Recently a few "infrequenters" have e-mailed The Scribe with updates.

Mark Andrews -

• has been heavily into training with Panthers Tri Club,
• attributes all the hills he climbed with Muggs during the Winter, together with the lower cluster Sig recommended, to his improved climbing,
• rec'd a phone call from Connie who is alive and well, enjoying the work, doing a fitness instructors course on weekends and has just purchased a motor scooter to help get around Dublin regards; and
• informs that he might re-appear after Fitz’s depending on Tri commitments.

Also understand from earlier advices that ActionMan, BackPacker, John Bele and Canadian, Barry Dalsto, find earlier/shorter/faster Summer rides, easier to schedule in with Sunday chores.

BN explained its charter/roll and acknowledged that its rides were primarily short/medium and didn’t have a weekly, long Sunday ride and saw merit in the proposal. El Presidento Michael Chow, a lawyer, explained that shortly BN would become incorporated thereby limiting damages from any future litigation to the assets of BN - office bearers of BN could not be personally sued. The Scribe, familiar with joint and several liability thru his day job, took comfort at being protected under an incorporated vehicle.

Muggs acknowledged that it needed to become a Bicycle User Group ("BUG") or have its ride organiser join an existing BUG in order for its ride organiser/WebMaster to rely upon Bicycle NSW’s $20 million public liability cover. [About 4 months ago PJ distributed to Muggs stalwarts Bicycle NSW insurance literature which identified circumstances where a ride participant who is badly injured during an organised ride could litigate the ride organiser for damages/costs].

Promotion of future rides in BN’s website and the tried/tested ones in Push On would facilitate –

• support for WebMaster Simmo;
• regular influx of new cyclists for Muggs’ rides; and
• support for PJ and Brenda with enhanced opportunities for guest editors.

The only thing that will change for Muggs will be the need to complete a Liability Disclaimer sheet noting your name/address/phone and signing which takes about 45 secs.  Simmo mentioned that it pales into insignificance with the individual Form that Nicky and he are req'd to complete which disclaims liability to the owners of the horses they ride. Yesterday, Brian Willis, who led BN's Calga ride commented that the details facilitate communication and BN has not had a liability claim/accident to date. If anyone wants to leave a ride or if the gang wants to change a ride once commenced, existing protocols will still apply, namely paying the courtesy of informing that you are bailing out or intend doing a few more hills. If the majority want to change the route once commenced, due to weather or otherwise, and all riders are informed, then we change the route so long as no one contends that he/she will be abandoned - unlikely as our rides are promoted for seasoned cyclists only.

PJ has gleaned that a few Muggs have recently mused "if it ain’t broke, why try to fix it". However, the three crew who deliver the Bullsheet [The Scribe, The Widget and The Enforcer] cogitate its a bit broked ['cause of the onerous workload necessary to inform those riders who have ridden with us over recent mths and the potential for someone who is injured to commence an action for damagers/costs alleging that the ride organisers misconducted the ride or were negligent - whether the action is successful is another issue, however, no fun having a negligence claim hanging over one's head]. Hence, they support the above initiatives, ‘cause -

• Bicycle NSW’s insurance advices say they are potentially exposed to litigation; and
• their efforts in rolling out the Bullsheet aren’t returning enough "bang for their buck".

1. have read the Bicycle NSW insurance stuff; and
2. will -

As Push On's info receipt deadline is this Friday, looking fwd to receiving contributions by 5pm Wed, to ensure the below Rides Programme is the best possible. I re-iterate that the only rides which might limit flexibility to change rides are the proposed five per two months which will be listed in Push On and these will be the tried 'n tested ones.

3. Welsh Widget's/The Scribe’s rap-up of "Calga turn-around ride" plus Berowra/Galston - Sunday, 22 Oct - 104kms with four hills, although Sig/Ian clocked 145kms over 7 hills

Back to the mundane stuff. "No, that’s wrong." Back to what normal cyclists achieve to. Due to the shorter start at Hornsby, extending the initial pit stop ‘til after the Calga loop worked well. We didn’t dally long at the Bikie Hangout prior to heading back to Pie in the Sky where the chatter must ‘ve been interesting, ‘cause time slipped away. With the sun finally peering thru, Humongous Hun arrived muttering about not getting to bed until 1:30pm "due to my endless social obligations". Around 11am, Simmo, PJ and yours truly bade farewell to the contingent at Berowra Waters Rd, ‘cause "there were more hills to climb". As we were about to reach the punt, PJ in a sense of deja vu reminded Simmo of their 5 hills ride last Good Friday when they reputedly unsuccessfully chased "a real honey" (in their dreams!) who allegedly shared the same punt, all the way to the Koppers Log KOM on the arduous climb twds Berrilee - but alas The Goddess proved way too fast for the middle aged duo.

Then low and behold, as we decelerated into Berowra Waters, beneath us at water’s edge, were three Dames on Frames patiently waiting for the punt. (They weren’t on their frames, but you get the drift). Not wanting to miss an opportunity, marketing guru PJ, in a veritable flash, was handing out more www.muggaccinos.com promo cards. The "75/150kms hilly rides" part seemed to daunt them. They didn’t leave us in their dust, but when we reached Koppers Log I was informed by PJ "they’re not far back".

GreenShades was busy, however, I smiled nicely and secured a table. Approaching Hornsby around 2:30pm, Simmo was only half a km short of 150kms for the weekend, so whilst PJ and I caught up with Nicky and Elfi, who had returned from Woy Woy, The Enforcer re-looped Jersey Rd a few times to turn his register over to 150kms.

Another fun day with the prospect of several new faces. But, have we done enough for Fitz’s?