www.Muggaccinos.com   The Bullsheet

Sunday, 18 Apr, Brunch at Woy Woy - Old Rattler home from Point Clare:

*    7:00am from Hornsby [77km] - ETR   12:06pm; or 

*    7:20am from Berowra [65km] - ETR 11:57am

• Ride Leader:  Brian Willis 9807.6439   Ride Organiser:  Phil Johnston -  9498.3684 hm

• Hardcopy these directions and bring on Sunday

• Cycle two abreast at own risk.  Keep well to LHS on single lane roads

• Get off the road at Sag Stops

• Maintain your membership of Bicycle NSW for Public Liability cover in case another Mugg sues you for riding negligence

www.cityrail.com.au "Trackwork Menu" reports no train disruptions this Sunday on Northern, North Shore or Wyong lines.  Although the North Shore Line only goes to Wynyard.

1st Leg: Hornsby to Mt White Store - 35km (85 min)

¨               By 6:50am park at Hornsby train station car park [70m N of the Railway Hotel in Jersey St – N/W side of train station] to rollout at 7:00am for 400m Nth then L and 20m later R at lights onto Pacific H'way; or

¨               commence by 7:20am (before the convoy) on Old Pacific H'way opposite Berowra train station carpark.

Continue N up Old Pacific H'way to 1st Nosh Stop from 8:25am (25 min from 1st arrivals) at Mt White Road Warriors Cafe.

Second Leg: Mt White Village Store to Kariong Shell garage - 19.2km (52 min)

8:50am -

• R Nth up Old Pac H'way for 6.2km to Calga Interchange around 9:10am Sign Post (1 min); 

• R East to Gosford “Scenic Route”, remaining on Old Pac H'way, to intermittent sounds of chirping Bellbirds, crossing Mooney Mooney creek 4.1km later;

• climb 6.1km and take a Sag Stop (3 min) just past Wisemans Ferry/Gosford roundabout - keeping well to LHS; and

• R Sth for 700m on Wisemans Ferry Rd, then L gradually ascending for 1.4km Old Pac H'way arriving at familiar Kariong Shell garage at 9:50am [54.2km] for Sag Stop (5 min).

Third leg: Kariong to Woy Woy - 13.5km (35 min)

9:55am -

• Initially flattish S/Eth along Woy Woy Rd, thence down the hill past Phegans' Bay twds Umina Beach.  After approx 12.5km from the Shell Garage cross train tracks at level crossing and 20m later;

• L into Railway St for 600m.

• R into Blackwall Rd for 100m to open table setting in front of Acropolis Yeeros Cafe on RHS at 35 Blackwell Rd,  Woy Woy for 2^nd Nosh Stop (30 min) from 10:30am [68km].

Fourth Leg: Woy Woy to Point Clare - 5.5km (15 min) - arrive at station by 11:15pm for 11:19am 'all-stops':

By 11:00am -

• L into Blackwall Rd for 100m to traffic lights;

• R onto Railway St which shortly becomes scenic Brisbane Waters Drive passing Koolewong station after 2km around 11:06am - train goes at 23 min after the hour;

• Ahead for 3km along Brisbane Waters Drive passing Tascott around 11:12am  - train goes at 21 min after the hour and arriving Point Clare station around 11:15am - train goes at 19 min after the hour;

Below are trains from Woy Woy station -

*     for those in a hurry; or

*     if the caravan is slow and wants to jettison the final 5½ clicks along scenic Brisbane Waters Drive:

·   express at 11:02pm arrive Hornsby at 11:36pm; or

·    all stops at 11:26pm arrive Berowra at 11:57pm and Hornsby at 12:06pm; or

·    express at 12:02pm arrive Hornsby at 12:36pm; or

·    all stops at 12:26pm arrive Berowra at 12:57pm and Hornsby at 1:06pm; or

·   express at 1:02pm arrive Hornsby at 1:36pm; or

·    all stops at 1:26pm arrive Berowra at 1:57pm and Hornsby at 2:06pm; or

·   express at 2:02pm arrive Hornsby at 2:36pm; or

·      all stops at 2:26pm arrive Berowra at 2:57pm and Hornsby at :06pm; or

·     express at 3:02pm arrive Hornsby at 3:36pm.

Whippet‘s rap-up of Easter Sunday, 11 April,
West Head, Brunch at Nautilus Café Warriewood - 94km - 11 starters

With 10 regulars doing a mountain bike ride in the Blue Mtns, incl Kaza, Tornado, Samurai, Rummager, Printer, Rocket 'et al', and Bike Nths 5th Tour de Cowra also garnering regulars, 7 starters for the 7am St Ives rollout was  a fair showing, although one could be excused for thinking we were riding mid-week, as the normal "full house" car-park was displaying vacancies. 

As the day unfolded with a fog rising from the creeks & waterways, this generally would mean a wind free day for our sorties to two separate Headlands.  Gracinda aka Senorita, Simon, Kirsty, then MudGuards, Sputnik, Whippet & BigGears all on Cannondale bikes were all set for the rapid pace along Mona Vale Rd, where a re-grouped at the Fruit Barn.  We paused for 5min.  But alas, no Pacific Pete.  Our small caravan was shortly in full flight bound for Cow Corner.  Our ride sheet suggests a quick about turn on meeting the lead riders returning, it was then we picked up Pete in the run back to Terrey Hills (22km) for our first Sag Stop.

After the regroup at Terrey Hills we entered the National Park at the second entrance on cue around 8:15am, where Gracinda made her way back for other more homely things, having just returned from Sth Africa where she’d cycled in the Argus 110km ride at Capetown to come in 40^th.

The route to West Head (40km) was fought out between Sputnik and BigGears as the pace setters made a break away towards the headland, MudGuards 'n Whippet filled the minor placings, to meet Ian aka The Flash, already taking in the view, & a giant goanna lying in front, absorbing the morning’s heat.  The mist over Pittwater, Lion Island and Palm Beach was now clearing, with still waters below, most enjoyable after our slog, and none of us in any hurry to roll on.

Around 9:15am, Whippet checked his schedule and cracked the whip, whereupon 'twas a mass scramble from the Headland.  Our group made an unscheduled Sag Stop at the intersection of McCarrs Crk Rd (54km) approaching 9:50am as Pacific Pete bade us farewell for the slog back up McCarrs Ck Rd, Terrey Hills & Forest Way. 

Our next turn was Cabbage Tree Rd, Samuel St, McPherson St, and Hunter St, to our Nosh Stop on the water’s edge at Warriewood beach, where Annie Oakey and Scribe had organised a table in the Nautilus Cafe where the choice was wide open, but the service slow with a captive market.  The Sunshine Cafe on the corner (a popular location to secure the Winter sun) was closed.  Our perimeter table was amongst the pot plants, so we’d grow like the plants (on water but a little pot bound).  Out on the headland the hang gliders showed off their skills, control and agility, made possible by the gentle breeze for a great display using the uplift towards the headlands, to soar, turn and drop down for another sweep to the beach.  But a delightful spot, so inviting to stay on, perhaps we should make the effort to continue with the ride back along the Wakehurst Parkway, Forest Way, for the shoot out back along Mona Vale Rd, to Pattisons Patisserie, where it had all started for further refreshment.

Sputnik's return added some pace to the lead bunch where BigGears, Whippet and Flash also featured.  After completing a pedestrian 60km on Good Friday at Royal Nat Park, Bank Teller was content to be back amongst 'em.  But it will be a few weeks yet before he can hold his own as a sweep.

Whippet's rap-up of Good Friday 9 April "Sutherland RNP - Bundeena - Otford - return vie McKell Ave to Waterfall

Fresh from a rain soaked outing on the previous Sunday, where we almost had to swim home, Good Friday morn’ got better as the day unfolded, overcast to bright sunshine.  15 had assembled at the "Sutherland Swimming Centre" to improve on last weeks aqua strokes.  A tad before 7:45am we were all signed-on and ready to start (Scribe, Nurse Karen, Samurai, Rocket, Greg P, Martin B, Navigator, Printer, Tony P, Elke B, Tornado, Daniel W, Engineer, Kirsty & Whippet).  We bade farewell to Bank Teller who was heading for the downhill from Waterfall and also Wottamolla Beach to take readings for his KOM website.  And headed south, where the group got separated by a change in traffic lights.  Whippet led the latter group into the RNP, via Farnell Ave.  The downhill run to the Audley Causeway was fast with the lead changing several times when the Big Guns took aim for Artillery Hill.   

From the Audley Causeway (5km) we’d bobbed ‘n weaved out of the seat up the humongous Artillery Hill bound for Gibraltar Rock.  me mused that it must be one of our steepest climbs around Sydney.  Two lightweights, Grey Nurse & Rocket, pushed thru the field to be well placed to arrive behind the Big Ride Tiaro for our first Sag Stop - junction of Sir Bertram Stevens Dr. and Bundeena Rd after 15km.  The next 11½km was fast and undulating with fewer ups, then the down run to the first Nosh Stop at Bundeena Beach.  Fortunately, shops were just opening, we’d pull into the Bounty Café,  where orders were a little slow.  Our view of Bundeena Beach looked down upon the old wooden café which previous Muggs rides on good Friday and New Years' Day had sucked on caffeine.  Alas, almost a year ago it went up in smoke (torched) under dubious circumstances. 

The climb from Bundeena back to the road junction (38km) was slower with lots of ups & downs.  Once back on Sir Bertram Stevens Dr, we experienced longish straight stretches heading SW thru the scrubby re growth of past fires where we picked up our speed, Tornado, Rusty Chain, Navigator, Daniel W. had surged ahead of the group, in a breakaway like all Muggs’ rides.  Fortunately most riders were familiar with the route, and the route options are few.  Our head scouts arrived at the Otford café and ordered up big, yummy hamburgers, apple pie 'n ice cream and bacon rolls etc.  Then barely a few minutes later, the second wave of, Karen, Martin B, Elke B, Engineer, Kirsty, Rocket, Daniel W,  Simon in hindsight had paused at the junction of McKell Ave to Waterfall as we’d lost Sarah on a previous ride.   Kirsty with Rocket in tow had been content to chat ‘n ride along while others charged on to replenished starving tummies.   A unanimous decision was reached that we would return thru the park via McKell Ave to Waterfall, then along the highway, as this route would be faster.  Phil pulled out with a dodgy rear wheel and caught the train back from Otford.  It seems that Scribe's torso wasn't the only thing to take a hit in Christchurch 9 weeks ago, 'cause his rear wheel took a fall too and is fatigued beyond repair, with a new rim and spokes, together with labour to re-build, costing Phil $270, but a Bank Teller can afford it.

I’ve heard great stories of over seas cycle touring, today outside the Otford Pie Shop, Simon gave us an account of his recent cycling trip around Thailand.  Simon reported that Thailand may once had been a cycle power community.  But they have all been traced in for motor scooters rushing around, and nobody cycles.  Worst still, rubbish was strewn everywhere, with plastic bags clogging water ways, lying on beaches, in the surf, or being burnt, causing dense acrid smoke every where. We mussed that our local lifestyle was a lot better.

The Peloton re-grouped at the Waterfall Rail Bridge at the inroad to the Princes Highway where the pace was cranked-up for the final sprint to Sutherland behind Navigator, Tornado, Greg etc.  However, within sight of the finish, one of the lead scouts had our only puncture, all returned to Waratah Park by 12:50pm with 86km on the clock.

The above two pics were shot at the familiar Otford Pie Shop after 57 clicks, having earlier taken in the sights and snacks at pristine Bundeena Beach, which ironically doesn't serve an array of pies, but makes great burgers.  And the panoramic view of the South Coast from the outdoor table setting at Otford is awesome.  So the 45min drive from Gordon at Sparrow Fart to a deserted Sutherland Leisure Centre car park is a small price to pay. Immediately right is a 20" Red Belly Black Snake which Bank Teller snapped as it sunbaked on the climb out of Wallamolla Beach.  If you look close you can see its red belly.  Scribe had just ridden immediately by it, but lacked the ticker to back-pedal too much for a closer shot, as Red Bellies are reputedly a tad more dangerous than the large brown snakes we see particularly twds West Head.

Scribe    12 April ‘04