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Our Story

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Milestone Highlights

Timeline of Northern Rivers Cycles events from 2007 to 2024, showing key milestones and expansions.

Origins and Industry Roots (2007–2018)
Northern Rivers Cycles and Bike Hire has its foundations in Cabarita Beach Cycles, established in October 2007 by Jeff Harris. With more than 30 years of cycling experience and over 25 years in bicycle retail, Jeff built a strong reputation on the Tweed Coast for quality products, expert service, and active involvement in the cycling community.
Rachel Dorig, a passionate mountain biker with a background in bookkeeping, management, and marketing, met Jeff nearly a decade ago. While still running her accounting business, Rachel began assisting informally in the bike shop. This partnership grew organically, with Rachel eventually transitioning to work full-time in the cycling business.

Strategic Move to Murwillumbah (2019)
In April 2019, following the announced closure of a local bike shop in Murwillumbah, Jeff and Rachel took a calculated risk to establish Murwillumbah Cycles. Backed by Rachel’s business expertise and Jeff’s cycling industry knowledge, the shop quickly became a trusted hub for both local riders and visitors.
Murwillumbah, with its rich cycling history and scenic routes, proved the perfect location. The pair’s relationship with Specialized Australia strengthened their market position, providing access to premium products and industry support.

Expansion to the South Murwillumbah Railway Station (2021)
By mid-2020, Murwillumbah Cycles had outgrown its Wollumbin Street premises. Jeff and Rachel successfully pitched to the Tweed Shire Council Rail Trail Management Team to relocate to the heritage South Murwillumbah Railway Station platform — a move inspired by their vision to create a combined bike hire and retail hub at the anticipated Northern Rivers Rail Trail trailhead.
They invested heavily in refurbishing and maintaining the platform, including cleaning, landscaping, and restoring public areas. The shop operated seven days a week and became the first local business to nationally advertise the yet-to-open rail trail through Rail Trails Australia.

Pre-Rail Trail Success and Community Engagement (2021–2023)

Before the trail’s official opening, the platform shop was thriving and was supported by a 12-member team. The business offered bike sales, servicing, e-bike and standard bike hire, shuttle services, and community events.

Northern Rivers Cycles actively supported:

  • Tweed Tourism Co., Destination NSW, and Northern Rivers Rail Trail promotions
  • Local events and tourism workshops
  • The Tweed Valley Mountain Bike Riders and junior talent development, including sponsorship of emerging rider Dane Folpp
  • Free bike hire for official rail trail promotional activities

The business also survived major regional floods and COVID-19 disruptions, emerging resilient and financially strong.

Northern Rivers Rail Trail Opening & Tender Process (March–October 2023) 

When the Northern Rivers Rail Trail officially opened in March 2023, our business was already operating at the Murwillumbah trailhead, welcoming both locals and visitors. Later that year, a formal tender process was conducted by council for commercial leases on the station platform.

Although we had invested years in restoring and growing the site, maintaining strong community connections, and submitting a comprehensive proposal that also included plans for a café, the lease was ultimately awarded elsewhere.

This required us to relocate—a highly challenging process that came with costs, rebranding, and the difficult decision to reduce staff numbers. At the time, it was very tough, but in hindsight, the move has proven to be a blessing in disguise.

Relocation to Mooball & Rebranding (December 2023–Present)

In December 2023, operations were relocated to our Mooball premises, initially opened in 2022 as a smaller hire hub. The move prompted a complete rebrand to Northern Rivers Cycles and Bike Hire, supported by a new website and signage — all self-funded.

The local community response was overwhelming, with many customers following us to Mooball. The site has since evolved to include:

  • An expanded hire fleet (e-bikes and standard bikes)
  • Retail and servicing facilities
  • Pedal & Sip Café (operating seasonally)
  • Shuttle services to multiple points along the Rail Trail

Today, we are thriving in Mooball. What once felt like a setback has become an opportunity, positioning us at the very heart of the Rail Trail experience. With the full trail’s completion ahead, Mooball is set to become an even greater centre of attraction, and we are excited to grow alongside it.

Advocacy and Industry Standing

Northern Rivers Cycles and Bike Hire has become a vocal advocate for transparency and fairness in regional tourism development, raising concerns with the NSW Minister for Tourism regarding local business displacement. The company has also engaged with ICAC to review the circumstances of the 2023 tender process.

Looking Forward

With a proven track record in building cycling tourism hubs from the ground up, Northern Rivers Cycles and Bike Hire continues to innovate and expand. Future plans include enhancing the Mooball location as a premier cycling destination, developing corporate and group packages, and continuing to support local cycling culture and events.