Bike Week activities in the Coffs area

BUG reps have been liaising with the organisers of Bike Week to see where and how we can be involved - in terms of raising the profile of cycling in and around Coffs.

This is the draft program so far (click on it to bring up an enlarged image.)


Anne Shearer has asked if BUGs would help organise some kid's events for Bike Fest 07 at the Velodrome on Sunday 23rd. September

Anyone got any bright ideas for events that kids would enjoy?

Perhaps an observation ride like the one Sue organised would be good. We could have it around the Veledrome, BMX track , skate board ramp etc. staying off roads.

Any other ideas??

Could we have an extra breakfast ride on the 30th Sept as the final bike week event. Perhaps start at the Velodrome, Sawtell for breakfast, a quick trip around Bongil Bongil and back to the Veledrome. Any takers?

Ride to CHEC day

The Uni wants to assemble as many bikes as possible between 8 & 9 am on the lawn in front of Campus where the bike track enters. This is as a visual message to demonstrate need/ desire and to support the further development of facilities, on & off campus. This starts their campaign which aims to increase regular riders to campus.

Simple breakfast (juice, cereal and perhaps BBQ) is planned to be ready for 830 in the nearby O block foyer. Visitors are welcome to stay on for other activities planned for environmental day but classes generally start at 9. Please phone 66593299 for more details.

So if you have the time, ride out to the uni and support this initiative.

88 km to Grafton!

Last Sunday five CH BUG members (Jo, April, Mark, Ian and John) plus 2 other riders (Lee and Katie) rode 88km to Grafton as part of the inaugural Westlawn Camp Quality Charity Ride.

It was great having support vehicles giving security front and back. Red Hill made the start challenging but the rest was easy and we averaged 20 kmh. It wasn't hilly, just undulating. Lunch was provided at the "Golden Dog" at Glenreagh and bottled water (and a free bike water bottle) and energy bars were always available.

The highlight for most of us was being escorted across the Grafton bridge at the finish. At Grafton dinner was provided and a band entertained us. Other riders had ridden from Ballina, Yamba and Glen Innes(?) Most of us expect to be there again next year as it was an enjoyable day. Thanks to Jim for transporting us back and Ian for the bike transport.

John

Westlawn Camp Quality Bike Ride - June 3 - Coffs to Grafton

The aim of the Westlawn Camp Quality ride is to come together to promote safe cycling and to have fun, and at the same time raise awareness and much needed funds for Camp Quality, a charity which helps children who have cancer.

The ride is to be held on Sunday 3rd of June, 2007. The route to be taken will be along the “back road” to Grafton via Coramba, Nana Glen and Glenreagh. This is a total of approximately 100km over the day. It is anticipated that we will be arriving in Grafton at approximately 3pm.

The cost of the ride is either $35 (without the jersey) or $100 (with the jersey) and this will cover:

* Ride shirt valued at $100 (should you choose this option)
* Drinks/refreshments along the way on Sunday and a BBQ dinner at the Grafton racecourse at the conclusion of the ride.
* There will be support vehicles to rest in if needed, with water and fruit in car free of charge.

The maximum number of riders is 50 and all applications need to be in by Monday 23rd April 20007 so that the ride jerseys can be made up.** Apparently that deadline was only if you wanted a jersey.

Riders are encouraged to sell a book of raffle tickets to support Camp Quality. If paying registration fee by cheque please make cheques payable to Westlawn Camp Quality Bike Ride.

** Currently waiting on an update as to whether the ride number of 50 has been filled - check back here over the next few days if you are interested. Will also have a list of Coffs BUG members who have registered so that you can find them and buy a raffle ticket!

If you want an entry form, you could leave a comment here and John could email it to you!

Beginner Rides for women

Sue Webber has been running a Cycling for Women course through the Coffs Coast Community College, and it has inspired her to run some easy rides for women to build up their experience and confidence before joining other rides. If you know someone who is a bit reticent to try the first Sunday of the month BUG ride, or the Community Ride, this could be just the introduction they need.

The ride is free and she has third party insurance to lead the ride.

Sunday May 13 - Easy, flat, short ride just for women. Between 10-15km on quiet roads or cycleways. Develop your skills and confidence with a supportive group of women. Limited places. For time and meeting point phone Sue Webber on 02 6654 7077.

Sue hopes to run a similar ride on the second Sunday of every month.

Saturday Community Rides

While most of us know about the Saturday community rides, here's a separate post for further publicity (and linking purposes!)


The Community Ride is on every Saturday - 6.30 am start at City Centre Square; back no later than 8.00am. The rides are suitable for road, mountain or hybrid bikes All standards are catered for. Coffee at City Centre Cafés upon return.

Riders break into 3 or 4 groups - as a guide -

A Group : Travel around 35-40km at an average speed of around 30kph. You will need a road bike and to be quite fit for this group. This group is for those riders that just like to go fast. The ride can include climbs such as Red Hill.

B Group : Travel around 30km at an average speed of around 26kph. Again a road bike is recommended for this group, but the speed is a far more acceptable level for social interaction. The route will generally be around Sawtell and return.

C Group: Travel around 25km at an average speed of around 20-22kph. This group caters for a wide range of riders, and does include mountain and hybrid bikes as well as road bikes. You will need a reasonable fitness level for this group and a good understanding of gearing and drinking whilst riding.

D Group: Travel around 19km at an average speed of around 16kpm. This group caters for a wide range of riders, and includes the younger riders, together with the newcomers. It is likely, that in coming weeks this group will break into 2 groups along Hogbin Drive, in an endeavour to best cater for all riding levels.


Initiated by Coffs Harbour councillor - Ian Hogbin and supported by Coffs Cycle Club, Coffs Triathlon Club, Coffs BUG & Coffs Harbour City Council.

The Community rides got a bit of a plug in Australian Cyclist - March/April 2007:
http://www.australiancyclist.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=2280

Disclaimer:

These rides are open to the public. All ride leaders are volunteers who generously donate their time to plan and conduct these rides. All persons joining these rides do so as volunteers in all respects and as such accept sole responsibility for any injury howsoever incurred. The appointed ride leaders cannot be held liable in respect of any injury resulting from participants engaging in such ride activity.

If you'd like to be on the mailing list for the Community rides, send an email to Ian and ask to be put on the community rides mailing list:
ian.hogbin(at)hqb.com.au

How about a ride in Canberra in October?

Rotary Scenic Cycle Tour of Canberra - Sunday 14 October 2007

Bike rides for all ages and abilities - family fun and serious challenges.

There is a route for you and your family with great morning teas (two
locations) and sausage sizzle at the finish.

1. Family Ride around the lake: 25 km (easy)
2. Circumnavigate Lake Burley Griffin: 30-48 km (easy+)
3. Lake and Rural Tour: 50-74 km (medium+)
4. Canberra hills and views tour (five peaks): 77-100 km (hard)

All routes signed on bitumen roads and cycle paths.

Five peaks to be ridden or bypassed - Mt Pleasant - 80 m; Mt Ainslie 220 m;
Black Mt - 230 m; Red Hill - 100 m; Mt Stromlo - 160 m.

For more details, visit their website.

'Tour de Cure' in Coffs

Ian Hogbin is riding in the Tour De Cure Charity Bike ride from 28 May, and they come through Coffs on the 31st May, leaving 1st June.

They are putting a lot of work into making the time in Coffs really memorable, and in turn promoting the charity support groups and Cycling, so keep the times free if you can.

On Thursday 31 May, the plan is to have Criterium demonstrations in City Centre at lunch time, a Special show at the Porpoise Pool at 3.30, and a cocktail party on the Jetty at night.

Then on Friday 1 June, a ride from Coffs 7am to breakfast at Sawtell to join in with the Tour De Cure riders, as that group then heads south to Sydney.

The riders will leave Sawtell at 8.30 for Port Macquarie, allowing the Community Riders to get back to Coffs around 9am.

www.tourdecure.com.au