Muggaccinos Pedlars Sunday Cyclists

This Sunday, 1 April, "Maraylya - Berowra Waters" clockwise loop of the Hills District

¨                       Ride Leader is Kin-Yat Low, Bike North member

¨                       Please hardcopy these ride directions and bring on Sunday

Rollout at 7:45am from Pennant Hills Station (West side Yarrara Rd) then, Round Corner, Kenthurst, Maraylya, Glenorie, Arcadia, Berowra Waters, Berowra, Hornsby & back to Pennant Hills - approx 100 km.

Parking is available in Hill Crest Rd and adjacent streets (not in Library park).

After negotiating a few side streets around Pennant Hills station, we cycle Old Northern Rd, L/into Kenthurst Rd, L/into Pitt Town Rd, becomes Neich Rd, at “Maraylya” R/into Scheyville Rd, for return trip turn R/into Dural Rd, which becomes Cattai Ridge Rd, R/into Old Northern Rd, (passing Dural Country Club), L/into Wylds Rd, L/into Arcadia Rd, at “Arcadia Public School,” which changes to Bay Rd at Berrilee.  

A Nosh Stop is at “Berowra Waters Café" (LHS 100m before boarding punt), Berowra Waters Rd, R/roundabout (5 min Sag Stop at familiar closed health food store), L/ roundabout then R/into Old Pacific Hwy, to Hornsby, then back by “Barker College” in College Cr, R/across bridge, L/into Malsbury Rd, becomes Milson Pde, becomes Sefton Rd, L/into Chilvers Rd, L/R/into The Esplanade, becomes Yarrara Rd, to Pennant Hills Station.  ETR 1:15pm.

PJ’s rap-up of Sunday 25 March "Breakfast at Brooklyn on the Pier" - 83km

We got rained on and the scurry from Red Herring to Pie in the Sky was a Sloshfest, but the dozen who braved the threatening skies enjoyed the experience, albeit washing down the treadley post-ride would ‘ve been req’d.

Eight rolled out at Turra’ on time [Pacific Peter, The Scribe, Rolf, Whippet, Temperate Tony, Rabbit Warren, The Flash and rookie, Erika].  True to form, Simmo arrived at Turra’ about 3 mins after advertised rollout. Rock Solid, Marea started from Hornsby, picking up Ross at Cowan.

We might have attracted a new member after Rabbit and Whippet put in yeoman’s service pumping up stranded Mary’s mountain bike at our Kalkari Sag Stop, ‘cause Mary ain’t mechanical.

We scored a few light showers heading north to Brooklyn, and some Yuppie Wally, towing a large boat forgot about his boat whilst passing Pacific Pete on a corner, allowing less than enough clearance for the boat.  Fortunately, Pete had the wherewithal and adroitness to veer off the road into a sand pit to avoid being clobbered by a boat.  The split second manoeuvre scared the hell out of Erika who was just behind, but seemingly saved Pete a far worse outcome.  Fortunately, the off-road provided enough space to avoid a bingle in the bush.

Alas, the petite brunette waitress, who has brightened up many a male Mugg’s moosh when taking his order at Red Herring over recent years, was no more.  Eventually, her replacement, a buxom redhead arrived.  However, in the meantime we were forced to tolerate BossMan who has the pissaz of a Factory Foreman with a sore head. 

Around 9:15am Dirty Cheat scampered off from the Brooklyn Pier, intent on snaffling an early break on the chatterboxes.  Rolf was the first to peg him back, and then Rabbit went by the both of ‘em as though being chased by the Kings’ Hounds.  Eventually, about 200m from the familiar pie shop, with Rabbit already sipping on a Cappuccino, Temperate Tony, PJ, The Flash and Rolf picked up the pace for a sprint to the wire.  Tony had too muck grunge and Rolf trailed him in, leaving the minor placings to Ian and Dirty Cheat.

We managed to snaffle a few tables inside PitS which was packed to the rafters with bikes - the Leather Brigade.  PJ seized the moment to phone Brenda who is in sick bay, recovering from over exerting her spine whilst playing tennis.  The first thing Widget said was “Is it raining?” -as though she derived some Perverse Pleasure in knowing her buddies were getting dumped on whilst she remained at home convalescing.

Most of us arrived back at Turra’ around midday with 83km on the dial.  Ian, showed some early form in his first run after a spell, in sharing the Yellow Jersey with Tony, although only ‘cause Rabbit had returned to Hornsby and Whippet scored his customary puncture.

A much wetter ride than most of us had likely anticipated as we enjoyed a bit of dawn sunlight, but fun nonetheless.

The Scribe  - 27 March 2001