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Muggaccinos Pedlars Sunday Cyclists - The Bullsheet This Sunday, 18 Feb - Tour de Windsor, Wilberforce, Ebenezer, Sackville with Iron Horse from East Richmond to Marayong ETD 6:50am from Turra' via M2 - 114km – top of Kissing Point Rd 500m from return is the only hill - ETR 1:30pm Ride contact is Phil J 9498 3684 hm or 9312.3319 wk. Immediately prior to the ride commencing, PJ, Ride Leader, will hand out on A4 - A. Two maps for - 1. M2 exit to Windsor; and 2. Windsor to Sackville returning to East Richmond B. Times/distances spreadsheet for the ride. Synopsis of Ride: (i)
In order
to catch the 11:49am Iron Horse from
East Richmond train station, and 'cause it is still humid/hot weather, we
rollout of Turra' at 6:50am in pursuit
of our 1st Nosh Stop at Historic
Windsor arriving around 8:55am [46.7km]
after cycling 15kms on the M2 and passing thru Marayong, Quakers Hill,
Schofields, Riverstone, Vineyard, Mulgrave. (ii)
Around 9:25am we commence a 37km anti-clockwise loop north of Windsor to
Wilberforce, Ebenezer and Sackville - returning to Windsor, thence cycling a
further 6km to East Richmond station - catching an Old Rattler at 11:49am which carries us past 25km of roads,
which become distinctly busier after “church
is out”. (iii)
We
disembark at Marayong station around 12:18pm and return to Turra' retracing our steps along the M2, Brown's Waterhole and Kissing Point Rd. with an ETR of 1:30pm.
(i)
Detailed instructions of Turra' to Windsor which is our 1st
Nosh Stop: We cycle 60m up Rohini St to the H'way and turn right at the lights (with the police cameras). 50m later we turn left at lights into Kissing Point Rd and commence step descent shortly crossing Comenarra Parkway (lights permitting) and proceed to the end of Kissing Point Rd. We take right fork onto cycleway path to Browns Water Hole (caution steep decent with sharp turns, causeway may flood), followed by a short steep climb from the creek to M2. We pass through a tunnel and join M2 on south side. Passing 2 on and 2 off roads, we cycle 15kms to where Old
Windsor Rd meets Abbott Rd and continue straight along Abbott Road. We follow Vardys Rd under the overpass and through the roundabout, crossing Sunnyholt Rd at the lights and cycle on to Marayong Station, passing thru industrial areas. Cycle under the railway bridge and turn left at the
roundabout shortly followed by a second left turn to climb onto Railway Road
bridge, effectively heading north beside the railway line until Quakers Hill
railway station where, when we reach the Give Way sign, turn left, then a right
and right again, to take you onto the bridge over the railway line onto Quakers
Hill Parkway. At Riverstone station do a quick right and left to follow the railway line. Riverstone Parade will take us to Vineyard Station. (The clear land on the left is where the Riverstone abattoirs stood, they were the economic mainstay of the area for decades and closed a number of years ago.) At Vineyard station the road veers to the right. We take Wallace Rd - the first street immediately to your left. Follow the railway along and Wallace Rd will end at a T
inter section. To your left is a level railway crossing, go over it and take the
first street on your right which is Railway Rd. We remain on it until Mulgrave Station. (South Creek, to the left, has a large urban and semi-rural
catchment and flows into the Hawkesbury just past Windsor.
Alas, it is polluted.) Turn left onto Windsor Rd, and follow it until you reach Windsor. After a hearty Nosh Stop at recently discovered Kate's Place Café George St. Windsor [Robert Timms 8½/10] we take the Old Windsor Bridge to visit the quaint, rural niché of Wilberforce, Ebenezer turning right at Tizzana Rd for the Sackville loop which eventually arrives at a T intersection where the Wiseman’s Ferry Punt is visible 100m on our RHS. Alas, there ain’t no free ferry excursion in this ride, as we take a left and shortly retrace our steps to Windsor. (ii) Detailed instructions of Wilberforce, Ebenezer and Sackville loop - 2nd Nosh Stop at East Richmond Below are directions for the Wilberforce, Ebenezer and Sackville sections, prepared by Hugh McKinnon of Hawkesbury Skills Inc: "At the end of Terrace Rd it is a dead end although cycle access to the Windsor Bridge is possible. With great care for traffic, you can push your cycle across the road and turn left to cross the bridge, although I'd advise turning right at the end of Terrace Rd up Baker St and left into historic Thompson Square, then turn left again at the roundabout to cross the bridge and ride on to Wilberforce. After the bridge there is an option; straight along Wilberforce Rd with a bike lane and more traffic with views of river flat vegetable farming or around left into Freeman's Reach Rd and then right into Argyle Reach Rd, a quiet country lane that will bring you into the back of Wilberforce. Wilberforce has an historic theme village known as Australiana Pioneer Village on the Wilberforce Rd. To continue, turn right off Wilberforce Rd at the top of the hill into King Rd which becomes Sackville Rd and follow for about 4.5 km. Turn right into Tizzana Rd. This will take you to Sackville via a quiet and beautiful rural area (which winds anti-clockwise). Coromandel Rd (on the right, a 1.5 km detour) goes to the Ebenezer Church, schoolhouse and Cemetery (1808) and the Swallow Rock Reach river walk that starts from the reserve next to the church. The colonial history of this area is very old. The early ships accessed this area and there is relatively little development. Return to Sackville Rd and turn right. Another 5-6 km to the Sackville Ferry. Along the way is the Tizzana Winery and a beautiful lily farm opposite. To return; at the ferry, instead of crossing the river, turn back along Sackville Rd and pedal to Wilberforce and so follow back to Windsor." Windsor to East Richmond train station is 6kms. Cycle through Windsor until you meet Richmond Rd where you turn right (you can't get lost) which takes you to Richmond past the RAAF base. There is a bike lane and also opposite the RAAF base, a cycleway through the park. Go through the grand avenue of liquid amber trees, follow down the main street and through to Richmond Park to East Richmond train station on the LHS and adjacent to Richmond Golf Club. Upon purchasing a snack/Coke we take a 2nd Nosh Stop on the Old Rattler which departs from East Richmond station at 11:49am [or 12:49pm]. (iii) Detailed instructions of final leg from Marayong to Turra' Jumping aboard the Iron Horse at East Richmond carries us past 25km of roads, which transform from a quiet ride on good road surfaces b4 9am, to a noticeably busier section a few hours later. During the 29 min ride we pass thru seven stations to Marayong, where we disembark around 12:18pm [or 1:18pm] and cycle along Vardy's Rd, taking a right into Johnson Rd and a left into Abbot Rd where we re-enter the M2 for a fast 15km. We cycle thru a tunnel (under Beecroft Rd) a bit less than a km before taking the cycle path (at the phone tower at the crest of an incline). Thence, a further 5.5km down/up Brown's Waterhole with that “killer" climb at the top of Kissing Point Rd. to Turra'. ETR is 1:30pm [2:30pm depending which train we catch from East Richmond]. Note:
Caution should be taken at the two on/off roads on the M2, particularly as
motorists depart the two off-roads are travelling a lot faster than cyclists. No toll to pay on the M2 section we cycle on. Rap up of 11 Feb, "Peat’s Ridge - Somersby Bellbirds" Alas, our first wash-out in 12 mths. Suicide Blonde ‘phoned her apologies at 6:30am after having run 30km @ 5.5min pace the day before – Sat. Nicky reckons that on a morn that was "as black as the ace of spades", Simmo climbed into his cycle clobber, took a peek into the mist and climbed back under the sheets. Milko Joe, Whippet and The Scribe turned up at Hornsby, however, the rain wouldn’t stop. Muggs pilgrimage to conquer Linger & Die Hill in Upper Hunter is back to Friday, 16 to Sunday 18 March after re-routing day 3 ride due to trackwork Item 3 of recent 22 Jan Bullsheet informed that Muggs pilgrimage to the Upper Hunter had been postponed to late April due to RTA trackwork [between Broadmeadow/Morrisett] on w'end of 17/18 March, which would delay intended commencement of the 3rd day's ride (Sunday - Woy Woy to Hornsby). Simmo, brainchild of this journey to pay Homage to a Hill, which reputedly buried a few bullock trains last century, couldn't wait 'til April for the exhaustive workout and suggested an alternate cycle route from Maitland in order to retain 16/18 March - muttering to PJ - “think outside the square”, perhaps mindful of his ever burgeoning girth. Voila! Back to original date where after boarding Choo Choo at Dungog at 7:50am on Sunday 18 March, we disembark 8 stops and 46km later at Maitland at 8:36am. and cycle through one horse towns like Heddon Greta, Pelaw Main, Brunkerville, Freeman's Waterhole, Cooranbong, Mandalong, Dooralong and Jiliby on a rural 67km meander to Wyong, arriving at 11:20am, where we board a familiar Iron Horse to Hornsby - ETR 1:06pm. Fingers crossed, other towns along the route such as Kurri Kurri and West Wallsend will have a café. Up to a dozen Sunday pedalers have expressed an interest in the L & D 282km long w'end with 12 hrs pedal time over 3 days @ around 24km km p/h. Below are details of B & Bs etc which Simmo has obtained for o’nite in Wollombi and Dungog. If you are >50% chance of joining the ride to Linger ‘n Die, e-mail The Scribe johnstph@cba.com.au by this Friday noting which digs you favour for each night. [If you want to camp, you can put your tent in your o’night bag (for transport by support vehicle).] Next week’s Bullsheet will provide an update of e-mail responses, following which we will have to book, ‘cause it is only 4 weeks off. Wollombi (Friday, 16th March) Cedar Cottage – Nth of Wollombi on the rd to Cessnock/Dungog Dinner on the Friday EveningWollombi Hotel (only Pub in town) 7pm is good time for dinner. Call and book on the day. Gets crowded around 8:00pm. 4998.3261 – Barman is Colin Hayward Dungog (Sat. 17th March) (02) 4992.3070 Dick said doubles $38 twins $40 per room Restaurant for the night Grill at the Tall Timber Motel Blackboard Menu, Salad Bar, Steak, Sausages, Chop selection, self-cooking. (Chefess will order some fish if we want it) Next best alternative (according to Judith) is the RSL, or a restaurant called the Carriageway, $45 p/hd BYO. Following Sunday 25 Feb, "Quatre Montagnes” + Glenorie - clockwise route ¨ 82km from Turra' Stn N/E side off Rohini St. ETD 6:45am - ETR 11:30am; or ¨ 52km from Hornsby Stn n/west side, 100m nth of Railway Hotel in Jersey St. ETD 7:30am. ETR 10:55am. Nosh Stop: GreenShades Nursery Café Galston at 8:30am, then ride Glenorie loop returning along Wylds Rd. then on to Berowra Waters back to Old Pac H'way to Hornsby or Turra’. What Market Intelligence via e-mail can come up with - A cyclist on the other side of the globe ain't that much different to Muggs! The Scribe engages in mkt intelligence on cycle groups in the USA to compare how they write their weekly newssheets. One of PJ's e-mails attracted a response from a colourful mature lady (older than any Mugg past or present), Elinor D. from Scottsdale Phoenix - hottest city outside the Arab States. Her e-mail address is ejcatclaw@uswest.net says a bit about her laugh at adversity persona, 'cause Elinor has had her share having lost 2 husbands who've gone to the great white cloud - the latter Ladi (short for Ladislav) was also a devil-may-care cyclist. Below is an extract of a few of Elinor's "Ride stories" e-mails to PJ - the 1st was during a period when her second husband was ailing (cancer soon took him), he drove her to the top of a big mountain to free-wheel down it. Elinor's colourful lingo warrants a read: Sent: Sun 21/01/2001 04:33 am Love your ride stories, The Scribe! ……..Here is a cute story of one of my cycling fun things - back when my hubby was still alive. We had gone to Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico (well worth the side trip if you are ever close at all) and had taken our mountain bikes along in case we saw a trail somewhere. He was fighting his cancer at the time (which eventually took him), so we couldn’t do too much. Anyway, there is a hill I had seen years earlier on a trip to the same place with a desert chum of mine. When I saw that wonderful downgrade I promised myself if I was ever there with a bike, I would ride down the thing, even if it meant riding up it to do it. It is one of those hills that they post a sign near the top with a figure of a truck on a 45% angle and a warning of how steep it is. They do the same for uphills too, but on a bike I hate to see those. My husband used to go in search of such things. The man was a legend on uphills. So when we came to that downhill, I asked hubby to drive down while I rode the bike and he was quite willing, knowing how much I loved downhills and rode fully tucked and carefree, even knowing that if something went wrong they would have to come and get me with dustpans and blotters. So, off I went, wind screaming in my ears and loving every minute of it. This hill, by the way, is about 20 miles long (about 40K) and is listed as a series of 6% and 8% grades. Oh, Heaven! As I flew around a curve I saw directly ahead a long tunnel, which had a large warning sign for one to “Turn on Lights in Tunnel!” Yeah, right! Not only did I not have my lights hooked onto the bike for that trip, I was hanging on to the bars so tight at that speed (in excess of 50 mph - probably over 85kph) that it would have been impossible to reach down to turn them on even if I had them attached. Zip I go into this tunnel which was dark as the inside of a grizzly bears stomach. I could not see the sides. I could not see the top. I could not see the ground in front of me. I am still travelling at 85kph. There are no other vehicles of any kind in the tunnel, or at least their lights would have helped. Speed limit was 45mph, so hubby was way back behind me. Way, way off (probably only a ‘click’ or two) I could see a small round piece of sunlit area - the exit to the tunnel from Hell. All I could do was point the bike in the direction of that round light and hope that there were no large rocks or crud in front of me to skid me into an early trip to see God. Gradually the round light got bigger and I emerged, alive to tell the tale, from the other side in one piece, heart pounding and knees a bit wobbly. Actually, by the time I got to the bottom my legs were jellyfish from hanging on so tight all the way down. Would I do it again. You know I would! Sent: Tuesday, 23 January 2001 11:15 am My late husband was my real 'soul mate' and he left an empty spot indeed. I have been widowed twice (the first time leaving me with 6 little ones and no money) but can boast that I had TWO GOOD MEN in my life, and few women can make that statement. You would have loved Ladi (short for Ladislav) and you guys could have torn up many a hill and loved it. Ladi was one of those blokes whose hair turns a beautiful white at a youngish age and he was rather like Cary Grant in appearance. Women fell all over him. It was through me that he got into bike riding and in no time became legendary, much to young dudes dismay, who thinking his white hair meant 'slow turtle' ended up eating the dust off his wheel - if they could get that close. He was one of only three men in the 55-59 year range who got the gold in the Tour de Tucson - 113 miles (almost a double metric century) in under 6 hours. My best time in that one (did it 5 times) was 7 hours and 19 minutes. Since you like a good bike yarn - here is one about my sweetie. We were attending the annual Christmas party for Arizona Bicycle Club one evening (you can always be so surprised to see how different your bike buddies look in 'clothes' - regular ones, that is). Suddenly this man comes up to Ladi, stares at him close and stated "I know you!!! You're that guy from the Gila Bend ride!". Whereupon he spreads his sad tale to everyone. It was on the return trip from Gila Bend (an overnighter - about 150k each way) and he and his 20ish son were riding along, fighting a slight headwind on a flat road. Along comes Ladi, who told them they could all do much better if they drafted one another. And so off they go, Ladi demanding that they switch place at the front at the passing of each electric power pole. Well, there finally came a point when the man and his son were about to roll over their own tongues, trying to keep up with Ladi, who must have seemed somewhat like Captain Bligh by now. Hard as they worked, gradually they began to lose ground. Ladi looked back and noticing they were no longer right on his wheel, he dropped back a bit - looked down at the man's freewheel and growled, "You're in the wrong gear!", whereupon he went into hyper space and shot off as if they were glued to the road, quickly disappearing from sight. The poor man and his son, gasping for breath, pulled over to the side of the road and stood, lungs heaving, while the son shook his head and said, "Hey, isn't he an OLD guy?" Yeah - that was my babe! Sent: Thu 25/01/2001 11:17 am First hubby was a ‘good man’ in that he was a good provider, didn’t mess around in other tulip patches and kept things around the house in good repair. Pity, he never got on a bike and, being old country Sicilian, demanded that I stop being a hoyden who rode bikes and played baseball and became the picture of domestic perfection as I vacuumed the rugs. I stopped riding the bike, but kept it hanging up in the garage (I had worked a year during high school to pay for it, having it imported from England - an early Reynolds 531 frame three-speed utility bike) in quiet defiance. Perhaps if he had gotten on a bike too, he would not have died of a heart attack at 42! Old Reynolds 531 came with me when I moved to Arizona. I put it in to be serviced, new tires, etc., and rode it around a bit before trading it in on a 12 speed Motobecane from France. The weight gradually came off and I felt quite healthy, happy and content. While in some sort of prime condition I was laid low by some bastard who whacked me in the back of the head as I rode to work, leaving me unconscious and busted up by the side of the road. Did not even wake until in the emergency room with blood coming from the ears. Never regained that prime condition, but at least I have the memories. Needless to say, if I had not had on a stout helmet, it would have been over at once. Concussion, fractured neck, fractured lower back, broken collarbone, dislocated shoulder, teeth even missing and a case of road-rash to be the pride of any crazy cyclist. I was ready for the dustbin. What the heck - I am still here. Kids raised. Now make a good salary and new bike on the way. Life is good! Sent: Mon 29/01/2001 05:26 am Thanks for the complement - either my brains were scrambled from the knock, or I believe (which I think is the truth) I felt that since it had taken nearly fifty years to get really smashed up in a bike accident that the odds against it happening again were pretty small and I should just go for it. Might see you someday if you come to Phoenix for a ride of sorts - who knows? I did a double metric century years ago, circling the valley here (some hills, but basically the headwinds were the worst) on a route I designed, on a day that topped off at about 27°C (around 109°F) and did it without support! Had a few fools who did it with me. The route took us past places to grab a bite and plenty of places to get more water. Did it again with hubby the following year, again without support and on a slightly cooler day (maybe only 25°C) in preparation for the Tour de Tucson to follow in about two weeks. I must have hit every snack store in the last 20K, scarfing down candy bars to keep going. But when I did the Tour it felt like a breeze, since it was 12K shorter! Good riding to you, and keep both shoes in the clips! Sent: Tue 13/02/2001 03:13 pm I have a photo of me attached - when I really was “one Hell of a woman” and did the Coor’s Classic and was even lucky enough to have Greg LeMonde (winner of three Tour de France) sign my race number! He was racing too, but only as a volunteer fund raising thing, not for ‘important’ racing. Anyway, that was me when I was in pretty fine shape, riding my hand-brazed Italian racer. A work-mate did the run, and I did the bike for a team biathlon. We took 8th, but being this race included real racers from all over the world, we felt pretty darn proud to do that. [For the Pic see the EJ CatClaw section on the Home Page - didn't want to subject all you folks to a slow download and I like the name - Mugg] Wish I still looked that good, but at least I am working on it. The Scribe - 14 Feb 2001 |
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