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.
  

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

* 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

Kids on bikes.

This afternoon (a couple of blocks from home in Sandy Beach) I nearly hit a kid on a bike. He sailed, downhill, out of a T-intersection, in front of me, and I had to hit the brakes hard.

No helmet. And as I discovered when I got out to give him a lecture - his brakes did not work!

He was teary. (I was shakey. And mad.). "I could have killed you! For starters, where is your helmet?" (He said he forgot it and was going home to get it.)

"And the road rules! If you are going to ride a bike on the road, you have to know what you are supposed to do!! You were coming out of that T-intersection. You were supposed to slow down or stop to check for cars!"

Him, with a tear running down his face. "I know. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I was trying to stop."

His brakes did not work.

I asked for his name, but he was too incoherent. My daughter with me recognised him from school. She thinks he is only going into Year 3 this year which puts him at about 8 yrs old!!

I told him, for heaven's sakes, to get his parents to fix the brakes on his bike! And to ALWAYS wear a helmet. I hope he was shaken enough to say something once he got home, but chances are, of course, he might be too scared to tell his parents.

My daughters thought they knew his last name (from the school bus) but I was unable to locate them in the phone directory. I wanted to let his parents know how close he came to being injured. Or killed. Mind you, I don't know what sort of reaction I would have got. How do you essentially rail at another parent that they are irresponsible for letting their 8 year old ride a defective bike, with no helmet?

As those BUG members who assisted on the Bike Week Schools rides will attest, he would not be the only one. I lose count of the number of kids, teenagers, and adults I see riding around with no helmets.

The local primary school did hold a "Bike Safety Day" last term, but frankly I can't see that it really does anything to teach kids how to ride safely on the streets. It doesn't get bikes (and brakes in particular) maintained - particularly if the parents don't know how to do it. I'd hazard a guess that most of the kids' bikes being used have been bought from Big W or the like (because of the cheaper price) and thus there is no follow-up service available as there would be through a Local Bike Shop.

I don't know what the answer is, because you are not going to change purchasing habits. I do, however, intend to follow this up with the school, and discuss ways we can get more bike safety through to the kids AND parents.

Perhaps there is a role for the BUG, local bikes shops and council.

Tracey Schmidt

Join in some training rides for the Great Escapade

Hi everyone, as many of you probably know Deb Meredith and I have joined forces to complete The Great Escapade, (729km BIG ride from Katoomba to Newcastle, taking place at the end of March). As relative newcomers we are looking for support in our training regime, and as Deb is currently away on holidays I'm searching for even more support to keep me going whilst she's away.

I thought the BLOG might be a good way to let you all know what I'm planning and everyone is welcome to join in. If you have suggestions for rides, they'd also be appreciated. Here's the current plan:

1) On Saturday 19th I'm going to do a double of the community ride. i.e. I'll do the normal ride, have coffee and then I'm doing it all over again - so roughly 60km all up. So anyone want to join me for the 2nd loop? I'll probably do this every week.

2) I'm going to continue doing the Coramba to Nana Glen and back via East Bank Road on a Tuesday and next Tuesday, the 22nd, I'm considering a double loop. The way we did this last time was from C to NG and a short break in the park, then back to C for coffee, then back to NG for lunch and then back to C. Finished about 2pm with all the leisurely breaks! Might take shorter breaks this time. 7am start, should be back at Coramba before 10am so 2nd loop probably starting around 10.30 (maybe 10.45). It's 60km all up and it's a hill run. So I'm thinking some might want to do the first loop and those who like to sleep in the second and possibly some brave souls might tackle the whole 60km.

If you want to read more of what Deb and I have been up to - head for our journal:
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/escapade08

I'll update my training rides regularly. Thanks to all who've joined in so far and to those of you who will join for here on in! Cheers Cheryl

Big Rides for schools during Bike Week

For ten years Sawtell Public School has been successfully running a school Big Bike Ride for their senior students. Inspired by newspaper reports of Sawtell’s ride Anne Shearer, the Road Safety Officer from Coffs Harbour City Council, and John Gray, CH BUG President, earlier this year visited Sawtell Public School; the principal and staff involved were happy to provide details on how they ran their annual Big Bike Ride.

Armed with a detailed model and pro forma paperwork Anne and John approached Toormina Public School and William Bayldon Public School to discuss the possibility of these schools running their own BIG BIKE RIDES. These schools also found the idea new and exciting. The CH BUG promised to provide volunteers to support their efforts.

Bike Week was the last week of Term 3 for the public schools, so as well as the ride being a Health and Safety learning experience it was a fun day for the last days of the term.

On the Tuesday Toormina School had 60 children participating and on the Thursday William Bayldon School had 70 participating. The BUG provided 10-12 volunteers to assist in safe road crossings. On the Thursday Daniel Alcock from Rainbow Cycles, assisted by Wally Sims from the BUG, provided bike safety checks before the ride. There was a very interesting collection of bikes!

The children rode from their schools along footpaths, the Hogbin Drive cycleway and over Beacon Hill to the Jetty foreshores area where they had a BBQ and beach games and activities before returning by the same route to their schools. This meant a 22-26 km ride –quite an achievement for children of primary school age.

Everyone involved had a great time –kids, teachers, parents and volunteers and everyone wants to do it again next year. Some are asking can we do it again next term! There were a few minor injuries and mechanical problems but that was all part of the learning experience.
BUG volunteers were so happy to see 130 kids on bikes that week. Possibly next year we may be able to encourage other schools close to the cycleway to join the fun too.

Thanks to Sawtell Public School for showing the way, to the teachers at Toormina and William Bayldon Schools who enthusiastically took to the idea and to the BUG volunteers whose support has been appreciated by the school staffs.

John Gray

Riders join the 100 mile club!

As the sun rose over a sleepy camping ground in Brooms Head, two hours north of Coffs Harbour, 13 cyclists and support crews (of family and other BUG members) were busily preparing their gear for a big day ahead. Originally scheduled for the cooler month of August, but washed out by a week of torrential rain, everyone knew that Sunday October 7th was forecast to be a very warm day.

This was the inaugural Coffs BUG 100 mile ride. (160.934kms).

Ride organiser, John, had briefed the group, which included five support vehicles, the night before. The route, with rest stops, was mapped out, meal/snack catering organised, and agreements made in regard to how the support and sweep vehicles would operate. But this first ever Coffs BUG 100 miler was definitely going to be a learning experience.

The crazy people riders comprised 8 men and 5 women – and the age range was pretty impressive! 12 to 60, with the majority being over 40! Most – John, Jo, April, Cameron and 12 yr old son Brendon, Lucy, David and Ian were on their road bikes (a mixture of flat bar and drops). Marc and Tracey were on their road tandem, and there were two MTBs (Bill and Ian S.) and a hybrid (Sally) in the mix. (Those on road bikes were already thinking those last three deserved a medal before they even started!)

Only Ian H had completed long charity rides previously, and Lucy (in her twenties, we reckon(!), the only other ‘spring chicken’ in the group) was a regular race cyclist; David used to ride seriously but hadn’t done so for a long time. Cameron and Brendon were involved in the Cycle Club, but had never attempted anything this long before. The rest were purely recreational cyclists who had never ridden more than 100km in a day. Most had completed at least one NSW Big Ride, but acknowledged that 160km was almost twice as far than the longest distance they'd ever done in one day.

After a brief delay to fix a flat tyre on Ian S’s bike! – can you believe it, a flat before we even started! - by 6.45am, the lead vehicles were away and the group started their journey. The ride route was spectacular and the initial stage from Brooms Head to Maclean (24km) undulated through farmland and bush. Emus and wallabies were sighted and traffic was extremely light. Cloud cover kept things cool. No sooner had the lead vehicles pulled out the juice and snacks at the riverside stop than the first bikes arrived. Everyone was warmed up and raring to continue.

The designated morning tea stop, Lawrence, was a ‘lazy’ 15km along the edge of Woodford Island, and everyone timed it to cross the Clarence River via the Bluff Point ferry together. Spirits were still high as the riders ‘refuelled’ and then set off again on the 34km stretch to Grafton. Two detours – along Riverbank Road, and then Great Marlow road – avoided the traffic, and provided wonderful farmland scenery against the backdrop of the ‘mighty’ Clarence.

Although this was the first time this ride had been undertaken, the ride schedule was going pretty much according to plan. Everyone was making great time and still feeling pretty good as they settled into their own pace. A few had a go of being ‘towed’ by the tandem, which was cranking along at quite a pace along the flats (tandem nirvana!) though they had to weigh up the benefits of the tow (= speed!) against the extra effort and concentration required! David was the most determined and skilled at it, sitting on the back wheel of the tandem almost into Glenreagh, where he finally pronounced he could no longer keep up the pace (despite the breaks when the hills slowed the tandem considerably – Note: if you have to draft a tandem up a hill, don’t admit it!)

The weather was warming up as the cloud cover cleared, and it was starting to make an impact. Some actually ran out of water before making it into Grafton for lunch, and though it was only 11am, everyone was starting to really feel the heat as the temperature crept over 30 degrees. The excited chatter of the early morning disappeared as everyone contemplated the serious business of completing the distance in the heat. They knew deep down they’d just done the easy bit; they weren’t quite half way, and the most challenging section of the ride lay ahead. Such a shame it wasn’t the same flat terrain the rest of the way to Coffs!

Good food and plenty of fluids on board, the group moved off again, over the river (under the Bendy Bridge), through South Grafton and onto the Orara Way.

One of the support cars clocked 36 degrees as an outside temperature on this stretch. The heat coming off the bitumen surface was relentless and the lead support crew cheered loudly as the first cyclists arrived at Lanitza, the only service station along the Orara Way, and very handily located around 24km from Grafton. Thank heavens! A number had also dealt with the attack of a breeding magpie - not what you needed slogging up and down some of those hills! Everyone crowded into the shade of the shelter and water poured over heads became the order of the day; and many iceblocks and drinks were purchased from the service station shop. Brendon had been resisting the cold water ‘shower’ treatment, but his parents finally cornered him and gave him no choice. At times he had flagged, but any suggestions of pulling out were always brushed aside, and with a surge, at times he even made a point of leaving his Dad behind! "I'll go my own pace, thanks."

A couple were starting to look bit worse for wear but no one’s mental toughness had deserted them. Hot and tired, perhaps, but no one was interested in giving up. April’s mantra “Just keep pedalling and you’ll get there” applied to everyone. April was as determined as ever. First to leave, and often last in, she didn't care - she knew if she kept going she'd get there.

Afternoon tea was scheduled for Glenreagh, only another 20km away, with the group being greeted by the wonderful scones and hospitality of the local café. Glenreagh meant ‘home territory’ – with a few having incorporated ‘lunch at the Harp & Plough’ into their training rides - so it marked the start of the ‘home run’. Only another 40 k’s to go!

As each cyclist arrived a huge cheer went up. The temperature was still high, but storm clouds were building, along with a head wind, right in the direction of the ride.

When the tandem arrived the welcome cheer died when everyone realised that the Marc had severe cramps in his quads. Getting off the bike was tricky, but eventually he managed, and sank to the ground in pain. He stayed where he landed, and drank, drank, drank. Never has he had so many offers of a massage, and may never again, but it was hard to know what would work. Ultimately what he needed was time to re-hydrate. (He had taken enough in electrolytes, but the heat (and profuse sweating) meant he hadn't taken on enough water for them to work. They were still unable to continue when the main group departed between 2 and 2.30, but he had his eye on the clock, and he wasn’t going to easily give up his goal of finishing the 100 miles while there were still hours of daylight to spare. He gave himself another hour, and sweet-talked Lloyd, driving their support car, into waiting as well.

Meantime others had also suffered a bit from the heat to varying degrees, and the support crew stepped up to the plate, producing ice packs for headaches and dizziness, and whizzed around filling up riders’ bike bottles for them while they weren’t looking!

The storm had continued to build and as the riders hit Nana Glen the sky opened up. Everyone was soaked in seconds and the temperature plummeted. A stop in Coramba saw shirts changed and socks wrung out. A mobile phone went and the news came through that the tandem was back on the road. One of the food vehicles stayed to give them a break in Coramba, however by then they went through at speed, just waving. Now they were moving again they weren't game to stop.

The final section saw that last slog up to Red Hill and then a fantastic sight. Coffs Harbour and a sparkling sea – the jetty finish wasn’t far away. A group of regular Coffs BUG riders awaited this pack of cycle-maniacs at the jetty with watermelon and strawberries. One-by-one the cyclists arrived, elated by their achievement. Eleven riders arrived then there was a wait. Would the tandem make it? The tandem support vehicle came into sight and hearts momentarily fell. But wait – there was no bike on the roof. They were still on the road, intent on making it to the finish (and because Marc had brought the wrong speedo (duh!) they even rang John to check whether they had to do any extra loops to chalk up the ‘official 160.994 km’ - no way did they want to pull up 1 km short!)

So all 13 riders made it to the finish line! Average speeds averaged between 22 kph and 27 kph, with riding times of between 6 – 7.3 hours.

Hugs and photos followed, and certificates were handed out to both riders and support crew to commemorate the event. The support crew received a great ovation, with all riders agreeing that this was one ride that relied on the generosity and backing of family, friends and fellow BUG riders.

A huge thanks to BUG regulars Jim, Jan & Henry, Lloyd, and new BUG members Cheryl and Debbie, who drove up to Brooms Head and/or camped and drove support vehicles for no other reason than to be a part of it all. (And to those who assembled at the Finish to cheer the riders in. )Thank you, too, to the ‘other halves’ – Irene, Judyanne, and Erica, who, while they might have been there because of their madcap spouses, threw themselves enthusiastically into the task of helping all the riders. Lastly the parents also appreciated the efforts of their various ‘offspring’ – Maddy, Cait, Ali, Brooke, and Zoe – who while they appeared to have a good time together (particularly when we’re talking Glenreagh and scones and blueberry pancakes, and leaning out the window taking photos) were also sent off on various errands to accommodate their crazy parents.

The only shame about the damp end to the ride after all that heat was that the group dispersed quickly as most were wet and the temperature had now plummeted to 19 degrees.

So a very successful inaugural 100 mile ride was completed. Plans are already underway for the 2008 event. Rumour has it that some of the support crew are considering whether, by then, they might actually be riding the trail and having others doing the support. Incredibly, the riders – still on an endorphin high, perhaps - are already talking about doing it again next year.

Looks like we’ve created a monster!


Cheryl Dooley/Tracey Schmidt

[Photos are currently displayed here - will link a few into the above report shortly! Think there are a few more to come from other sources, so keep checking back.)

A tandem for when you're not getting along so well?

I'm not sure if this a tandem for those with trust issues, or that the stoker (on the back) is very VERY trusting!

Woodford Island Ride - Sunday 9th September

(Bloody Hell, what happened to September??)

Fourteen enthusiastic cyclists met at the park area in front of the Brushgrove Hotel for a gentle ride around Woodford Island. The weather was superb, clear skies and temperature in the mid to high twenties.

We headed off along South School Arm Road heading in a clockwise direction around the island. As there were a couple of new riders with us, we kept the pace down to a nice easy 20-22 Kms/Hr, just what you need for a quiet Sunday morning.

Everyone took the two hills on the island in their stride. Not sure of the elevation but I guess 20 metres maximum!.

After assuring everyone before the ride that the roads are very quiet, everyone living on the island must have decided to drive into Maclean as there was almost a constant stream of traffic. While we where having a rest and drink stop under a nice shady tree, two cyclists wearing Woodford Island Cycle Club jerseys rode past. I was totally unaware there was a cycle club on the island, we obviously need to make contact.

After about 1 hour we reached the half way point, Macfarlane Bridge across the south arm of the Clarence river leading into Maclean. This is the one part of this ride I had reservations about. This bridge is very narrow with timber decking although it does have a bitumen seal on top which turned out to be OK, not the cyclist’s nightmare most timber bridges are!

As our designated lunch stop was the Ferry Park café on the Pacific Highway, there was no choice but to cross the bridge. We all bunched up on the south side of the bridge waiting for an opportune time to start crossing when a large truck with a load of sugar cane started to cross. As he was only traveling at about 5 Ks/Hour, everyone thought Great! Lets tail gate him!

Only problem, after about 10 metres he found top gear and left us for dead! We got across the bridge OK but then had our next traffic problem, turning right into Cameron street. Again, everyone in Maclean decided they needed to drive somewhere at this exact time!

After navigating the intersection with losing anyone, we finally made it to Ferry Park for lunch and coffee. As an aside, Ferry Park is the only place open in Maclean on Sunday! There are a couple of very nice cafes in town but they do not open on Sunday; even the pub and RSL club don't have food on Sunday!

Having fueled up, we headed back to Macfarlan bridge ready for the next nail biting experience. Obviously every car owner in Maclean had got to where they wanted to go, as there was almost zero traffic this time.

We continued in a clockwise direction around the island. At the Bluff Pt/Lawrence ferry we made a slight detour across to Lawrence. Mark Riley suggested we stop at the local museum set up in the old transmitter building of ABC station 2NR. What a brilliant idea, I had no idea this place existed. Lots of old valve radio equipment and other stuff from the radio station plus lot’s of old photos and memorabilia form the area. And all for free!! Although I can report we all made a contribution to their donations box.

Henry had an unfortunate experience with a tic whilst parking his bike under a tree at the museum. Luckily he discovered it before it could bury itself into his skin

Back across the ferry and we continued south along Lawrence road. The rest of the trip was pretty uneventful and soon we where back at Brushgrove. I almost ran over a green tree snake crossing the road outside the Brushgrove pub. I stopped in the road and was frantically waving to everyone to be careful. One of our riders who shall remain nameless but has the initials BG and is married to Bob, must have though I was indicating the end of the ride. She merrily waved back and continued riding and almost ran over the poor snake. It got such a fright, it took off and sought shelter in one of the pub’s roadside signs.

Three of our newer riders, Wendy, Debbie and Ann were over the moon as 45 Kms was the longest they had ridden in a day before. From the feedback I have since received, everyone enjoyed the day. This certainly the ideal beginner’s ride, a nice easy 45 Kms, no hills to speak off and magnificent scenery all the way, sugar cane on one side of the road, the river on the other. The only downside(!) is it is an hour and a half drive north.


Ian Scott, Ride Leader

[photos being uploaded in due course... ie. asap... meantime they are all up at our Coffs BUG Flickr site.]

Bike Week update

Latest on Bike Week Details as follows:

• The Coffs Coast Community Rides are running as per every Saturday from City Square at 6:30am. On the 22nd Sept. the Bonville Sawtell Lions Club and the Xpresso Coffee van will be in the car park of the Bunker Gallery so that people can eat breakfast at the gallery and view the 19th Rotary National Cartoon Awards. This is a sneak preview of the exhibition which is due to open on the 29th Sept. It is also 1 year since the Coffs Coast Community Rides began, so we're hoping for a good turn out to celebrate.
  
  
• On Sunday, 23rd the annual Family Day (Bike Fest 07) is to be held at the Velodrome from 8:30am. CC Community Rides will be riding to Toormina from City Square, starting at 8am. The Cycle Club will be supplying hot and canteen food at the Velodrome - proceeds to the club. There will also be an ice cream vendor and coffee van.
  
  Cycle groups [including the BUG] will be organising demonstrations, races, fund events as well as information about cycling... There will be a best dressed bike parade with prizes. "Beyond Intensity" will be demonstrating "boot camp" activities; there will be a pit stop, and promotion of bike safety checks to the local schools Hopefully the police will be able to come along to engrave bikes.
  
  
• The Museum in Harbour Drive will put on an exhibition of bikes, photos and other cycling memorabilia from Tuesday 25th Sept until 30th. Opening times 10am - 4pm. For contributions to the exhibition and more information please phone 6652 5794
  
  
• Toormina Public School and William Bayldon School are organising Big Bike Rides for their senior students during Bike Week (Tues and Thurs). John Gray from Coffs BUG has helped them organise the day which involved riding down to the Jetty and back. Students must have a road worthy bike. We will be encouraging them to get their bike checked at the Bike Fest on Sunday.
  
  
• Film night on Thursday 27th Sept. Arrangements are still being finalised, but hopefully there will be a showing of "The Flying Scotsman" at Sawtell Cinema. This is a new release - a true story about an enterprising cyclist who became a champion. Should be a good social night out for all cyclists... watch this space for more details.
  

President’s Mid-Year Report: August 2007

So far this year the CH BUG has done these things:-

• Established good communications within the BUG and with non BUG cyclists.
• Taken over running the BUG website.
• Established a BUG blog as an opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences.
• Advertised our rides in the weekly Cycling Central Column in the Coffs Coast Advocate.
• Participated in and promoted the Saturday morning Community Rides.
• Had a large contingent of riders participate in the 2007 NSW Bigride.
• Participated in the Camp Quality fundraising ride to Grafton.
• Attracted new riders to our BUG rides and joined up new members.
• Started a new Thursday ride specifically designed to encourage beginning riders but with flexibility for all who turn up.
• Initiated a 100 mile ride to provide a challenge for BUG members and to extend the range of rides that the BUG offers.
• Begun to explore better connections with other adjoining BUG groups.
• Invited the NEBUG group to join us for a weekend visit. (This ended up being postponed).
• Begun to explore setting up of displays and information tables at places such as markets.
• Participated in monthly council bike committee meetings.
• Participated in bike breakfasts.
• Encouraged local school to run Big rides during Bike Week.
• Planned to participate in the Bikefest day at the start of Bike Week.
• Will have a presence at the Active Transport Day at the CHEC on 4th September 2007.

We are coming up to the one year anniversary of the Saturday morning Community Rides. These rides were established as an opportunity for the various cycling groups in Coffs Harbour, and cyclists not attached to any group, to come together for a joint ride. These rides have been very successful with between 40-80 cyclists participating each week. The BUG has participated in these rides and promoted them through its various forms of communication. Twelve members of the BUG group are regular Saturday morning riders and they are spread across the four ability groupings. As well as attracting new people to cycling these rides have assisted in raising awareness of the BUG with an increase in cyclists joining us for rides and continuing as regulars and joining as members. Ian Hogbin has done a good job coordinating these rides and in the process has regularly promoted upcoming BUG rides and also encouraged cyclists to become members of Bicycle NSW. His commitment to cycling in Coffs Harbour is commendable and as a councillor he is well placed to assist the BUG in achieving its advocacy aims.

The main thing for the BUG to do is to always keep in mind the big picture and the long term view. Fundamental in this is the maintenance of goodwill within the BUG and towards the BUG and the maintenance of goodwill between all in the cycling community and within the wider community. The BUG needs to always remain essentially a friendly, welcoming group of enthusiastic and adventurous cyclists who love to ride bikes for social, recreational and healthy lifestyle reasons.

These seem to be the three key words for us to have in mind:-

Communication, Participation, Goodwill

John Gray CH BUG President August 2007

School Big Bike Rides During Bike Week 2007

This is something new and exciting for the children of two Coffs Harbour schools. For ten years Sawtell Public School has been running such an event and now their inspiration has led to plans for Toormina Public School and William Bayldon Public School to run their own BIG BIKE RIDES.

The children will ride from their schools along cycleways and footpaths to the Jetty foreshores area where they will have a BBQ and beach games and activities before returning by the same route to their schools. As well as providing a fun day for the children the schools involved will be able to teach road and bike safety around this event.

Tuesday 25th September is the date for the TPS ride and Thursday 27th September is the date for the WBPS ride. This is during Bike Week which is the last week of the public schools term 3.
The BUG is planning to assist the schools by providing volunteers at road crossing and other possible danger points. We need a lot of volunteers so if you would like to assist please phone John Gray on 66554898 or 0422333238 or talk to him on a bike ride sometime.

Coffs Harbour BUG 100 Mile Ride

Brooms Head – Maclean – Lawrence – Grafton –
Glenreagh – Coffs Harbour.
Total Distance: 100 Miles / 161km
Sunday 26th August ,
7th October 2007
Leader: John Gray ph: 6655 4898 / 0422333238

This information sheet assumes you are already aware of the basics about this ride. If not please find out more by going to :-
http://coffsbug.blogspot.com/2007/07/100-miles-in-one-day.html
Some of that information is repeated here.

Who should attempt this ride? You need to have done a ride of 100km previously and be able to average at least 20kmh for the day. If you fall behind on the ride plan (see below) a support vehicle will pick you up.

You need to ensure your fitness is at a peak before the ride. A suggested training ride is the CHBUG ride from Nambucca Heads to Bowraville on Sunday 19th August.

Make sure your bike is in good working order!

Food is extremely important: for this weekend it’s fuel. You must have a substantial meal the night before, a proper breakfast and “refuel” at all stops along the way.
There are these eating out options at Brooms Head: The Pacific Star Chinese restaurant at the Brooms Head Bowling club provides lunch, dinner and take-aways. The Snakky fast food take-away right at the beach in the caravan park is open for lunch and Julia says she will open up from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm just for us. There is also a general store open from 8-6 daily which claims to sell gourmet pizzas! There are of course BBQ facilities and you could always bring your own cooking gear.

Food during the ride: I suggest that we could put in an amount of money for food purchases by support vehicles ahead of our arrival at stops. If we could have the makings of sandwiches ready for us to attack on arrival at the stop we won’t risk getting behind schedule because we are waiting in shops for service. At Glenreagh there is a place that could do scones for afternoon tea if we phoned ahead. Decide what you think is going to suit you and we will finalise this on the Saturday afternoon.

Water of course is also very important. It may be a hot, dry day. There should be water available at each of the stops and the support vehicles will carry water too. If you have two water bottles you might choose to have one in a support vehicle to lighten your bike load.
The following is the advice from Bicycle Victoria: Eat and drink small amounts regularly. Drink every 10-15 minutes and eat every 20-30 minutes. Don't consume large meals whilst cycling. Bananas, apples, sultanas, dried apricots, fruitcake, sandwiches, vanilla slices and meat pies keep the legs turning! Too much fluid can increase your chance of developing hyponatremia or depleted salt levels in the blood. Good fluids are water, Gatorade, milkshakes and vegetable juice.

Think safety throughout the whole ride. You will of course make sure you are wearing highly visible clothing. Traffic should be light but for most of the route the road lacks a road shoulder. Be prepared to form a single file when cars approach. Stay alert during the last part of the ride when tiredness and increased traffic become risk factors.

A long day in the sun means skin protection is important. Pack that sunscreen.

Taking your mobile phone will aid communication. Exchange numbers before the ride.

Most people have already resolved matters concerning transport and accommodation. Let me know if you need assistance or information regarding this.

We appear to have six vehicles that can provide support during the ride.
Travelling time to Brooms Head via the Pacific Highway is about 2 & 1/4 hours from Coffs Harbour. Turn left off the highway at Maclean sign and then turn right to Brooms Head after about 1km.

Should the weather be bad that weekend we would postpone the ride. We want to be able to enjoy the experience - we don't have to be heroes.

Please sign the sign on sheet on the day of the ride. The usual disclaimer applies to this ride. Joining Bicycle NSW will give you insurance cover.

Ring me, John Gray, on 6655 4898 or 04 22 333 238 if you need any more information. If anyone else expresses an interest in the ride it is important that they contact me beforehand.

THE RIDE PLAN -distances and approximate timetable working on a 20kmh minimum average cycling speed. It would be great to all ride together but it may be more realistic to expect that there will be a faster and a slower group. Perhaps slower riders could depart a little earlier. Join up again at the stops and come together again at the finish.

Early Sunday (6:30 am) hit the road. Brooms Head – Maclean 24km [24] Maclean – Lawrence (via the ferry) 15km [39] Includes a slight detour in Maclean

Morning Tea at Lawrence beside river 8:30am – 9:00am Lawrence – Grafton 34km [73] via Riverbank road –avoids trafficLunch at Grafton beside river 10:30am – 11:30amGrafton – Glenreagh 47km [120] Cross bridge via cycleway –avoids traffic

Afternoon Tea at Glenreagh 2:00pm – 2:30pm Glenreagh – Nana Glen 11km [131]Nana Glen – Coramba 11km [142]Coramba– Coffs Harbour (Jetty) 19km [161]
Arrive at Jetty 4:30pm Congratulations!

John Gray Coffs Harbour Bicycle UG ph: 6655 4898 / 0422333238

This basic ride / camping checklist might be useful. Suggested is an overnight bag for camping gear plus a daypack for things you might want to access during the day but which would be carried in a support car. Take the bare minimum you need on the bike. Have everything as ready as possible the night before.

CYCLING
bicycle!
helmet
water bottle
sunscreen
computer
pump
toolbag
spare tube
repair kit
tyre levers
tools
oil
bike lock
lights?
CAMPING
pack/bag
tent
airbed
sleeping bag
pillow
torch
plate
bowl
knife
fork
spoon
mug
teatowel
food

CLOTHING
ride shirts
cycling shorts
cycling shoes
cycling gloves
raincoat

shirts
shorts
socks
underwear
long pants
jumper
hat
shoes walking
thongs
towel
swimmers

OTHER
toothbrush
toothpaste
razor
soap
first aid

glasses
sunglasses
camera
mobile phone
snacks
wallet
sunscreen