www.Muggaccinos.com  The Bullsheet

Sat 25 Oct to Mon 27 Oct, Muggs’ annual longer weekend pilgrimage to Canberra

Ø    150kms Fitz's Challenge; or 

Ø      90kms Tharwa Challenge

For the 8th year 'on the trot' a contingent of Muggs is making the annual pilgrimage to Canberra for this wonderful ride'.  

Background info to this wonderful annual ride 

Ex Muggs, Suicide Blonde and Smurf who now live in Canberra are also attending.

As is customary, we can book good digs at Victor Lodge $65 p/n twin share with light b'fast or the adjoining Motel Monaro (02) 6295.7777 ph (4km SE of centre of Canberra) 29 Dawes St, Kingston (02) 6295.2466 fax.

Road directions to digs at Victor Lodge

After driving due south to Canberra, cross Lake Burleigh Griffin and almost immediately turn R into State Circle and take 2nd L into Brisbane Ave, and shortly veer R into Wentworth Ave, and after passing Eyre Ave take next R into Dawes Ave with Victor Lodge on RHS - park on LHS of Victor Lodge.

Road directions to Start at Duffy – about 15km

Return to State Circle via Brisbane or Canberra Ave and drive clockwise shortly departing at Adelaide Ave and after crossing Hopetoun Rd take R fork into Dudley St which shortly leads into Cotter Rd. for about 6km, which after passing thru Duffy take R into Eucumbene Drive.

Arrive well before the 7am start to confirm your registration and be issued with a ride card that needs to be stamped and timed at the relevant ‘checkpoints’ and at the finish.  The ride card, route map and written instructions are in a sealable plastic envelope.  You will also be issued with a wristband so that checkpoint marshalls and volunteers patrolling the course can identify bona fide entrants.

Ride Routes

Cotter Reserve, Tidbinbilla, Tharwa (turn for 90 km ride), Naas, Fitz’s Hill, Namadgi National Park, and Rendezvous Creek (turn for 150 m). 

Below is an e-mail from Greg Cunningham, Pedal Power ACT, "Ride Organiser" of Wed, 11 Sept 2002 - written before last year's ride which set a new entrants record 

The event is run by Pedal Power ACT, and is in its 15th year.  It drew 316 riders 'in toto' in 2001.  The ‘out & back’ route for these rides runs through demanding & scenic terrain in the foothills of the Brindabella Range on the edge of Canberra.

Fitz’s follows the A-Grade course of the last stage of the annual ‘Canberra Tour’ stage race, and includes the unrelenting 2½ km climb over Fitz’s Hill, as well as other taxing climbs in the Namadgi National Park.  The first section of the route, which is shared by the shorter Tharwa ride, also has its fair share of hills.

Solo entry prices are: $20 if entering before 18 October, $25 thereafter (entry on the day of the ride is available); team entry is $17 each (up to 18 Oct only), min 5 members per team per ride. By accessing the Fitz’s ‘home’ page, riders can enter & pay securely on-line or download the 2002 entry brochure and mail it in.  Go to  www.pedalpower.org.au/events/fitz

Those who finish within the 9 hour time limit for Fitz’s or the 6 hour time limit for Tharwa qualify for an achievement certificate.  A souvenir polo shirt can be ordered on the entry form at $20.

The ‘home’ page also has lots of information on the rides, including:

·        a detailed outline of the ‘out & back’ route for the two rides;

·        the route map http://www.pedalpower.org.au/events/fitz/fitzmap.pdf

·        the elevation profile http://www.pedalpower.org.au/images/fitz2.jpg (the front of the entry brochure has a smaller version of this showing elevation figures);

·        some photos http://www.pedalpower.org.au/events/fitz/fitzpics.htm

·        riders’ accounts of their experiences on the rides, dating back to 1992

http://www.pedalpower.org.au/events/fitz/fitstory.htm  (the event began in the mid-1980s - this is 15th)

·        an article on how to prepare for Fitz’s

http://www.pedalpower.org.au/events/fitz/fitstory01.htm

Scribe    12 Oct 2003