Working on the chain again!

Emma demonstrates how easy it is to clean your bike's chain. Your bike will reward you with many extra hours of pleasant riding for a small investment of your time and loving attention.

Thanks, Emma. You're a You Tube Star - now for helmet cam.

Carolyn

Keeping Hydrated

Cycling back home last Sunday my thoughts turned to why I felt comfortable when the temperature was nearly 30 deg C. The blue sky beamed above, no, not too many puffy, white clouds up there and the bitumen was a nice shiny black below yet the heat wasn't overwhelming. Then I felt the breeze! What contributes to the wind chill factor to bring on hypothermia can also make a hot day pleasant.

Being an incurable wordaholic I mused about the difference between the terms "ambient temperature" and "apparent temperature". I confess to a life-long interest the science of weather. This addiction began when I did a course in climatology. I will leave it to the Bureau of Meteorology(BOM) to explain all to you. Suffice it to say that the apparent temperature is calculated from the ambient temperature, with humidity and wind taken into account to give you, dear reader, a real idea of the physical comfort/discomfort you might experience in the outdoors should you wish to venture out.

I stopped pedalling, stunned that I could remember this from eons past, and took a drink of water. Oh, another controversy, how much water to imbibe? Well, Sports Medicine Australia comes to the rescue here. In summary, here it is:

"Carry copious supplies of water. Drink around 500 ml before starting your activity, then 200-300 ml every 15 minutes. After completing your activity, drink another 500mL!.

In hot conditions, exercise should be reduced in duration and intensity, or postponed to a more suitable (cooler) time. Alcohol and caffeinated drinks such as tea and coffee increase fluid loss, thus promoting dehydration. They are best avoided before, during and after exercising, until fluid losses have been completely replaced."

Oh, NO ooooooo, no more coffee for me! For those of you who know me, it's ALL ABOUT THE COFFEE!

Then, I started to think about the heat combined with the humidity that we all seem to complain about. (Well, some of us, okay, maybe just one of us ... ). Unfortunately, for this we need to consider WBGT (wot?). Having followed the link, you will know that this is the Wet Bulb Global Temperature, and that it is very useful for athletes training in heat and humidity to work out what the heck to do. If you are a training buff you may like to read the information about this for coaches by Sports Medicine Australia or this similar information from SMA's South Australian branch.

I'm now so confused that if it's hot, I'll just stay indoors! However, if you would like the information about the current weather in Coffs Harbour then you can decide!

Carolyn

Just a laugh

The weather here in Coffs, like most of Australia, has been unseasonably warm lately. It's been "too darn hot" and caused the cancellation/rearrangement of 2 planned events due to "inclement weather". Very wise decisions on the part of both ride leaders.

Here I am sitting in air-conditioned comfort (global warming? I can hardly feel it if I keep my head buried in the sand) as I wait for my new recumbent trike to be assembled. I've been surfing the net (the UV index being far too high for any other kind of surfing) and came across Cyclist 101. Herein is the link.

To whet your appetite, dear reader, I unashamedly plagarise the blog's author, Cycle Dog by copying the following paragraph:

"Never engage recumbent cyclists in conversation about their outlandish machines. They’re referred to as ‘bents’ for good reason. They’ll extol the virtues of their bicycles until your eyes glaze over. You’ll wish that, like a muskrat, you could gnaw off a limb in order to escape. Bent riders are the bicycling equivalents of Moonies. Do not get sucked into the cult."

Cycle Dog also makes some observations that will have regular cyclists sizzling as well. Be warned, you may LOL!

Ironically, my new trike has come all the way from Great Britain. It hails from ICE (Inspired Cycle Engineering). GB has been unseasonably wet, and lots of bridges have crumbled in the ensuing floods. (Quick, where's my shovel, I need to bury myself deeper!)

Oh, and my trike's contribution to global warming?

After leaving GB on the 10th November, it arrived in Honolulu, on the 13th after a brief stopover in Kentucky of just 4 hours. On the 14th November, it found itself in the hands of some charming custom's officers where they were entertained for two days.

I won't even begin to think about the environmental cost of extracting the metals for the frame from their respective ores, the industrial processing needed. The energy cost involved in the manufacture of rubber tyres, the fossil fuels used to produce the seat ... (the media seems to forget that when we run out of crude oil (and therefore petrol) we'll also run out of all the associated byproducts). Now, what are our cycle jerseys made of again? I digress ...

My new TRICE trike is now safe in the hands of bike mechanics who love it and are carefully assembling it for me.

May I be condemned to cycle for all eternity to pay for my environmental sins. Anyone care to join me?

Carolyn

More Cycling "FAILS" from failblog

see more Fail Blog


see more Fail Blog

So, maybe bike paths around here aren't so bad...

see more Fail Blog


see more Fail Blog

Wally and Sue's Adventure Concludes

They did it! Aren't they fabulous! Yahoo, for Wally and Sue. Congratulations, break out the champagne ... o, oh, they already did that ... oh, well, they'll just have to celebrate all over again when they get back to Coffs. They write:

"The BIG ride is finished, we arrived in Carnarvon on Friday and were escorted into town by our son Adam on his scooter and the champagne was flowing that night. All up we covered 3,800km, I suggested we do another 200 but Wally wouldn't be in it - I don't know why. It's nice to be in a house with a bathroom after 2 months, don't have to dig a hole any more.

The best section was Darwin to Broome for scenery, from Broome to Carnarvon some parts of the Pilbara were awesome but a lot was fairly monotonous. We met a few other cyclists but not many. We were waved at and tooted by just about everyone that went by and the road trains were fantastic, always gave us plenty of room when they could. Except for some punctures caused by burrs the bikes had no problems and our legs and bums stood up well. The road surface out here is terrible, stones that are not laid very close together so harder to ride on.

We had a few gruelling days into strong headwinds but overall we were lucky with winds and weather. We are off to Exmouth for a week with Adam on Tuesday staying in comfortable accomodation.

Hope all is well in Coffs, cheers Sue and Wally."

Aren't they just magnificient? I'm over the moon for them both! Carolyn

A winter tandem tour.

These last school holidays Marc and I decided to try and get away on our tandem without the kids for a change. Babysitting, therefore, was required, so to maximise our riding time, we decided on a route that departed from and returned to the grandparents' place in Sydney (particularly because we already had to be in Sydney to watch #2 daughter play at the netball State Age.)

This is what we came up with:

Five days and around 400km, travelling up to through the Central Coast to Newcastle (using a ferry service to take us from Bobbin Head down and over to Patonga.) From Newcastle we rode across to Wollombi through Cessnock, then down through St Albans to Wisemans Ferry on the last night. Rather than take the shortest route back, we took the "scenic" route downriver to Spencer, up to Mangrove Mountain, and down through Peats Ridge to Brooklyn. At this point we used our escape clause of jumping on a train to take us back up to Hornsby - and then hooned the last 7km back to Pennant Hills.

This was the first time we'd done an unsupported tour on the tandem, so beforehand we had an interesting time deciding on essential, and warm, on and off bike gear for the duration. We didn't get round to weighing the panniers, but there wasn't much we didn't use, including our rain jackets and new rain pants. The extra weight we were carrying certainly gave me an eye-opener into just how much weight Wally and Sue would be hauling on their Top End adventure!


This is us about to set off. For more photos, click on the pic above to link to an album of photos I've put up elsewhere, complete with captions which should pretty much give you an overview of the trip. (It won't open in a new window for me, so you might want to read ahead first!)

It's kind of hard to get action riding shots when you're on the one bike! Plus we don't tend to stop much when Marc is in the driver's seat!

In retrospect, some of the routes we chose were great, some not so. (Wouldn't detour via Minmi again - we'd put up with the traffic on the link road. The road to Cessnock wasn't great, with significant hills AND traffic, but there wasn't a lot of choice - we think the alternative might have been steeper.

Favourite parts were the Fernleigh Track in Newcastle, and the Great North Road from Bucketty to St Albans (aside from the freaky downhill bits, and the d***head in a car trying to pass us on a steep uphill pinch!) And we would have enjoyed the road from Wisemans to Spencer more had it not been so damn cold and foggy! But then, where would be the fun in a bike tour if you didn't overcome the challenges of terrain and temperature?!

We're already talking about where we're going to escape to next year!

Tracey

South Arm Road to Bellingen

Emma sent me this beautiful description of paradise. I have her permission to publish it - Carolyn

"Was the most glorious winter's day for a pedal along the picturesque rambling roads though the hills. Those hills hadn't become any smaller since our last visit though, and they still required the appropriate huffing, puffing and hurting to reach the top. As we rode along the South Arm Rd where it follows the Kalang river, the water was perfectly still and became a perfect mirror of the thick riverside forest and brilliant blue winter sky. Yet another a moment cycling provides that makes one glad to be alive."

This ride is not easy - some hills. But well worth it.

Women on Wheels

As you know, I ride a recumbent trike. Before making what some might say was a lunatic decision (I think this myself sometimes when I wonder how I can take my trike on a plane for touring - uprights are sooo easy to pack-up, and so familiar to airlines) I researched carefully.

Terry's Bicycles site was a light-bulb moment for me. Being small in stature, some unkindly have said "hobbit-like" (only friends and family), with kinda short arms and legs, I was fascinated to read about Georgena Terry's exprerience. She started off as a cyclist, became a design engineer to get skills to design a better bike frame for women, and here it is. Unfortunately, I can find no Australian distributor for her bike, but here is a link to a whole bunch of videos around upright bicycle knowledge and her design logic. Enjoy! (And no, I'm not the Carole who is quoted on the link! It's just that great minds think alike.)

This woman's story is inspirational. As a confirmed cynic, I do not use "inspirational" lightly - spinal compression, cancer, thyroid removed, 8 children (only 7 of them by birth, ladies), 58 days across the US by trike, and runs a trike tour company. I need to win Lotto, and go, go, go. And she likes pink! Yes! Lucinda Chandler you rock. What do you think Lucinda might do next .. across the Andes by frog, perhaps? Wow!

Team Estrogen is another great site - although mostly an on-line shop, go to community and learn lots.

Meanwhile, back at home ... some Australian women cyclist's stories.

From Carolyn.

Trike Trio

Just when you thought it was safe to get up off the couch and get back on the bike after the "Tour de France", I present to you Trio de Tricycle. Three "you tube" clips which might just give you minutes of fun.

1. KMX Kart - Stunts (3 minutes). Watch this kid go! Is he any good or what?

2. Greenspeed GT3 on a Downhill Run (about 7 minutes). A bit long but well worth it - listen closely to the punchline at the end. (28mph = 45kph approx.) (Warning: the narrator has a wicked sense of humour that might gross some people out and / or might offend)

3. Combines three of my favourite things - dogs, trikes and the colour pink. It's a slide show - view this and the next 4 for best effect - then it's up to you.

Cheers,
Carolyn

Flykes - Test One Out at Byron Bay

"What is a flyke?" You may well ask this question. But, it's always comforting for me to know there's somebody out there who's willing to try something completely different.

Watch this clip and find out just how fluky a flyke really is. (Scroll down the page to the third video entitled "Hessenschau" East Wind.

The commentary is in German - but you'll have no trouble getting the general gist of the clip. The words "extreme sport" say it all.

If you would like to investigate further, Australia has its own Flyke Flying School (I dare you to say that quickly three times). It is located at Byron Bay, and for a starting cost of $2200 you can give it a go. (Insert legally binding disclaimer here ... the Coffs BUG take no responsibility for any injury, death or misadventure ... yada, yada, ... )

Just don't invite me along, I'll be sticking to my trike with its three wheels planted firmly on the ground.

cheers,

Carolyn

Unicycle Mania

Just when you thought it was safe to hop on your bike - someone comes up with a new idea. Or, is it an old idea, revisited? Anyway, I discovered that even unicycles can be duplicitous - there are trick ones, touring ones (yes, touring) and my goodness only knows what other kinds. The mind boggles, but it looks fun.

It is good to see our youth are off the streets and trick cycling (20" wheels) - even if some of the language is explicit. Be warned, Emma is a lady, but the second one has got street language in it.

Emma's unicycle show

Unicycle championships set to rap (Explicit language).

But wait, there's more, they're off on a tour of India - single wheels strapped to their backs - what size are those wheels (26")?

And now a link to a wheely good website.

Enough!

Happy Cycling to All - whether it be one wheel, or two, or three, or four (yes, four!), be it with / without a small motor ... you get the drift ...

from Carolyn

Synchronised Swimming Has Competition

My son was telling me about the trend to "fixie" bikes among messengers - especially in New York. We leapt onto this conversation from one about Schwalbe "Big Apple" tyres. I needed to know more about fixies - searched the net, and voila, this appeared. Now, how cool is that? From Carolyn

Enthusiastic riders (Northbank 2008)

Brian in seventh heaven

Wally and Sue Sims Great Adventure - Darwin to Carnarvon

Armidale & Coffs BUG dinner 27th June 09

Left - Henry, Lloyd, Robert, Brian & Cheryl
Right - Jan, Jan, Rob, Jean & John

Rob, Judi and Jo

Neville

Jan and Jo

Marion and Ian

Cindy, Leo and Lloyd

Bruce, Chris and Andrew

Sims Top End Adventures

Above is the newspaper clipping of Wally and Sue Sims taken before commencing their big ride from Darwin to Carnarvon on 30th May 09. Also, below is their itinerary.

Slime is good, muck is bad - my experience grows.

Day 1- Coramba to Nana Glen return via Eastbank Rd (about 30km total)

I ride a recumbent trike. I was sold on this concept as soon as I saw a picture of a Greenspeed trike on the net.

When I realised I could take my lounge chair with me, that my bike would cost more than my hubbie's and this would be fitting punishment for the man who had silently nagged me for 12 months to get back on a bike after 20 years. The fact that Greenspeed is an Aussie company was a bonus.

Twelve months down the track, my tyres were looking worn and thin. They were "on order" due any day at my favourite bike shop. My trike needed a good clean, the cogs were covered in muck, but the day was sunny and my favourite ride beckoned. So, I set off - ride today, clean tomorrow. Wrong, wrong, wrong.

I lagged behind, the hills grew steeper, the gears needed much lower than normal. Suffice it to say, the engine of the beast was fine, heart, lungs and legs in good condition but ... the going got slower and tougher.

I told my husband to ride on ahead, I rang Deb, the ride leader, and said "I'm officially off the ride". Fortunately, the riders were to return along the same road as they went out on, so I persisted (I adore this ride) and decided that when I met the group on their return journey, I'd chuck a u-turn and follow them back to the vanilla slices.

Back at the coffee shop, I asked Emma, a criterium rider, who understands coffee, cake and "fair-weather cyclists" like me, for some advice. She had some really helpful tips I'd like to share (I have taken great liberty with Emma's words, she is definitely not quoted verbatim!):

1. Clean cogs are good cogs. Well, I had bought the "all over" wet down, spray-on, scrub-with-special-brush, rinse-off product but it had remained unopened on the shelf. The weather had finally cheered up, and why waste valuable time cleaning? Yuk! The product, whose name actually rhymes with yuk, followed by "off" proved brilliant when I finally got around to using it. Should have known - it was a lovely pink colour after all!

2. Oiled chains are happy chains. Chains shouldn't squeak - well, I knew that but ... oil is so messy.

3. Tyre pressure should be checked before every ride for best performance. At least I'd done this one! Okay, so my husband checks the tyres, but gimme a break ... cut me some slack here.

4. For reduced rolling resistance, tyres should be pumped (just like us) to just below the maximum pressure they can stand. Check the side wall of your tyre for the pressure range of your tyre. If I've remembered right, this should also help to reduce the chances of flats from outside sources (eg glass on road), but does increase the chances of a pinch flat (but this can be controlled by the rider through careful tyre changing - careful and this writer, you might be thinking is an oxymoron).

The trade-off for the increased performance is that you'll feel more of the road's bumps and potholes. (If going over mostly rough ground, decrease your tyre pressure to the lower end of the range).

5. Brakes should be checked to see if they're grabbing by spinning the wheel. A free spinning wheel means the brakes aren't grabbing. The wheel should run "true" and not wobble. If it does wobble, there might be a problem. As I have drum brakes sealed up in a nice, shiny package (well, shiny now), Emma said there might be a problem with the cones. At this, my eyes glazed over, I knew she wasn't having a laugh, she's far too kind for that, but cones? who comes up with a name like that in this age of double-meaning?

Emma said that if it was the cones, then my friendly bike mechanic was the go. I was thinking I'm going to have to clean my bike (trike) really well or the man will break down and cry when he sees it.

So, after coffee and passionfruit tart, we packed up our trikes, and took my Betty Blue home for a good scrub.
Sadly, the faster riders had consumed all the vanilla slices, and happily gone off to do the ride again - after all, it was a beautiful day!

Day 2 - Cruzy Ride around Bonville Valley

Deb, the long-suffering ride leader of the previous day, Robert (my husband) and I wanted an easy ride - Deb's trying to build up the k's for a cycling holiday she's doing O/S - and my trike was cleaned and "good to go" . The wheels spun true and free, and the tyres were pumped as suggested. I took no notice of the bulge which had appeared in the side wall - I knew better but ... it had been so wet for so long, and I only cycle in fair-weather not foul. I had cabin fever bad, and the day was perfect.

The tyre blew, bang! Even calm Deb jumped. I have 16" diameter wheels, the tyres are really hard to get off the rims. An hour, one bent and three broken tyre levers later, a second five-dollar note lining the wheel (see earlier blog), and one of Deb's patches on the outside of the tyre, we limped to the coffee shop. It took the three of us to wrestle the tyre off and on. I kept thinking "there must be a better way".

Which tyre lever?

Question: Why do they come in packs of three?
Answer: For when you inevitably break one!

I've got small hands and they're not getting any stronger, so a set of good levers is vital. I've summarised a forum on "bicycles.net.au":

Yes - Crank bros speedlever (look an interesting design), Zefal, Pedros, "Soma" steel core levers
No - Quik Stik lever (especially on 700c wheels), Conti

Yes/No/Maybe/lots of debate - yellow Michelin (though a favourite in bike shops) one comment was "they just bend" and that's been my experience, too. They are wide and have no spoke hook. The pointy ones (risk of pinching the tube), the metal ones (Brooks).

I wonder where grandma's antique silver got to?

"Nice teaspoons - the old-style ones with a spoon shape (sic), and rounded handles. Put the spoon end in your hand (face down to spread the pressure) and lever the tyre with the handle end." Op shop, here I come.

http://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=13710

Do you need a lever at all?

Some thoughts from the Team Estrogen site.

http://www.teamestrogen.com/content/asa_levers

My new tyres have arrived! (or, Betty Blue gets a new pair of shoes)

I have 3 lovely brand new tyres, all fitted in the bike shop. Ignoring the workshop dog, I pat my new tyres. I sniff the fresh rubber. Okay, I know practice fitting tyres makes perfect but it's so much easier to and they're so good at it. Working on the theory "avoidance is good" I now have top quality tyres with "slime" inserted as recommended by the professionals. The little bit of extra weight is not an issue for me, being stuck out on my own trying to change a tyre is.

Just in case things still go wrong, I keep my mobile phone charged, husband on speed dial, carry two spare tubes (I have a trike, so that covers 66% of the wheels available. Bikes carry one tube, 50% of the wheels available, ok, so you're calling me paranoid, now tell someone who cares), the levers recommended, a pump and a patch kit (just in case), and 2 X $5 notes. They'll be handy if I forget my coffee money, too.

I cheered the workshop person up by saying "I change the tube, I never patch (well, only as a last resort)" when he asked. I said "Do you think I'm crazy?".

He just looked at me with a twinkle in his eye.

How to change a bicycle tyre ... in five easy (sic) steps ...

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/changingbicycletire

P.S. Deb uses pipe cleaners (craft shops) to get in between the cogs - it's like a dental floss for bikes. I use an old toothbrush for the other fiddly bits. The brush sold with the cleaning kit fits neatly in between the cogs, and would work work well for bikes not let get filthy like mine was.

Happy cycling,

Carolyn.

Relaxed Ride on a Sunny Saturday Morning

Coffs Coast residents are fond of saying "just another day in paradise" and this Saturday morning ride certainly proved that!

The Coffs BUG has two regular weekly rides:
1. Thursday morning ride. In the saddle at 7.30am at Howard St near the Racecourse for a 28km (total) ride to Bonville Headland (Sawtell) and return. Easy to Medium ride, some hills. Coffee at Sawtell.
2. Saturday morning ride. Meet at the Yacht Club, Coffs Marina for 5-10km (total) ride to Macauleys Headland, return to the Jetty Marina area, then to Corumbirra Pt, the old quarry, and return for coffee at Yacht Club. Easy ride. Suitable for beginners and those returning from injury or needing rehabilitation (okay, so you're thinking "crazy people who love bikes" - don't they all need rehabilitation?). Think 'global warming' and ponder again, gentle reader.
The beginner's ride is normally led by Robert on his conventional Trek bike.

Bikes (and riders!) of all shapes and sizes are all warmly welcomed by Coffs Bug members as the photos below testify!

A recent Saturday ride had the recumbent riders outnumbering the uprights!

Basia, a beginner rider, who has progressed fabulously and is now doing the Thursday ride, all in a little over 8 weeks happened to have her camera handy, and was gracious enough to leave her mountain-bike on her car rack, and give a trike a go! Basia was able to borrow a KMX-Kart (trike) for the occasion from a generous fellow rider. Basia is in orange T-shirt with stylish flouro yellow safety vest.

Janiece, also a recent beginner, has quickly progressed onto the Thursday ride kept saying "I feel like Dr. Who leading the Daleks!"

The beginner's ride usually has more uprights than recumbents. This particular Saturday was exceptional! Janiece is in blue. Janiece has progressed in confidence over 8 weeks, and lead the ride for us. (There were no new riders). Thankyou, Janiece.

Max, tall and with sun-protection visor on helmet on his Barchetta recumbent bike - I love the orange colour! It just looks fast.

Heath (tall "in black" one with fair hair) was very impressed with his loan of a Cattrike. "Fast, easy to ride, comfy on the behind (ok, so his Mum has cleaned up "behind"!)"

Robert (beard) on a Trisled Gizmo (his own), a sporty trike and Carolyn (your writer, purple top) on her Greenspeed GT3 (series 1), more the limousine kind-of-trike.

Neville (blue shirt) also on an upright.

Thanks to Basia for the photos. Your blogger is Carolyn.

Bargo BUG website link

So, I'm a net junky ... came across some fabulous cycling quotes on the Bargo BUG website. I can't go past Mark Twain's: "Get a bicycle. You will not regret it, if you live." without raising a smile.

The Bargo website has lots of good info.

http://www.bargo.info/barblog/barbug/

The W&S Adventure Continues #5

Fitzroy Crossing, WA (email dated 27 Jun 2009)

Well, our compatriots were not drawn into the quartz seam and never seen again. Instead, they communicate from an alien, and sad-sounding place in our very own Heartland. Herewith your reporter cites:

"Hi! all, here for 2 days, had 3 hard days ride,100km each day, to get here, 2 days into a headwind - but we made it. Getting stronger by the day. Camped the 2nd night out on top of a cliff, the sunrise and sunset were magnificent.

The shops and businesses here are all heavily barred, even the church, and there's a total ban on all takeaway alcohol - a bit sad. Wally left the road yesterday for only 1 metre and pulled 40 burrs out of his tyres, we now have thornproofs in.

Our tent is slowly deteriorating, if it gets any worse we'll just buy another cheap one in Broome. 4 more days riding and we'll be in Broome in a cabin for 4 days - that will be pure luxury. We're staying at a resort c/park where they charge $40 for 2 steak burgers and you have to search for the steak and yet this is a huge beef area.

Happy riding, Sue and Wally"


Aren't they wonderful? I wonder if it is the headwinds or Wally and Sue that are getting stronger day by day. I suspect both.

Their email says it all, so I have left it unedited.

Till next time, happy trails,

Carolyn.

Wally and Sue's Adventure #4 22 Jun 2009

Strange things happen when one gets emails from the twilight zone otherwise known as "the moon" - see the new email from Wally and Sue published below. I have had no end of trouble uploading these photos, even though I've blogged before.

Now, the font choices have disappeared! Grrr ... Why, oh, why? Is there a computer god (make that goddess) that I can pray to? A small offering perhaps? Tyre levers or fresh tubes left at a roadside altar?

The Australian geography lesson continues ..... Wally and Sue's email mentions camping on a quartz seam (doesn't that sound exotic?), so I google "quartz outcrop NT Australia", and up pops China Wall (named after ... you guessed it! ... the Great Wall of ... ) and Hall's Creek. There is even a Caroline Pool close by ... hope they got a picture for my wall ... okay ... so I'm Carolyn not "line", but just don't call me late for coffee ...

From Wally and Sue ...

"Have tried to send some photos, hope it comes out, have no idea what size they'll be - we won't send any more it's too frustrating as we don't really know what we're doing.

We're on schedule at Halls Creek, have done 1300km so far. Some days are hard,lots of uphill, reckon we must be on the moon by now but overall really enjoying it - scenery is fantastic.

Have camped in some funny places - dry river beds, behind trees and on a quartz seam. Meeting some great people, most of whom say good on you, a few reckon we're crazy - but we already know that. Having a rest day today then on to Fitzroy Crossing.

Happy cycling, from Wally and Sue."

Doesn't Sue look ravishing in her Moon Suit? (see below) Dressed as she is for the inhospitable but compelling environment, much like Armstrong on the Moon.



Could the title for the photo be "China Wall" or, "Picnic at Hanging Rock?" perhaps?



We await the return of our intrepid adventurers to find out ... (eek, did you notice that the underlining has mysteriously disappeared?)

I will sign out before I too disappear into cyberspace without explanation.

Carolyn.

(P.S. I tried to publish this 3 times before being successful. I kept getting messages from "HTML" (a minor deity perhaps?) and not being"allowed" ... so finally, like a temple monkey wanting bananas I pressed "delete" as demanded, and magically the highlighted part of the HTML code was deleted!

On the count of three, I was successful ... it's all getting too weird for me. ... I think it has something to do with the downloaded photos and code embedded in the email as sent from our friends in outerspace.

But, regardless, don't those quartz outcrops look marvelous? Hope Wally and Sue didn't climb them ... like some fictional schoolgirls some of us might remember from a 1970's film ... will we hear from them again?

Bike path "hazards"

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/5563986/Cyclists-slow-down-to-avoid-crater-sized-hole.html

Thursday Ride 11th June, 2009

The Thursday Ride

This is a weekly ride of about 28 km and 5 short, steep uphill runs. A coffee stop at Sawtell Surf Club Coffee Shop overlooking the beach at around 9am. Occasionally, the coffee stop is in the main street of Sawtell (First Ave) if weather is poor. Meet at Howard St near Racecourse at 7.30am.

These are some photos of our most recent ride. Contact Coffs Bug for more information. Non-members are welcome to give it a try before joining. Bikes come in all shapes and sizes (just like their riders!)

Photos courtesy of Lloyd. Blog entry by Carolyn.

Wallly and Sue's Excllnt Advent #3 cont

Wally and Sue say good-bye, farewell, adios amigos, so long and thanks for all the fish? (nah ... I added that last one) to Darwin and their friends. Tomorrow, their excellent adventure begins in earnest ... (comment: Carolyn)

Wallly and Sue's Excellent Adventure #3

Last Post from Darwin (Email #4 Friday, 29th May, 2009)

Hi. Hope this works,we are at Jan & Craig's place and will try and attach some photos????

Craig used to live in Grafton and organised bike rides for the BUG's in Grafton.

We leave tomorrow morning and cycle to Adelaide River first stop - 114km, a bit nervous but will be right when we hit the road. Hope your all well and no-one else has fallen off their bike, Wally and Sue.

From Ground Control at Coffs BUG ...

Hope springs eternal - it did work for Wally and Sue! Their photos successfully attached, were emailed then saved by me to file and safely uploaded to blog.

Wow! Who said I was a technophobe? ...... now, where did I put that stylus and clay tablet? .....Carolyn.

Sue and Wally use team work to push their babies around. (comment from Carolyn)

So, now for that geography lesson ... could this be overlooking Fannie Bay, Darwin? ... if it is, it's too good to be true ... glory be to the map makers for with a sense of humour like that they shall inherit the earth. (comment: Carolyn)

Imagine what this scene might have looked like 67 years ago ... (C)

"The (Northern) Territory played a pivotal role in the defence of Australia during the 1930s and 40s with over 250,000 allied defence personnel stationed in the Top End.

"Darwin was first bombed by Japanese fighter planes on 19 February 1942."

"The full extent of the destruction and loss of life was not revealed to the rest of the nation for fear it would undermine public moral."

(from a Media Release Ref: http://www.tourismnt.com.au/nt/nttc/news/media_releases/mr/2006/mr_Mar07_bombing.html)

Sue looks deep in thought - now, which way up does this go? (C)

Wallly and Sue's Excellent Adventure #2

Balmy Darwin (Email #2, Thursday 28th May, 2009)

We had a good start to the holiday by having to be towed out of our driveway by our neighbour as Wally bogged the car in the driveway!

Coffs Coast Advocate (local paper) did a story on us, Jan and Henry have it.

When we got to the airport we were slugged $400 for excess baggage, we will be wiser next time. Then, when we got to Darwin airport, there was no maxi taxi so had to get two taxis - $60 later. We have a week in Darwin now before we start the big ride. It's a lovely 30 degrees Celsius and no humidity. Early photos to follow next mail, Sue and Wally.

Computer Problems at the Library (Email #3, later that same Thursday 28th May, 2009)

Hi. We're not having much luck with these library computers getting pictures out. None of them have picasa and their internal system won't let me download it ....they will only send one picture at a time at full size scheezzz!!!!!

We are leaving Darwin Saturday morning for Adelaide River 100 km south.

So far all is good, it hasn't taken long to get used to the BEAUT WARM DRY CLIMATE!!!!!!!!

Will try and work out something with the photos later.

Regards, Wally & Sue.

Wallly and Sue's Excellent Adventure #1

Our cycling friends, Wally and Sue left for their adventure up North over a month ago. As promised, they have been in contact. I received their first email on the 5th of May.

Wally and Sue are cycling from Darwin To Broome (and then some) in an effort to improve the points score of their Trivia Team in the "Australian History and Geography" category. No, just kidding, but, I am sure they'll learn lots anyhow - they're just that kind of people.

They have two bicycles, trailers for each of their bicycles, a small tent and the bare necessities of life and camping. They take with them lots of skills, much thoughtful preparation and more than a modicum of experience between them. As their first email suggests they both have a fine sense of humour, an absolute must when undertaking such a fine adventure. All these quality ingredients are sure to make the best holiday damper ever. So, good luck, Wally and Sue from Coffs BUG. May the heat from your campfire be just right.

As the darling buds of May have now blossomed and fallen into decay I thought it was time that I left the comfort of my Luddite Zone and learned how to turn their emails into blogs as requested. So here goes ... for Wally and Sue ...

.... and very belatedly entered onto the Coffs BUG Blog by Carolyn ...

Hazardous Bike Path for Wally - Email #1

Something for us to think about as we proceed across the Kimberley?????

Trike Sunday with some BUG friends

A new recumbent trike has joined the group! Robert P. has welcomed his Tri-Sled Gizmo with spinning legs and so much enthusiasm that he has successfully pedalled up Bruxner Park Road once, and cruised down it one and a half times after only six days of ownership. More about the half later.

Robert P. enjoys leading the Saturday Easy Riders from the Yacht Club Car Park at the Marina, Coffs Harbour. This ride starts at 9am and is an easy 10km. Robert usually leads Saturday's ride with his upright Trek bicycle, but the presence of two other recumbent trikes, and two confident upright riders meant he could take his new Gizmo for an easy spin.

The next day saw Robert and some other BUG members at the turn-off to Sealy Lookout on Bruxner Park Rd. The Wedding Bells State Forest tourist drive being closed to vehicular traffic proving too much of a temptation for us. All that bitumen, all that forest grandeur and no cars - ohhh! wow!!

Again two other recumbents joined the throng - Rob's wife, Carolyn on her Greenspeed GT3 Series 1 and Ch. on his carbon fibre two wheeler. Faaast!

Ch. was suitably impressed with Rob's new toy, and his eagle-eyes spotted Carolyn's flat tyre immediately. With Ch's fantastic and speedy tyre changing skills we were away in half the time it would have otherwise taken. We learned from Ch. that a plastic $5 note can be used to line a tyre that has a tear in it. The note stops the tear from pinching the new tube. Thanks, Ch.

After the delay, our patient friends were eager to get going. They generously let Robert seated in his new trike, go screaming along the bitumen and go first down the incline . The cool forest and towering gums dominating the roadside. He could be seen as a small speck way ahead of us, his flag fluttering in the breeze. Pure pleasure. Thanks, guys.

A short time later the group came to a disappointing halt. The wooden bridge which had caused the road to be closed was in a much poorer state than we had thought. Our intention was to carry bikes across. Our friends had said they would give us a hand with the trikes. How generous they are. Although the adventurous Br. easily carried his bike across - balancing on one log is quite tricky - the rest of us were becoming seriously put off by the idea.

To add insult to injury, a mob of trail bikes vroomed down the creek bank, through the cold, leech infested water and out the other side while we stood considering our options. Bless the trail riders' little foot pegs, we wish them well, but just at that moment couldn't one of their bikes have slid out from underneath them? Just a small waiver, just a little wiggle, for us, god, please? No? Darn.

Meanwhile, Br's wife D., still recovering from an injury sustained while skiing, had voted with her feet and was busy cycling up the hill as the rest of us were still trying to figure out how not to be outdone by dirt bikes. Sensibly, we followed D.

What to do next? Where to ride? We'd been cooped up too long - three '1 in 50' year floods in under 6 months has left us with cabin fever and then some. We even considered riding up to Sealy Lookout. Well, it'd be a nice cruisy ride down. Wind in the fur and all that, but where would we get coffee?

Cr. came to the rescue, and suggested that if we didn't mind a short ride along the Pacific Highway we could have coffee at her place. With thoughts of the wonderful downhill run of Bruxner Park Rd - 5 km, curves all the way we set off. Yee ha! Those of us with husbands / partners / spouses present already thinking that we would send our beloveds back to fetch the cars parked at the top to save us the tedious uphill climb at the end of our ride. Who said cyclists don't think ahead?

The team re-assembled at the junction of Bruxner Pk Rd and the Highway. Robert's only complaint about his brand new trike was that his flag kept coming out. His wife of 34 years rolled her eyes to the heavens, said 'I could do a lot with that line' and pedalled away quickly.

Now, for the highway! It has a nice wide shoulder at this point and we were cycling in a group, so 'no worries'. Sadly, what appears to be a slight uphill gradient in a car travelling at 80 km/hr is not perceived as the same slight gradient on a bicycle or recumbent tricycle. The slope seems to be steeper from the latter vantage point - even for those who bring their lounge chairs with them.

Although Carolyn has repeatedly assured her upright companions that people have ridden around Australia on recumbent trikes, at this stage she was getting decidedly puffed and becoming unconvinced by her own words. Her pedals were unexpectedly difficult to turn, the gear necessary much lower than that anticipated when the hill had been first sighted and sized up. As the pedals turned slowly, muscles strained, Carolyn's thoughts turned to stopping to check if there was a problem with her formerly reliable stead. Wasn't a flat tyre enough bad luck for one sunny morning?

But, it was the highway, and perceptions had changed again - what was formerly a wide shoulder for riding became much narrower when stopping was contemplated - and who would help? In her rear view mirror, Robert appeared far behind, battling his new vehicle with old muscle groups newly used. Cycling behind Carolyn was H. Carolyn sensed that H. was having trouble just keeping her balance at such a slow speed. There was no room for Carolyn to let her overtake safely. And putting H. at risk by stopping on this narrow verge was unthinkable. Then Br., D's husband, was sighted in the far distance. He had waited at the point where the group was to turn off the highway. So, ride on, MacDuff! (aka MacCarolyn). Get off the highway, and then check your vehicle.

Unfortunately, while thinking all this, Carolyn sadly missed the allure and safety of the entry to a wide bus bay, designed for the delivery of children to school. You may well be asking "How could she possibly miss that?" Indeed, in reporting this, Carolyn is asking herself the same question. She has no explanation. Her only excuse is she had her eyes on the prize - the turn off the highway and the safety of Br. who has great mechanical aptitude and seems always willing to help even the most foolish, potential road pizza. So, Carolyn sailed down the road shoulder, which had become even narrower, on the wrong side of a 1 metre high concrete road barrier. Aarghh! Grrrrr ...

Finally, the safety of the turn and Br., whose puzzled look meant that Carolyn kept cycling - after all it was now a down hill run - problem solved. Half-way up the next hill Carolyn was pleased to see some of the group stopped, and as her legs were now saying "no way" yet again, Carolyn decided to avail herself of the opportunity and stopped. Cutting this long story short, the rear mud guard had come off its bracket and ensconced itself firmly on the back tyre. Note to self - this arrangement makes an excellent brake. The problem was permanently solved this time with more than a little help from her friends.

Cycling a short distance up hill, down dale and along some good dirt road we arrived at Cr's. Thankyou Cr. for your impromptu hospitality and exquisite views of both the coast and hinterland. After a brief respite, coffee and cake, we were on our way again.

On the way back, the debate became: "To cross or not to cross?" (the highway that is). It was decided that each should choose their own poison. Robert and Carolyn taking up the rear were informed of this by Da. who had kindly waited for us. Carolyn, lured by the siren call of the bus bay, said "let's stay on this side, and cycle against the flow of traffic". Her understanding was that the aforementioned wide shoulder is actually an official cycle way. At least that was the story she was going to spin to any highway patrol officer who happened to pass by. Having made this decision she set off. Along the way she remembered that it was a long weekend with double demerit points, and in NSW, any traffic infringement comes off your driving licence. Hmm... how many points is cycling the wrong way on the highway worth? If, indeed, it was the wrong way .... don't tell me, I do not want to know. It is over, and I got safely back to the beginning of Bruxner Park Road.

What comes down, must go up and after all the 5 km downhill run had been fun. Shortly before Hannaford's Corner, D. was sighted cruising down the hill. A look of pure bliss on her face. Where was her husband Br.? Where was the camera? Yes, Br. was indeed driving the car down, allowing D. a "free" ride all the way down. Wheee ... ! Yahooo ... ! What a good idea! "Robert, would you mind ....... ?"

Unfortunately, in a spirit of true egalitarianism, by the time Robert and Carolyn got to the carpark, Carolyn had decided that a coin toss would be fairer. Why unfortunate? Read on.

Robert won the toss. Carolyn thought briefly of suggesting "Heads I win, tails you lose" but thought this would be unfair. Instead she chose heads and stuck to it. Tails won, and Robert started down the hill, with Carolyn trailing behind.

Carolyn decided to enjoy the drive. A nice, slow 40 km / hr in low gear was 'just the ticket'. This would allow her time to enjoy Paul Kelly (on CD, not in body, if only ... ) and the view out to sea on this beautiful, perfect, sky blue afternoon. Robert was intermittently sited ahead of her as he negotiated the corners. All was right with the world. Blue sky, glimpses of Robert's blue shirt on his new, cobalt blue trike. Magnificient. Five minutes to one, lunch at home.

Come around the bend to Hannaford's Corner. Spy Robert sprawled in the gutter on the wrong side of the road. He's now sitting upright. My first thought is that he is positioned where the driver of a car coming up the hill around the blind corner could not possibly see him. My next thought is "why would anyone choose to sit there?" and "what a silly thing to do". Then, it dawns on me. My heart simultaneously thumps in my chest and leaps into my throat. The trike is on its side, one wheel still spinning. He has had a tumble, taken a fall, stacked his pushie. He looks shaken sitting there in the unmade, dirt gutter apparently unharmed but in harm's way.

I park at Hannaford's Corner - thank god for their wide driveway. I walk up to Robert as calmly as I can. He lies down again from his seated position - he almost falls from sitting to lying if that is possible. He is dizzy. I think heart attack? blood pressure? His pinkie is wounded, bleeding. The fingerless gloves, double layer of long sleeves and helmet have saved him from too much damage but he is still lying in this deadly location.

I ask him if he can stand. He breathes "dizzy" and sort of flops down. I reply with what I hope is a firm, calm voice which does not reveal the terror I feel "You can't stay here. It's too dangerous. You must get off the road." I move his trike the five metres down to the car and open the passenger door. I return for him. Still dizzy, I insist he make the effort to stand and get off the road. Somehow, we get him up. I tell him to lean on me, and surprisingly, he does. He must be feeling really dizzy. Robert is very independent. We get back to the car. He is starting to feel better, and I am beginning to realise that there appears to be no major physical damage done.

I ask him if he wants to go to the hospital. It is Sunday afternoon on a long week-end and we both know the wait in emergency will be long and tedious for what are minor injuries. He says "no, I feel okay" and "I don't think that's necessary". Regardless, I decide to take him to the hospital. I put his trike in the back of the station wagon beside mine. I spend the 15 minute drive convincing him that the wait in emergency will be worth it. "Man of his age should get checked out ... etc etc". He is acquiescent.

In the hospital carpark, we check his helmet again for scratches or signs of damage. There are none. He says he did not hit his head. The triage nurse interviews him, I interject during this with "he's on warfarin". The triage nurse nods, and it dawns on me that of course this is significant. It is used to poison rats. It causes them to haemorrhage internally, they bleed to death from the inside out. In humans, warfarin is used to increase the time it takes the blood to clot.

"Why do you take warfarin?" says the nurse.

Robert was prescribed this after developing a DVT (deep vein thrombosis) in the leg and three PE (pulmonary embolisms) in the lungs about six months ago.

Next, the triage nurse asks "Have you been admitted to this hospital before?". I cannot help a wry smile, and reply "this is where the DVT was diagnosed". His leg had swelled up like a balloon after a BUG Sunday breakfast ride that he had lead. He is triaged as category 5. There are five categories, and, to our relief and just as we thought, he is in the lowest. But, the nurse is keen to get his chest checked by a doctor. I leave and 5 hours later our 23 year old son returns to collect him from casualty. The wait was not as long as expected for such a busy Sunday.

Robert's pinkie has been dressed professionally by the male nurse, and his chest checked by the female doctor. Tetanus shot injected, the patient rests at home nursing his wounded pride.

The next day, Robert summons the courage to examine his trike. Our son, who has been eyeing off his father's Trek bike ever since the order for the trike was placed, accompanies him to the garage. They share a male bonding experience. There is much grunting, spinning of wheels, commiserations over scratches on the mudguard and wheel hub, but, essentially the trike is sound.

Robert donns his helmet and takes the trike for a spin in the cul-de-sac. All is forgiven. Our son checks over his father's bike, adjusts the seat, fixes the rear brake, borrows Robert's helmet and takes the bike for a spin. All is right with the world.

Ironically, Carolyn had thought that Robert would be safer on a trike. What's that catch phrase used on the BUG official ride disclaimer? It goes something like: "Participants are reminded that cycling is an inherently dangerous activity, and do so at their own risk". Three wheels have got to be better than two.

It took Carolyn eight months of trike ownership before finally tipping her trike over in the carpark. She had been doing figure eights on a wet bitumen surface while waiting for others to arrive. The figure eights had gotten tighter and faster until the trike had finally given in. It was a slow motion tip, no damage done. This is not to say she has not scooted down hills way too fast - 55 km/hr on North Bank Road's curves near Bellingen was way too fast.

The good news is: no permanent damage done to Robert or his trike. The fresh grazes on his right elbow are below the scars from his fall three months ago. This last tumble off the Trek lead to his decision to order the trike. The grazes on the back of his shoulder from the trike slide yesterday are below the scars from the bike fall twelve months ago. In the end, it was good fun and we're still alive. Hopefully, Robert learned something about the limits of his trike and won't make that mistake again in a hurry.

And sometimes it's just great to know we can still take a walk on the wild side.

andrews interesting ride march 2009

We all gathered at the Coffs Surf Club for breakfast, Andrew gave us a brief outline of the mornings activities and away we went.

Firstly along the foreshores, out to the Fishing club area where Ken, our indigenous leader, explained some of the history of,"HIS MOB."

As I was unable to join the riders the rest of the mornings journey will have to come from your memories???? As this is my first attempt at blogging please excuse mistakes.


Ken was explaining that as a kid the whiting were this wide?????? and if you believe that you'll believe anything eh!

Wally.

Chit Chat - Sunday Ride to Bello, 21st March

Despite the offer to start at Coffs Town Square, the majority voted with their wheels and elected to start at Perry's Hill. Driving past our gallant leader, Ian and a couple of intrepid followers, Robert and I arrived at Perry's Hill at about 7.45. We had almost recovered from the previous days multiple flats, torn tyre and bent valve (you heard right, bent valve, not 'bent' rider. There is a recumbent rider website called 'bentrider.com'.


Fearlessly, risking derision from the faster riders, Ian said he had regretted suggesting the average speed for the South Arm Trek was 25kph in front of the assembled throng (about 25 riders). He described 25 kph as being optimistic, even for the fast riders taking the hills into account. Methinks he is a little modest. Ian said everyone was welcome to join. No rider would be left behind.

Thinking ahead all the time, the true members of the Café Latte set thought: "hmm, it's about 16km to Bello via North Bank Rd, and 22km via South Arm Rd with some doozy hills." Our decision was sealed by the impending clouds, and the size of the South Arm group - those who get to the coffee shop first get served first. So, Robert P, Robert G, Jim, Chris and Carolyn opted for North Bank Rd.

Carolyn's decision was also influenced by the fact that she had dragged her trike (with flat tyre) back from Coffs Creek to the Marina the previous day - enough is enough. The experience brought new meaning to "dragged through a bush backwards". Carolyn had just about dried out from riding in the pouring rain when she got the flat, and was not a happy woman. Thank God, the beginner's were happy to go to Macauley's and back on their own - so they were not privy to Carolyn's bad mood following the flat. Robert was off trying resolve his tyre issues. So, he fortunately, escaped this aspect of domestic bliss. After all, it was he who got Carolyn into cycling so it was his fault, wasn't it? Sigh, back to Sunday's ride...

As calculated the Café Latte set arrived at Bello first, and went to the Butter Factory. Unfortunately, the rest of the BUG were at the Swiss Patiss. Why can't they keep up? The Swiss Patiss is closed on Sundays. But, like the true cyclists they are, they foraged successfully and I hear the pies were yummy.

Before lunch, Carolyn ducked out to the loo - no, not to avail herself of the toilet facilities but rather to wash her hands a little more thoroughly than the quick roadside wet grass wash. I hear you thinking "not another flat?" No, it was splash back from cycling through the cow shit on the road. Yup, I've finally found a disadvantage to the recumbent - cow poo can land on your hand. Whammo!

Meanwhile, Jim arrived at the Butter Factory to tell us that Chong, on his carbon-fibre recumbent bike, was one of the early arrivals from the South Arm Group. Go, Chong! How was Hospital Hill on the recumbent? Yee ha ... !

It rained over lunch, and as we started home along North Bank Road, a steamy humidity pervaded Bellingen, as only it can in Bello . Carolyn whizzed past Wally kindly changing Judy's tube. It was Judy's second flat. Carolyn did not stop - between the "flats" yesterday, the humidity and the aforementioned poop, she was running on emotional empty.

Judy then whizzed past Carolyn, asking "how many more hills? enough with the hills!" To which Carolyn replied "Just Perry's". Judy also made the observation that she had never seen anyone change a tube faster than Wally. Wally you rock! Thank you. Judy also resolved to never buy cheap $3 tubes again, and to throw out all the ones she has at home. This was before she got her third flat!

On arrival at the car park, Ian asked Carolyn "Is everyone back? and if there had been any more incidents?"

"No, Martin's not back, he's got leg cramps and might need some help" said Carolyn. Ian looked simultaneously crestfallen and sympathetic.

Carolyn then said "What incident's?" only to have David say: "Harry was lucky - he went A over T but he's OK except for grazes and his helmet." Thank goodness for helmets!

Harry discovered the ambos at Bello ambulance station are very nice - they patched him up and his helmet as well! They knew that a helmet is equivalent to a cyclist's teddy-bear! Our best friend.

Harry has a red mark on his forehead from his helmet, lots of deep nasty grazes on his arm, some under his shirt on his shoulder, and a patched up knee (no stitches needed). He won't be using that helmet again! Take it easy over the next few days, Harry. Wendy reminded Harry that a tetanus shot was advisable within 24 hours if he had not had one in the last 12 months. Thanks, Wendy. Lock jaw would not be much fun for a cyclist as we love to chat.

Fortunately, at this stage Martin could be seen walking his bike up the hill, so he was ok and did not need any further help.

Nurse Wendy suggested we should all carry a 4" crepe bandage. This, and a couple of band-aids are probably all we really need for first-aid where we ride. The crepe bandage is great for a compression bandage if bitten by a snake. Wot? A snake. Yes, folks, cyclists can unwittingly run over a snake and incur its wrath. There was a red bellied black on Hogbin Drive cycle path on Thursday.

The bandage is also useful for immobilising a fracture or shoulder-injury, and can be used as a pad to stem blood loss.

Thorough wound cleaning and attention can wait until you're back at base, and any more than this an ambulance anyway.

Ian has suggested Endura is good for preventing / easing leg cramps. There are other products cyclists use. Everyone has their favourite - have a chat with others and you may find one that helps you. It will not solve everyone's problem, but it might be worth a try before seeking medical advice.

Others also suggested unrefined sea salt from the health food store (not table salt) for cramps, and eating bananas (they're high in potassium) before / during the ride as a snack. (Thank you to Robert and Rochelle for these).

Lessons learned:
1. Don't buy cheap tubes.
2. Carry a 4" crepe bandage and a few band-aids.
3. Always wear a helmet. Always.
4. Try a sports drink eg. Endura for replacing body salts.
5. The window of opportunity for a tetanus shot is 24 hours. They have currency for about 12 months.
6. Park at the bottom of Perry's Hill in future. We still haven't learned this one - where is it suggested we meet next Sunday? Perry's Hill Lookout.

Thanks must go to Ian Scott, our president, for his leadership today. It mustn't be easy when things go "wrong". For the most part, the rest of us just get to enjoy the ride.

Thanks, Ian.

Carolyn

Thirsty Koalas

13/2/2009
Forwarded by E-Mail...

Heard a rumour about Adelaide cyclists reporting that Koalas have been
beside the road begging for water from passing cyclists in the
Adelaide hills.
I thought it was BS too - but here it is.
These photos were taken on Tuesday night (3/2) on the old Freeway climb.

Bellingen or Bust...or Coffs Harbour BUG does Bello

25/01/2009

Twas the day before Australia Day 2009 and the day after the hottest day of the summer so far. We had been looking forward to, or if the weather was like the day before, fearing the 77km journey to Bellingen via the rough and hilly North Bank Road. Fortunately the day dawned cloudy and with the odd drizzle of rain to shelter us from the fierce summer sun.

It was to be an early start of 7am at the Coffs City Square. Nine riders gathered at the meeting point, with three of those on one bike!!! The colour coordinated family on the triple tandem made a wonderful sight with Dad and younger and youngest kids completing the crew. Mum was there too riding solo this time. What an excellent way to involve the whole family.

Henry was to lead the ride and as is his way, as we set off, he gave an impromptu demonstration on the dangers of being stationary while leaving one’s feet clipped into the pedals. Luckily we were all watching at the time so he wasn’t required to repeat the performance. (I would've left this bit out but Henry's cheque didn't arrive in time.) A little skin off the knee, and an assortment of bruises, but not enough to stop a tough and determined BUG rider.

We travelled along a variety of back roads and cycle paths on our way to the next pick up point at Boambee East. Awaiting us there were another ten intrepid souls or possibly masochists. After a short series of hellos and introductions we were off and pedalling south once again. A short cycleway section brought us to the old highway, now known as Pine Creek Way. This has become a favourite route for local cyclists with its wide and good surface, little traffic and interesting and rural scenery. Along this stretch we greeted a number of other groups of riders enjoying the agreeable cycling weather.

The rises and falls of Pine Creek Way lead us to Perry’s Hill were the last four riders were waiting. We now had quite a large contingent all resplendent in a variety of dazzling lycra and other riding attire, making the grey day much brighter.

A couple of riders had urgent appointments with coffee and cake at Garden Mania and headed back to leave us to our adventure. I won’t mention their names because we really like Cheryl and Deb. (Their cheques didn't arrive either.)





Heading off, the group enjoyed the gravity assisted trip down the southern side of Perry’s Hill that we had earned by climbing the northern side. A couple of kilometres of riverside cruising with sensational lush green paddocks as one might see on a TV travel show, took us to the intersection of North Bank Road. Here the road became narrow and much rougher than had been expected. At least it was fairly flat, but that was only a short ruse to deceive us for what was to follow. The sign warning of a number of kilometres of steep and winding road was not being misleading.

Here the triple tandem and a few solo riders can be seen at the base of the first steep climb...




We had a rest stop at the summit of this hill and allowed time for the riders to regroup, catch their breath and discuss the type of French pastry they were planning to consume when we reached Bellingen. The good thing about riding uphill is that once achieved, you get a downhill to enjoy for your effort. And enjoy it we did as we careered down the other side. The rough road surface insisted that a tight grip was maintained on the bars, and the legs were used as shock absorbers to soak up the vibrations. But downhills can only last so far, and before long we were once again in a lower gear with a tight chain urging the rear wheel to rotate one more time, and one more time after that…

Most of us had not ridden this road before and weren't sure how many more ups and downs awaited us. So it was with relief that Bellingen came into sight, as we coasted downhill into the picturesque and interesting township. Lavenders Bridge over the beautiful Bellinger River was our signal to relax our muscles and take a well earned breather.






A short wait saw the tail enders arrive and join us at the park where we discovered with disappointment that the French patisserie was shut. With the anticipated taste of sweet delights now evaporating in our mouths, the decision was made to head to the Old Butter Factory to satisfy our well earned appetites.

On arrival at TOBF, we quickly filled all the spare tables and made the staff earn their wages with orders of eggs, ham, damper and every type of coffee and smoothie. There was much chatter of the ride experience so far, as the food and beverage was consumed with gusto.

With us all rested, fed, bulging and as far from home as we were going to get, it was time to turn our wheels back along the track. Those hills that had been of the fun downwards variety on the way there were now of the unfriendly and challenging uphill variety, and us now with a few extra kilograms of self to be dragged up and over. Although none of hills were many kilometres long, they were indeed quite steep and are what we like to describe as character building!!!

With a great effort by all, the hilliest section was conquered. Most of us then enjoyed a cruise along the flat section to the North bank Road intersection. Most of us that is, except two riders who obviously had way too much energy remaining. A challenge was issued to see who could arrive at the intersection first, and with much spinning, puffing, panting and effort a winner was decided to the imaginary cheers of the imaginary crowd.

With that out of their system, the remainder of the journey was completed without incident. Well that’s if you don’t count Henry’s wife Jan, within a kilometre of the ride end, deciding to emulate Henry’s clipped in and stationary encounter with the ground. Isn’t it sweet the way they do everything together!!!

The group slowly dissolved as weary riders were farewelled as they took the roads that would deliver them to their homes. Five of us made the journey back to Coffs town centre with a distance of 77km showing on the computer.

Here is the elevation profile of the Bellingen ride…





The ride was a success with good weather, good humour, good company and a great effort by all. Thank you all for your participation. I feel sure there were aches of satisfaction in the legs, and smiles of satisfaction on all the faces that evening.

Emma R.

The ride you have when you are not having a ride...

Sunday 28/12/2008

The ride you have when you are not having a ride...

Sunday morning arrived a wee bit grey and trying very hard to be damp. As there weren't any drips falling just before 7:00am I decided to head down to Howard St to 'give it a go'.

Joe from Stuarts Point was there as was Henry, but only to pass on the message that he ride had been cancelled due to lack of suitable riding weather. Another cyclist (Graeme) visiting from Brisbane also arrived. So there we were, all dressed up with nowhere to go, and as it wasn't raining at that instant, we decided to go for a ride of indeterminate distance/duration. We headed down Hogbin Drive and almost immediately a light shower decided to accompany us. We headed for Bruce King Drive and the rain had stopped by the time we arrived there, with us being only slightly soggy but at least water cooled.

Awaiting us at the Community Centre was Clare (sp), another new arrival to Coffs (welcome Clare). A few minutes later Deb arrived to let any riders know that the ride was off. But we know how determined and tough cyclists are, and soon faces both familiar and new arrived, and we had a group of ten willing to head off into what looked like a bright sky to the south.

The decision was made to follow the path of the original ride with the option of cutting it short should the weather be unkind. We headed along the cycle way to Lyons Road and into Pine Creek Way, with me apparently not adequately avoiding the inevitable post Christmas broken glass on the road. Within a short distance my front tyre had deflated!!!. But being prepared, I had a new tube on hand and with moral and material support from Graeme we had the tyre inflated and the wheel back where it belonged in a few minutes. We had sent the others on ahead and so Graeme and I had a high speed (for me) pursuit on...we topped the Bonville hill at 30kmh, with me having the advantage of drafting the strong and speedy rider in front. Still no sign of the others yet but managed to catch them up at the Pine Creek Rest area. As we all stopped for a breather, another BUG rider joined us who had also suffered issues with tyre deflation.

Now we were eleven and headed on to Perrys Hill were two locals, John and son Zac, joined us for the ride to Urunga. The group had swelled to thirteen and as the weather had now cleared, the consensus was to continue to Urunga. We arrived at the motel/cafe just over the Urunga bridge where we enjoyed a drink and chat while letting the muscles relax and recover for the return journey via Yellow Rock Rd.

John Gray showed us a short cut to Yellow Rock Rd which allowed us to avoid the prospect of riding against the traffic on the highway verge. Yellow Rock Road hadn't become any less bumpy since the last time I was there, but it is a very scenic and pleasantly relaxed section to ride nonetheless. Across the Raleigh bridge with Perrys Hill awaiting us. At this time a speeding recumbent with Chong aboard, flashed by with some very technical (cardboard) aerodynamic body works attached. Perrys Hill was conquered and we farewelled John and Zac as well as two others who needed to be elsewhere.

The weather had now warmed up and the sun was quite strong with us thankful we had had some cloud cover up until this point. We headed onwards along Pine Creek Way and arrived back at Bruce King Drive hot and weary but without incident. Farewells and New Year wishes were given and received, and all with happy faces and satisfied spirits at completing the ride. I had another 9km to ride back to Howard st and with a strong headwind to make sure 'life wasn't meant to be easy'. My total 63km.

Congratulations to all for making it there and back, and thanks to the new faces that turned up. It was a real pleasure to meet you all and enjoy your company. Hopefully we will see you again at one of the upcoming BUG or community rides.

Emma Richardson

100 milers do it again

The Coffs BUG 100 mile ride looks set to be an annual event after another successful Brooms Head to Coffs ride in August. Again the magic number was 13, with six veterans of the inaugural 2007 ride, and seven "newbies" successfully cycling an old fashioned 'century' of 100 miles.

Who knows why we people set ourselves such challenges. The inevitable aching legs, the totally numb bum. Why on earth would you want to ride 100 miles in a day? The answer probably varies from rider to rider, but I guess, as cyclists, we are all finding our own 'mountains' to climb. Most of us do like to recognise personal achievements. 20km in a day! Wow! Never thought I could do that! Then the next thing you know you've made 50km. Then, perhaps, whether by intention, or accident, 100km...

Well then, what about 100 in the old money? A natural progression to some!!

So then is it because we all like pain? Or if we train up enough, we think it is achievable with minimal to no pain? Or to make sure last year wasn't a fluke?

There are probably as many answers as there were participants!

Of all those who completed it, it will be interesting to see who comes back for more next year! Who will hold themselves to the decree 'I'm never doing that again'? Who will think "Been there, done that, ticked THAT box, don't need to prove it again' ?

Or will they all be seen wearing rose coloured glasses a few months down the track?

And! Who is inspired to have a go themselves in 2009?

So this year the weather was very, VERY kind. The August temperatures were much more civilised than the craziness dished up by Mother Nature in October last year (35 degrees and then a thunderstorm for those who missed it!) (And none of the August rain that postponed the ride in 2008.) There was a bit of a headwind, but certainly none of last year's riders were complaining! (Don't you just hate that?)

A support crew even bigger than last year rose to the occasion. They had every checkpoint running like clockwork, and pandered to every possible need, whether it be plying everyone with enough food and drink, or turning up just at the right time with the good pump during a roadside tyre changing episode. Magic! Talk about spoilt!


















So, congratulations to Sinclair, Mandy, Michael, Bruce, Martin and Sue who completed their first Coffs BUG 100 miler. "Good one" Lucy, John, Ian, Sally, and, yep, Marc & me on the tandem, who came back and did it again. (Yeah, I'll give myself a pat on the back - why not!).

Brian gets a special category of his own; he's the kind of guy who rides from Coffs up to Brooms Head the day before (without getting off his bike at all), then takes it easy riding back with everyone else!

















The support crew all deserve a big mention and thank yous: Deb, Cheryl, Jan, Henry and Lloyd were all back for more again this year. Jim again provided bike transport to the start, and was there at the finish to applaud (and wonder why!) Joan, Tineke, Wendy, Rob and Caroline, and 'other halves' Di, and Wally, also threw themselves into the task - giving up some of their own potential cycling time to support a few crazies! Our kids were dragged along again as well, and I would really like to acknowledge eldest daughter Cait, who did a fantastic job of looking after her Mum and Dad - as well as doing up the certificates for everyone at the finish.

The photos on our online Flickr photo album tell the story - from the glorious sunrise over the ocean at Brooms Head, many shots of the crazy ones on the road, and the applause, thank yous and certificates at the finish. I think there are still more to be added by other photographers... so keep checking back. (I'm also working on getting them into a more chronological order!)

For me, though, these two photos encapsulated the spirit of the day:
















A spontaneous guard of honour to applaud last rider in, Sue!
























With an equally spontaneous hug of admiration from Jan.

I only wished I'd had my camera handy to catch a photo of Sue's hubby, Wally, as he took this photo. His expression said it all: "You're mad, girl - but I'm so proud of you."

Thanks, John, for organising this again. And thanks to everyone who took part! 'Twas a grand day out!

Tracey S.

Mid winter Madness in Coffs

BUG shirt prototype.

At last we have in our hot little hands the prototype for the new BUG shirt. Thank you to Rick and Wally for organising this through Wear It.

The shirt (as shown photographed below) is based on the design sample presented a couple of meetings ago by Rick.

Transcript of minutes:

“Russell” Mockridge modelled a design based on previous discussions. Checked sleeves, pockets and collar and CHBUG named on back. Objective is to get away from the tight lycra racing look. “Wear it”, a local shirt manufacturer, has been approached to produce a shirt that’s not a total fitted production shirt, but more a casual shirt with visibility and wicking. Shirt shown that was purchased in Sydney, however this material is not available for 6 months. A second material sample was offered that is available – still wicks – micro fibre. Also looking at collar to turn up. Half zip front. Costed at $50-60 – could have short or long sleeved, small, medium and large choice and quantity not an issue. This price includes the venting material. Suggestion was made to add a reflective strip on top of pockets and/or around sleeve cuffs.

Those present were happy about pattern, colours, collar, material, small logo (to go a little lower down.) and back writing - Rick to provide options to be voted on, on specifics to be written there. Reflective piece liked as long as doesn’t detract too much or add too much to cost. Looser finish as opposed to elasticed cuffs and waist. UV 50+. Zip – longer the better.

This manufacturer is very flexible, you can measure a favourite shirt an inch under the arm pit and measure left to right and they’ll recreate the size.

It is modelled here by some bloke that (photographer) Cheryl refers to as the "local village idiot" (AND she called him a clown!)... The rest of us might recognise him as Brian. (Thanks for doing the catwalk thing Brian, and don't let the pressure of the fashion industry get to you...)

So - BUG members! - after you've looked at it (and you can click on each photo to go to a larger image), it would be great if you could add your feedback via the comments link below. (There are instructions in the sidebar about how to add comments, however if you have problems, email them to coffsbug(at)gmail.com).

Those who went on the Thursday morning BUG ride this week were able to look at it close up, and below the photos is a summary of their reactions so far. This list will be edited as feedback comes in.

Cheryl will also bring the actual shirt to the Sat morning community ride if you'd like to see it in 'real life', and my guess is that it will be discussed at the next BUG meeting in June.




Feedback from Thursday riders:

• Main complaint was the brightness of the yellow (or rather the lack of it). After some discussion, preferred option was the yellow of the ROMAC shirts (much brighter yellow but not the lime greeny look of the old BUG shirt) *
  
  
• People didn't like one big pocket (it's just one pocket with a zip). The feeling was it would be hard to get things out whilst on the move, things wouldn't sit evenly on long rides. Suggestion was to make it two pockets - one with a zip, one without. Everyone thinks the 3 pocket system makes them 2 small ie hard to shove a folded raincoat in them, thus the 2 pocket option and one without a zip for easy access on the move.
  
  
• Some, but not all suggested a zip front, not buttons as on a ride they might start buttons up and want to unbutton as get hotter and zips are easier.
  
  
• Finally some want long sleeve but think we could probably get it in either and don't think the harlequin would be too much for a full sleeve.
  
  
• Overall I think people liked the design and loved the side "breathable" panel.
  
  
• At least one instantly didn't like it.
  

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* ROMAC shirt - for the benefit of comparing yellows.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In regard to the feedback, the question is, with the changes that are suggested, as above, how many will be prepared to buy it? Already there might be a few to take off the estimated numbers who would buy a new shirt, as surveyed by Dale earlier in the year (or was it last year?)

Riding for a Smile

Quite a few BUG members took part in the ROMAC Ride for a Smile in April this year. Brian Whitcher completed the whole 500km as a solo rider. Ian Scott was part of a team and clocked up well over 200km in riding himself – he’s considering taking on the whole 500km in September! Marc Schmidt, Cameron Scott and Garry Paskin appeared in the wee hours of the morning and did a sterling job as pacemen and Marc and Tracey are now considering whether they could take on the challenge on their tandem; Cheryl Dooley is the Promotions Manager for the event and also rode in the ladies team as did Deb Meredith, Ann Bartley, Dale Casley, Erica Scott and Sue Sheath.

For those of you who don’t know this ride, solo riders and teams of up to six riders will attempt to ride 500km in less than 24 hours. The average speed for these cyclists is expected to be 28kph. Individual riders will be allowed a 10- minute “comfort” break every 2 hours and at around the halfway mark there will be a 30 minute break to allow a change to warmer gear for the night riding and a hot meal. Money raised helps to bring children from developing countries to Australia for life saving and/or dignity restoring surgery.

There are lots of ways BUG members can be involved in this very worthwhile event. If you can ride at an average of 28km (and in the “train” you save about 10% of your energy), you may wish to become part of a team of riders (teams can have up to 6 members) to take on the 24-hour challenge. The event is also running a ladies team on the top track which will not complete the 500km, but which will keep a lady on the track at all times, going at whatever pace they feel comfortable with. In April many of these ladies were invited to join in the “train” of riders and found they could keep up easily and really enjoyed the ride. Pace riders are also needed, as are people to help organise activities and to display their bikes and we know we have the most interesting bikes in the region in this group.

Deb Meredith riding the top track for the ladies team


Cheryl Dooley, riding for the ladies team, being invited to join the ride "train".

The ride train in action

It’s hoped there will be live entertainment all day as well as other activities including:
- Helmet checks for both children and adults including the correct way to wear a helmet (so many wear one without doing them up correctly)
- Cycling skills development “fun” particularly for children, on the criterium circuit adjoining the velodrome
- Road safety forum which discusses all aspects of road safety for children
- Fun rides on the top of the velodrome
- Displays of various bicycles eg various types of single bikes eg road versus mountain, as well as tandems, triplets, trikes, recumbents and combinations for family riding.
- Bike checks i.e. checks of brakes, gears and tyres and basic “how to” advice on bike maintenance.
Interested? Contact Cheryl Dooley on 66543793 or at dooleydy@bordernet.com.au or check out the ROMAC website http://www.romac.org.au/news/coffs

Thursday BUG riders on a roll!

For quite some time now Jim Ward has been leading a BUG Thursday morning cruise to Sawtell headland and back from Howard Street. The group is growing and lately has had some extra fun.
Firstly Tracey, Webmaster "extraordinaire" recruited the group for a photo shoot for the BUG Website upgrade. The first time they tried it everyone involved had an idea of what would work and so several angles were tried and at the end of it all, none of them worked! However there was enough in one of them for Tracey, or rather the “boss”- daughter Caitlin - (as the graphic designer, the real web designer) to decide on what they needed.

So the next Thursday the ride group headed to Sawtell headland as usual, and then back to Howard Street and then up over Beacon Hill to the jetty for another photo shoot. Mild mannered Tracey was concerned about keeping the group in order and where she really needed them. Enter the groups barking Sergeant Major Dooley who commanded the troops as requested and this time a near perfect shot was obtained – yahoo! I might add that the weather was superb for both shots! No one was very concerned about the detour to the jetty as all enjoyed the great coffee and goodies at Wild Harvest, (formerly The Tide & Pilot).

A pictorial record of "The Photo Shoot" rides can be seen on our BUG Flickr photo album site >> here.

The following week the group wondered what would be the ride highlight, given there was no photo shoot to attend, but they shouldn’t have been concerned, ride leader Jim had things in hand. As he led the group from the airport road onto the cycle way, heading for the headland, he took a wide curve and ended up on the grass beside the cycle way. “No problem” He said to himself. (Anyone who knows Jim can hear him saying that…) and he just moved the steering on this mountain bike slightly to rise up onto the cycle kerb. Sadly the bike had other plans and just keeled sideways and much to every ones’ surprise Jim rolled gracefully off the bike and over and over again and was then back up on his feet and back on the bike before anyone could really take it all in. No damage done to his body, well none that he was admitting to at that point, the ride continued.

Everyone is very thrilled that Carolyn Peddie has joined the group on her new trike. Rob’s been riding with us for a while now and we all wondered how we could lure Carolyn into the fun and get her up to speed quickly. Come the 15th May, Carolyn had been out on a couple of Thursday rides and seemed to be improving with every turn. On this Thursday though, with a strong headwind Carolyn ran out of puff. She struggled and pushed but somehow nothing was working. She and Rob fell further and further behind and eventually Carolyn sent Rob ahead to let the group know she was turning back – she simply wasn’t up to it. After Rob left, she stopped for a while and then on resuming she realised that for the entire ride she had had her handbrake firmly on! Ah Carolyn the traps that are there for beginners! When the main group found her in Howard Street we all laughed our socks of, but where was Rob? We think we were on the airport road when Rob went down the cycleway and completely missed us – he found us eventually and all enjoyed great coffee and laughs.

So there you have it. If you have time for a Thursday morning ride we recommend it. Starting at 7.30am at Howard Street, heading for Sawtell headland and then back over to Wild Harvest most times. The pace is a bit slower, so this is very suited to beginners and we are usually all done by 10am.

The Thursday group adoring Carolyn and her new trike.

Cheryl

A PS. from Tracey:

Thursday 4th June will be another Thursday morning ride hijack! We are entertaining some Bike North visitors in Coffs for three days of riding (Wednesday, Thursday AND Friday), and we are working on showing them as much of the cycling in and around Coffs as possible. (Am using the term 'we' in the royal 'we' sense a bit here... but I hope you'll be able to roll with me on the ride proposals !!)

The plan is to start a bit later (well, doesn't it take till nearly 7.45 to get going from Howard St anyway?!)... and take the "scenic" route to Sawtell via the International Stadium, the highway bike path, and Lyons Rd, ending up as usual on Sawtell Headland - the plan being to arrive at the Sawtell Surf Club by the time it opens at, we think, 9am. (There is scope to meet up at Sawtell for those who don't want to go the longer route.) It seemed kind of appropriate to take the Sydneyites on their "Winter Sun Tour" for coffee overlooking one of our wonderful surf beaches.

On the way back we'll take a detour in to the velodrome for a look/see, and then wander back to the Tide and Pilot Wild Harvest (I had no idea the name had changed!) for an early lunch, before the craziest among us head off to "Do Bruxner"- returning to Coffs via Moonee Beach and the highway... the return trip sounds a bit hairy, but the shoulder is pretty wide all the way from Moonee to Coffs.

(Friday is the Bello loop ride, from Repton, via South Arm road, returning via North Arm Rd.)

A good day for a ride...

Here is my friend Barb in Northern Wisconsin. Obviously the term, "A good day for a ride", has a different meaning over there...

Max

Stupid bike paths

Creating a safe bike lane or cycle path is more than just painting a line (and a picture of a bike) on the road or footpath. It seems obvious to cyclists, but sometimes "they" just don't seem to get it.

We have a few examples in Coffs of bike lanes suddenly ending or being used as parking lanes... but the problem seems to be a worldwide epidemic. Perhaps we aren't doing too badly around here after all... though it might be interesting for us to take out our cameras when we are next riding around Coffs, to highlight some of the bike lane issues that we do have.

This photo was taken from a classic UK cycling campaign website section - 'Cycling Facility of the Month' - well worth a browse for a laugh (of the 'if you didn't laugh you'd cry' variety.) They have even published a book!

Other links on that site have some interesting discussions about the pros and cons of bike lanes. (Though on one of those reports I wish that cyclist was wearing a helmet!)

The video on this site highlights the curse of the 'short bike lane' in LA, California.

Tracey

2008 Coffs Harbour BUG 100 mile ride!

This is a challenging, fun, social ride for fit, experienced cyclists and a great goal to set for yourself. There are few local opportunities to do a long one day ride like this with a support crew.

It all began last year
· Twelve riders all completed the inaugural 2007 ride enduring 36 degree heat, a thunderstorm and headwinds! They all want to do it again! That was in October. This year we will ride in mid August. An average mid August day should be perfect with a cool start, a sunny day, low humidity and little chance of rain.

If you are interested
· This is a social, non-competitive ride but you need to be able to average at least 23kmh for the day! You need to have done a ride of 100km+ before.

Support & Transport
· There will be vehicles providing support including food for all the stops. We will need volunteers who can provide transport to Brooms Head for bikes and riders or drive vehicles back . If you can help come and enjoy the beach / camping / social experience! Last year’s support crew had such a good time they want to do it again too!

Accommodation
· To get an early start we will camp at Brooms Head (about 2 & 1/4 hours from Coffs Harbour) the night before. Have a beach day on Saturday and camp overnight.

The Route
· Brooms Head - Coffs Harbour in one day!
· Brooms Head – Maclean – Lawrence – Grafton – Glenreagh – Coffs Harbour.
· Total Distance: 100 Miles / 161km

Date: Sunday 17th August 2008

If you want to take on this challenge, provide support or just come for the camping please contact John as soon as possible for full details and so as to allow plenty of time to organise transport and camping/accommodation.

Organiser: John Gray ph: 6655 4898 / 0422333238


More detailed information is available here (pdf file).

A tandem friend.

So what do you do if you have a tandem (or want a tandem), but can't convince anyone to ride it with you?



(It's a bit longwinded, but worth it for the end result!)

Sawtell Ramble

Sunday February 10 2008.

What a beautiful day for a bike ride. Clear sky and a breeze from the SE. My first ride as leader. I was as nervous as a kitten at a dog show. But I knew I was among friends.

Confusion over which cafe to start at was soon sorted out and about a dozen riders had breakfast at Annabells with a discount I found out about later! I couldn't resist the French toast at Split!

The ride started only 10 mins late thanks to John disappearing at 9 am after asking to say a few words before leaving. A few people joined us after a little while bringing the total number to 34. Ian Scott joined me at the front and Max took up the tailgate position on his recumbent. After stopping a few times to allow the tail to catch up we arrived at Garden Mania for a comfort stop. Then on to Lindsays road to the highway underpass and up to Lyons road. Down Lyons road I discover another cycle path that suddenly ends! Back to Sawtell and a well earned coffee and snack.

Everyone made it back in one piece and enjoyed themselves. Thanks to John, Ian and Max for their help and thanks to everyone who come up to me with words of encouragement and appreciation. What a load of great people you meet on a bike. Special congratulations to Greg and the others who are new to cycling and did the 16 km with great effort and in good spirit.

I might even lead another ride one day!

Rob Peddie

What do we want? New shirts...

BUG BLOG headquarters has received some correspondence - as follows:

"Could the new BUG shirts be fast tracked please as we have been talking about shirts for at least 2 years. Whatever the group comes up with, I want one! One of my existing shirts has a hole in it and the other one hopelessly faded and shapeless.... My size is M and I wear long sleeves." Kay.

As many of the BUG members know, the BUG has been talking new shirts for a while now. (Longer than I realised actually, if it's been two years!). The good news is, there has been significant progress. Ian did a lot of research into pricing through various suppliers, and we are have now made the decision to get the shirts done through Hot Designs, who offer the best pricing for a relatively small order of shirts. (Including no set-up fee).

At the October meeting Ian advised that Hot Designs can do long sleeve shirts. A price chart was obtained from them – the more shirts ordered, the lower the cost. 21 – 30 shirts cost $79.50 each. Dale provided feedback from member survey about shirts. Following discussion about shirt design and logo it was decided to work around the current logo and change the shirt design.

A few members went away and worked on designs or ideas for designs.

Here is an excerpt from the December '07 meeting minutes:
Considerable discussion ensued about the designs submitted to date and it was agreed that all had merit. John discussed the graphic design idea and US Internet angle. After much discussion it was decided that Rick’s concept was the one that should be pursued, though more brightness was required. Thanks were expressed for the work of Wendy, Jim and John’s designer (Julie Mozsny).
Plan: Wally to ask Rick to provide variation ideas that could be viewed pre the February meeting.

I gather Rick has done some work on this and so perhaps we could arrange to post them here on the blog for comment (and to at least show that we are nearly there!)

So, hopefully, Kay, we'll be seeing new shirts soon. Given the outlay involved per shirt, and the intention for them to last for quite a few years, we want to be happy with the design.

BUGs in WA

I wanted to know what was happening in WA regarding Bicycle User Groups so I googled “BUGs in WA”. Here in NSW BUGs enjoy good relationships with their communities. I don’t know what those cyclists in WA have been up to but it seems like BUGs are being blamed for everything over there. There are people working to destroy BUGS in that state. BUGs are being treated as pests! “No more BUGs” is the slogan you hear. Another is “Keep the BUGs away”. If a BUG is bothering you in WA there is a whole list of people in the phone book ready to come round and deal with them!

BUGs have apparently been particularly annoying in summertime. People are arming themselves with repellent sprays to ward them off. Capsicum spray I suppose. People are finding BUGs in their backyard even. Some BUGs have been found sucking sap from trees would you believe! One person reported BUGs in their hamster’s food! (Cycling does make you hungry!). Brochures have headlines like,”Look out for this BUG!” with close up photos. There is hope though because now there are Super BUGs which they will probably just have to live with.
Most horrifying is people casually discussing on website forums how to get squashed BUGs off their car (or out of the radiator) with the merits of kerosene, vinegar and industrial strength chemicals being argued. What will soften them up and make them easier to remove they ask! Without damaging the paint! What about really baked on ones? And so on. One person said that for those really well baked on BUGs, the best way is to rehydrate them for a few hours and the BUGs should eventually get nice and squidgy and you can wipe them off.

People are being encouraged to report BUGs to the council via a hotline. Apparently some BUGs have been attacking trees. Some BUGs have been biting people. Another BUG has been threatening bee colonies, BedBUG has been ruining peoples sleep, FireBUG been destroying the forests, StinkBUG is on the nose, GreenvegetableBUG is causing major problems, LitterBUG is being cracked down on. There’s CrusaderBUG (probably knocks on your door). Then there is NastyBUG. And KillerBUG. They apparently creep around the house and threaten pets and children. BUGs are being blamed for interfering with computers. One place claims to have the world’s most terrifying BUGs!

Some are considered friendly BUGs that people don’t mind. Apparently they have been helping to control the bad BUGs. GoodBUG is one of these. BookBUG has a lot of support. TravelBUG also has a good image. There is the popular LoveBUG. And BeneficialBUG is OK. “HelpfulBUGs boost wine yield” (or was that consumption) said one headline. (No mention of coffee!)
Some people are arguing that we have evolved to have a tolerance to BUGs. In fact it is good to be exposed to them and that BUGs are important. “Bring back the BUGs,” some experts say. There is even a goodBUGs.org.au website. Another site urges people to be gentle with BUGs if you find them in the water. Some uni people are trying to culture BUGs. But some people are trying to get BUGs to eat other BUGs would you believe?

Well, are the BUGs the bunny for that state’s problems?

No wonder BNSW says that.... Riding in WA was certainly a terrific experience. However if you do decide to go make sure you’re prepared!

Rusty Wheeler
CHBUG Research Officer