|
|
Muggaccinos Pedlars Sunday Cyclists - The Bullsheet
Ride contact is Phil J 0404 014725. We roll out of Turra' train station car-park [north/east - cnr. Rohini St and Eastern Rd] at 7:30am, unfamiliarly cycling up to the Pac. Highway where we take a fleeting right turn, before hooking left at the traffic lights into Kissing Point Rd. About 2½kms later we cross Commenara Parkway and continue south west along Kissing Point Rd for about 3kms, until we enter the right fork of a cycle way. We continue along the cycleway for about 2kms passing thru Brown's Waterhole and enter the M2 via an underpass which loops left. [No toll fee, provided you don’t stop at the toll gates and offer to pay which they will gladly accept.]After 15kms we exit M2 where Old Windsor Rd meets at Abbott Rd, continuing along Abbott Rd, taking a right a short while later into Johnson Ave which you exit left into Station St, then turn back and follow lights onto Johnson Ave which changes to Vardy’s Rd which you follow under overpass and thru roundabout, crossing Sunnyholt Rd and onto Marayong Station, and passes thru Quakers Hill along Hambledon Rd, Schofields, Riverstone, Vineyard, Mulgrave, where we take a right at Mulgrave Rd and a left into Windsor Rd. About 2kms later we turn left into Wilberforce Rd, which leads into Windsor [ 35 kms], where around 9:15am we hunt out "The Landing Café" for a 30 mins of repartee and associated bonhomie – so bring some dosh. Shortly before 10am, we cycle south/west along Windsor Richmond Rd thru Clarendon to Richmond, where we take a hard left and peddle due east along Richmond Rd for about 7kms before taking a left at Grave Ave for 2kms before returning to Schofields, where we right turn into Hambledon Rd and return due east via Quakers Hill, Vardy’s Rd, Johnson Ave, taking a left at Abbott Rd, thence back onto the M2, returning to Turra’ via Brown's Waterhole, Kissing Point Rd, with an ETR of 12:30pm at the Turra’ car-park.[ PJ will have a handful of maps/ride route details, however, try and get in habit of hardcopying this and carrying it on Sundays].Three 'Contented Cows" (Ann, Marea and Brenda) and four Buoyant Bulls (Brian W., PJ, Pete T and rookie James) roared out of Snives Car Park smack on time. Reason being Suicide Blonde was in front with the proverbial Ginger up her butt. The rest of us were hot on her trail. This all came to an unscheduled pit stop a few kms up the street when Ballbreaker Brian copped a flat. Whilst he attended to his Kerbside mechanics, BB took the opportunity to secure her dangling saddle bag and also lower the seat on hubby's borrowed trike. That way her health wouldn't be further impaired and she could also uncross her eyes! Within 30 minutes, the herd was amongst its own at the bottom of Duffy's Forest, along with oink oinks, gee gees, bah bahs and goats - and Skippy, of course. The Dirty Cheat (PJ) snuck a crafty turnaround before the appointed place and so took the lead - fleetingly. Cheats never prosper! Although that twerp tries hard! The caravan picked up Pete T's mate, Allen before arriving at Bayview Marina Cafe at 9.25 am (45mins). There wasn't a lot of sun, but it didn't matter a hoot, 'cos we were busy noshing 'n nattering for more than 30 mins before most of us returned via West Head, taking the right at McCarr's Creek Rd (52 kms) for the 13.5 kms undulating leg to the lookout. Shortly before arriving, Welsh Widget, came across, dare I say it, another "Wanker Banker", Neil, who works for Westpac. Neil's in training for the Gong Ride and hopefully will join Muggs thereafter. 'Cos we need another bank teller in order to help the hopeless one we've got already in working out l'aditions from the various Slops Shops we plunder along our routes. The clock registered 65.5 as we rolled onto the lookout. ToothFairy wasn't with us as she had to get back to home base pretty pronto. We whiled away a bit more time when Brian inflated his hapless tyre yet again. Then it was time to inflate our heart rates and ride onwards. At the entrance to the park we regrouped, but where was Brian? It appeared he just could not pass up the challenge of another hill climb and so returned via Akuna Bay. What a lad! 93 kms later (around 1.40pm) we were back at Pattison's Patisserie sucking on only our second fix for the day. Brenda was pleased with her average of 24.2 but PJ muttered a bitchy response that the metrics on Russ' computer ain't been checked in yonks! NB: Ian and Elfi joined Sig and fellow Macarthur stalwart, Norm, for a reconnoitre of Tour de Macarthur. Sig reports Cobbitty Village Coffee 'n Tea Rooms, where a bunch of Muggs sought refuge from "frozen buns" back on 13 June '99, continues to offer friendly service. One wouldn't drive a motor car without 3rd party person and property cover. Equally, one takes a potentially costly risk cycling on public roads without Bicycle NSW membership which provides $20 million public liability cover. About 5 years ago Northern Subs Cycle Club suffered a fatality on a w'end training ride. Closer to home, three serious accidents in as many years is testimony that cycling is a dangerous sport. The ave. speed of the 9 Muggs who descended Fitz's last Sunday would have approached 70kms p/h. Reputedly a tandem broke the ton down Fitz’s. One slip and another serious accident is a fait accompli, where:
Due to the not inconsiderable clicks which most of us amass, it is probable that another Mugg will come a cropper in the next year or so. Approx 90% of the annual Bicycle NSW membership fee is for premiums for the $20 million public liability cover, whereby if an injured fellow cyclist, pedestrian or motorist considers that you caused or contributed to injuries sustained in an accident, Bicycle NSW's insurers will cover you. If Mugg "A" causes Mugg "B" to have a serious accident, say whilst descending The Gorge, it will be infinitely better if Mugg "A" is a current member of Bicycle NSW, as Mugg "B" can seek damages from Mugg "A" who can rely upon his/her policy provided as part of Bicycle NSW annual membership. If Mugg "A" is not a current BNSW member, and doesn't have other 3rd party cover, and post accident Mugg "B" is confined to a wheelchair with no capacity to earn a living, it would be unfortunate for Mugg "A", as Mugg "B" may be within his/her rights to sue Mugg "A" for damages/costs alleging negligence. Last Winter I joined Sig's cycle club, Macarthur Collegians C.C. Of the $100 joining fee, all bar a few bucks went to The National Insurance Scheme which extends to Macarthur's office bearers and race organisers. I understand that every race club requires similar insurance. Bicycle New South Wales’ policy is restricted to public liability. However, race clubs insurance policies also provide some personal injury cover. Bicycle NSW created the Bicycle User Group ("BUG") structure to enable local cycle groups to foster cycling in the community under a structure which would protect those who encourage/advance the sport within the community. Muggs is predominantly a group of local cyclists. There are 35 BUGs in NSW. The $20 million public liability cover for cyclists also indemnifies office bearers/ride organisers of BUGS in fostering cycling. Attached is a "Muggaccinos' Liability Disclaimer" which I have drafted after reviewing the disclaimers in this year's Fit’s and Audax application forms, together with Bike North's log sheet/disclaimer. Provision exists to record your current Bicycle NSW membership number and expiry date. [ If you e-mail me your current membership # and expiry date, I’ll print it in small font on the form, so you don’t have to remember it.]Cognisant that such disclaimers are required for every organised sporting activity, and that cycling is dangerous, I seek anyone wishing to join future rides which I am viewed as ride organiser [ advertised via my e-mails] and are promoted via Simmo’s WebSite, to complete the Muggaccinos' Liability Disclaimer prior to commencing the ride. Most of the BUGs and all racing clubs require all cyclists to complete a similar disclaimer, albeit these disclaimers may be couched as "ride registers" or "ride log sheets".Apart from being irresponsible, it is also patently unfair on fellow Mugg riders not to have public liability cover. Hence, I propose that all Muggs should be current members of Bicycle NSW. And new crew be allowed two rookie rides with Muggs in order to join Bicycle NSW. [I’ll carry a wad of joining form.] If, after two intro rides, a new crew still wants to ride with Muggs, but hasn't a current BNSW membership number, he/she will have to buy a round of coffees at the first pit stop until he/she joins Bicycle NSW as it is unfair on fellow Muggs not to be a member of Bicycle NSW.
Remember Jamie Hedgier, the young hair-dresser cyclist with the flame of red hair. A few years ago, together with affable Richard C., Jamie blitzed ‘em at the Audax - a veritable ball of muscle. Not long after Jamie packed his bags to tour the world, with his first destination "those Mediterrian women around Italy, Spain and Greece". The Flash and wife, Elfi, opened their house one Sunday evening to enable fellow Muggaccinos to see Jamie off in style. Last week, Jamie must ‘ve been going thru old business cards and found PJ’s e-mail and dropped a line including the following tasty [ make that untasty] morsel, which will cause us to update his profile in Chores ‘n Crew, ‘cause the lad’s gone veg:"Wandered around today taking in the Hanoi Hilton (Hao lo) which I promise wasn’t pretty, and many a local market with all your local delicacies including man’s best friend....That’s right, your poor old dog!!!! He was sitting cooked whole with teeth still showing his knarly snowl, tail up (but not wagging) and eyes looking straight at you begging for his bone. Next to him was his best mates intestines and I don’t want to think about the rest!!!! Also saw an array of chicken, rabbit, pigeon, duck, all living (apart from the ones being feathered) and awaiting there turn! Have found the local dog restaurant, but I am in the midst of turning veg, so no chance. Found out it has a really strong flavour and looks similar to bacon...........No thanks!!!!!!!!!!" The Widget 'n The Scribe - 7 November 2000 - johnstph@cba.com.au |
|
|
|