Muggaccinos Pedlars Sunday Cyclists - The Bullsheet

Simmo, PJ, and Brenda are departing Turra’ train station car-park at 7:15am, Tues, 17 Oct, for 140kms tune-up to Peats Ridge in anticipation of pending Fitz’s C. If you can jag Tues off work, give one of us a call.

WebMaster Simmo has streamlined [made more user friendly for the dingbats amongst us] the home of The Bullsheet. A double click of your left mouse button on the cyber hotspot "Rides Calendar and Bullsheets", brings up a diary of this year’s rides, both past and upcoming, in four columns:

• date of ride,
• name of ride,
• distance from primary starting point; and
• number of starters.

Once in the rides calendar, double click on any date listed and voilà , the particular Bullsheet appears.

By similarly accessing one new hotspots, "Popular Rides" all you need to know about Muggs primary product, namely a challenging ride every Sunday, is staring you in the face.

• "Popular Rides" lists 23 rides which seasoned Muggs will recognise and the salubrious Pit Stops - 18 cafés, milk bars and restaurants where Muggs have stuck on the nose bag and shot the breeze over recent years.

Shortly, you will be asked to e-mail your 10 bestest rides and slop stops, so we can ascribe H H H H H down to ½H .

A big "thanks" goes to Simmo for expending the hours to further his knowledge of MS FrontPage. For burning the midnight oil, The Enforcer earns fifty Muggs FlyBuys [10 an hour]. If he lives to over a hundred, and the Muggs survive that long, Simmo may have earned enough points to win a Malvern Star.

Any Mugg who would like to attend PJ's abode, from 7:30pm this Friday, 67 Coronga Cres Killara 9498 would be very welcome. In typical Muggs fashion tummies will also be catered to with Brenda baking a cake, Lavazza coffee and PJ opening the cellar, together with home brews.

4. This Sunday 7:15am 22 Oct (1 week before Fitz's) - Joining Bike North's "Cowan to Calga" ride by departing Hornsby at 7:15am - 105kms

Consistent with recent Bullsheets, we depart Hornsby train station side-of-the-road car park at 7:10am (75 metres north of Railway Hotel - west side of rail line) to meet Bike North's caravan at 7:40am on Old Pacific H'way at Cowan train station. The Bikie Hangout at Mt White [37kms from H] is our first put down around 8:50am for 30 mins. Ride Organiser, Brian Willis [9807.6439 (H)] who rode with the Muggs last Sunday informs that the ride turns around at Calga and after re-grouping at Mt White and returns via Brooklyn.

With next Sunday being the final hit-out prior to Fitz’s, some Muggs might opt to -

• carry on to Peats Ridge; or
• return via Berowra Waters/Galston George,

‘cause facing the dreaded Fitz’s Hill, it is important to know that "hills are your friends".

Greg Cunningham, PedalPower ACT, has agreed that Muggs may e-mail him entry details by this Friday, 20 Oct, on the basis that Muggs will pay the $15 entry on the morning of the ride. PJ understands that Papa Bear and Tooth Fairy have already entered and that the following require PJ to notify Greg C:

If I missed anyone, or there are other starters, give me a call or e-mail me pronto.

6. Widget's rap-up of Sunday, 15 Oct Cinque Montagnes - 109kms from Turra'- or Sette Montagnes [7 hills] for a few masochists - 131kms

A tad after 7:15am, a plethora of peddlers pushed off from the ‘Turra tarmac. The 12 degrees of unsunny skies didn't deter guests including Brian and Simon from Bike North and Michael and Helen from various hospitals. Invariably first to each pitstop, Brian couldn't act his age all day. But hopefully inspired the ‘youngsters’ with his bike skills and seemingly endless endurance. Simon reminded of another ‘Boy Wonder’ on a mountain bike.

Helen, who not only knocked out the blokes with her good looks and fast behaviour (in the saddle) but as an anaesthetist ‘knocks 'em out’ in her day job. Michael, who has cycled with Muggs previously, is a cardiac surgeon, which could be useful on a tough climb amongst a bunch whose credo is "Hills are your friends!". Problem is Mike's such a strong climber, a distressed Mugg would likely be half way up an assault wreathing with chest pain, and Mike would be miles ahead.

Muggs can boast a array of favourable fortes, Doctors, Nurses, the ToothFairy, IT Gurus. Alas, at the other end we once had a used car salesman and still have a banker. At Kalkari, The Scribe introduced two prospective new crew in Mark, Sales Manager Diamond Press, and Michael, IS TAFE teacher. But still looking for a Plumber and a Playwright.

Tks to Brian we made it in record time to our first Slop Shop Pit Stop, Galston Nursery Café, where we met up with Helga and Dieter. Helga, albeit experiencing some discomfort, displayed those fighting qualities in the saddle, which have been her trademark.. Muggs still marvel at her bravery in the face of a serious road accident last Dec. Simmo proffered yet a previously unused excuse for Nicki turning in another "no-show".

We were also graced with the formidable presence of Erstwhile Eric belatedly training full-on for Fitz’s. After rolling out of GreenShades and PJ missing the Glenorie abbreviation, 50 mins later, again tks to Brian, our helter skelter lead scout, we were on the punt ride, whereupon a further familiar hill climb later evidenced a regrouping of the reprobates on a grassy knoll busily musing mutiny - Buck The System Time a favourite pastime of Muggs. Helen had lead the charge. Eventually we all agreed to disagree and pursued our own agendas for the ensuing section to Brooklyn.

• Some went to Brooklyn and had a quickie (refreshment).
• Others entered Brooklyn and did a quick turn about.
• Whilst others still, skipped Brooklyn returning back up to Pie in the Sky.

However, we all met up for the obligatory coffee fix at the pie shop and just when folks were beginning to relish the thought of only one hill to go, Siggy dropped a bombshell.

A sudden thought flashed through our Sig’s brain

Leaving four silly fellows (Sig, Eric, David and Ian)

NB: Phil acquiesced to join 'em subject to the weather remaining fine, but reckons he saw a dark cloud just as the right hand into Berowra Waters Rd approached.

A good day was had by all. Sig, Eric, David and Ian rode the extra two hills with much gusto and self - gratification. "Sette Montagnes" - Well done! (Bloody show-offs)

Elfi, as Personal Trainer to Bruce were also out on the highway. Rumour has it that it won’t be much longer before Bruce will rejoin the Mother Ship.

The Widget 'n The Scribe - 16 Rocktober 2000 - johnstph@cba.com.au

Stop Press.............late late inclusion

From Vicky Saville