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THE RAINMAN is Simmo [‘phone 0414 883.287]. Depart Hornsby train station roadside car park at 8:30am (75 metres north of Railway Hotel - north/west side of rail line) or pick up the caravan around 9:25am by parking off Old Pacific H’way at Cowan train station. The Bikie Hangout at Mt White [37kms from H] is our first put down around 10:30am, followed by Peats Ridge around 11:50am [57kms from H]. A tad after midday we cut due east towards Kariong (via Somersby) [75 kms from H] amidst the pleasant dulcitones of chirping Bellbirds. About a kilometre before the road rejoins the expressway, we take a right shortly before the Calga turn-off and return along “The Scenic Road” stopping at Mt White Village Store [92 kms from H] around 1:30pm, Pie in the Sky [109 kms from H] around 2:35pm returning to Hornsby [119 kms - shortly before 3:30pm]. The ride may be shortened by turning left after the Somersby leg upon re-entering the expressway and cycling to the Shell garage at Kariong, then turning right and cycling to Woy Woy, thereupon catching an Iron Horse at Woy Woy [six stations back to Hornsby] at 1:26pm, 2:26, or 3:16[Phew - there is no rail track work!]. Express trains, which take 34 minutes to arrive at Hornsby are available at Woy Woy at 1:02pm, 2:02 and 3:02, however, you may have to stand up ‘cause they are crowded. Alternatively, after our pit-stop at Mt White and descending to the Hawkesbury River, take a left into Brooklyn and climb aboard a train at Hawkesbury River Station [90kms from H] (2:40pm or 3:30pm) or at Cowan [96kms H] (2:53pm or 3:42pm). Rap up of Sunday, 18 June Cinque Montagnes Perhaps several regulars were all cycled-out after the Bundanoon long w'end. Or was it the shortest day of the year looming, or that Sara/Greg's alternative cyclethon at Laurieton attracted a few. Certainly Sig opted for the warmer climate of the mid-Nth Coast. You could count the contingent which rolled out of Turra', barely 5 mins late, on one hand. For the first Sunday in yonks the weather man said the temp was “normal” for this time of year, not the hackneyed 5 or 6 below stuff which we’ve recently heard. However, you wouldn't have known it was “normal” during the initial descent of BH. Green Shades’ bill at our first scheduled pit-stop averaged $12 per head which suggests that the pleasant surroundings amidst splattering of warming sun, delightful Mokador coffee and yummy hot snacks, served on large white China, was hard to leave. The punt at Berowra was a stand-in, smaller boat-on-a-chain which motored at seemingly twice the speed of the regular punt. We could have been excused for thinking we were on a landing craft at the invasion of Normandy, such was the feeling of being aboard the stand-in ferry, as it bolted across Berowra Waters with us ready to roll our bikes off as soon as the drawbridge lowered, ‘cause there weren’t no cars on board to stand back for. Brenda and PJ made Simmo work for his KOM triumphs over the five hills; the abundance of which didn't necessarily suit debutante Ann Collins, who wasn’t ideally armed with a whopping 42 chain-ring on the front. However, Ann was only a minute or so behind the main Peloton which returned safe 'n sound at 3:05pm, with 100.2kms on the dial, at an ave speed of 22.1kms, which was OK, after Cinque Montagnes. Phil Johnston 19 June 20009312.3319 wk - 9498.3684 hm ( 0416 266.519 only when on the road) |
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