder sachet as well as a  drink shaker for good measure.  I had delivered a COLNAGO CX ZERO DISC (see below) with all the trimmings.   I also downloaded several Sydney ride routes from their web site and uploaded them to my Garmin and off I went - brilliant. Livelo can also put you in touch with local riding groups.

Everything went to plan except the weather.  I spoke to Peter Barnes (pictured left) the founder, when he collected the (not so clean) bike on Sunday. Peter explained they rent performance road bikes and are focussing on delivering a quality product to the serious rider.  So if you are doing a short trip to any of the major cities in Australia Livelo can provide you with a bike hassle free.

Frank Geoghegan