www.Muggaccinos.com   The Bullsheet

 

Bank Teller's rap-up of Tour de Wisemans Ferry w'end - 180km

ToothFairy's inaugural T de WF proved a marvelous success, not the least of all due to the brill, balmy weather, Annie and Alana generously providing two Sag Wagons, and a mega contingent of 25 [Brenda aka Widget, Whippet, Pacific Pete, ToothFairy, Ray aka Kitchen Sink,  The Samurai,  Kate,  Rummager, Pete W, Ann-Marie, Peter W, Angelica, Danielle K, Craig T, Angela R, Prem, Colin aka Springbok, Gracinda aka Senorita, Nurse Karen, Trev aka Tornado, Sig aka Smiling Assassin, Marcel aka Credit Agricole, Annie Oakley, Alana, Bank Teller] on , supported by: 

  • Sat - Papa Bear, Koala Bear and Graybeard; and 

  • Sunday - Princess Caroline 'n Publican who cycled up that morn' leaving Dural at Sparrow's Fart, and Greenie and Matt who met us at the Stone House Cafe. 

Nosh Stops under splendid sunshine at The Bike Hangout Mt White, Peats Ridge, and the delightful, bucolic Spencer Village Store on the waterfront, evidenced our ETA blowout something fearful.  But no one was fazed.  

The friendly service and cabins at Del Rio were appreciated.  Alas, the 'in situ' bistro left a tad to be desired, but is 'twas a long walk to town, so some of us suffered the westieville ambience of clanging poker machines for the evening.  Others went for a trek to the local Rubbety Dub in the Big Smoke.   With Samurai steering the ship, and The Probationer (Kiwi Mike), 'in absentia', they arrived back at camp well before midnight and sober.

The 2½ km from our digs along the river bank over the punt/ferry, and back to the main drag, was truly pictorial.  If that bucolic, rustic, verdant Mark Twain setting, with old man sun rising over the river, didn't make you feel good, nothing would. 

Bank Teller's brief in last week's Bullsheet underestimated Day 1 by seven clicks, and Day 2 by 1km, and failed to mention a ferry ride approaching WF.  But worst still, he didn't know about a killer 1.1km climb at the start of Day 2, which had us all hanging out for any sign of life on the 19km stretch twds Halcrows Rd.  

Fortunately Kitchen Sink knew of the Stone House Cafe 4575.0155 which was a "sight for sore eyes", 'cause at that stage our bellies were whinging somethin' fearful, even though we'd only completed 20km.  Perhaps it may have had something to do with the imbibing the previous evening, and that bugger of a hill.  

Day 2 also highlighted the need for at least one Sag Wagon to stay behind the slowest rider.  That faux pass was Bank Teller's omission.  It won't happen again.

Memorable High Spots:

  • lunch on Sat arvo at Spencer Village Store on the river bank; and

  • arriving at Stone House cafe on Sunday morn', after our tongues 'd been hanging out.

Pics from Sat night 'n Sunday morn'

Post ride pics back at Hornsby

 

 

The Scribe - 1 June 2003