Muggaccinos Pedlars Sunday Cyclists - The Bullsheet

Please note: Cyclists commencing at Turra' do not pass by the Hornsby start point, rather usually catch them approaching Pie in the Sky
Ride contact is Phil J 9498.3684 hm or 9312.3319 wk.

Please hardcopy these instructions and bring on Sunday.

Both below ride start points to arrive at initial Nosh Stop - Pie in the Sky for Brekkie around 9:15am:

• Longer Ride - Cinque Montagnes [106.6kms]
  Arrive Turramurra car park [North/East side of station] for a 7:15am rollout in/out of Bobbin Head, arriving at Kalkari Reserve after 14kms around 7:55am for a brief breather. We take a right onto the Pac Highway at the lights after passing Asquith Golf Course. Then it is due north to the Hawkesbury where we U turn at Brooklyn Rd around 8:54am for the hard fought climb back to the pie shop for brunch.

• Shorter Ride - Three Hills [76kms]
  Arrive at Hornsby car-park [100 metres Nth/West of the Railway Hotel in Jersey St] for 8am roll out cycling 600 metres north up Jersey St, taking a short left, followed by a right 60 metres later [at traffic lights] onto Old Pacific Highway for the 26kms ride to the pie shop after U-turn at Brooklyn Rd - your call if you want to wimp out on the climb from Brooklyn Rd).

Allowing for 25 mins with the Nose Bag on, around 9:40am (depending on the weather) we return south for about 16kms before taking a right into Berowra Waters Rd where we descend to picturesque Berowra Waters for the ride on the punt. [If you’ve had enough, you can stop at "Two Hills" by continuing south and return to either Hornsby [46kms] or Turra’ [76kms] car parks]. After cycling thru rural Berrilee and Arcadia, we take a right at Wylds Rd for a 4kms adjunct into parts of rural Glenorie, returning for an early lunch-time Nosh Stop at Green Shades Nursery Café at Galston [9653.1500ph] (don't forget 10% surcharge) at 11:20am – restaurant mgt. is comfortable with us leaving our bikes outside the rest rooms and inside the green metal doors on the LHS. However, as it will be approaching lunch-time, we might struggle to get a table, whereupon we will likely hit the small shop at the gas station across the street.

Allowing a half-hour repast if the weather is pleasant, we commence our return home via Galston George at 11:50am pulling in at the familiar Hornsby Heights' bus shelter at 12:18pm. (approx.  Mugg)

ETR for those who commence at -

• Hornsby is 12:35pm - 76kms - 3 hills.
• Turra' is 1:23pm - 106.6kms - 5 hills.

With a few of the recent regulars doing Cycle Sydney, a lean but feisty contingent of 5 rolled out of Turra’ almost on time – Rookie Tony, Milko Joe, Widget, Suicide Blond and The Arrogant Bastard. Widget found out the meaning of being a fashion victim after borrowing a spare of Phil’s unwashed gloves for the ride, 'cause hers were still on the clothes line. Along the road Suicide Blonde commented on the rather strong countryside smells (and we were still on the M2), whereupon Brenda put her straight - "Sorry, it's the dead raccoon wafting from these gloves, you'd better ride ahead".

We arrived at Kate’s Place Café a tad late due to our two female head scouts inadvertently taking us a few extra clicks in the wrong direction on what could have been a "Scary Section" later on in the day. Their excuse –The maps weren’t printed out upside down and "you guys need a bit of character building anyway". From now on, Head Scout won't be a pair of chatterboxes, but will be a male who will stick to roads along the Richmond train line which is shorter and more scenic.

The Robert Timms at Kate's Place on the thriving mall wasn't quite as good as last time, but the friendly service made up for it. And the prices @ $5 for a mug of flat white 'n raisin toast was cheap as chips.

Our venture into new terrain on the Wilberforce, Ebenezer, Sackville loop proved delight, especially on the stretch thru Bluegrass Country to Wilberforce and the Tizzana Rd Winery section thru Sackville, God’s own country where the traffic was virtually none existent and the scenery you beaut. Dedicated cycle lanes were available most of the route.

However, it got off to a bad start, as somehow we slipped out of Windsor, via the Old Windsor Bridge, one crew member short, with Joe still saddling up. Fortunately, he knew the lay of the land and chased after us. In any event, Marea twigged with a "Where's Joe?" Still, it was hardly the way to impress a relatively new chum, that Muggs is a caring/sharing lot. Brenda wet her knickers when we found out that PJ had screwed up on the ferry ride bit, as we weren't going to catch it unless we wanted to ride to Wiseman's Ferry. The Widget's Temperamental Trike just had to be satisfied with the train ride.

After 96kms at 12:10pm we rolled into Richmond station intent on catching the 12:18pm back to Marayong, whereupon a jolly, portly/rotund chap, who identified himself as "I just drive the thing!" informed us that the train was departing 30 mins later at 12:48, which was a bit of a blessing, ‘cause, even with the assistance of a local wino on crutches, we struggled to learn how to use the ticket dispenser. We headed off to the nearby Indian restaurant, where Coke looked the only thing safe.

The 29 min trip to Marayong [entrance to M2] cut out what might have been a busier section of road as church was now out. It also proved a godsend, ‘cause we were feeling a tad knackered due to the blitzing pace set by Marea and Joe.

After traversing now familiar Vardy's Rd and Johnson Ave to Abbott's Rd, PJ and Tony stole a march on our speed merchants. They had waited to regroup at the start of the M2, only to be rewarded by seeing their kindness repaid by duplicity when The Arrogant Bastard and Tony flashed past, thereby catching an amber and also jagging a good head start. Holly smoke, we were now cutting straight into a head wind, but the longer our ride went the faster Rookie Tony rode. Joe slipped away from Brenda/Marea along the M2 and we bade him farewell around Pennant Hills.

Hitherto we had some gas left in the tank. However, the last seemingly innocuous section of the climb up Kissing Point Rd proved a ball terror, but it didn’t stop Tyro Tony who took the KOM, laboriously eking out that last 100 metres which seemed almost vertical, albeit with a twitchy leg [you'd have to be there to understand that one] on what is a dog of a finishing hill.

Summing up, a new ride into a rural niché - rendered a lot safer by taking the Iron Horse across 25kms of roads, which turn, from a quiet section on good road surfaces B4 9am to a noticeably busier section a few hours later.

Please hardcopy these instructions if cycling on Wednesday.

Sunset is 7:57pm, so we rollout at exactly 5:45pm - with stragglers to catch up by intercepting on return leg from Duffy's Forest.

Park opposite Terrey Hills Fruit Barn (50 metres into Myoor Larool Rd from junction of Mona Vale Rd and Forest Way). We cycle about 3kms along Myoor Larool Rd to Terrey Hills shopping centre and hook a left at Booralie Rd and pedal a 6 kms flat/fast stretch past Terrey Hills Golf Course and the rifle range to Duffys Forest (amidst real pigs, goats, horses 'n cows) where we U-turn and return to access the Ku’ring’gai Chase National Park (around 6:30pm) via Dandenong Rd and Beltana Ave to McCarrs Creek Rd. We head straight for Church Point Café - ETR of 6:30pm. 15 mins for drugs/grub, should provide adequate time to climb back up to Terrey Hills and return to the Fruit Barn prior to sunset of 7:57pm].

As days get longer, we will take clockwise loop of Akuna Bay. However, as this is first Sunset Ride for this Summer, we'll KIS. If you want to check that you ain't going to be riding on your lonesome, 'phone PJ - 9312.3319 or Brian Willis - 9807.6439.

Depart Turra' at 7am - 99.4kms; or

Depart Hornsby at 7:45am - 70.6kms

Depart St Ives at 7am for a 55kms circuit taking in Duffy Forest, West Head and Church Point, then back to St Ives by 10am whereupon cyclists are invited to Brenda's at Bayview for Brunch. Cause it will be Xmas Eve, everyone attending is invited to bring a wrapped gift for up to $10 to put under the tree to be distributed over a Lavazza Café and Chrissie Cake.

A bottle of wine is a safe fall-back gift, however, try and show some imagination by finding that daggy pair of circa '70s' Sunnies that have sat in the packet for 25 years, or a pair of fluoro shorts that we the go in the mid-80s, if any of the shops still stock 'em. The Brunch will give PJ the opportunity to open a can of pudding he bought from the local Lion's Club a few years ago, however, with a bit of brandy and cream it should be soft enough to chew.

NB: Brenda/Russell's abode has a Cement Pond and a tennis court, so bring your togs and racket if you feel inclined.

The Scribe 'n the Widget - 4 Dec 2000 - johnstph@cba.com.au