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Muggaccinos Pedlars Sunday Cyclists - The Bullsheet
Numbers for this Oct long w'end frolic at Sara 'n Greg's at Laurieton are down on the 21 who froze their proverbials off at Bundanoon last June long w'end, however, it promises plenty of cycling, especially in light of Fitz's Challenge being only 4 weeks off [see item 4 below]. Sara reports: We can accommodate all guests at our home at 23 Koonwarra St Laurieton. If you want to be a late starter 'phone me at 6559 7939 as the "Chief" needs to know numbers for cooking and "The Dog's Body" needs to know for shopping details. You can turn-up on Friday as some of us have the day off, just ring to let me know you are coming early, otherwise I may be out doing country women’s things. Looking forward showing you City Dwellers some country hospitality. [Not nice to refer to Greg as "The Dog's Body".] Directions: Laurieton is approx 370kms from Sydney, about 4 ½ hours car journey (unless the long w'end traffic is a real dog!). Turn right off the Pacific Highway at the Kew intersection driving along Ocean Drive, turning right into Waterview Heights at Waterview Crescent and first left into Koonwarra St. We are # 23 Koonwarra St. Saturday 30 September - "Peddle to Port Macquarie" - 70km Enjoy the return trip to Port, via Bonny Hills and its spectacular ocean views. Rolling hills and the first time you’ll cycle past a camel, Sara nearly fell off the first time she saw the huge beasts. Lunch at Cascades on the Water - we have been building a rapport here since we arrived up North and management is accustomed to smelly cyclists. The food is great too. Sunday, 1 October - "The Macadamia Meander" - 90km Beautiful scenery of dairy farms, mountains and forest. Some dirt road, but OK on road bikes. Coffee at The General Store and then on up hills to the real treat, the Macadamia farm. Jo and Ray are expats from the Big Smoke and Jo cooks a mean muffin or lunch. The views from their outside deck across the Lorne Valley defy description. Monday, 2 October - "The Mountain Challenge" - short 'n sharp A short trip out to Dunbogan and Camben Head as a 10km warm-up incl. delightful local scenery. Then a short but heady 5kms of up hill.....Big Brother Mountain. Truly fantastic views from the top over the coastal area, down to Taree and up past Port. The Tooth Fairy, Ann, has informed that she and a few who can't steal 'emselves away to Laurieton are riding from Turra' at 7:30am on Monday, 1 Oct. 3. Widget's rap-up of Sunday, 24 Sept, Breakfast at Brooklyn extended to 5 hills - 108.5kms alias, MAGNIFICENT SEVEN - AKA SENESCENT SEVEN
Ann, Brenda, David, Ian, Peter, Phil and Sig rolled-out on time unawares that it was going to be a tougher outing than advertised. Most impressed to see Pete crawl out of his duvet on time to make the longer Turra' start [rather than parking at Hornsby] and also to evidence Simmo out of Bonanza mode and into onyerbike mode. The first downhill dash of Bobbin Head was hugely hampered halfway down by the obstruction of bogong moths of the cycle world. These riders were fluttering along all over the road willy nilly and seemingly having a great time. Woebegone anyone getting caught up in their antics. The weather was humid and as we descended to the scenic bridge - white stuff permeated the air (Fog, smog, mist, low cloud – take your pick). A hearty pace was set for Brekkie at Brooklyn not just because some of us hadn’t time to get our nosebags on first thing, but most of us were under the impression that we only had an easy-peasy three hills to ride. Not Sig though, who had a cunning plan and made sure to fill his tank before he left. Sure enough, whilst slurping our liquids and gobbling our grub, at the pristine Brooklyn Pier, the inane natter and idle chatter centred once more on the physical attributes of the female Olympic performers, particularly one Dutch Cyclist. The girls present responded in a likewise manner by extolling the virtues of the Australian Archer:
Aussie Simon Fairweather’s no slouch, Just check out the weapons in his pouch. He scored a GOLD in the Games did Sime, I’d let him aim for an apple on my head, anytime!
PJ uttered his usual ‘I’ll go first, ‘cos I’m slow on hills’ bollocks - that man could be a contender for the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction! However, he didn’t get too much of a head start and the usual mad scramble up the hill was ensured. At the summit, we plonked ourselves down on plastic chairs and partook of more refreshments at the PIS Stop. (Pie In Sky). We chatted to Alan, a cyclist we sometimes bump into on the OPH, who was with another group and introduced us to a handy chappie who works for the RTA, Barry, who undertook to e-mail PJ his address; anxious to hear of any road sections which are in need of repair There is a 300 metre section of cycle lane one km south of Cowan train station/1½kms north of disused truck weighing station heading sth which needs clearing braches/leaves and repairing road cracks as it is a dangerously narrow]. Shortly afterwards we had unexpected afternoon visitors to our little soiree. John Bele, his wife and delightful new addition to the family, Raquel. What a babe she’s turned out to be! John has been too busy being the proverbial doting dad, but promised to dust off his bike and return to the saddle in the not too distant future. Meanwhile the crew were thinking how nice it was that there was only one hill left when the Smiling Assassin, used his Gestapo talents to brow beat his companions to add a few more hills to their agenda. All except Simmo, Ann and Pete who had made prior arrangements to get home earlyish. So we blasted down to Berowra Waters. Siggy singeing his way past everyone in pursuit of the Punt. On the free ride, the lads bragged about how they had overtaken a flashy red sports car on their descent, failing to mention was that the driver was the wrong side of seventy, female with the gear stick firmly ensconced in second. Another gasket blower exercise on the climb out of Berowra, which saw Ian and Phil put in their PB’s. At the delightful Galston Nursery Café, management deemed it necessary to segregate us from their classy clientele, seating us in our own special spot - right outside the toilets. Thereupon we partook of more tasty vittles and had a jolly good lunch as well. However, in what seemed a blink of a gnat’s eye it was time to fork out for the fare and push onwards. Considering there was only four of us the tender was noticeably short. Until Siggy owned up to having taken out more money in change than he had put in. Crafty Kraut! Ian took off ahead as he had Olympic's business to attend to and the rest of us plodded on our merry way. Two more hard hills to slug up and finally the moment we had been waiting for – icy Calippos at the North Turra’ slop shop, whereupon we were pleasantly surprised when Bruce Boker meandered along on his trust bike whilst we were a sucking. So a bit more social discourse was on the menu before we made the last little leg back to our motors. On a day which seemingly offered an easy outing, we'd done good - 108.5kms on the clock and 5 tough hills in the legs. Fitz's might just be manageable if we don't relent during Rocktober.
4. 150kms Fitz's Challenge or 90kms Tharwa Challenge - Sunday, 29 October
Last year Muggs took a contingent of 13 to conquer the notorious Fitz's Challenge with Peloton the only DNF. Greg Cunningham, Pedal Power ACT, has e-mailed a map of the 150kms [75kms out-and-back] route which is less than four weeks away - Sunday, 29 October, commencing from familiar Eucumbene Drive at 7am. The route map is attached to this e-mail, together with an "Elevation Profile" [also accessible on www.muggaccinos.com - "Annual Interstate Rides"] which shows the precipitous climbs in the challenging course, including the torturous/dreaded Fitz's Hill. The Elevation Profile is infinitely more intimidating than the Greg's road map. Hence, Sunday rides during Oct will be +100kms. With Sara now stationed up north, a volunteer is sought to book familiar, salubrious Victor Lodge, 29 Dawes St Kingston [6295.7777 ph] for our diggings, ideally located near an array of previously well-frequented restaurants incl Santorini [Greek], La Dolce Vita [Italian] and Santa Lucia Trattoria [Spanish]. Pedal Power ACT has informed that entry details are accessible on its Web site (http://sunsite.anu.edu.au/community/pedalpower/about/fitzmap.htm where you can e-mail your entry registration form. If rec'd prior to 20 Oct, payment can be made on the day at the discounted entry fee of $15. Where else could fifteen bucks provide so much fun! Your Scribe has notified Pedal Power to expect a dozen Muggs at Fitz's. So Papa Bear and others who've allowed The Olympics to stand in the way of a fun day in the saddle, please about-face, front 'n centre at Turra' each Sunday in Oct, ready to roll out at 7:15am for a +100kms workout. Widget 'n The Scribe - 26 Sept 2000 - johnstph@cba.com.au
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